A Guide to Exploring Southwest Michigan

One of the best parts of a stay at Long Lake Memories is how much there is to explore within an easy drive. Head north from Valparaiso and across the state line into Southwest Michigan, where Lake Michigan beaches, small downtowns, wineries, restaurants and local shops make it easy to fill an afternoon or an entire day.

Rather than trying to see everything at once, choose a town or two and take your time. From a beach day in New Buffalo to wine tasting near Sawyer or an afternoon exploring St. Joseph, each area offers something a little different.

New Buffalo

One of the closest Southwest Michigan destinations to Long Lake Memories, New Buffalo is an easy choice when you want to spend a few hours across the state line. The small lakefront town combines a walkable downtown with restaurants, shopping, a marina and easy access to Lake Michigan.

Outdoors

Spend a summer afternoon at New Buffalo Beach, where you’ll find a wide stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline just beyond downtown. You can also walk along the harbor and marina or head to Galien River County Park for wooded trails, wetlands and an elevated boardwalk overlooking the river.

Shopping

Most of New Buffalo’s shopping is centered around Whittaker Street and the surrounding downtown blocks, making it easy to park and wander. You’ll find a mix of clothing and home boutiques, galleries, gifts and specialty shops along the way.

Eat + Drink

There are plenty of reasons to plan a meal around your visit. David’s Delicatessen is a favorite for coffee and sandwiches, while The Stray Dog is a classic New Buffalo stop for lunch, dinner or drinks on the rooftop during warmer months. Beer Church Brewing Co. serves pizza and craft beer in a former church, and Oink’s Dutch Treat is a fun stop for ice cream before heading home.

Make a Day of It

New Buffalo works especially well when you don’t want to overplan. Grab lunch, browse downtown, spend a few hours at the beach and finish with ice cream before making your way back to Long Lake Memories.

Three Oaks

Just inland from Lake Michigan, Three Oaks trades the traditional beach-town atmosphere for historic buildings, independent shops, arts and plenty of personality. It’s small enough to explore in an afternoon but has more than enough to keep you around through dinner.

Shopping

Downtown Three Oaks is made for wandering. Stop into Goods & Heroes for a beautifully curated mix of clothing, home goods, books and accessories, then explore the other independent shops like Nest Number 4 scattered throughout the surrounding blocks. Froehlich’s is also worth a stop. Its collection of downtown spaces includes food, baked goods and pantry items that make it easy to bring something back to the lake.

Arts + Culture

For such a small town, Three Oaks has an impressive arts scene. The Acorn hosts live music, comedy and other performances throughout the year, while the historic Vickers Theatre shows independent, foreign and art-house films. Check their calendars before your stay—you may find a reason to turn an afternoon in Three Oaks into an evening out.

Eat + Drink

The biggest draw is Journeyman Distillery, located inside the historic Featherbone Factory. Stop in for a distillery tour or tasting, stay for a meal at Staymaker or spend some time outside at Welter’s Folly, Journeyman’s sprawling putting green. Elsewhere downtown, Froehlich’s is an easy choice for breakfast or lunch before exploring the shops.

Make a Day of It

Pair Three Oaks with nearby New Buffalo for an easy Southwest Michigan day. Spend the first half near Lake Michigan, then head inland for shopping, dinner and drinks or tickets to a show at The Acorn.

Sawyer + Wine Country

Sawyer and the surrounding countryside are where Southwest Michigan’s outdoor and wine-country experiences come together. Spend the morning climbing dunes or walking the beach, then trade your hiking shoes for a winery patio and settle in for the afternoon.

Outdoors

Warren Dunes State Park is the area’s standout outdoor destination, with towering dunes, hiking trails and a long stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. It’s worth visiting even when it isn’t beach weather; cooler days are perfect for hiking and taking in the views.

Shopping

Make time for Sawyer Home & Garden, a longtime local destination that goes far beyond plants. Inside you’ll find produce, gourmet foods, wine, kitchenware, home goods and gifts, with flowers and seasonal finds outside. It’s the kind of place where you can stop for five minutes and somehow leave much later.

Wine + Beer

This part of Southwest Michigan is surrounded by wineries, breweries and tasting rooms, making it easy to build an entire afternoon around a few stops.

Round Barn Winery & Estate in nearby Baroda is one of the area’s best-known destinations, offering wine, beer and spirits along with expansive outdoor spaces and live music during the warmer months. Wine lovers can also use the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail as a starting point for discovering other wineries throughout the region.

If beer is more your speed, Greenbush Brewing Co. is right in Sawyer and makes an easy stop after a morning at Warren Dunes.

Make a Day of It

Start at Warren Dunes before the day gets busy, browse Sawyer Home & Garden, then spend the afternoon exploring a winery or two. It’s an especially good itinerary for a fall stay, when the cooler weather and changing landscape make this part of Michigan worth the drive.

St. Joseph

Farther north, neighboring St. Joseph and Benton Harbor are worth setting aside a full day to explore. St. Joseph brings the classic Lake Michigan beach-town experience, while Benton Harbor adds arts, culture and a different collection of places to eat and explore just across the river.

Outdoors

In St. Joseph, Silver Beach sits below downtown along Lake Michigan and is an easy place to spend a summer afternoon. Walk out along the North Pier for views of St. Joseph’s iconic lighthouses or explore the bluff overlooking the shoreline. Families can also stop at Whirlpool Compass Fountain near the beach, particularly on a warm summer day.

Shopping

Head up the bluff to downtown St. Joseph, where State Street and the surrounding blocks are lined with independent boutiques, specialty stores and places to stop for coffee or something sweet. It’s compact and walkable, so this is another place where you don’t necessarily need a shopping itinerary—give yourself some time to explore and see what catches your eye.

Arts + Culture

Near the beach, the Silver Beach Carousel is a favorite for families, while Krasl Art Center offers exhibitions, events and outdoor sculpture. Across the river, Benton Harbor’s Arts District adds galleries, studios and creative spaces to the day. It’s worth exploring both sides of the river rather than treating St. Joseph as the only destination.

Eat + Drink

There’s no shortage of places to build a meal into the day. Silver Beach Pizza, located in the historic train depot near the beach, is an easy family-friendly option, while downtown St. Joseph offers everything from cafés and casual lunches to dinner and drinks. Benton Harbor also has restaurants and breweries worth crossing the river for, particularly if you’re already planning to explore the Arts District.

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Make a Day of It

Spend the morning downtown, head to Silver Beach for the afternoon and stay for sunset over Lake Michigan. Or mix things up with art and lunch in Benton Harbor before crossing the river to explore St. Joseph. This is the farthest of our Southwest Michigan recommendations, so give yourself enough time to enjoy it rather than trying to squeeze it between other stops.

Before You Head to Michigan

There is one important thing to remember when planning your day: Southwest Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone, while Long Lake Memories is in the Central Time Zone. Your phone will likely update automatically when you cross the state line, but keep the one-hour difference in mind when making dinner reservations, booking tastings or purchasing tickets.

Summer weekends can also be busy, especially in the lakefront towns and at popular beaches. If there’s somewhere you really want to eat or an experience you don’t want to miss, check hours and make reservations before heading out.

Explore a Little Further

You don’t need to see all of Southwest Michigan in one trip. Pick a beach town, spend an afternoon wandering somewhere new or make wine country the destination for the day. Then head back across the state line, settle in at Long Lake Memories and save another town for next time.

Planning your own lake getaway? Check availability at Long Lake Memories and start planning your stay.