By Elvin Yavuz on July 12, 2010

Feature photo by Harbor Country CBB

Residents of the East Coast escape to the Hamptons, the Jersey Shore, or Cape Cod for summer beach weekend getaways. Chicago residents are fortunate enough to have easy access to many of our city beaches alongside Lake Shore Drive but where do Chicagoans go if they are looking to slow down their weekend by a few notches? A place where they can still enjoy summer time play on the beach? Visiting one (or a few) of the eight quaint beach towns that make up Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan can be the answer for those who seek a change of pace away from the grind of their busy city lives.

Harbor Country is just 70 miles from downtown Chicago and can easily be accessed by Amtrak or by car. The eight towns that make up Harbor Country (Michiana, Grand Beach, New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert and Sawyer) are nestled along a 15 mile stretch of shore line on Lake Michigan. Visitors can enjoy a weekend of endless beach time, award winning wineries, eclectic shops and a slew of outdoor activities.

Executive Director of the Harbor Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, Viki Gudas, said the relaxed environment of Harbor Country attracts year-round visitors. “I think what sets Harbor Country apart from other summer time destinations in Michigan is the fact everything is very relaxed and casual here,” said Gudas. “It’s an eclectic mix of stuff. It’s a great place to unwind without having any pressure.”

So whether you take just a day trip or decide to stay the weekend, here is a sampling of what Harbor Country has to offer.

Where to stay

Take your pick for accommodations from beach cottage rentals, bed & breakfast inns to hotels. Keep in mind that depending on where you stay, you may get access to private beaches of Lake Michigan which is a treat from the crowded public beaches. Click here to check availability.

Many of the homes in Harbor Country are owned by Chicagoans and weekend rentals are available. Chicago resident, Lee Bolnick, has been coming to New Buffalo since he was a little boy. “My parents got the house around 20 years ago,” Bolnick said. “The opportunity to get away from the city and hang out on the private beach or swimming pool with my wife and friends makes it a great break from the hustle and bustle of city life in Chicago.”

Things to Do

Beaches

New Buffalo’s city beach is located on the North end of Whittaker Street. Parking is available for $5.00 for the first two hours and $1.00 per each additional hour. If you don’t have private beach access and feel like getting away from the crowds, head to the road end beaches in Union Pier, just a couple miles from New Buffalo. You can walk or bike on the picturesque beach which can be accessed from the following streets: Townline Road, McKinley Street, Miller Beach, Berrien Street. There are no lifeguards, restroom facilities nor pets allowed.

Looking for a water adventure? You can kayak, surf (yes, you can surf in Lake Michigan- don’t let those East and West Coasters tell you otherwise!) or paddle boat. “Paddle boarding is becoming extremely popular here,” said Gudas. “You can take lessons as well as rent equipment through Third Coast Surf Shop located in New Buffalo.”

Hiking

Warren Woods, located in Sawyer, Michigan, is a primeval forest filled with beech and maple trees. Galien River cuts through the woods and is an ideal place for a short 3.5 mile hike, picnic or bird watching. “Warren Woods is the last patch of woods that are undisturbed by growth and very representative of what this area looked like way back when,” said Gudas. “It’s a great place to visit on a hot day and be under a canopy.”

Interested in hiking up some dunes? Check out the Warren Dunes State Park, which offers an array of outdoor activities from dune climbing to sandboading to hang gliding.

Biking

Biking is a great way to explore Harbor Country. Visitors can rent bikes at Dewey Cannon Trading Company, located downtown in Three Oaks. There are 12 self-guided bike tours you can choose from. Trails range from five to 60 miles and take you through farms, meadows, parks and forests.

Shopping

There are many opportunities for shopping throughout the towns of Harbor Country. Just take a walk through the downtown areas and discover hidden gems. Looking to do some antique shopping? You’ve come to the right place. The road stretches between the towns of Harbor Country have ample of antique stores. Visitors looking to find unique gardening and home décor should make sure to visit the Featherbone Factory.

Gambling

Admit it. You have been dying to try your luck at blackjack since you saw the movie “Bringing Down the House”. You can test your luck at Four Winds Casinos, in New Buffalo. The casino holds a blackjack tournament every Tuesday and also offers million dollar jackpots.

Wineries

Who says you can only find great wineries out on the West Coast? The grapes growing in the wineries of Michigan are replicates of some of the grapes growing in France and Germany.

Kenny Petersen, Assistant Manager at Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, said that Tabor Hill was the first winery to grow the European grapes in Michigan. “We wanted to make merlot, cabarnet and syrah,” said Petersen. “We were told that it would never work and we would go bankrupt. But 40 years later, here we are, producing those wines. It’s a dream come true.” Tabor Hills, a 30 minute drive from New Buffalo (and outside of Harbor Country) is one of the oldest and largest wineries near Chicago. The hand-picked winery produces award winning white and red wines and also has a full restaurant attached to it.

There are many more wineries located along the hillside roads of Harbor Country. Lemon Creek Winery, located in Berrien Springs, not only offers wine but also a u-pick fresh fruit farm. The winery features dry reds, German and ice wines. For a full list of area wineries, check out the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail website.

Harbor Country offers both laid back and action packed activities and adventures for visitors. First time visitor, Lia Osburn was pleasantly surprised by her experience. “I was surprised by the beauty and size of the houses on the beach,” said Osburn. “I expected smaller cottages but would almost call New Buffalo the Hamptons of the Midwest. Despite all the multi-million dollar homes, the town retains a quaint charm with many shops and restaurants not accepting credit cards. It’s an interesting blend of modern and traditional.”