New Buffalo, Three Oaks and Sawyer are three towns all located just inside the southwestern corner of the state of Michigan. Many people haven't heard of any one of these smaller Midwest towns, let alone all three. Just a 90-minute drive from Chicago, this area makes for a perfect weekend destination for those eager to leave the city behind for a few days! This area is definitely continuing to grow and there appears to be new homes being built throughout the town of New Buffalo all the time. The cities are building more friendly walking paths and bike trails between towns for visitors, making it the stuff that good summers are made of. I've compiled some of the best things to see and do in New Buffalo, Three Oaks and Sawyer on Lake Michigan!
New Buffalo, Michigan
Any local or anyone who has spent more than a couple of days in New Buffalo knows that summers here are easily the kind that rival the blissful ones from childhood. It's a vibe, and Lake Michigan has it. All of the things that make summers the best are in abundance on Lake Michigan: fireflies, sunrises and sunsets, sticky sunscreen skin, sand in every nook and cranny, sandals, popsicles, ice cream cones, beers and cocktails, barbecues, swimming in the lake, pastries, iced coffees, eating outside on a patio, boating, hiking, fishing, live music, bike-riding and walking everywhere. This guide to Harbert County will give you ideas to make your time here truly memorable.
Start the morning with a coffee from the Whistle Stop Grocery.
The Whistle Stop also has so many unique and specialty food items in its shop as well as small gifts and souvenirs. Come here for thick, hearty sandwiches, unique dips & spreads, as well as gluten-free crackers and cookies to share! This is a great spot to buy picnic-ready items, lunch for a day at the beach, or a happy hour spread with friends.
Take a walk through the neighborhoods behind the Whistle Stop Grocery in Union Pier and enjoy some of the cute cottages and flowers blooming. Mornings are slow in New Buffalo and it's a peaceful time when the day hasn't gotten too hot yet. You may spot a couple mini- libraries for a beach read! Note: Townline beach is just a short walk from here! Also in Union Pier is Black Currant Bakehouse, which is known for their fabulous gluten free items and many vegan options as well.
In New Buffalo proper, David's Deli offers coffee and pastries, but typically has a long line formed early on from all the people ready to hit the beach for the day! (Local secret: in the evenings sometimes it transitions to a cocktail bar called The False Front).
Test out Some of the Best Local Restaurants
New Buffalo holds weekly Farmer's markets on the street pictured above throughout the summer. This street is home to shops filled with art, trinkets, beachy items as well as great restaurants like The Stray Dog. New Buffalo holds many events throughout the warmer months and there are often some local magazines that can inform you about what's ahead.
Beer Church Brewing Co. is one of the first buildings you notice when coming into New Buffalo from any direction as it's a large white church with a giant sign that says "BREWERY" on it. They have the BEST gluten-free pizza and air-fried wings I have ever eaten. Recommend: Cacio e Pepe Pizza or the Diavola Pizza.
Have a Beach Day
My favorite beaches in the New Buffalo area are the main beach at the end of Whittaker street in downtown New Buffalo, and nearby Townline beach. Much of the beach is private in the area but these beaches are a great place to soak up some rays, bring a picnic happy hour, or take a sunrise/sunset stroll. Please remember to respect the beach and strive to keep the beaches clean!
Check out Some of the Walking Trails in the Area
There are several family-friendly walking trails, such as Robinson Preserve, which has carefully placed signs along the path with pages of children's books to keep the kids entertained!
There is also a path through the Galien River County Park that is truly beautiful. It has a viewing deck of the surrounding marsh areas where some locals fish and some people even paddle board and kayak! The air smelled so fresh here and it was well worth the visit!
This is a great spot for viewing local flowers, plants, birds, and wildlife. (Definitely bring bug spray along)
Watch the Sunset with your Friends and Family
Lake Michigan sunsets bring the entire community together. On a clear night, or most any night really, everyone makes it a point to walk down to the main New Buffalo beach and catch the last few rays of the day.
This can also be a great time to see if the rooftop deck at Stray Dog is available for a cocktail or appetizer!
Check out the local lighthouse on the beach.
The lighthouse is quite literally a beacon on the main New Buffalo beach and is a beautiful sight for all. Lighthouses remind us of the sea and the beach, a symbol of relaxation and peace!
Watching the sunsets here is something that I would never get tired of. It seems that the local residents feel the same way!
Three Oaks, Michigan
The quaint town of Three Oaks is extra special. It is tucked away in such a way that if you didn't already know it was there or if you didn't have plans to stop here, you'd likely miss it. Truly small-town bliss, this town cannot be missed. Just within a few blocks, there is so much to see and do, including restaurants, shops, theaters, a historic butcher shop, and a distillery. Froelich's Bakehouse or Froelich's Restaurant is well-known for their preserved items and their fabulous menu in the sit-down restaurant. Three Oaks Eatery also offers patio seating for scrambles and hashes to fuel your summer adventures!
Catch a Movie or Live Show
The Vicker's Theatre hand-selects their films for showings and each film is shown for no more than two weeks, so there is almost always a new movie playing! Additionally, The Acorn is a great spot to listen to music or a show and is tucked in the most adorable section of town next to a famous distillery, Journeyman Distillery.
Go Strawberry or Blueberry Picking (when in season)
There are a number of local U-pick strawberry patches and these berries are always better than the ones from the grocery store! Growing up, my cousins and I always baked a special strawberry cake after strawberry-picking and that cake will forever taste like the height of summertime to me.
Sawyer, Michigan
Another small town near New Buffalo and Three Oaks teeming with charm, history and great restaurants and breweries is Sawyer.
Susan's restaurant is BY FAR the restaurant I've most enjoyed in years! It was a magical experience on a summer evening. Live music on the patio, string lights, refreshing citrus cocktails, a cotton candy sunset and farm-to-table fare. The ultimate combination! The night spent at this restaurant is forever etched into my memory and if I think hard enough, I can still taste the Susan 75 (Susan's version of a French 75 cocktail).
Other highlights of Sawyer include its proximity to Warren Dunes State Park with tons of hiking paths, beach line, and coffee shops like Infusco Coffee. My cousin and I like to wake up early and run to the top of the steep sand dunes while it's still cooler outside. The kids also like to do this too and slide back down again.
Also nearby is popular Greenbush Brewing and an awesome brewery called River Saint Joe.
River Saint Joe is actually located in Buchanan, MI but has tons of outdoor space when the weather is nice, good food and beverages.
Sawyer is a great spot to look for new treasures in all the shops filled with antiques. I was always finding cute home decor that I wanted to bring home with me!
These towns are Lake Michigan's best kept secrets. Since I have family in the area it always feels like a vacation and also like coming home.