OutsideJul 2, 2026
Michigan’s Best Beach Getaway
Escape to New Buffalo and St. Joseph, where summer fun overlaps with great food and art
19 things in this story
- Harbor Shores Nature and Fitness TrailsTrailweave through wetlands into downtown Benton Harbor
- Elsewhere
- Galien River Marsh Water TrailTrailNew Buffalo, United Statessix-mile tranquil float through New Buffalo Marsh
- PostBoyRestaurantNew Buffalo, United Stateshome to James Beard Award semifinalist chef James Galbraith
- Lake Michigan Shore Wine TrailTrailNew Buffalo, United Statescan start in New Buffalo
- Red Arrow TrailTrailNew Buffalo, United Statesconnects New Buffalo to Sawyer
- Silver BeachParkSt. Joseph, United Statesclear waters of Lake Michigan, perfect for cooling off
- South PierSightSt. Joseph, United Stateswalk for lake views and fishing opportunities
- North Pier LighthouseSightSt. Joseph, United Statesvisible from Tiscornia Park across the river
- Tiscornia ParkParkSt. Joseph, United Statesoffers a closer look at the North Pier Lighthouse
- Silver Beach County ParkParkSt. Joseph, United Stateshas two playgrounds and the Silver Beach Carousel
- Silver Beach CarouselAttractionSt. Joseph, United Statesiconic hand-painted carousel
- Warren Dunes State ParkNature reserveSawyer, United Statesfeatures 260-foot dunes perfect for sandboarding
- Third Coast PaddlingPlaceSawyer, United Statesrent boards and sleds inside Warren Dunes State Park
- Warren Woods State ParkSightThree Oaks, United Statesoffers a quiet nature walk by the Galien River
- St. Joseph River Water TrailTrailSt. Joseph, United States67-mile trail from St. Joseph to Niles
- Krasl Art CenterArts centreSt. Joseph, United Statesfree public gallery specializing in contemporary sculpture
- Jens Jensen PreserveSightUnion Pier, United StatesDirections: Located along the West Side of Red Arrow Highway on Parkway.
- Turtle Creek PreserveSightUnion Pier, United StatesDirections: Turtle Creek Preserve is located on Lubke Road just north of the New Buffalo Elementary School.
- Robinson Woods PreserveSightHarbert, United StatesRobinson Woods is an 80-acre forested nature preserve on East Road in Chikaming Township.