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Whatever you chose to call the watery edge of Michigan – Michigan’s Gold Coast, the Michigan Riviera or Chicago’s playground – this part of Michigan remains the heart of Michigan tourism and continues to captivate all who wander here. Come with us as we discover the sand, surf and stunning sunsets of the Lake Michigan shoreline in New Buffalo and the outdoor recreation and wine country scene at the tiny inland town of Three Oaks.
We think 10 hours is just the right amount of time to spend here. That might not seem like a long time, but you can sure have a lot of fun in Southwestern Michigan over that time span. To make the most of your visit, you’ll need a plan. That’s where we’ve got you covered. Here’s a packed itinerary for how to spend 10 hours in this lovely, friendly and up-and-coming part of Michigan. You’ll have to make some choices based on your lifestyle and travel preferences, but you can’t go wrong with whatever you decide to do in the Michigan towns of Three Oaks and New Buffalo.
Ready? Of course you are.
Morning: Three Oaks for down-to-earth small-town culture
9 A.M. – Forest Bathing at Warren Woods
Start the day by promoting your overall well-being through an hour of forest bathing at Warren Woods State Park. Often described as a “nature lover’s paradise”, Warren Woods is a 311-acre nature preserve. The forest here is made up mostly of old beech and maple trees that are growing close together. In the spring and summer their leaves create a bright green canopy that lets in little light creating a cool, shaded respite for nature lovers looking to escape from the relentless Midwestern sun. It’s the kind of natural place that is perfect for slowing down and tuning into the sounds of nature. In other words, it’s an excellent place to try forest bathing! Forest bathing is based on the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoko. It is said to promote many health benefits including stress relief, relaxation, increased happiness, better sleep, and more. For those who are new to forest bathing it is simply when you go out into a forest and engage with your surrounding using all 5 senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch). This is what our forest bathing experience at Warren Wood State Park looked like:
We spent a good amount of time looking up at the trees stretching into the sky and observing the spring buds unfurling. We took notice of tiny mushrooms sprouting from the forest floor and breathed in the fresh air that smelled like recent rainfall. We slowed down and tuned in.
For a more comprehensive guide to Warren Woods State Park plus forest bathing resources, check out, “Our Complete Guide to Warren Woods State Park” blog. Warren Woods can get very buggy so arrive with bug spray or our personal favorite bug repellant option, NATPAT. Save 10% off NATPAT products today by using our special referral link to order online!
10:30 A.M. – Shop and see in downtown Three Oaks
After a relaxing hour in the woods, it’s time for some shopping and strolling in downtown Three Oaks. For a town with a population less than 2,000, there is quite a lot to see here. We fell hard for the tree-lined streets and enjoyed spending time weaving in and out of antique shops, art galleries and upscale boutiques. Believe it or not, our favorite stop was the Three Oaks Township Public Library. Located in the heart of Three Oaks, the public library occupies the historic E.K. Warren Building, built in 1905. This building is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts a gorgeously restored interior. Over the years, the building housed several banks until the public library began occupying it in 1999. Today, on the second floor of the building (accessible via elevator) you’ll find the “Biggest Little Baseball Museum”. This exhibit was located on the second floor of the library and completely free to check out. On our visit, we also discovered a “book sale” room with most items costing only 25 cents.
Another unique and unexpected stop worth making while in Three Oaks is the Dewey Cannon Trading Company & Three Oaks Bicycle Museum. It’s a small place that has some old-fashioned bicycles and gear on display in one half of the building. It’s a good place to visit if you’re looking for general Three Oaks tourist information too.
Three other popular stops, which we did not get to on our recent visit, include Journeyman Distillery, home to winning whiskies, Drier’s Meat Market / Butcher Shop known for their Liver Sausage, and the Acorn Theater, known for its live performances.
12. P.M. – Lunch time at Froehlich’s
After working up an appetite, pop over to Froehlich’s Kitchen and Pantry and grab a window seat to refuel. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu which features fresh, seasonal and homemade options. If you’re a vegetarian (like me) don’t be afraid to ask for substitutions to menu options. I ordered a steak wrap – hold the steak, add egg and avocado. The kitchen was very accommodating and I couldn’t get enough of the homemade hummus, fresh veggies and the Ceasar vinaigrette they topped it off with. Our waitress also brought over complimentary, fresh blueberries for our toddler to snack on while we waited for our meal. After lunch be sure to browse the large selection of Froehlich’s homemade jams, pepper jellies, pickled vegetables and sauces. You can ask for samples of most before buying. They also sell an assortment of baked goods, coffee, souvenirs, home décor and more.
Afternoon: New Buffalo for the beach and water scene
After spending time inland, it’s time to take it to Michigan’s freshwater coast. Located an easy 10-minute drive from Three Oaks, New Buffalo sits on the edge of the Indiana-Michigan border. It is a beach town that gets very buzzy with vacationers heralding from Chicago between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In the summertime, the list of things to do outside in New Buffalo is endless.
2 P.M. – Afternoon Hike at Galien River County Park
We suggest you start your New Buffalo visit by hiking at Galien River County Park, which was a trip highlight for us. At this 86-acre park, we walked a boardwalk trail which traversed over a Great Lake coastal marsh and lead to an observation tower. The tower, accessible by a lovely canopy walkway, provided the perfect vantage point from which to admire Southwestern Michigan’s non-lake geography – think sprawling greenery and a snaking river estuary. The bird’s eye view of this beautiful natural area was a treat.
The hiking trails here are easy and suitable for beginners and young children. We explored the full area in about 45 minutes.
Some animals you may see during your time here include beavers, Blue Herons, turtles and King Fishers. If you would like to spend more time here and are into water activities, there is a boat launch and canoe trail route accessible within the park.
3:30 P.M. – Lake Fun in downtown New Buffalo
After working up a sweat on the trail, it’s time for some lake-bound fun at New Buffalo Beach and Lakefront Park. This is a gorgeous, sandy, public beach that is very popular in the summer so if sharing space isn’t your thing, we suggest you skip this beach if you visit in July or August. In terms of landscape, this is a wide-open stretch of sandy beach with picture-perfect swaths of beach grass covering small dunes. In other words, you won’t find trees here which means you’re out of luck if you’re a beachgoer who needs shade (like Justin). We pitched our half-moon tent which made for a more enjoyable beach visit. Some other things to note about this beach, there is paid parking available, but the lot fills up fast. If you can’t find a parking spot in the adjacent parking lot, there is free parking downtown. The beach is walkable from downtown. You’ll also find a playground near the parking lot and a small lighthouse that makes for the perfect family-photo backdrop. Restrooms are on site and there’s a seasonal concession stand. There is an accessible ADA walkway leading to the beach and if you don’t feel like taking a dip but still want to enjoy dazzling lake views, you can walk up the dunes and grab a seat with a view. If you’re looking for water activities beyond swimming in the lake, be sure to check out offering at the adjoining recreational harbor.
6 P.M. – Dinner with a View at the Terrace Room
As the day winds down and bellies start to grumble, it’s time to slow down and recap the day’s adventures over a farm-driven meal and hand-crafted cocktail at the Terrace Room. This is one of the best waterfront patios in New Buffalo. If you’re anything like us, dining dockside along the New Buffalo Marina is sure to be a crowd favorite on this trip!
Their menu features Italian-inspired dishes including ever-changing weekly specials. The Terrace Room is also known for their cocktails – none of which you can go wrong with. If you can time your dinner with the sunset, all the better. It’s best to make a reservation in advance. Every dining spot in New Buffalo with outdoor and waterfront seating will fill up very fast, especially in July and August with wait times stretching to well over one hour.
Alternative Afternoon Plan: Wineries
If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like the beach or prefers leisurely sipping a glass of wine as opposed to paddleboarding, then you might want to continue the day around Three Oaks instead of exploring New Buffalo. If this sounds appealing, might we suggest you explore Southwest Michigan’s Wine country after checking out Three Oaks. Two popular spots are Tabor Hill and Round Barn – both located a quick 25-minute drive from Three Oaks. You can walk between the two wineries via wooded trails. We recommend you start at Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant. This Winery was started by two Chicagoans in 1968 who brought back hybrid grapevines from France. It remains small to this day despite having won many wine awards and competitions. Kids can sample grape juice here and you can walk out into and among the trellises vines. Be sure to pack a picnic and enjoy it on the open deck with a bottle of Tabor Hill Wine.
Fun Facts about Michigan
Michigan is in the Midwest region of the United States. The Midwest (USA) was named one of the top 10 best value travel destinations in 2024 by Lonely Planet.
It is the state with the second largest coastline in the country – behind Alaska and it is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes.
Michigan is the third leading wine-producing state in the United States after California and New York. The lake effect winds, and light soil of the region have allowed this part of the state to be ideal for vineyards.
While we only spent a day in this part of Michigan, we think you could easily stretch your stay into a weekend or longer. If you haven’t had the chance to partake in the magic of Southwest Michigan yourself, we hope you get to one day! At least this little slice of the region, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
-Alyssa + Justin + Our Little One
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That’s a very beautiful beach. You packed a lot in one day
We did do a lot in one day but we never felt rushed which was our goal!
Beautiful, Michigan is a great place to vacation.
It’s a beautiful place and perfect for outdoorsy travelers 🙂
Looks a great place to visit.
It has a lot of character and really is a charming part of the U.S. Thanks so much for giving this a read and sharing a comment!
Southern Michigan looks like a wonderful place to visit as it caters to various interests, from world-class museums and dining to scenic natural beauty and relaxing small-town experiences. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Hi Aiva, thanks so much for checking out this post and for the lovely comment! We had a great time exploring this part of the Midwest and plan to return next summer since it’s just so nice 🙂
Luminous wisdom
What a lovely travelogue post! I wanted to pick one of those french fries off that plate, they look yummy. Not a place I’ve thought of visiting but now looks like a place to consider!
It’s really a lovely spot for a leisurely afternoon – and an excellent pit stop if you’re headed up the coast to places like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline!
Sounds awesome 🙂
A good sampling of what there is to do in the area. Thanks for sharing.
We tried to cover a lot of bases in this post 🙂 Thanks for giving it a read!