COAST IN TO HARBOR COUNTRY
COAST IN AND CLOSE BY
Harbor Country, Michigan is known for it's relaxed coastal vibes and easy pace that let's you breathe in the goodness of life and nurtures the soul. With roads to roam, wide open beaches to wander and top-class dining and small cafes to discover - the fall and winter is the best time to take it all in. During fall its virgin forests are splashed with stunning color and in the winter the solitude of her dressed in winter white is rejuvenating.
Harbor Country is just around the bend, one hour from Chicagoland, 30 minutes to South Bend Indiana, and two hours to Grand Rapids Michigan.
SMALL TOWN CHARMS & CHEERS
Full of nostalgia and friendly smiles, Harbor Country checks all of your most wanted wish lists for a holiday that brims with memories and heart-warming experiences. The sounds and sights of the season are celebrated in true tradition while offering first-class personal service and curated goods for the best gift-giving.
HARBOR COUNTRY WEEKLY MEAL SPECIALS
Find a great meal at a great price any night of the week in Harbor Country Michigan. Enjoy a relaxed dining experience at restaurants, taverns, and breweries.
Whether you want to dive into a rib night, crave a taco Tuesday or find your traditional Midwest Friday fish fry, there is a special that you can count on to be delicious and affordable.
SHOP THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE
Let's Go! - Harbor Country Shopping
You won’t find “big box” stores here. Discover the shops, boutiques, & galleries along Red Arrow Highway or the pedestrian districts of New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Sawyer, Bridgman.
Get to know a shopkeeper offering that personal tip.
Hearthwoods Custom Furnishings
is full of holiday cheer with unique gifts, furnishings, decorations and elevated Michigan souvenirs to delight any your loved ones.
HARBOR COUNTRY HOLIDAY SPARKLE
Festive ideas for a holiday weekend VIEW REELS
- The Holiday Postcard Village of Three Oaks
- Holiday shopping in New Buffalo
- Peppermint Mocha @blackcurrantbakehouse
- Santa’s Speakeasy @sonnydsnewbuffalo
- Hotel Lobby @theharborgrandhotel
- Lights at Fernwood @fernwood.botanical
Find the family Christmas Tree at the local U-cut farms
RING IN A HARBOR COUNTRY NEW YEAR
Singing Auld Lang Syne and midnight toasts
A local tradition - nostalgia abounds at this pub imbibing hearty drinks and dancing to a live band with free noisemakers
This Vegas-level spectacle rolls all night long at the 130,000-sq-ft casino with 1,900 slot machines and 41 table games. Celebrate with a tropical theme with party favors, cash drawings and live entertainment. Several dining options available including an expansive buffet and more.
The renowned intimacy of this live theater makes for a fun and interactive experience. Grab a cocktail and dance to the music of Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts
JOURNEYMAN DISTILLERY THREE OAKS
NYE Dance Party ticketed event features live music, dancing, party favors, a welcome cocktail, 2 drink tickets, midnight toast!
Welcome in the New Year where everyone knows your name. Great company with great food specials
Chef Timothy prepares an elegant Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu to savor. The Edgar Wilbury Experience band will ramp up the excitement and dancing to bring in 2025
POP THE BUBBLY!
Local wineries and shops offer sparkling wines for your Harbor Country celebration
Neighboring tasting rooms at Exit 6 I-94
- Round Barn Tasting Room
- St Julian Tasting Room
Tabor Hill Winery Classic Demi-Sec - President Ford's favorite
Shady Creek Winery Bubbling Rose - delightful to see & sip in a colorful outdoor igloo. Reservations
Local Pour A bar specializing in only Michigan wines, beers & spirits.
Solasta Winery A small niche vintner near Warren Dunes
The Wine Sellers A treasure-trove packed with select wines
P&E Bottle Shop - Holiday Tasting events - wine, beers & ciders
Whittaker Wine Merchants curated collection of worldly wines
Barney's A full aisle with large beverage center to explore
STROLL THE HOLIDAY POSTCARD
The movie Prancer was filmed in this picturesque postcard town.
Street lamps adorned with holly.
Store fronts beaming with jolly.
Celebrate!
Prancer Palooza - a 3 day festival with a meet and greet with original actors and the Director - John D Hancock to mark the place where the beloved movie was filmed - Three Oaks, MI
Wander on the Snowflake Stroll - small shops and cafes bring warm smiles.
BEST HARBOR COUNTRY HOST GIFTS
Ideas for a thoughtful "thank you"
Build your own gift box at Farmette - the organic wine, market, bakery.
Flower arrangement delivery - local City Flowers & Gifts
A homemade soy candle w/ cotton wick from The Grace Effect
A reclaimed wood cutting board - Hearthwoods Custom Furnishings
A fresh poinsettia - Sawyer Home & Garden
Fun humorous kitchen towels - Froehlich's Kitchen & Pantry
Room sprays & jar candles - Sherwood Forest Rustic Log Furnishings
Lake Michigan Beach Glass Coasters - The Sandpiper Fashion Fiber & Gifts
A lucky elephant for the New Year - Accents Himalaya Textiles
6 SPOTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS REUNION
That instant connection - the smiles, inside jokes, the memories re-lived
1.) Shoot darts by the fire - Lake Time Brewing & Spirits Back Room
2.) A tradition - Casey's New Buffalo warm vibes & live music
3.) Easily hang at The Stray Dog centralized bar & fireplace
4.) Bingo! Tuesday nights at 6 pm - Union Pier Social gastropub
5.) Karaoke Sundays. Win a prize for your version of Sweet Caroline! Sonny D's
6.) Take A Whiskey Distillery Tour Journeyman Distillery
7.) Trivia Thursdays Sideyard in Sawyer. 5 Rounds, visual, music and final jeopardy. Free to play. No team limit.
HARBOR COUNTRY CARRY OUT PIZZAS
Take a prep break to catch up with your guests. Here are our top-rated recommendations.
- Brewster's Italian Cafe - Detroit style, sourdough hand tossed or thin. Traditional & elevated toppings such as truffle oil and garlic confit.
- D'Agostino's Navajo Bar & Grill - Dough is handcrafted and made fresh daily. Italian specialties since 1955.
- Villa Nova Pizzeria - Sicilian-style pizza with freshly prepared toppings made from a secret Chicago recipe. New Buffalo delivery available.
- Patellie's - With an honest approach to ingredients, they have been called one of the top pizzerias in Michigan.
- Haymarket Taproom - a true wood-fired thin crust pizza.
- Staymaker Restaurant - Journeyman Distillery - Detroit-style pizza with a Featherbone Bourbon Crust reflecting the Featherbone Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill.
- Union Pier Social - Creative pizzas made with hand tossed dough. Cauliflower crust option.
HERE'S TO YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY
Make long-lasting memories at a Harbor Country feast of local foods & drink
WINE & SPIRITS
For the perfect toast select a local vintage
SPIRITS
CHACUTERIE
Feeling Grazey - Bougie Boards
Bring your crowd together with a delicacies
Feasts can be prepared by well-known chefs
PRIVATE CHEF
Create the most intimate evening at your home
"TOP" 7 KIDDO HITS
Harbor Country exciting adventures for the family during the Holiday Break
1.) Explore the railcars New Buffalo Railroad Museum grounds. Take a pic with a giant Santa.
2.) Sledding at Warren Dunes State Park. Snow or sand sledding!
3.) Rent skates - Harbert Community Park Skating Rink or the "dinky rink" for little ones. RENT
4.) Pick out a board game at The Kids Stop - New Buffalo
5.) Climb & Slide New Buffalo Township Park map
6.) Take a swim indoor Bridgman Aquatic Center pool. Public hrs Sat 2 pm - 3 pm (EST) INFO
7.) Catch a gingerbread man Luisa's Swedish Bakery - Harbert
Green & White? Maize & Blue? Leprechaun Green?
Catch the college football action in Harbor Country
Michigan State University
University of Michigan
Make Harbor Country Michigan home base! It's an easy 30 mile trip to the Notre Dame Championship Game
Harbor Country Sports TV Spots!
Go Lions, Pistons, Tigers, Red Hawks!
Go Bears, Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks, Bulls!
Harbor Country has a split personality when it comes to professional sports.
We root for the state favorite Detroit teams. AND Harbor Country is within the Chicagoland viewing area.
CHEERS & BEERS
A HARBOR COUNTRY BEER HOP
Michigan ranks eighth in the nation for craft breweries totaling 418
Harbor Country is a master hub boasting 10 breweries within it's borders. Master brewers consistently win acclaimed national awards. They draw from hops grown near the Lake Michigan shore making for a true rich flavor.
Here are our seasonal recommendations for a visit
Lake Time Brewing & Spirits - Bridgman
Round Barn Brewery & Public House - Baroda
Round Barn Tasting Room - Union Pier
COFFEE & COCOA
Baristas carefully brew the finest coffee roasted by talented Harbor Country roasters.
- Biggby Coffee - Sawyer
- Biggby Coffee - Bridgman
- David's Deli - New Buffalo
- Infusco - Sawyer
- Red Arrow Roasters - Harbert
- Starbucks - New Buffalo
- Whistle Stop Grocery
Hot cocoa & sweets create visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads
- Black Currant Bakehouse
- Farmette
- Froehlich's Bakery
- Luisa's Swedish Bakery
- Milda's Corner Market
- Whistle Stop Grocery
YOUR INNER ARTIST GIFTS
Create your own unique gift that fits them perfectly
O & Co. : DIY Crafts, art, plants gift shop - adults & kids.
JLN Studios : Kid & adult crafts, private parties.
The Sandpiper Fashion Fiber & Gifts : Large selection of hand-dyed, natural yarn and spinning fibers to create a true heirloom gift. Artisan-designed gifts & fashion
Brush + Bloom DIY Studio : DIY project classes for kids & adults. Drop-in projects. Retail kits to take home.
OVER THE RIVER ... THRU THE WOODS
Harbor Country Winter Outdoor Adventures
Cross Country Skiing & Snow Shoe
Ski the trail that follows frozen creeks to a crossing bridge Warren Woods State Park - Warren Woods Road Trail Head
Snow shoe to discover Chikaming Open Lands. Animal and tree identification signs.
Snow Shoe & Cross Country Ski Rentals - Tower Hill Camp (269) 426-3881 towerhillcamp@ilucc.org
Fat Tire Biking
Find the exhilaration of biking a snow bound trail around a lake at Chikaming Township Park and Preserve.
HARBOR COUNTRY'S BEST SLED HILLS
Bring an inner tube, board or sled to the top of the 260 foot dune at Warren Dunes State Park. No snow? No problem - sand sled
A tons of fun gentle sled hill with with a parking lot overlook is at the Friends of New Troy Community Center
Sled the hill adjacent to the Oselka Park playground
Ice Skating Rinks & Rentals
Rent a pair of skates at Harbert Community Park RENT
Glide along a large rink at Oselka Park - New Buffalo.
A BED FOR EVERY HEAD
Kick off the festive spirit with friends, family, and maybe a distant cousin or two you only see once a year.
Harbor Country offers plenty of lodging options for groups great and small
Holiday Events
NEW YEAR'S EVE 2025
HARBOR COUNTRY
DECEMBER 31
NILES, MICHIGAN
This enchanting experience includes light tunnels, cozy fire pits, a winter craft station, nature-inspired light sculptures, a full-sized Lite Brite, festive music, and more!
Visitors will make bright memories during the most magical garden lights Southwest Michigan offers while enjoying hot chocolate, other seasonal drinks, snacks, and festive light-up merchandise for all ages!
Advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged LINK
FALL IN LOVE WITH HARBOR COUNTRY
Enjoy the bountiful beauty of Harbor Country. Take the leisurely drive up the Lake Michigan sunset coast. Stumble upon a new favorite brunch spot, warm up at a cozy inn, catch the stunning vistas in the treetops, explore wide-open beaches, enjoy a craft beer or wine paired with a meal prepared with fresh produce harvested locally from farms and vineyards.
A MICHIGAN BESTIE GETAWAY
TOP SUGGESTIONS FOR A BESTIES TOUR
Harbor Country offers the best ways to laugh, bond, share memories and make new ones. What makes it so special? The stunning coastal scenery along the easy drives to boutique shopping, craft classes to share and choosing which wines to taste from 15+ wineries.
The central reunion spot sits on the Lake Michigan shore - 1 hr - Chicagoland, 30 min - South Bend, 2 hrs Grand Rapids. Easily travel Amtrak to New Buffalo.
A COZY PLACE TO CHAT AND JAMMIE
Quaint inns surround you with warmth and a scrumptious breakfast in the morning. Or gather and giggle in a cottage.
COFFEE, BAGELS & BOUTIQUE STROLL
Shop along the main Whittaker Street in New Buffalo for fabulous fashion while sipping on that latte or espresso
A WINE TOUR WITH A TWIST
Book a wine tour with an expert. 20+ wineries in the region are open year round
LOUNGE & LAUGHTER
The BarnDogg Lounge and Union Pier Social are neighboring lounges with fun vibes just a sidewalk apart
SSSH! THE PASSWORD IS . . .
Karoakee and dance away the night at Sonny D's Speakeasy down under if you say "please"
BRUNCH FOR THE BUNCH
2nd Morning: Brewster's Italian Cafe was started over a cup of really really good coffee. The brunch is soulfully satisfying. Or make your way to Three Oaks to the Journeyman Distillery for a rustic spread of eggs a;lkjdfl and take a tour afterwards.
FROEHLICH'S KITCHEN AND PANTRY
Wander the displays for humorous towels, yummy jams, pet gifts for a find you never thought you needed.
ANTIQUING & ART
Whimsical antique shops and bougie art galleries line the streets of Three Oaks, inviting you in with a warm smile.
COAST INNS
WARM UP AT A COZY GETAWAY
Stay at the historic Inn At Union Pier with a woodburning fireplace in each room & warm breakfast each morning
Roasted Marshmallow Treats
The Harbor Grand Hotel - New Buffalo
The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach
Sip & graze around a campfire - Farmette
Stay at the rustic The Barn of Three Oaks
Inns with in-room hot tubs
FALL BEACH GLASS HUNT
Fall is a great time to hunt for colored beach glass on the wide open beaches of Harbor Country, MI
Tips By Kelly Gampel
- Tip 1: Focus your attention on beaches that have pebble patches.
- Tip 2: Lowlight is your friend - sunrise or sunset will make glass glow.
- Tip 3: Gaze a few feet in front of you - not just at your feet
- Tip 4: Walk with the sun at your back
VIEW A full list of Harbor Country Beaches
FALL VIBE COCKTAIL LOUNGES
The gathering of friends at a craft cocktail lounge on a chilly evening warms the soul. These hot spots have star mixologists who pour their magic into every sip. All in the comfy confines of a very cool environment.
BUCKET LIST FALL HIKES
Galien River County Park Easy 1.4 mile trail - boardwalk, 60-ft observation tower
Warren Dunes State ParkSAWYER
Warren Woods State Park
HARBOR COUNTRY HARVEST
Colorful squash & bright orange pumpkins line the Sawyer Home & Garden Center aisles
The freshest of produce is grown on the expansive Granor Farm.
Farmette specializes in organically grown produce and wines.
Goldberry Woods - A Modern Farm Resort. Stay on the 30-acre secluded organic micro farm and fruit orchard. Help to harvest, hone culinary skills and gather fresh eggs.