In addition to regular stories on all things that make the Southwest shine, each month The Best of the Southwest takes readers on an easy weekend getaway, sharing the ultimate itinerary for a destination either a quick drive or short flight away, in a column we call Field Trip Friday. Today’s field trip: Lake Michigan’s Harbor County. 

Harbor County musts:

• Stay at one of the beautiful boutique hotels on Oselka Snug Harbor Marina
• Visit one of the many distilleries: Journeyman Distillery, The Stray Dog, Beer Church and Ghost Isle Brewing
• Go on a U-Pick-It farms adventure locally sourced fruits, veggies and herbs

Destination: Harbor County, Lake Michigan

Each year, droves of Midwest snowbirds venture to the Southwest and West Coast to escape their harsh winters. With summer weather perfect in that part of the country, isn’t it about time to return the favor? 

Lake Michigan, which features more than 200 miles of sandy white beaches, is bursting with waterfront towns that cater to every level of traveler, and the region especially sparkles from May to October. Among the best spots for those seeking fun both with friends and family on and off the water is Southwest Michigan’s aptly named Harbor County. It’s a true gem in the crown of the “Third Coast,” which is the collective nickname of the five Great Lakes because they touch eight different states and form more than 4,500 miles of shoreline, longer than the shorelines of both ocean coasts combined. 

Fun fact: Temperatures rarely rise above 90 degrees or dip below the mid-60s from June to September, making it warm enough for ample outdoor activities while still being temperate enough to enjoy brunch on a waterfront patio and wine in a sprawling vineyard.

Getting there: Easy travel from the Southwest

Harbor County is not just one of the most enjoyable regions of the Third Coast; it’s among the easiest to visit if coming from the Western U.S., particularly Arizona, as the Mesa Gateway Airport offers non-stop flights weekly directly into South Bend, which is about a 30-minute drive to the heart of Harbor County, including hotspots New Buffalo and Three Oaks. 

If coming from elsewhere, it’s still fairly turnkey, thanks to daily flights from all major cities in the country to Chicago via Chicago Midway Airport or Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Each is 90 minutes or less via car to Harbor County. 

Stay: Boutique hotels with stunning views

If visiting for the first time, take advantage of the area’s ample boutique accommodation options, many of which are kissed along the bustling marinas with 180-degree views of the local yachts and sailboats as well as the endless beaches. 

Oselka Snug Harbor Marina

Both the Marina Grand Resort and The Harbor Grand Hotel are located on New Buffalo’s Oselka’s Snug Harbor Marina, which provides visitors with easy access to pontoon, speedboat, and yacht rentals as well as guided water tours with experienced captains who handle all the driving while giving a colorful history of the region. 

They also have jet skis, e-bikes, and golf carts for rent. New Buffalo Sailing Excursions is conveniently close, offering personal cruises on a 31-foot sailboat, including sunset and night sails led by a skilled sailing captain. 

Marina Grand

Marina Grand is ultra-modern, inspired by Scandinavian architecture, which focuses on merging the structure with the surrounding environment using neutral colors and natural materials. Splurging on a suite here is well worth it, as they have extra-large decks as well as full kitchens; some are even set across two stories. 

Whether staying at the property or not, make it a point to visit Bentwood Tavern, the hotel’s lavish restaurant. The cuisine is primarily New American with farm-fresh ingredients and especially well-prepared seasonal vegetables. It also boasts one of the best cocktail menus in town, using the best of locally distilled libations.

Harbor Grand

Harbor Grand feels more like a sophisticated enclave one might find in the Hamptons with its light woods in the public spaces, ample sundeck and indoor pool, as well as complimentary breakfast delivered daily. It also has an exquisite spa that opened in recent years and a mouthwatering Italian restaurant in the Terrace Room, which is among the top culinary destinations in the region for fine dining. 

Play: Paddle boards, state parks and farm-to-table dining

Just as they are near the marina, both hotels are also walking distance to the public beach, which boasts 800 feet of white sand, kayak and paddle board rentals and classes thanks to Third Coast Paddling, and an impressive playground for the kids. 

The beach lines up to a gorgeous boardwalk nature trail that meanders along a dune line for miles, and there are accessible restrooms, foot showers, boat launch ramps, and ample fishing access as well. 

Warren Dunes State Park

Warren Dunes State Park is also nearby in addition to a classic boardwalk, casual eateries and acres of outdoor beauty. The park features unique, rugged dune formations that must be seen to be believed, especially the 240-foot-tall white sand Tower Hill. These otherworldly forces of nature are the result of receding glacier ice nearly 10,000 years ago and make for both amazing photos and a killer uphill workout. 

The beach and Warren Dunes are just a short drive from myriad other adventures, including Granor Farm, which offers seasonal multi-course dinners in its glass greenhouse showcasing the best of the farm’s crops and other ingredients from fellow local producers. There are also cooking classes, kids’ summer camps, and a killer self-guided walking tour where guests can meander through the epic outdoor farm at their own pace. 

Distilleries

Harbor County is also home to some of the sneaky-best combination brewery, winery and distillery trails in the country. Within about five miles of the marina, there are Journeyman Distillery, The Stray Dog, Beer Church and Ghost Isle Brewing. 

Journeyman is special in that it is one of the few certified organic and kosher distilleries nationwide, and it is built into the former Featherbone Factory, known for making corsets and whips during Prohibition. 

During a distillery tour, guests are in for a treat in hearing the property’s colorful past and spirited present complemented by more than a dozen samples of various liquors and liqueurs. Journeyman is also distinctive in that it has its own 30,000-square-foot outdoor putting green and a full-service restaurant as well as its own accommodations on property for those who do not want to drive home. 

There is even a boutique retail center with bites, sips and other hand-made wonders for purchase, to boot! (and a pro tip: seasonally, there are also Bloody Mary and old-fashioned tours, so check the venue’s social media and website for dates.) 

Folks also flock to Beer Church, Stray Dog and Ghost Isle in the summer months as Beer Church – yes, it is a brewery built into a historic church – and Stray Dog have the region’s busiest and buzziest rooftop patios. Oh, and Ghost Isle? It’s located next to a haunted 156-acre wetland area. 

Wine country

And then there is the wine country, which became popular in the area in great part thanks to Round Barn Estate, a working brewery, busy distillery and full-scale winery. 

The estate is ultra-dog friendly with live music regularly, a massive restaurant operation, elegant vineyard cabanas and the option to mix and match a taste of food, wine, cocktails, spirits, beer and even adult slushies. And yes, there are mocktails and N/A options as well! During the summer months, the weekends feature live music and dancing as well as other special events. 

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, Free Run Cellars, Dablon Vineyards, Domaine Berrien Cellars and Gravity Winery are also nearby, making a day of wine tasting exceptionally convenient for those who wish to partake. 

Need more? 

Summer is also peak season for U-Pick-It farms across the region, with many offering tractor rides into their harvest, allowing folks of all ages to source their own fruits, veggies and herbs.