Barbara’s guidebook
Things to do
A mile north of the cottage and the most visited park in the state. Big beach, beautiful dunes and lots of trails.
289 locals recommend
Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow HwyA mile north of the cottage and the most visited park in the state. Big beach, beautiful dunes and lots of trails.
South Cherry Beach
South Cherry BeachNice local beach.
Warren Woods State Park
Elm Valley RoadNice hiking trails.
Grand Mere State Park
7337 Thornton DriveSecluded trails and beaches.
Great hiking and mountain biking trails, guided walks and an assortment of events.
38 locals recommend
Love Creek Nature Center and County Park
9292 Huckleberry RdGreat hiking and mountain biking trails, guided walks and an assortment of events.
Best botanical garden EVER. Miniature railroad for the kids.
64 locals recommend
Fernwood Botanical Garden
13988 Range Line RdBest botanical garden EVER. Miniature railroad for the kids.
In the mood for a good movie on a rainy day. This is your place. Hundred-year-old theater.
70 locals recommend
Vickers Theatre
6 N Elm StIn the mood for a good movie on a rainy day. This is your place. Hundred-year-old theater.
Food scene
Voted best place for breakfast/brunch in Southwest Michigan, and it certainly lives up to the title. Try the pancakes or one of their delicious Mexican specials.
Voted one of the top places to eat in SW Michigan, and deservedly so. Best pancakes anywhere, and their Mexican breakfast items are absolutely delicious.
27 locals recommend
Oaks Eatery
8 S Elm StVoted one of the top places to eat in SW Michigan, and deservedly so. Best pancakes anywhere, and their Mexican breakfast items are absolutely delicious.
Susans Sawyer
5851 Sawyer RdUpscale place to have a drink or dinner. Lovely outdoor terrace.
Good food, good beer, outdoor seating. What more do you need?
235 locals recommend
Greenbush Brewing Company
5885 Sawyer RdGood food, good beer, outdoor seating. What more do you need?
Infusco Coffee Roasters
5846 Sawyer RdGreat local spot for a cuppa, and they roast their own.
Harbert Swedish Bakery
13698 Red Arrow HwyA local favorite. Great danishes.
Transient Artisan Ales
4229 Lake StPeople come from all over to try this guy's brews.
Tapistry Brewing Company
4236 Lake StGood beer, delicious sandwiches.
Wood-fired pizzas, brews, outdoor area with picnic tables and bean bag toss.
95 locals recommend
The Haymarket Brewery & Taproom
9301 Red Arrow HwyWood-fired pizzas, brews, outdoor area with picnic tables and bean bag toss.
A popular spot with outdoor seating and a great view of the vineyard.
71 locals recommend
Dablon Winery and Vineyards
111 W Shawnee RdA popular spot with outdoor seating and a great view of the vineyard.
Great beers, reasonably priced and a lovely outdoor area with fire pits. No food, but often there's a food truck parked outside.
53 locals recommend
Watermark Brewing Company
5781 St Joseph AveGreat beers, reasonably priced and a lovely outdoor area with fire pits. No food, but often there's a food truck parked outside.
Round Barn Brewery & Public House
9151 1st StDelicious food, great beer, lively setting.
Best rooftop view of the New Buffalo harbor. Good food and great service. Can get very busy on weekends.
198 locals recommend
The Stray Dog Bar & Grill
245 N Whittaker StBest rooftop view of the New Buffalo harbor. Good food and great service. Can get very busy on weekends.
Classic burger joint popular with families. Feels like summer in there.
117 locals recommend
Redamak's
616 E Buffalo StClassic burger joint popular with families. Feels like summer in there.
The place to go for ice cream. Lots of flavors and many retro touches. A big hit with the kids.
96 locals recommend
Oink's Dutch Treat
227 W Buffalo StThe place to go for ice cream. Lots of flavors and many retro touches. A big hit with the kids.
Popular deli that sells many of its homemade items canned. There are two locations on opposite sides of the street. The bakery is the original place. The restaurant across the street has great food and drinks, as well as a couple of shops in the back.
98 locals recommend
Froehlich's Kitchen & Pantry
19 N Elm StPopular deli that sells many of its homemade items canned. There are two locations on opposite sides of the street. The bakery is the original place. The restaurant across the street has great food and drinks, as well as a couple of shops in the back.
Distillery tours, great mixed drinks, good food and even a small golf course in a historic building. Indoor and outdoor dining.
250 locals recommend
Journeyman Distillery
109 Generations DrDistillery tours, great mixed drinks, good food and even a small golf course in a historic building. Indoor and outdoor dining.
This place has been in the same family for 125 years. Go back in time and check out the sawdust on the floor and the photos of famous visitors (including Carl Sandburg). Good cured meats and cheeses. Best ham this side of the Atlantic.
28 locals recommend
Drier's Meat Market
14 S Elm StThis place has been in the same family for 125 years. Go back in time and check out the sawdust on the floor and the photos of famous visitors (including Carl Sandburg). Good cured meats and cheeses. Best ham this side of the Atlantic.
Cafe Gulistan
13581 Red Arrow HwyDelicious Middle Eastern food in a lovely garden setting.
Michigan's only organic brewery, this is one of my favorite hangouts. Great outdoor space that is kid and dog friendly. Adirondacks, fire pits, croquet sets, etc. Great beer, good food.
29 locals recommend
River Saint Joe
15475 Walton RdMichigan's only organic brewery, this is one of my favorite hangouts. Great outdoor space that is kid and dog friendly. Adirondacks, fire pits, croquet sets, etc. Great beer, good food.