Head to New Buffalo and St. Joseph, where summer fun meets great food and art
Published July 2, 2026 12:05 pm
What makes a great beach scene in summer? Activities for all, pristine shorelines and waters, and welcoming communities. You’ll find all this and more at Southwest michiganWhere the state’s Lower Peninsula has long been a paradise for beach seekers. Whether you’re hopping on Amtrak from downtown Detroit or Chicago or hitching a ride in the family van, New Buffalo and St. Joseph are easy to reach — and once you get there, just slow down and enjoy the harbor-town energy that moves at your own pace. Here are some of the main attractions you will find.
silver beach
Saint Joseph silver beach It has obvious appeal on a hot day: The clear waters of Lake Michigan provide the perfect way to cool off. And it gets better. Silver Beach is great for more than just bathing – it’s the kind of bustling beach that hosts summer days all the time.
Rent kayaks and paddleboards to see far out into Lake Michigan, or walk to the South Pier to enjoy views of the lake from solid ground. This is a great place to get a closer look at the North Pier Lighthouse, which you can visit from Tiscornia Park across the river. The South Pier is also a popular fishing spot, offering opportunities to catch coho and Chinook salmon, perch, brown and rainbow trout, and whitefish. Kids with you? The two iconic hand-painted playgrounds within Silver Beach County Park Silver Beach Carousel.
Warren Dunes State Park
Ready for a new kind of downhill fun? Try sandboarding. But Warren Dunes State Park, On the shore of Lake Michigan, 260-foot dunes provide the ideal setting for both beginners and experts. Rent boards and sleds Third Coast Paddling Inside the park – it is a guarantee of good time for the whole family.
You’ll also find sweet adventures here, with six miles of nature trails throughout the park, three miles of shoreline (with some dog-friendly beaches), and two campgrounds. If you still have the hiking bug, nearby Warren Woods State Park Offers a tranquil nature walk along the winding Gallien River.
Galion and St. Joseph Rivers
Continue the multisport vibe with a six-mile paddling adventure Galion River Marsh Water PathWhich offers a calming flow for all ages and abilities. Follow the river as it flows through the vast New Buffalo Marsh before turning back into a slow-flowing stream. Galleon River of the Third Coast Paddling The location has rental facilities available, making it easy to combine this on-the-water excursion.
More paddling awaits on the St. Joseph River north of Warren Dunes State Park. 67 miles St. Joseph River Water PathDowntown St. Joseph to Niles offers long commutes while providing easy access for shorter trips. Find several rental outfitters in town and along the water.
After a big day on the water, enjoy fine dining in New Buffalo. The community is increasingly becoming a hub for upscale eateries letter carrierHome of 2026 James Beard Award semi-finalist Chef James Galbraith. Here, you’ll find regional favorite dishes prepared with local ingredients and a global spin. (Tip: You can also start Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail In New Buffalo.)
Interactive Art at St. Joseph
Crassle Arts CenterThis is a free public gallery specializing in contemporary sculpture that shows how much fun art can be, with interactive pieces like the giant bronze hippopotamus napping at the entrance. Since 1994, “The Heavyweight,” as the 800-pound hippo is called, has delighted thousands of children (and more than a few adults) who crawl, climb, and sit on top of him. You can see more interactive art in the center’s East Garden, an outdoor space designed to inspire play and wonder with unique, rotating installations.
Crassle Art Center encourages guests to continue their immersive art experience public art scavenger hunt. The official paid tour is a 90-minute exploration on a four-person Surrey bike, but you can also book a free consultation at the center sculpture map And see as much public art as you want in St. Joseph and neighboring Benton Harbor.
nature escape
Need a big dose of peace? The area is home to several beautiful sanctuaries with peaceful nature trails. Explore complex ecosystems in places ranging from hardwood forests to freshwater wetlands Jens Jensen Preserve, Turtle Creek Preserve, Robinson Woods Preserveand other natural places protected by Chickaming Open Lands. Or get some fresh air on one of the area’s bike paths. Harbor Shores Nature and Fitness Trails Pass through wildlife-rich wetlands all the way to the city’s Benton Harbor, while the recently opened red arrow path Just south of Warren Dunes State Park, connects New Buffalo to Sawyer.
The only question when planning a vacation to Southwest Michigan: What’s the first thing you do?
your journey begins michigan.org.
