The Hidden Beauty of Southwest Michigan’s “Shoulder Seasons”

The “spring” blues hit hard this time of the year, with the weather undecided on what it wants to do. I deal with it differently every year; sometimes, I focus on the beauty that is quietly unfolding around me, while other times I turn on a fire inside and cuddle around it with a good book.

This year, my brother gifted me a book for Christmas, called “Michigan’s Bucket List”- with a challenge to conquer all the adventures that were detailed inside. Inspired by this gift, I leafed through the book and selected this bucket list item: exploring coastal Southwest Michigan.

A Challenge to Explore Southwest Michigan

I called one of my best friends, Lindsey, from Chicago, and we schemed up a grand girls’ getaway to this territory.

I live in Northern Michigan year-round, so I’ve done my fair share of exploring surrounding towns and hiking my way through what our area has to offer. The territory of Southwest Michigan is one I’m fairly unfamiliar with- aside from a few visits to Warren Dunes State Park during my childhood. 

One of the perks of this region is that it is a quick trip for those coming from out of state. My friend from Chicago had a short 90-minute drive, while my parents from Indiana could make it in about two hours. I love that spots in our beautiful state are accessible to everyone.

Lindsey and I had booked an Air-BnB in Sawyer, MI, right along the infamous Red Arrow Highway. It seemed like a perfect location to explore a bunch of the towns dotting the coast, and I’m happy to report that it was. 

An Invitation to Unwind in Sawyer, Michigan

We arrived at our enchanting Bungalow- it was modern, yet classic, and full of luxurious details that set the tone for our weekend. The couches are set under light-filled windows, with a coffee/tea nook stocked with high-quality goods.

A welcome basket waited for us in the kitchen, filled with wine and snacks. The linens were soft and fluffy, and you could see the personal touches throughout the home. Woven baskets, pottery, and books adorned the rooms; each item selected for this bungalow felt “found” and tied to the surrounding area.

The final perfect touch- a backyard garden with a hammock for resting and a hot tub for soaking. 

We cracked open a bottle of Bubbly and made a snack plate as we sat to plan what we wanted to accomplish this weekend. Lucky for us, the early spring is still considered off-season, so no reservations were really necessary, and we could move as slow as we wanted. 

The Charming Town of New Buffalo

New Buffalo seemed like a good place to head for dinner, and we caught the sunset as we drove into town. We discovered a side alley and came upon Brewster’s Kitchen.

The False Front

There was a short waitlist, so we meandered to an unassuming cocktail bar, The False Front.  My friend Lindsey is a cocktail connoisseur,  so she ordered a Cosmo to see how it measured up. It was frothy, tart, and fresh- ranking it high on her list.

Being more of a beer gal myself, I perused their ale list, and found myself delightfully surprised at the unique selection. I ordered a beer from Belgium that I had never heard of, and was more than impressed at its quality.

Brewster’s Kitchen

We were notified our table was ready at Brewster’s, and we were quickly seated in a cozy corner. Dinner was absolutely delicious- the only problem we had was trying to decide what to eat!

All the options looked appealing, but we settled on a chopped salad and their house-made specialty of Sweet & Spicy Sourdough Pizza. The salad was flavorful and full of crunchy veggies and the pizza was outstanding. It was soft and chewy where it should be, but crispy and baked to perfection.

All our choices hit the spot, and we moved on with our night.

A Scenic Drive

After dinner, we decided to drive home a back way- through some of the homes that were right on the canal that led out to Lake Michigan. These homes rivaled some of the most gorgeous places I had ever seen.

We both marveled at the landscaping and the style of homes that lent itself to the coastal vibe that makes New Buffalo unique. The drive was gorgeous and helped us get a lay of the land for the rest of our weekend.

As we drove back to our bungalow, we spotted so many shops and quaint restaurants we were eager to explore. We ended our night in the backyard hot tub, sitting under twinkling lights, listening to music, and feeling right at home.

Hikes, Dunes & Friendship in Warren Dunes State Park

Saturday morning brought bright, beautiful sunshine. After a light breakfast, we ventured just a few miles down the road to Warren Dunes State Park for some hiking.

I’d been here before, in my childhood years. When I was growing up, we would venture the few hours to this state park for a day full of beaches and dune climbing.

I have so many memories of exploring a creek that ran through the woods to the Lake, covering ourselves with clay from its banks. We would paint ourselves like warriors, climb to the top of one of the big dunes, and race each other down to the icy water of Lake Michigan.

It’s incredible that even after all these years, when I pulled into the parking lot, these memories seemed like yesterday.

The Peaceful Mount Randall Loop

Since we were visiting in the spring and wouldn’t be braving Lake Michigan’s waters, we took a look at the trail map and began our trek on the Mount Randall Loop.

The trail was beginning to show slight signs of the changing season, and as we wound our way through the trees up toward the lofty dunes, the sun felt like pure magic. The woods always invite us to unwind- to walk in silence, or in conversation- to just come as we are.

Both of us needed these moments to wander and breathe, and take in the beauty of blossoming spring. We chatted as we hiked, letting our minds dream as we discussed the good and hard of life.

Somehow, the weight we so often carry seems less heavy under the cover of the forest, walking with a friend.

Awe-Inspiring Lake Michigan View

The trail itself wound up through the woods with views of dunes on either side and the Lake at our backs. As we turned a corner, we climbed up to the top of Mount Randall. We faced the Lake and it was impossible to hold in my cry of awe.

No matter how many times I have this view, it never gets old. The deep turquoise color of the waves never ceases to inspire me, with the promise of summer ahead. Like children, we let loose, running down and around the dunes, returning to the parking lot.

Our shoes were now filled with sand, our clothes now dusty from the trail- and our minds now at a deep peace from a morning of exploration.

Spontaneous Stops Along the Red Arrow Highway

Back on the Red Arrow Highway, we stopped at one of the many roadside antique/thrift shops. There was a variety of goods available, ranging from unique end tables, dishes, pottery pieces, and even some clothing in the back.

I scored an Anthropologie silk blazer (for $5!), and a few small mid-century dishes, while my friend found a bold woven beach bag. 

Transient Artisan Ales

The next stop- a must on my list- was a trip to Transient Artisan Ales in Bridgeman. This brewery has been on my radar for a few years- anytime I see one of their IPAs on a tap list, I urgently order it.

Transient is known for its ranging style of IPAs and Sour ales, and walking into their taproom was a dream come true. The brewery offers big tables with wooden benches and murals painted across the walls.

Plants and greenery adorn the corners, bringing life to the industrial space. I ordered an IPA I hadn’t tried before, and set to peruse their canned options to take home.

The selection of cans was unreal- in fact, I had such a hard time choosing, I filled two boxes and still had more I wanted to buy. The bartender was extremely helpful, taking the time to walk me through her favorites- cans that were on limited release, and even a few new styles I wouldn’t normally gravitate to.

She took the time to give us suggestions for other things that she considered a “must-see” while in the area. I always appreciate it when a local takes the time to impart their advice to visitors, and we couldn’t have been more grateful for her suggestions. 

Boutique Shops & Eateries in St. Joseph

We landed in St. Joseph for lunch, winding through the adorable downtown until we found Buck Burgers & Brew. They are known for their smash burgers and onion rings, and Lindsey and I devoured both in record time.

Fueled up, we hit the streets to shop with no particular agenda. We found some beautiful art shops, and cute boutiques, but spent most of our time at a store specializing in outdoor gear, called Wanderlust. 

Lucky for us, the store was moving out winter merchandise to make way for spring and summer gear. We both landed a few clearance finds, and made our way out of town.

Off-the-Charts Wines at Dablon Vineyards

The sun was still shining, and we were feeling spontaneous. We decided to visit one of the area’s many wineries, Dablon Winery & Vineyard. They have a gorgeous spot of land, complete with a wine-tasting garden.

The inside was inviting, complete with a warm fireplace and lots of nooks to relax while you taste. We chose to sit at the bar and ordered a flight.

The wines were off-the-chart good- especially the reds. They are known for their dry reds, and on this still-chilly spring afternoon, they hit the spot. To cap off our tasting, the staff encouraged us to try their favorites- a sparkling Blanc de Blanc and a Blanc de Noir.

Since I live in Traverse City, I’m spoiled by the sparkling wine of Mawby- but these compete with any of theirs, and I don’t write that lightly. 

A Lively & Welcoming Community

As our day moved to evening, one thing we couldn’t help but notice was how accessible everything was. Most of the beach towns and sights to see are all along Red Arrow Highway, with only minutes separating shops and places you may want to stop.

There is something for everyone- lively establishments serving a variety of drinks, antique stores for those wanting to find the perfect unique piece, and many casual restaurants with high-quality food.

The only problem we were finding was that our time was running short. Now I understand why people rent a cottage in this area for a week or more during the summer.

We hit pause for a few minutes as we got ready for our evening- putting on a record and having a glass of wine from the bottle the owners left for us. I changed into my thrifted blazer I had found earlier in the day, thankful for all the ways this trip already has imprinted itself in my memory. 

A Night Out For Drinks & Dinner

Ready for our evening, we stopped first at The Historian for some seriously delicious cocktails and appetizers. The Historian Lounge is one of this area’s best-kept secrets- it’s a small establishment but with a perfectly curated menu.

The atmosphere calls for you to sit at the bar and stay a while. We settled on the whipped feta and blistered grapes, along with a round of The Artillery, their version of a French 75. I could have stayed here all night, but we had some more exploring yet to do.

Our final stop of the night took us to The Terrace Room, an Italian restaurant on the water in New Buffalo. The entire dining room seemed to float on the water, lit up by roaring fireplaces and flickering candlelight.

The pasta melted in my mouth, and the red wine was nothing short of spectacular. This would be a definite repeat on my list if visiting the area again. 

True Friendship Is Like Pure Gold

Back at our bungalow, we continued our conversation from dinner, marveling at the simple treasures we found today. From thrift stores, to wineries, to exploring small towns, and talking to locals- it was all a piece of magic.

I looked at my friend’s face beside me, knowing that most of the magic started with her friendship. As much as I enjoyed this area of southwest Michigan, I know I could go anywhere with her and find beauty.

True friendship is like finding a Petoskey stone, or a hidden piece of beach glass. It’s a gift to find and share connection; to see the unique way someone’s perspective can inspire your own.

Just like those rare items we seek on a beach, true friendship can bless you in the most unexpected of ways. The key is to hold tight to it when you find it, not letting it out of your sight.

Add Southwest Michigan to Your Travel List

As we departed in the morning, I knew we had just scratched the surface of adventures that could be had in this area. No matter what is on your bucket list- you should add this region to it. Walks through the woods, beachside benches, and an opportunity to exhale await!