What makes a great summer beach scene? Activities for everyone, pristine shorelines and water, and welcoming communities. You’ll find all that and more in southwestMichigan, where the state’s Lower Peninsula has long been a haven for beach seekers. Whether you’re hopping on an Amtrak from downtown Detroit or Chicago or loading up the family van, getting to New Buffalo and St. Joseph is easy—and once you arrive, simply slow down and enjoy harbor-town energy that moves at your pace. Here are just a few of the highlights you’ll find.
Silver Beach
St. Joseph’sSilver Beachhas the obvious draw on a hot day: the clear waters of Lake Michigan, offering the perfect way to cool off. And it gets better. Silver Beach is great for more than just a dip—it’s the kind of bustling beach that plays host to all-time summer days.
Rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore farther into Lake Michigan, or walk the South Pier to enjoy lake views from solid ground. It’s a great spot 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 cast for coho and Chinook salmon, perch, brown and rainbow trout, and whitefish. Kids in tow? There are two playgrounds within Silver Beach County Park, along with the iconic hand-paintedSilver Beach Carousel.
Warren Dunes State Park
Ready for a new kind of downhill fun? Try sandboarding. AtWarren Dunes State Park,on the shores of Lake Michigan, the 260-foot dunes offer the perfect setting for beginners and experts alike. Rent boards and sleds atThird Coast Paddlinginside the park—it’s a guaranteed good time for the whole family.
You’ll also find mellower thrills 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, nearbyWarren Woods State Parkoffers a quiet nature walk by the winding Galien River.
The Galien and St. Joseph Rivers
Keep the multisport vibe going with a paddling adventure on the six-mileGalien River Marsh Water Trail, which offers a tranquil float for all ages and abilities. Follow the river as it snakes through the sprawling New Buffalo Marsh before reversing course back up the slow-moving current.Third Coast Paddling’s Galien Riverlocation has rentals available right at the put-in, making it easy to add this on-the-water excursion.
More paddling awaits at the St. Joseph River, north of Warren Dunes State Park. The 67-mileSt. Joseph River Water Trail, from downtown St. Joseph to Niles, offers longer journeys while still affording easy access for shorter trips. Find numerous rental outfitters in town and by the water.
After a big day on the water, treat yourself to a great meal in New Buffalo. The community is quickly becoming a hub of elevated eateries, likePostBoy, home to 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist chef James Galbraith. Here, you’ll find regional favorites crafted with local ingredients and a global spin. (Tip: You can also start theLake Michigan Shore Wine Trailin New Buffalo.)
Interactive Art in St. Joseph
TheKrasl Art Center, a free public gallery specializing in contemporary sculpture, shows just how fun art can be, with interactive pieces like the enormous bronze hippopotamus snoozing by 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 atop it. 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.
The Krasl Art Center encourages guests to continue their immersive art experience with aPublic Art Scavenger Hunt. The official paid tour is a 90-minute quest on a four-person Surrey bike, but you can also consult the center’s freesculpture mapand see the public art in St. Joseph and neighboring Benton Harbor however you’d like.
Nature Escapes
Need a big dose of quiet? The region is home to several scenic sanctuaries with peaceful nature trails. Explore complex ecosystems ranging from hardwood forests to freshwater wetlands at places likeJens Jensen Preserve,Turtle Creek Preserve,Robinson Woods Preserve, and other natural spaces protected by Chikaming Open Lands. Or get some fresh air on one of the area’s bike paths. TheHarbor Shores Nature and Fitness Trailsweave through wildlife-rich wetlands all the way into downtown Benton Harbor, while the recently openedRed Arrow Trailconnects New Buffalo to Sawyer, just south of Warren Dunes State Park.
The only question when planning a getaway in southwest Michigan: What will you do first?
Your trip begins atmichigan.org.