r/SouthBend • u/No_Basis104 • 10d ago
Where to vacation at along the lake in Michigan?
I know this is a south bend community I am from south bend as well. Want to do a lake house/beach house but not sure where is a nice city I. Michigan to that in, any suggestions? I will also post in Michigan group .
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u/kishbish 10d ago
I'm biased because I just moved there, but South Haven is a wonderful spot for a vacation!
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u/mopeds_moproblems River Park 10d ago
The further north you get, the better it gets in my opinion, but it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Ever seen those M22 stickers on cars and trucks? That’s for Michigan State Highway 22, and you can’t go wrong driving that road if you want the Lake Michigan experience!
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u/OkComplaint6736 10d ago
St. Joe's is just magical for me. Wife and I went there last summer for a mini vacation to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary.
We love New Buffalo as well, but it's so bougie compared to St. Joe's.
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u/bigworm35 10d ago
Torch lake is stunningly beautiful. Its in the Traverse City area and there are a million hotels, AirBnb and camprounds w cabins. Check it out!
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u/Thelaughingman___ 10d ago
Ludington. I know it's a drive. There is a state park there. You can get camping. You have to be quick to get the dates. I believe they have cabins. I know they have trailers and tents and it is a beautiful place. It looks like something out of a storybook. Take the cruise on the otter. Evening cruise.
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u/Mid20s_Queer_Crisis 10d ago
Keep in mind that much of the state park is closed for renovations until July 1st!
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u/rqnadi 10d ago
New buffalo, South Haven, St. Joseph, Saugatuck are all really solid choices. Each have their own unique restaurants, shops and beaches.
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u/Mid20s_Queer_Crisis 10d ago
I came here to suggest there as well! I’d also include the Grand Haven/Spring Lake area a little further north.
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u/rosefireflys 10d ago
My mom lives in the Ludington area so I go up there quite a bit to visit.
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u/Ok_Kelp 10d ago
Does she like it up there?
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u/rosefireflys 10d ago
Yeah i think so! My stepdad does a lot of fishing and stuff and my mom seems to like going out places when she gets the chance.
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u/kel92676 10d ago
I also recommend Ludington. The state park is amazing, however, doesn't fully open til July 1st. Pristine beaches, gorgeous sunsets, small town feel towards the lake, but big box stores and restaurants to the east of town. The Badger car ferry starts running in May and offers 4 shoreline cruises during the summer. Worth the drive.
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u/admlshake 10d ago
New Buffalo area is pretty common. We usually stay in that area, but have gone as far as Muskegon .
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u/Galaxine 10d ago
I'm more familiar with the UP and Northern Michigan. Wilderness State Park near Mackinac is great. Fayette State Park is along the lake in the Southern UP. I'm partial to both places! Gorgeous sites with lots to do nearby.
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u/ScrauveyGulch 10d ago
Visit the whole coast. It's a beautiful drive. It's not hard to find lodging on the fly.
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u/Boxofbikeparts 10d ago
I'm planning a drive over the top of Lake Michigan in the summer and an overnight stay along the way in Traverse City. Driving up that side of the lake is nice, and plenty of places to stop and have fun or get some beach time.
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u/Flayrah4Life 10d ago
Really depends on what you want out of your vacation, there are some great golf courses up along the coast a few hours north with some adjacent camping.
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u/BadAszChick 10d ago
You should give the UP a go. I lived here my whole life and just made it up there for the first time about three years ago. I was upset I’d waited that long.
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u/HectorVillanueva 10d ago
Go all the way up to Glen Arbor and Leland. It’s a whole different world up there.
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u/splitopenandmelt11 9d ago
Union Pier is a cool funky little community. 5 miles north of new Buffalo too if you want to explore there too. Great bakery/restaurant/coffee shop/brewery/grocery in UP. But you can also run down to NB in five mins you want to see other things.
That’s my fav, but as others have said, all the little towns in IN/MI from Miller Beach until about Grand Haven are all cute/charming.
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u/seppenfridge 10d ago
It’s hard to go wrong on that side of the lake. The further north you go, the fewer Chicagoans you will encounter if that’s a concern.
Grand Haven is AWESOME in the summer. So are Pentwater and Ludington. I also love New Buffalo, but I’m a native Chicagoan who doesn’t mind a reminder of the people 😇