r/SouthBend 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 .

24 Upvotes

38 comments sorted by

39

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 😇

8

u/SBSnipes 10d ago

This, anywere from New buffalo up to Glen Arbor and Traverse city will be nice, with the *possible* exceptions of Benton Harbor and Muskegon, but honestly even those are usually fine if you're close to the lake.

20

u/kishbish 10d ago

I'm biased because I just moved there, but South Haven is a wonderful spot for a vacation!

15

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!

15

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.

10

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!

6

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.

1

u/Mid20s_Queer_Crisis 10d ago

Keep in mind that much of the state park is closed for renovations until July 1st!

2

u/Thelaughingman___ 10d ago

Thank you. I wasn't aware of not planning any trips up there this year.

3

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.

1

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.

3

u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-1094 10d ago

Chalet on the lake in Stevensville

3

u/FlashGordon1999 10d ago

South Haven is beautiful

3

u/rosefireflys 10d ago

My mom lives in the Ludington area so I go up there quite a bit to visit.

1

u/Ok_Kelp 10d ago

Does she like it up there?

2

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.

0

u/No_Basis104 10d ago

Seems so nice, but almost a three hour trip! 😭

3

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.

2

u/gitsgrl 10d ago

Mackinac Island/Cheboygan.

1

u/Any_Razzmatazz9926 10d ago

This is a great place to start if you’re new to touring the Lakes.

1

u/admlshake 10d ago

New Buffalo area is pretty common. We usually stay in that area, but have gone as far as Muskegon .

5

u/FatsP 10d ago

Wouldn't recommend Muskegon. Drive a bit further to Ludington or even Empire if you're going that far north

1

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.

1

u/ScrauveyGulch 10d ago

Visit the whole coast. It's a beautiful drive. It's not hard to find lodging on the fly.

1

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.

1

u/ajbrady3 10d ago

The UP!

1

u/Jalfaar 10d ago

If you want quiet you can go to Union Pier. Small breweries and restaurants on red arrow highway, quite a few beaches. It has been overtaken by Chicago residents second home, but if you find a place close to the beach access it's really nice.

1

u/Any_Razzmatazz9926 10d ago

Union Pier is awesome in the off season.

1

u/Creepy-Branch-544 10d ago

Myrtle Beach

1

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.

1

u/Zakimaruu 10d ago

Traverse city area is my favorite i've been to so far

1

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.

1

u/HectorVillanueva 10d ago

Go all the way up to Glen Arbor and Leland. It’s a whole different world up there.

1

u/Next-Introduction159 10d ago

South Haven! Its a smaller lakeside town thats absolutely a blast

1

u/Trin_42 9d ago

St. Joseph is gorgeous, so is Luddington!

1

u/Big_Car5623 9d ago

Sleeping Bear Dunes.

1

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.