Reader feedback: Harbor Country, Mich.

Have your own suggestions for visiting Harbor Country, Mich.? Share your tips with other readers.

While the article on Harbor Country, Michigan is enlightening, it does mislead the public about its true location. The area map at the top of the article shows the entire Berrien County grayed to indicate where Harbor Country is supposedly located. In fact, Harbor Country(R) is a federally registered trademark owned by the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce, in New Buffalo. This trademarked region is limited to the eight towns at the very southwest tip of Berrien County, about a 15 mile shore line stretch from the Michigan state line up to Sawyer, and inland 6 miles to Three Oaks, a very tiny section of Berrien County. Locations beyond these eight official towns are not authorized to bear the Harbor Country name. There is an article at the following web page which dispels the myths about Harbor Country's true location: http://www.harborcountry.org/whereisharborcou...

--RK--

Bailey's Cafe in Three Oaks. Wonderful menu with a nice dining room. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturdays.

The Hesston Steam Museum is a fun day trip. Four different trains to ride.

Ozzie's Eatery in new Buffalo has a musclecar and hot rod show every Weds. night in the summers.
Paul's fruit & veg. stand in new Buffalo is THE BEST!
Hacienda Mexican restaurant in Long Beach, IN is a great place to eat.

Chicago Tribune Moderator wrote:

Have your own suggestions for visiting Harbor Country, Mich.? Share your tips with other readers.

Weko Beach in Bridgman--uncrowded beaches, camping facilities at the beach, cafe with deck overlooking the beach.

St. Joseph was left out of the list. St. Joe boast an excellent downtown on a large bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. There are postcard sunsets daily in the summer. In addition to the shops St. Joe is home to Silver Beach which is one of the cleanest beaches around.

While you mentioned the Three Oaks bicycle club, you failed to mention the annual "Apple Cider Centurey" Bicycle ride. It attracts about 5,000 riders every year from all over the country. It is considered one of the best ride in the Country.

It held every year the last week in September and is run by the Three Oaks Spokes.

We stay at a place a block from Redamaks:

http://www.harborcountrycottage.com/

Jackson's Fruit Stand no longer exists as such in New Buffalo. That property has succumbed to the rampant development that has swept that town. However, Paul's Fruit Market south of New Buffalo on US 12 more than fills the void.

Jackson's has a fruit stand though on Red Arrow Highway in Sawyer. And don't forget to stop at the meat market right before there in Sawyer. Has the best homemade hotdogs and potato sausage you have ever eaten. Used to be called Shuch's but name has been changed. Don't forget about big flag day celebration in Three Oaks on Flag day or the Blossomtime parade in May. There is so much to do in Harbor County

Just remembered. It is called Ron's Meat Market and it is on red arrow highway in sawyer.

In addition to the Sawyer location, Jackson's moved just a little bit down the road (south on Red Arrow/Buffalo St.?), still in New Buffalo, I think. I was there last summer.

Other favorites: Redamak's, Drier's Meat Market in Three Oaks, Blue Plate for breakfast in Lakeside area, the backroads bikeway routes, and antique stores along Red Arrow Highway.

I think it's too bad how overdeveloped the area has become. I have a few favorite places that are still relatively uncrowded, though; sorry, but I think I'll keep them to myself! I know it couldn't stay the same as when I first started vacationing there as a child 25 years ago, but the pace of building has overshadowed some of the small-town charm.

I live in Harbor Country (not Stevensville as my isp location suggests). Sadly, I do agree that it is over-developed now.

There is the Ship & Shore Festival in New Buffalo, usually around August. Warren Dunes near Sawyer is nice as well.

For the kids, there is a go cart/mini golf place near Bridgman. Whitiker Woods is great for golfing.

Joe Jackson's did consolidate to one location in New Buffalo, and a new place called Pauls opened up just west of Joe's - both have great products.

There is a small park by the New Buffalo Township office. They are working on upgrading it but it's nice like it is.

Of course the new casino, Four Winds, is open now.

That's all I can think to add to the list right now.

Just outside of Buchanan, is Fernwood Botanical Garden. Fernwood features 105 acres of cultivated gardens, natural areas, trails, birding, cafe, art gallery, gift shop, and nature center, all on the St. Joseph River.

In Coloma:
For kids: Deer Forest
http://www.deerforest.com/

For history buffs: North Berrien Historical Society Museum
http://www.northberrienhistory.org/

Three Oaks is so much more than just the food...there is Ipso Facto, Springdale, The Acorn Theater! The Acorn just opened a wine shop which is perfect for that area.
But for food, there's always Baileys and Froehlics and Belle Via. And the farmers market on Saturdays is delicious!

Warren Dunes is wonderful during the week. During daytime especially... You almost have it to yourself!

A good old fashioned dining room atmosphere and a great dinner (at least it has never failed me)-
Tosi's restaurant in Stevensville
*yum*

We aren’t big fans of New Buffalo, too crowded and over built. But we do love riding up Red Arrow Hwy. Lots of great hidden gems along the way. Last time we were there, we spent some time in Harbert. Café Gulistan for lunch, excellent grub, also checked out the former Molly Pitcher winery, now converted into really cool lofts called Vineyard Lofts.
Headed across the street Vincent Tables, very intersting stuff, finally Marco Polo. The day was getting away from us, next time were going to check out Sawyer, a bit.

Speaking of hidden gems....here are a couple:

www.liveonlakemichigan.net