Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP OF CHAPTER
Lake Michigan Shore
They don't call it the Gold Coast for nothing. Michigan's 300-mile western shoreline fea-
tures seemingly endless stretches of beaches, dunes, wineries, orchards and B&B-filled
towns that boom during the summer - and shiver during the snow-packed winter. Note all
state parks listed here take
campsite reservations
( 800-447-2757;
www.midnrreservations.com
; fee $8)
and require a vehicle permit (day/year $9/31), unless
specified otherwise.
Harbor Country
Harbor Country refers to a group of eight small, lake-hugging towns just over the
Michigan border (an easy day trip from Chicago). Yep, they've got your requisite beaches,
wineries and antique shops; they've got a couple of big surprises too. The
Harbor Coun-
First up, surfing. Believe it, people: you can surf Lake Michigan, and the VW-bus-driv-
Whittaker St; 10am-6pm mid-May-late Sep)
will show you how. They provide wetsuits and
boards for surfing, skim boarding and paddleboarding (rentals per day $20 to $35). For
novices, they offer 1½-hour lessons (including equipment $55 to $75) right on the public
beach June through mid-September. The surf shop is in New Buffalo, Harbor Country's
biggest town.
Three Oaks is the only Harbor community that's inland (6 miles in, via US 12). Here
Green Acres meets Greenwich Village in a funky farm-and-arts blend. By day, rent bikes
Cannon Ave; bike per day $20; 9am-5pm)
and cycle lightly used rural roads past orchards
and wineries. By eve, catch a provocative play or arthouse flick at Three Oaks' theaters.
Hungry? Get a wax-paper-wrapped cheeseburger, spicy curly fries and cold beer at
Redamak's
(
www.redamaks.com
;
616 E Buffalo St; burgers $5-10;
noon-10:30pm Mar-Oct)
in
New Buffalo.
