12 Best Things To Do In New Buffalo Michigan

Are you looking for the best things to do in New Buffalo, Michigan?

New Buffalo is a cool town in Michigan’s popular vacation district known as ‘Harbor Country’.

One trip to the area and you’ll quickly understand why so many people love to visit.

In New Buffalo, there are so many fun things to do.

From water sports, a casino resort, one-of-a-kind dining and brewery options, and interesting museums and shops.

Let’s take a look at the 12 Best Things to Do in New Buffalo Michigan!

12 Best Things to Do in New Buffalo Michigan

Galien River County Park

The park is made up of a large marsh, which is pretty unique for the Great Lakes area.

You can explore 86 acres of wild marshland on elevated walkways that protect the marsh.

You’ll be able to admire the native flora and fauna without disturbing this unique Great Lakes ecosystem.

The walkways aren’t super long, so you can very easily enjoy the park, and they are all ADA-accessible.

There is also a 60ft tower that you can walk to get a view of the beautiful marshland.

Things to Do in New Buffalo: Four Winds Casino Resort

On top of the traditional casino activities, there are a ton of other things to do.

Four Winds has some excellent dining options and a fun nightlife scene, and live shows on the weekend.

It is also full of some beautiful architectural elements.

One of the best parts of the resort is the domed glass ceiling in the entryway!

Everywhere you turn, there is something fun to do at the Four Winds Casino Resort.

There are so many resorts in Michigan to check into!

New Buffalo Sailing Excursions

New Buffalo MI is right on the coast of Lake Michigan.

One of the most fun things to do in New Buffalo Michigan is a sailing excursion.

You can have a guided sailing trip during the day in the waters of Lake Michigan or go on a sunset cruise.

If you are planning a romantic getaway, they even offer proposal cruises.

For the really adventurous, you can try your hand at sailing yourself.

Sailing in New Buffalo is guaranteed to be a fun thing to do while you visit.

Things To Do In New Buffalo Michigan: Grape and Grain Tours

New Buffalo is also a part of the Midwest’s Napa Valley, which means it’s full of amazing wineries.

If you would like to get the full winery tour, then you’ll want to book a trip with the Grape and Grain Tours company.

They offer short and long trips through Michigan’s wine country.

You’ll be able to sample wines from some of the best wineries in the area and have lunch on the grounds of one of the wineries.

It’s a great home base for exploring all the nearby wineries on your own time and speed.

Roger Harvey Gallery

In the heart of New Buffalo is the Roger Harvey Gallery.

Roger Harvey is a local artist who yearly updates the collection in the gallery with new paintings.

His paintings depict landscapes in the area, from the nearby beaches to the farms.

His paintings are not on display anywhere else, so it is absolutely worth a trip to visit.

Art lovers will really enjoy wandering around the gallery and admiring the beautiful works.

New Buffalo Michigan Public City Beach

New Buffalo Michigan is just an hour outside of Chicago,

making it an excellent day trip for those looking to escape the city and enjoy the beach.

The Public City Beach is a great place to stay, relax, and unwind.

On the beach, you’ll find a small lighthouse, plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the water, and even hiking trails.

It is within walking distance of many restaurants.

You’ll see boats sailing by in the distance, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and bird watching.

The Public City Beach also has a small snack shack, bathrooms with space to shower off and change, and lifeguards.

Things To Do In New Buffalo Michigan: Oink’s Dutch Treat

If you are looking for a sweet treat after a long day at the beach, stop at Oink’s Dutch Treat.

Oink’s Dutch Treat is a family-owned ice cream and yogurt shop in the heart of New Buffalo.

Locals and visitors alike love to stop in to the friendly ice cream parlor for a sweet treat and a friendly chat.

You’ll find a quaint ice cream shop decorated with tons and tons of pig memorabilia.

The shop’s name comes from the owner’s long-time nickname, ‘Oink’.

Friends and neighbors over the years have gifted the shop with pig items.

There are 50 flavors of ice cream, unique to the area, like Mackinac Island Fudge and Michigan Pot Hole.

They also carry frozen yogurt, candies, chocolates, and souvenirs in their extra shop, Oink’s Chocolate Pig, next door.

Oselka Marina Is One Of The Best Things To Do In New Buffalo Michigan

Because New Buffalo is on Lake Michigan, you can enjoy plenty of watersports almost year-round.

If you want to rent a watercraft, jet skis, or book a cruise, head to the Oselka Marina.

Walk through the lanes of the marina and admire the myriad boats docked there.

The marina is nestled between two sand dunes and leads directly into Lake Michigan.

New Buffalo Train Museum

If you want to learn a little bit about the area and you like trains, then a stop at the New Buffalo Train Museum is a must.

The museum highlights the importance of the railroad industry in making New Buffalo the town it is.

You’ll also get a history of trains themselves, and in particular ones that were used in the area.

The building that the museum is housed in is a replica Roundhouse that was once a major terminal that linked the area to Chicago.

The link to Chicago’s mercantile industry is what helped grow New Buffalo and make it the popular destination it now is.

Beer Church Brewing Company

New Buffalo is a town that has a ton of unique dining options.

One of those unique options is the Beer Church Brewing Company located in an historic church.

The church was a Methodist church that at one point was the Oldest Religious House in continuous use in the area.

Built during the Civil War, the church was being used as a house of worship until the 1980s.

Guests can enjoy the pretty architecture of an old church while they sip a locally brewed beer and eat a slice of pizza.

They are known for their Pontius Pilate brew, which has won several awards.

The most popular item on their menu is the Pizza Napolenta, an authentic Italian-style pizza.

Visiting The Downtown District Is One Of The Best Things To Do In New Buffalo MI

The Downtown District is a charming beach town that is full of unique shops, restaurants, and more.

For those who are staying in the area, there are plenty of places to park and then walk around.

Start your day of exploring with a stop at Luisa’s Café to enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes and French toast.

Once you’re full, head out and do some shopping.

There are antique shops, boutique shops, a nice consignment store, and of course, a boating shop.

For lunch or dinner, stop in one of the many restaurants in the area or grab a quick bite to eat at one of the local bake shops.

You can easily spend all day exploring the Downtown District of New Buffalo and you’ll enjoy every minute of it.

Round Barn Winery, Distillery, and Brewery

If you don’t have time to do a whole tour of the area’s wineries, the Round Barn is one of the best options.

The Round Barn has a few locations, but the best one is the Round Barn Estate.

That is the original location of the winery, and it is a beautiful estate.

There you will find the round barn that gave the winery its name.

At the estate, there is also a Baroda entertainment venue and a tasting room.

Depending on what time of year you visit, the winery also offers different activities on the grounds.

In the winter, guests can stay cozy in their own private igloo, explore the Chalet, go on winter hikes, and have a guided tasting experience.

In the summer, guests can relax in the vineyard, enjoy a glass of wine in their own private cabana, stay on the grounds, and explore the hiking trails.

No matter what time of year you go, The Round Barn Winery, Distillery, and Brewery is a must-stop New Buffalo MI destination.

Essentials Packing List For Visiting New Buffalo Michigan

Here are my tips on how to pack lightly. using a carry-on when traveling. And WHY it is almost a necessity!

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another solution.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.

Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.

It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle. 

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.

These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful at pools or spas you happen to visit along the way.

These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential.

For women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.

Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.

This wet-dry bag with handles is a good option.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.

If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.

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