New Buffalo in Winter: Your Complete Guide to Harbor Country’s Best Winter Activities

Quick Answer: New Buffalo, Michigan is a perfect winter getaway destination, offering wine tasting along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, craft breweries like Beer Church, winter hiking at Warren Dunes State Park, sledding, fat tire biking, antique shopping, and cozy downtown boutiques. Located just 90 minutes from Chicago and 3 hours from Detroit, Harbor Country transforms into a peaceful retreat ideal for couples, families, and anyone seeking a Michigan winter escape.

If you need a winter escape or quick getaway to reset, look no farther than New Buffalo, Michigan, in southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country. While a lot of people flock to the shores of this Lake Michigan beach town in the summer, I like to visit off-season, when it’s a little less crowded.

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Quick Picks: Best New Buffalo Winter Activities

🍷 Best for Wine Lovers: Round Barn Estate Winery – stunning setting in an Amish round barn with hiking trails on-site
🍺 Best Brewery Experience: Beer Church Brewing Co. – craft beer and epic wood-fired pizza in a restored Civil War-era church
🥾 Best Winter Hike: Warren Dunes State Park – 6 miles of trails plus 3 miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline
🛷 Best Sledding: Warren Dunes State Park – 260-foot elevation with breathtaking lake views
🚴 Best Fat Tire Biking: Love Creek County Park – rentals available on-site with miles of trails
🛍️ Best Antique Shopping: Sawyer Antique Mall – huge selection of housewares, collectibles, and art
🏨 Best Hotel: Holiday Inn Express New Buffalo – indoor pool, hot tub, and free breakfast

What’s in This Guide

• Quick Picks
• Why Visit New Buffalo in Winter
• Explore Southwest Michigan Wineries
• Visit Harbor Country Breweries
• Go Winter Hiking
• Sledding and Snow Tubing
• Fat Tire Biking
• Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
• Go Antiquing
• Cozy Up in Downtown New Buffalo
• Where to Stay
• Accessibility Information
• FAQs

Why Visit New Buffalo in Winter?

Yes, the town hustles and bustles during the summer and fall seasons. Come wintertime, however, this popular Lake Michigan beach town slows down a bit but still offers plenty of opportunity for both indoor fun and outdoor adventure.

Just a quick 90-minute ride from Chicago by car or train and three hours from Detroit, this charming town on the Lake Michigan shore is a perfect Michigan travel destination for winter fun. That leaves lots of time and space for exploring the Harbor Country antique stores, art galleries, breweries, and wineries in the area.

There are also some unique boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants in New Buffalo and the surrounding Harbor Country area that make this a perfect getaway in the cooler months.

Explore the Southwest Michigan Wineries

New Buffalo is set right in the middle of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, making it a perfect base for exploring the amazing Berrien County wineries. As the largest of Michigan’s grape-growing regions, the southwest corner of the state is home to some of the best wineries in Michigan.

Round Barn Estate Winery, Distillery and Brewery

📍 Address: 10983 Hills Rd, Baroda, MI 49101
🌐 Website: roundbarn.com
✨ Highlights: Turn-of-the-century Amish round barn, hiking trails on grounds, on-site accommodations

The Round Barn winery is set in a turn-of-the-century Amish round barn—an eclectic setting for this fun spot that even has its own hiking trails on the grounds. It’s a very enchanting spot in the winter, and there are accommodations on-site, too.

Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant

📍 Address: 185 Mt Tabor Rd, Buchanan, MI 49107
🌐 Website: taborhill.com
✨ Highlights: Award-winning wines, 3.5+ miles of hiking trails through woods and vineyards

Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant offers more than just award-winning wines. You’ll also find over 3.5 miles of stunning trails looping through the woods and vineyards to hike while you sip.

In addition, there are more than 20 wineries and tasting rooms in the area, including some in downtown St. Joseph.

PRO TIP: You can take a Grape and Grain Tour to explore the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail and the breweries and distilleries in the area without worrying about driving.

Head to Beer Church and Other Harbor Country Breweries

Beer Church Brewing Co.

📍 Address: 24 S Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117
🌐 Website: beerchurchbrewing.com
✨ Highlights: Restored Civil War-era church, wood-fired Pizza Napoletana, laid-back vibe

You’ll find more than amazing craft beer and salvation at Beer Church Brewing Co. Set in a restored Civil War-era church, this top Michigan brewery is truly unique, offering a friendly, laid-back vibe.

In addition to tasty microbrews, you’ll also find one of the best pizzas in the state of Michigan. Their wood-fired Pizza Napoletana is epic and has earned rave reviews and recognition from multiple media sources including the Chicago Tribune.

Greenbush Brewing Co.

📍 Address: 5885 Sawyer Rd, Sawyer, MI 49125
🌐 Website: greenbushbrewing.com
✨ Highlights: 12 taps of house-brewed beer, amazing BBQ, Annex location across the street

You’ll also want to check out Greenbush Brewing Co. in Sawyer, an award-winning microbrewery that is home to some amazing barbeque. You’ll find 12 taps of house-brewed beer, including experimental ales, too. The amazing tastes at Greenbush required the founders to open an Annex across the street—you’re good with either choice.

Take a Winter Hike

Let’s face it: a beach hike in any season is good, if you’re dressed for it. It’s a great time to explore winter in Harbor Country. So bundle up and head out to one of these amazing spots.

Warren Dunes State Park

📍 Address: 12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125
🥾 Trails: 6 miles of hiking trails + 3 miles of shoreline
🏔️ Elevation: 260 feet (highest dune)
💵 Entry: Michigan Recreation Passport required

Warren Dunes State Park offers three miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline to trek and six miles of hiking trails through towering dunes. The sweeping views of the frozen lake and snow-covered dunes are absolutely breathtaking in winter.

Love Creek County Park

📍 Address: 9292 Huckleberry Road, Berrien Center, MI 49102
🥾 Trails: 6 miles
🐕 Dogs: Leashed dogs allowed when no snow is present
🚲 Rentals: Fat tire bikes, cross-country skis, snowshoes available

Love Creek County Park is a rolling 200-acre natural area outside of Berrien Springs. It’s your one-stop winter adventure destination with equipment rentals on-site and groomed trails.

Warren Woods State Park

📍 Address: Elm Valley Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128
🌲 Size: 311 acres
✨ Highlights: Old-growth beech-maple forest, Galien River runs through

Warren Woods State Park is a 311-acre nature preserve featuring centuries-old, silvery smooth beech maples. The Galien River runs through it and is just pristine in the quiet winter months.

LOCAL TIP: Winter sun on Lake Michigan is magic. If you’re new to the lakeshore, it may seem counterintuitive to head to the beach in a parka. But trust me, the icy views can be awe-inspiring, and the sunsets are truly majestic.

Go Sledding and Snow Tubing

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as flying down a hill on a sled or tube. Luckily, the rolling dunes and hilly terrain of the New Buffalo and Harbor Country area offer tons of spots perfect for sledding.

Oselka Park (601 E Indiana St, New Buffalo, MI 49117) has a man-made BYOS (Bring Your Own Sled) sledding hill, and Warren Dunes State Park offers sledding and tubing too.

At Warren Dunes, you can choose the main dune face for an awesome 260-foot elevation overlooking Lake Michigan, or hike into the back bowls if you want the hill to yourself. Sliding down the dunes with the amazing Lake Michigan vista spread in front of you is breathtaking.

PRO TIP: There’s no need to get fancy with sleds. Simple, smooth, and light is the way to go. The park doesn’t rent sleds, so you’ll need to bring your own.

Ride a Fat Tire Bike

The first time I hopped on one of these bikes was in the winter, and I was immediately hooked. Sure, the large tires give you the ability to navigate through sand, but they’re even more powerful in the snow.

New Buffalo is a fun place to ride, surrounded by the coastal scenery and fresh lake air. Love Creek County Park is your best bet if you don’t have your own bike—there are four fat tire bikes available for rent on-site and miles of trails.

If you have your own bike, check out Chikaming Township Park and Preserve (Warren Woods Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128). This large natural area includes woods, prairies, and a lake, plus trails for fat tire biking.

If you’re up for a bit of a ride (pun intended), head east to the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park (15122 Monkey Run Street, Jones, MI 49061) for miles of wooded trails that are open year-round. If you’re a sky-watcher, you’ll want to head over to the Dark Sky Park to catch a glimpse of some shooting stars or night sky wonders.

HEADS UP: While there are miles of lakeshore to explore on bike, fat tire bikes are not allowed on the beach at Warren Dunes. You might be tempted to try, especially in the relative quietude of winter, but rangers will find you!

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

The meditative quality of cross-country skiing—its gentle glide and rhythmic sound—is a fantastic way to connect with the winter landscape. Unlike the adrenaline rush of downhill, cross-country demands just enough focus to move those to-do lists to the background.

For beginners, I recommend Love Creek County Park where rentals are offered and trails are groomed. But if you’ve got gear, Warren Dunes, Chikaming Township Park and Preserve, and Warren Woods are also great choices with trails of varying lengths and terrain.

Sarett Nature Center (2300 N Benton Center Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022) also offers rentals for both cross-country skiing and snowshoes.

PRO TIP: Although ski trails at Love Creek are open every day, rentals are limited to Wednesday through Sunday. Check their Facebook page for the latest snow and trail conditions before you go.

Go Antiquing in Harbor Country

Harbor Country is an antique-lover’s paradise. Here are some of my favorite spots:

Poppy Hill Vintage (22 N Elm St, Three Oaks, MI) – Charming shop with re-purposed cottage décor

Sawyer Antique Mall (12825 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125) – Huge selection of housewares, collectibles, art, and more

Alchemy Antiques (13696 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125) – I found a beautiful oak chest here a few years back, and I always stop in to see what other treasures I can find

Blue Moon Vintage Market (11193 W Division Rd, Westville, IN 46391) – Also worth a visit, just across the state line

Cozy Up in Downtown New Buffalo Michigan

Warm and friendly downtown New Buffalo is a perfect spot to get all your cozy winter feels. Bring a good book, pick up some hot cocoa and delicious Swedish pastries from the Harbert Swedish Bakery (13698 Red Arrow Hwy, Harbert, MI 49115), and watch the snow fall.

When you need some fresh air, walk up and down Whittaker Street and pop in the fun shops and boutiques along the way. You won’t go hungry here—there are some top restaurants, including one of my favorite Italian spots, Brewster’s.

You can find more detailed information on where to eat in our Guide to the Top Restaurants in New Buffalo.

Where to Stay in New Buffalo in the Winter

Need more solitude? Try a quiet and relaxing week or a few days away in a New Buffalo hotel or cottage rental property. Here are a few favorites worth checking out:

Tulip Tree House Cottage

🛏️ Sleeps: 6 (2 bedrooms + sofa bed)
🏠 Type: Private cottage in the woods
📍 Location: 3 miles from Lake Michigan beach
✨ Highlights: Wood burning stove, fully updated kitchen, 3 bathrooms

This comfortable two-bedroom home in New Buffalo is nestled in the woods. I like the location because it’s clean and close to popular eateries, hiking trails, biking trails, and downtown New Buffalo.

Leisure on The Lake Beachfront Home

🛏️ Sleeps: 16 (6 bedrooms)
🏠 Type: Beachfront home
📍 Location: Direct Lake Michigan beachfront
✨ Highlights: Hot tub, EV charging station, oversized breakfast bar

Perfect for a large crowd, this Lake Michigan beachfront home is ideal for watching the winter waves on Lake Michigan!

Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Buffalo

🏨 Type: Hotel with suites available
🏊 Amenities: Indoor heated pool, hot tub, fitness center
🍳 Breakfast: Free continental breakfast included
⭐ Best For: Families, convenience

This highly-rated Holiday Inn Express offers both suites and rooms along with an indoor heated pool—perfect for warming up after a day on the trails.

Fairfield Inn and Suites New Buffalo

🏨 Type: Hotel with King, Queen rooms and studios
📍 Location: Right off I-94 expressway
🏊 Amenities: Pool, fitness room, refrigerators and microwaves in rooms
🍳 Breakfast: Continental breakfast included

The Fairfield Inn and Suites New Buffalo is right off the I-94 expressway, which makes it super convenient for road trippers.

NEED MORE OPTIONS? Check out our guide to the 15 Best Places to Stay in New Buffalo, Michigan, which also includes suggestions for pet-friendly accommodations.

New Buffalo in the Winter is Accessible for All

One of the best things about New Buffalo is that no matter what season you choose to visit, it’s a friendly spot for all. By that I mean singles, families, and most importantly, dogs. Many places here are dog-friendly, so you can bring your pup along for your visit.

In addition, you’ll find that both New Buffalo City Beach and Warren Dunes State Park are ADA and handicap accessible for users of mobility devices.

More New Buffalo Travel Guides

• 20 Top Restaurants In New Buffalo MI
• 10 BEST New Buffalo Breweries: A Beer Lover’s Guide
• New Buffalo Michigan Beaches: Find Your BEST New Buffalo Beach

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