Autumnal days on Michigan’s “Sunset Coast” are the perfect weekend trip when the weather turns cool

By Mia Jones

Discover why Lake Michigan’s coastline is a fantastic place to visit even beyond the summertime. Within a comfortable, maximum three-hour car ride from the western suburbs of Chicago, you can take your pick from vineyards, restaurants, and rejuvenating places to relax for a weekend away.

Mt. Tabor Trails in Buchanan, MI

Round Barn Winery & Estate in Baroda, MI

Take a beautiful fall walk with a drink in hand on Round Barn’s Mt. Tabor Trails in Buchanan and Baroda, MI. The four trail options, varying in length and intensity, venture through the fields and woods between the Round Barn Winery & Estate in Baroda and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant in Buchanan.

Your scenic tasting adventure can begin at either one of the locations, where there will be food, beer, wine, and cocktails to choose from. Heated igloos and fire pits allow for a cozy time outdoors with family and friends while enjoying the views of Round Barn Estate. The Estate can house up to eight guests for a more extended weekend stay, but local lodges and hotels are just down the road.

New Buffalo, MI

New Buffalo Beach in September

A historic beach town, New Buffalo provides a quiet getaway weekend. If you are looking for a tranquil place to stay, The Neighborhood Hotel New Buffalo offers nine different beachy-feeling suites for a relaxing stay for two. For more space, they also have a hotel nearby in Grand Beach, which is only a 10-minute drive from New Buffalo!

The Stray Dog Bar and Grill is a must-try for American cuisine and beers, complete with a cozy fireplace for chill fall nights. Visit New Buffalo’s first brewery at Beer Church Brewing Co., which is indeed a literal church. They have a pizza-making class and a heated outdoor beer garden, and brunch and breakfast are served until 2 p.m.

Holland, MI

Historic DeZwaan Windmill at Holland’s Windmill Island Gardens

The famous Michigan town of Holland will host its annual Fall Fest on main 8th Street this year. From Friday, October 4 to Saturday, October 5, the festival will feature professional pumpkin carvers, pumpkin painting, street performers, and a fall artisan market.

During your stay, visit the many boutiques, breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops in downtown Holland. If you are looking for a hotel that’s right downtown for the fall fun, book the Courtyard Holland Downtown by Marriott. And no worries, Windmill Island Gardens will be open through October 6 to see the 250-year-old DeZwaan Windmill.

Saugatuck, MI

Aerial view of the town of Saugatuck

Charming and picturesque, Saugatuck is known as the “Art Coast of Michigan.” Explore the creative atmosphere of this town at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, where you can view breathtaking galleries and crafted goods. Saugatuck Art Traders has original paintings for sale as well.

Saugatuck has plenty of boutiques and small businesses for all shopping lovers for fall and winter attire finds. Crane’s Winery, located in Fennville, produces local wine and hard cider for tasting. Speaking of cider, if you are on the hunt for hand-pressed, hard apple cider to sip on this fall, take a short drive over to Virtue Farms in Fennville.

St. Joseph, MI

The St. Joseph North Pier Lighthouse

Right along the beach, St. Joseph features great recreational activities for the whole family to enjoy this fall. The Curious Kids’ Museum & Discovery Zone contains multiple hands-on exhibits, such as a play veterinarian clinic, a waterpower tower, an apple orchard, and a farm.

St. Joseph is another art-filled city featuring the nonprofit Krasl Art Center with sculptures and exhibits for kids and adults inside and outside the building. There’s also the Box Factory for the Arts Gallery, located inside a historic building, which reveals four exhibits that are free and open to the public. For a more sophisticated and adult adventure, visit the White Pine Winery Tasting Room for inviting red and white wines.

Off Map Glamping in South Haven, MI

A Michigan sunset in South Haven

If “glamping” has been on your bucket list for some time now, this fall might be a good time to give it a go. The Off Map Glamping site in South Haven can make that early fall camping trip a reality. With luxury, furnished tents, and wood-burning stoves, this gorgeous site will leave you feeling relaxed and refreshed after a whirlwind summer.

A short, convenient drive away are local farms, orchards, bakeries, and restaurants in the South Haven area. Pay a visit to Barden’s Farm Market for fresh, homegrown produce, or go to Bumbleberry Acres for the pumpkins, apple cider, bakery, and a petting zoo.