Our New Buffalo Recommendations

Hey friends! As you might have seen, we went on a quick little getaway to New Buffalo, MI this weekend and it was the loveliest.

*shop the carousel here!

We had both been more familiar with Wisconsin when it comes to midwest getaways, but we went to Saugatuck back in 2022 and then New Buffalo for our “babymoon” in 2024 and there’s just something about Pure Michigan.

New Buffalo is small and kind of sleepy, but it’s so adorable and friendly - and I just loooove being near our big huge Lake Michigan. Lake Geneva and other smaller ones are nice, but Lake Michigan feels like the ocean to me. It’s the best.

Anyway, we didn’t have plans to go back to Michigan until Adam and I somehow started talking about a specific ice cream that we had on our babymoon and it sparked the most intense craving.

He joked about going to a store or a local ice cream place to find something similar, but I knew nothing would compare… and then a few days later, he told me he booked us a weekend away so we could go get the real thing.

TEARS 😭 I LOVE THIS MAN.

It was technically my birthday present (I turned 39 last week!) but on the drive out, we realized that this was the first and last trip just the three of us before baby boy number 2 arrives which made it all feel even more special.

So without further ado, let’s dive into my recommendations!

We’ve only ever stayed at the Harbor Grand Hotel and both experiences were excellent. Not only is it a nice boutique hotel (clean, pretty, etc) but it’s literally in the perfect location. If you turn one way, you’re a short walk to the beach. If you turn the other way, you’ll go down the street with all of the best restaurants and shops.

We got a regular room last time, but because we had Charlie, we upgraded to a suite this time. Charlie’s pack & play (it’s so worth it - use code LAUREN for $40 off!) fit perfectly in the living area, and then Adam and I could still hang out in the bedroom whenever he was sleeping.

Another big perk is their complimentary breakfast. It’s not a mediocre continental situation that usually comes to mind when you hear “free hotel breakfast”. Instead, you get a card with a menu that you fill out and leave on your door. You can choose from things like coffee, frittatas, yogurt, pastries, etc. along with the time you want it delivered. The next morning, it arrives in a picnic basket outside your door. SO CUTE.

I got a tropical chia pudding both mornings that was so good, I’m determined to recreate it at home. We were also able to get sides of fruit that Charlie devoured with the yogurt pouches we brought from home. Such a nice easy way to start each day!

They also have an indoor pool, a little sundeck and a spa. We didn’t go to any of those this time, but I did get a prenatal massage last time that was wonderful.

As I mentioned, New Buffalo is kind of a sleepy little place. I’m sure it gets much busier and livelier in the depths of summer but I feel like it would still have that relaxed small town vibe even then. And that’s what I really like about it!

You go there to exhale, you know?

I love being by the lake so much that it’s no surprise that I’m going to say the beach is the main reason to go. The New Buffalo Beach is a short walk from our hotel, and it’s massive. There’s a playground right near the parking lot, some boardwalk trails if you want to get some exercise, and tons of beach space to set up a towel and chairs and hang out all day.

And while Whittaker St isn’t huge, it’s full of charming boutiques, coffee shops, great restaurants, and multiple ice cream shops.

There’s also a Metra stop right there which is super convenient if you’re coming from the city!

Along with the beach, the food is the next best reason to go. It may be a small town but they have some stellar places to eat!

PostBoy

PostBoy is a new restaurant (opened last year) and we were SO impressed. We got a table on their patio our first night after sitting in traffic and immediately felt like we were on vacation. The decor is on point, the food was creative and delicious, and there was even live music! We liked it so much that we went back for lunch the next day.

Everything was good, but I especially recommend the chicken wings, the shishito peppers, the burger, and the side of fries. YUM.

Terrace Room

Another perk of our hotel? They have an excellent Italian restaurant downstairs! I remember loving it more last time because they had an insane vodka sauce dish that wasn’t on the menu anymore, but everything was still really solid. If there is a meatballs appetizer when you go, PLEASE order it! It has arugula and aged parmesan on top… I could have eaten a plate of it as my meal if I didn’t have to share with Adam and Charlie!

Nancy’s Ice Cream

This is where to get the infamous Yellow Cake Batter ice cream!!! Last time we visited, we went to Oink’s the first night and then Nancy’s the next day after the beach. I wasn’t even sure I wanted ice cream that afternoon, but we were passing it and Adam was ordering, so I got their Yellow Cake Batter ice cream… and had a religious experience 🤣

I literally can’t speak to any other flavor they offer because it was love at first bite! It has swirls of chocolate and chunks of cake that have almost a cookie dough texture. Get it on a cone with some sprinkles on top? That’s my perfect ice cream. What dreams are made of.

Farmette

We had plans to go back to Whistle Stop Grocery because we loved it last time, but I kept hearing about Farmette and I’m so glad we went there! They have a beautiful store with things like cookbooks, specialty groceries, and freshly baked bread. It’s also a coffee shop where I got their seasonal strawberry iced coffee that had a strawberry cold foam on top. Walk around their garden or sit outside on their patio and enjoy whatever you ordered!

Shady Creek Winery

Someone recommended this winery while we were there, so we went when we had some time to kill! Obviously wineries aren’t the most exciting for me at the current moment, but the outdoor area was beautiful. Lots of seating, lawn games, and plenty of grass for kids to run around!

And from last time:

The Stray Dog

This is probably the most popular restaurant in New Buffalo, but we didn’t go this time because we thought PostBoy was better 🙊 Here’s the thing - The Stray Dog has a GREAT rooftop patio that overlooks the lake with a bar and more of a party vibe since you have to be over 21 to go up there.

Because we had Charlie with us, we would have had to sit inside the restaurant and that felt unnecessary. This is where you go to have a cocktail and cheese curds in the sunshine - or to have more than a few cocktails at the end of the day, you know?

Issa Vibe Cafe

We didn’t make it here this time, but it’s a very insta-worthy place. Bright colors, plants, pretty matcha lattes, and delicious breakfast sandwiches. If we didn’t have the free breakfasts at the hotel and/or want to check out Farmette, we would have gone back!

Have you been to New Buffalo? What else would you add to this list?