While Harbor Country has been dubbed “A Land for All Seasons,” summer is arguably the best time to spend a day or two in southwest Michigan’s 15-mile belt of beautiful beachside towns.
The area — which includes New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Michiana, Grand Beach, Lakeside, Harbert, Union Pier and Sawyer — packs the perfect punch for anyone looking to enjoy a quick getaway.
Part of the appeal of Harbor Country is its proximity to residents across southwest Michigan, northern Indiana and Eastern Illinois.
“Harbor Country is close by, yet feels far away,” said Viki Gudas, executive director of the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce. “It is a very relaxing place that has many ‘big city’ amenities with small-town charm.”
While the beaches of Harbor Country are obvious (and pretty universally considered awesome) choices for a day trip, there are certainly many other options. Viki dished out some of her favorite Harbor Country destinations, and some tips on planning a day trip to the area.

We hope you enjoyed this digital “taste” of Michiana Life. Now take the next step! We want you to truly experience the magazine by holding it in your hands and enjoying the beautiful photography, layouts and advertisements in high-quality, glossy printing. To read the full articles you can subscribe to the magazine by clicking HERE or grab a free copy at more than 300 locations across northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. Don’t miss out on a single issue!