Guidebook for Union Pier
Food Scene
A few recommendations out of many options. In summer and on many weekends, restaurants are busy and we recommend reservations when possible. Many more casual places do not take reservations, so be prepared for at least a short wait if you go at popular times. But relax...you're on vacation! (If visiting in winter or early spring, note that a few do have seasonal closings, and many restaurants will not be open every day).
Very nearby--you can walk-- a great casual but upscale place for dinner, and a nice bar area. Large menu, with many seafood options. Live music some nights. Their weekday specials, offered during the off-season, are a good deal.
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Timothy's Restaurant
16409 Red Arrow HwyVery nearby--you can walk-- a great casual but upscale place for dinner, and a nice bar area. Large menu, with many seafood options. Live music some nights. Their weekday specials, offered during the off-season, are a good deal.
Wonderful place for breakfast pastries, bakery items, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. Closed some weekdays in the off-season.
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Black Currant Bakehouse
9911 Town Line AveWonderful place for breakfast pastries, bakery items, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. Closed some weekdays in the off-season.
Convenient corner store, quick bite, and sandwich place. Try some of the Lithuanian specialties on the menu.
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Milda's Corner Market
9901 Town Line AveConvenient corner store, quick bite, and sandwich place. Try some of the Lithuanian specialties on the menu.
Casual, family friendly restaurant and bar with an old-school lodge atmosphere. Reasonable prices, very popular, and can get busy.
Definitely a local favorite.
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Red Arrow Roadhouse
15710 Red Arrow HwyCasual, family friendly restaurant and bar with an old-school lodge atmosphere. Reasonable prices, very popular, and can get busy.
Definitely a local favorite.
Good pizza and other Italian basics, and they deliver to the house. Closed in winter (check online, usually December through February). Roma Pizza and Villa Nova in New Buffalo are other good options which are open year-round.
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Mario's Pizza
16170 Red Arrow HwyGood pizza and other Italian basics, and they deliver to the house. Closed in winter (check online, usually December through February). Roma Pizza and Villa Nova in New Buffalo are other good options which are open year-round.
Bustling bar and grill, great atmosphere, friendly service, with a rooftop patio.
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The Stray Dog Bar & Grill
245 N Whittaker StBustling bar and grill, great atmosphere, friendly service, with a rooftop patio.
Excellent regional Italian food in a homey atmosphere, outdoor patio in summer.
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Brewster's Italian Cafe
11 W Merchant StExcellent regional Italian food in a homey atmosphere, outdoor patio in summer.
One of our favorite places for a special night out. Rustic Italian fare, homemade pasta, and a great bar, in an upscale setting with a view of the harbor. Reservations a must--book ahead, especially for weekends. Inside the Harbor Grand Hotel.
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Terrace Room
111 W Water StOne of our favorite places for a special night out. Rustic Italian fare, homemade pasta, and a great bar, in an upscale setting with a view of the harbor. Reservations a must--book ahead, especially for weekends. Inside the Harbor Grand Hotel.
Great prices and good food....solid tacos and quesadillas. Very causal and quick: counter service with outdoor tables.
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RIOS MEXICAN GRILL #2
2715 Franklin StGreat prices and good food....solid tacos and quesadillas. Very causal and quick: counter service with outdoor tables.
Jackie's Cafe
801 W Buffalo StSmall and casual place for a breakfast and lunch.
Delicious Middle Eastern food in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. A nice place for outdoor dining in summer, overlooking a garden. Try one of the Turkish or Lebanese wines. (Note: they do close for 2 to 3 months in winter).
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Cafe Gulistan
13581 Red Arrow HwyDelicious Middle Eastern food in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. A nice place for outdoor dining in summer, overlooking a garden. Try one of the Turkish or Lebanese wines. (Note: they do close for 2 to 3 months in winter).
A true local favorite, an old-fashoined locally-owned ice cream shop.
Featuring Sherman's ice cream made in South Haven. Bustling and fun on summer afternoons and evenings, kids of all ages will love it.
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Oink's Dutch Treat
227 W Buffalo St A true local favorite, an old-fashoined locally-owned ice cream shop.
Featuring Sherman's ice cream made in South Haven. Bustling and fun on summer afternoons and evenings, kids of all ages will love it.
Truly an old standy in New Buffalo...many of us who have been coming to the area for years have a soft spot for it. Big, bustling, burger and sandwich place with a large menu. Fun atmosphere and fast service... kids love it. Gets busy and there is often a wait in summer. Cash or check only. (Closed in winter, check for the dates, and they deliver in summer).
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Redamak's
616 E Buffalo StTruly an old standy in New Buffalo...many of us who have been coming to the area for years have a soft spot for it. Big, bustling, burger and sandwich place with a large menu. Fun atmosphere and fast service... kids love it. Gets busy and there is often a wait in summer. Cash or check only. (Closed in winter, check for the dates, and they deliver in summer).
Solid choice for standard Chinese-American items along with sushi and some Japanese and Thai dishes.
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Song Asian Cuisine
301 W Buffalo StSolid choice for standard Chinese-American items along with sushi and some Japanese and Thai dishes.
Another choice for pizza that delivers to the house. A good option if Mario's isn't open.
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Roma Pizza
2400 Franklin StAnother choice for pizza that delivers to the house. A good option if Mario's isn't open.
Small local place for delicious, hand-made artisan sandwiches. Order there, or online for pickup.
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Whistle Stop Grocery
15700 Red Arrow HwySmall local place for delicious, hand-made artisan sandwiches. Order there, or online for pickup.
This has become one of our Union Pier favorites. Laid back bar and restaurant with great cocktails and comfort food. Live music several times a week, and an outdoor patio.
Union Pier Social
This has become one of our Union Pier favorites. Laid back bar and restaurant with great cocktails and comfort food. Live music several times a week, and an outdoor patio.
Another newer addition to the local food scene, in Harbert. Upscale and modern vibe…you'll take a table and order from your phone. Prices are “upscale” also, but we found the cocktails and food delicious, and some interesting choices for wine, all in a very appealing setting with a friendly crowd.
Gather All Day
Another newer addition to the local food scene, in Harbert. Upscale and modern vibe…you'll take a table and order from your phone. Prices are “upscale” also, but we found the cocktails and food delicious, and some interesting choices for wine, all in a very appealing setting with a friendly crowd.
Great local bakery (try the Swedish limpa bread) and the attached cafe is great for breakfast or brunch.
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Harbert Swedish Bakery
13698 Red Arrow HwyGreat local bakery (try the Swedish limpa bread) and the attached cafe is great for breakfast or brunch.
One of the better upscale restaurants in the area. Cozy setting, polished service, and excellent food, wine, and cocktails. Located inside the (smoke-free) Four Winds Casino.
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Copper Rock Steakhouse
11111 Wilson RdOne of the better upscale restaurants in the area. Cozy setting, polished service, and excellent food, wine, and cocktails. Located inside the (smoke-free) Four Winds Casino.
Parks, Beaches, & Nature
A few of the many options in the area for getting outdoors.. (We have a page in the binder at the house with more specifics about beaches in the area).
Forested dunes with hiking trails, and a great beach with facilities and food vendors. Has the only dog beach in the area. Plenty of parking.
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Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow HwyForested dunes with hiking trails, and a great beach with facilities and food vendors. Has the only dog beach in the area. Plenty of parking.
Nice family-friendly beach right next to town. There is a fee to park at the beach during the day in the summer season.
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New Buffalo Beach & Boat Ramp
200 Marquette DrNice family-friendly beach right next to town. There is a fee to park at the beach during the day in the summer season.
A really cool place, just up the road. Not a huge park, but a must see for nature lovers and birdwatchers, with a canopy walkway that leads to an overlook over one of the few remaining Great Lakes marshes. Wonderful views and lots of wildlife. Free. Go early in the morning for best bird watching. (Dogs not allowed, and it is closed for a period in winter).
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Galien River County Park
17424 Red Arrow HwyA really cool place, just up the road. Not a huge park, but a must see for nature lovers and birdwatchers, with a canopy walkway that leads to an overlook over one of the few remaining Great Lakes marshes. Wonderful views and lots of wildlife. Free. Go early in the morning for best bird watching. (Dogs not allowed, and it is closed for a period in winter).
Hiking trails through some old-growth beech forest, along the Galien River. Nice shady hike for a hot day, also amazing in the fall. Main trail is about a mile round trip.
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Warren Woods State Park
Elm Valley RoadHiking trails through some old-growth beech forest, along the Galien River. Nice shady hike for a hot day, also amazing in the fall. Main trail is about a mile round trip.
Now a full fledged National Park, with hiking options and historical sights located 25 to 60 minutes drive from Union Pier. What makes the Indiana Dunes unique is that the national park lands are interspersed between towns and sites of industry that still drive the economy of NW Indiana. Two recommended hikes: Cowles Bog and Tolleston Dunes, and the Bailly Homestead is a fun historical site.
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Indiana Dunes National Park
1215 North State Road 49Now a full fledged National Park, with hiking options and historical sights located 25 to 60 minutes drive from Union Pier. What makes the Indiana Dunes unique is that the national park lands are interspersed between towns and sites of industry that still drive the economy of NW Indiana. Two recommended hikes: Cowles Bog and Tolleston Dunes, and the Bailly Homestead is a fun historical site.
Another hiking option in the area. Pretty trails through dense woods along streams and a creek. (Keep right at each trail marker to take the full hike, including along a pretty ravine at the back of the preserve). One of several natural areas run by by Chikaming Open Lands organization, dedicated to protecting natural spaces in Berrien County.
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Robinson Woods Preserve
7869-8207 W East RdAnother hiking option in the area. Pretty trails through dense woods along streams and a creek. (Keep right at each trail marker to take the full hike, including along a pretty ravine at the back of the preserve). One of several natural areas run by by Chikaming Open Lands organization, dedicated to protecting natural spaces in Berrien County.
Another great place to hike dunes, smaller and less crowded then Warren Dunes. The hike to the lake is beautiful, but be aware that the paths are less groomed and can be a bit challenging. A more "natural" place to experience nature :-)
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Grand Mere State Park
7337 Thornton DriveAnother great place to hike dunes, smaller and less crowded then Warren Dunes. The hike to the lake is beautiful, but be aware that the paths are less groomed and can be a bit challenging. A more "natural" place to experience nature :-)
Breweries, Cocktails, Nightlife, (and more food options)
Great selection of handcrafted beers, friendly staff, good bar food. Does get busy on weekends...go early or later.
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Greenbush Brewing Company
5885 Sawyer RdGreat selection of handcrafted beers, friendly staff, good bar food. Does get busy on weekends...go early or later.
Located in a historic building, sample excellent house made spirits, specialty cocktails, plus the very good Staymaker restaurant. Good service and fun atmosphere. They offer distillery tours which are a lot of fun and highly recommended.
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Journeyman Distillery
109 Generations DrLocated in a historic building, sample excellent house made spirits, specialty cocktails, plus the very good Staymaker restaurant. Good service and fun atmosphere. They offer distillery tours which are a lot of fun and highly recommended.
Our local casino, with a Native American theme, run by the Pokagon Potawatomi. Huge, clean, friendly...and non-smoking. Has live music and other events. The Copper Rock Steakhouse is an excellent upscale restaurant.
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Four Winds Casino
11111 Wilson RdOur local casino, with a Native American theme, run by the Pokagon Potawatomi. Huge, clean, friendly...and non-smoking. Has live music and other events. The Copper Rock Steakhouse is an excellent upscale restaurant.
Located in a converted church dating back to 1862, a cool spot for beer, finger food, and wood-fired pizza. Has a great outdoor patio/beer garden, with "igloos" in winter.
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Beer Church Brewing Co.
24 S Whittaker StLocated in a converted church dating back to 1862, a cool spot for beer, finger food, and wood-fired pizza. Has a great outdoor patio/beer garden, with "igloos" in winter.
The food is decent and affordable and the large bar area and restaurant have a nice neighborhoody feel, and it's a good place to rub elbows with the actual locals. Large outdoor dining area in summer.
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Casey's New Buffalo
136 N Whittaker StThe food is decent and affordable and the large bar area and restaurant have a nice neighborhoody feel, and it's a good place to rub elbows with the actual locals. Large outdoor dining area in summer.
Hard to find nowadays, a small-town movie theater that is still open. Shows both current movies and arthouse options. Right in downtown Three Oaks.
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Vickers Theatre
6 N Elm StHard to find nowadays, a small-town movie theater that is still open. Shows both current movies and arthouse options. Right in downtown Three Oaks.
Seedz just opened last year, right here in Union Pier. Friendly staff and delicious beer. Large outdoor area, and very dog friendly (inside and out).
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Seedz Brewery
16321 Red Arrow HighwaySeedz just opened last year, right here in Union Pier. Friendly staff and delicious beer. Large outdoor area, and very dog friendly (inside and out).
A newer cocktail bar and restaurant with some small plates and and entrée choices. Has a large outdoor patio and a cozy inside area in a converted house. Great service and atmosphere.
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Hummingbird Lounge
9 South Barton StreetA newer cocktail bar and restaurant with some small plates and and entrée choices. Has a large outdoor patio and a cozy inside area in a converted house. Great service and atmosphere.
Shopping and small town atmosphere
Here are some recommendations if you want to do some shopping, gallery hopping, or just soak up some local atmosphere.
Locals (us included) love this place! More then the name suggests: an awesome Farmer's Market carrying lots of local produce in season; plus a specialty grocery store; plus a gift and home goods store with tons of interesting stuff; plus a high quality and reasonably priced garden center. Greenbush Brewery and a couple other shops are nearby, enough to make an afternoon of it!
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Sawyer Home & Garden Center
5865 Sawyer RdLocals (us included) love this place! More then the name suggests: an awesome Farmer's Market carrying lots of local produce in season; plus a specialty grocery store; plus a gift and home goods store with tons of interesting stuff; plus a high quality and reasonably priced garden center. Greenbush Brewery and a couple other shops are nearby, enough to make an afternoon of it!
Whittaker Street in New Buffalo can be a fun way to spend a few hours wandering among shops and eateries, leading down to the beach and harbor.
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New Buffalo
Whittaker Street in New Buffalo can be a fun way to spend a few hours wandering among shops and eateries, leading down to the beach and harbor.
Great little wine shop, that's walking distance from the house. What more do you want?
The Wine Sellers Inc
16409 Red Arrow HwyGreat little wine shop, that's walking distance from the house. What more do you want?
There are numerous shops, galleries, and antique stores spread out along Red Arrow Highway from Union Pier to Sawyer. This is one of our favorites for interesting finds.
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Lakeside Antiques
14866 Red Arrow HwyThere are numerous shops, galleries, and antique stores spread out along Red Arrow Highway from Union Pier to Sawyer. This is one of our favorites for interesting finds.
A great little town with an interesting history, with numerous shops, galleries, and restaurants (along with Journeyman Distillery, the Acorn Theater, and the Vickers Theater). Located about 15 mins east. Among our favorites are Froelich's Bakery and Cafe, Drier's Meat Market and Alapash New Home.
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Three Oaks
A great little town with an interesting history, with numerous shops, galleries, and restaurants (along with Journeyman Distillery, the Acorn Theater, and the Vickers Theater). Located about 15 mins east. Among our favorites are Froelich's Bakery and Cafe, Drier's Meat Market and Alapash New Home.
Just over the state line in Indiana, an outdoor railroad museum where you can ride on some of the antique trains. Great fun for kids and railroad buffs. Several antique steam engines, farm equipment and more, plus a great ice cream shop.
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Hesston Steam Museum
1201 E 1000 NJust over the state line in Indiana, an outdoor railroad museum where you can ride on some of the antique trains. Great fun for kids and railroad buffs. Several antique steam engines, farm equipment and more, plus a great ice cream shop.
Essentials
Here's where to find any basics you might need during your stay
Small local grocery store, just a few minutes away, that should have everything you need, from staples to specialty items. Large wine and liquor department.
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Barney's
10 N Thompson StSmall local grocery store, just a few minutes away, that should have everything you need, from staples to specialty items. Large wine and liquor department.
Friendly and quirky local pharmacy and drug store. Somewhat limited hours.
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Home Town Pharmacy - New Buffalo
1 N Whittaker StFriendly and quirky local pharmacy and drug store. Somewhat limited hours.
Closest "big box" grocery store, just off of 1-94 east in Stevensville. Might be worth the trip if you are stocking up.
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Meijer
5019 Red Arrow HwyClosest "big box" grocery store, just off of 1-94 east in Stevensville. Might be worth the trip if you are stocking up.
Closest chain drug store. Over the state line in Michigan City/Long Beach IN at Rt 12 and Karwick Ave.
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CVS
901 N Karwick RdClosest chain drug store. Over the state line in Michigan City/Long Beach IN at Rt 12 and Karwick Ave.
Very close by, this convenience store has the basics and some more upscale choices (wine, cheese, etc) as well. Very convenient for a quick run or if you forgot something.
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Union Pier Market
9905 Town Line AveVery close by, this convenience store has the basics and some more upscale choices (wine, cheese, etc) as well. Very convenient for a quick run or if you forgot something.
Outdoor and Water Activities
Great place to rent bikes, paddleboards, and other beach equipment right here in Union Pier
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Red Arrow Ride
16110 Red Arrow HwyGreat place to rent bikes, paddleboards, and other beach equipment right here in Union Pier
Great option for kayak and paddleboard rentals with locations at New Buffalo beach and the Paw Paw River near St Joseph
Third Coast Paddling - Galien River Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
200 Marquette DrGreat option for kayak and paddleboard rentals with locations at New Buffalo beach and the Paw Paw River near St Joseph
Yacht cruises and boat and Jet Ski rentals out of New Buffalo Harbor.
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Oselka's Snug Harbor Marina
514 Oselka DrYacht cruises and boat and Jet Ski rentals out of New Buffalo Harbor.
Offers numerous options. Lessons and trail rides in a beautiful setting, including rides specifically for kids. (Note they are just over the state line in Indiana and are on Central Time)
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Stateline Stables
10411 North 200 EastOffers numerous options. Lessons and trail rides in a beautiful setting, including rides specifically for kids. (Note they are just over the state line in Indiana and are on Central Time)
About 30 mins from the house, this park along the St Joseph River has, in addition to walking/hiking trails, a frisbee golf course and, in winter, cross country skiing with lighted trails. Rentals for both are available.
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Madeline Bertrand County Park
3038 Adams RdAbout 30 mins from the house, this park along the St Joseph River has, in addition to walking/hiking trails, a frisbee golf course and, in winter, cross country skiing with lighted trails. Rentals for both are available.
A great spot for a family outing. Batting cages, go-carts, bumper boats, and more.
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Captain Mikes Fun Park Inc
10975 Red Arrow HwyA great spot for a family outing. Batting cages, go-carts, bumper boats, and more.
Local Wineries
Southwest Michigan is wine country, and these are just of few of the wineries in the area that we like; in no particular order. If you want something close by, Round Barn and St Julian Wineries have tasting rooms right here in Union Pier, at Union Pier Road and I-94. Many of the wineries themselves are located in the pretty, rolling countryside east of the lake a few miles.
Some very good white wines in a casual, unpretentious atmosphere
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Lemon Creek Winery
533 E Lemon Creek RdSome very good white wines in a casual, unpretentious atmosphere
In addition to the winery location which has a historic--you guessed it--round barn, they have a brewery location in the town of Baroda. They host a lot of events, so check ahead.
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Round Barn Estate
10983 Hills RdIn addition to the winery location which has a historic--you guessed it--round barn, they have a brewery location in the town of Baroda. They host a lot of events, so check ahead.
Free Run Cellars
10062 Burgoyne RdA sister winery to Round Barn, smaller and more casual.
We like the large fireplace in the tasting room, very pleasant in fall and winter.
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Dablon Winery and Vineyards
111 W Shawnee RdWe like the large fireplace in the tasting room, very pleasant in fall and winter.
One of the oldest and largest wineries in the area. They have a very good restaurant at the winery, overlooking the vinyards.
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Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
185 Mt Tabor RdOne of the oldest and largest wineries in the area. They have a very good restaurant at the winery, overlooking the vinyards.
Fenn Valley has one of the better Winery tours in the area.
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Fenn Valley Vineyards
6130 122nd AveFenn Valley has one of the better Winery tours in the area.
In nearby Michigan City IN, they make some nice wines using both Michigan and California grapes. Fun, casual atmosphere, live music many weekends, and some good food options. Their outdoor seating is in a beautiful setting.
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Shady Creek Winery
2030 Tryon RdIn nearby Michigan City IN, they make some nice wines using both Michigan and California grapes. Fun, casual atmosphere, live music many weekends, and some good food options. Their outdoor seating is in a beautiful setting.