Harbor Country

If Chicago's beaches are a bit too crowded and you don't have the time/money/inclination to fly to Florida, never fear, Harbor Country is here.

Harbor Country is located in southwest Michigan and is only a 75 minute drive from Chicago. It's comprised of 8 towns: New Buffalo, Union Pier, Three Oaks (home to the "best hand made hotdog in the world", according to Harbor Country native and Chicago resident David Howell), Lakeside, Grand Beach, Michiana, Harbert and Sawyer. These towns banded together to promote the area's white sandy beaches, quaint shops and B&Bs, and historical resorts.

Visitors will find what you'd expect from small resort towns: antiques, farmers markets, art fairs, and festivals. They can also visit the many wineries surrounding these communities. I can just picture it: picking up a local wine, browsing through the produce from a local farmer, and then relaxing in my rented beach front condo. Sigh - am I there yet?

Outdoorsy-types can also enjoy the area's many parks by camping, canoeing, and hiking.

History

Harbor Country was originally thickly forested, but with the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 logging became the primary industry. Like many areas within close proximity to Chicago, it experienced growth after the great fire of 1871. Harbor Country provided much of the lumber necessary to rebuild the city. This deforestation created open spaces that were in turn used for farming.

The area has a rich Native American heritage. The first residents were the Miami, who were kicked out by the Iroquois. They decided to move back home and left the area open for the Potawatomi. Even though most of the Potawatomi were removed to Kansas in 1838, the Pokagon Band resisted and now has a casino in the New Buffalo region.

Location