New Buffalo - St. Joseph - Benton Harbor - Paw Paw

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When the air cools at night, lush green leaves change to brilliant jewel colors...turning forests to gold and fields of blueberry bushes to crimson. This Southwestern Michigan tour features cider mills, u-pick farms, roadside markets, wineries and quiet hiking trails as you travel.

Best Enjoyed: Mid to Late October
Approximate Length: 170 miles

Follow I-94 north out of New Buffalo to St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. This route will take you through the heart of Harbor Country, an area of quaint towns, rolling countryside and miles of Lake Michigan beaches.

In Union Pier, visit the Round Barn Winery Tasting Room where hand-crafted wines, fruit brandies, and microbrews are the specialty. Continuing north, take time to explore Warren Dunes State Park near Sawyer. The park provides 1,950 acres of recreational opportunities along the beautiful shore of Lake Michigan. The rugged dune formation rises 240 feet above the lake and offers spectacular views and excellent hang gliding. The park has more than two miles of shoreline and six miles of hiking trails.

Continue on I-94 to St. Joseph. If you are ready for lunch or dinner, Schu's Grill & Bar offers a great view plus great food featuring soup, salads, pasta, seafood and much more. Cross the river to Benton Harbor and take Red Arrow Highway to Coloma.

In Coloma, drop by Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery, located on a beautiful hillside above Coloma. Also visit Jollay Orchards for pumpkins, apples, jams or one of their fantastic apple pies. Continue east on Red Arrow Highway through Hartford to Lawrence.

Looking for great antiques? Then stop by Brush Creek Antiques and experience the charm of their turn-of-the-century store, complete with all the character-plank flooring, wainscoting and fieldstone walls.

Continue east to Paw Paw, the heart of "grape country". Paw Paw offers another opportunity to visit one of Michigan's wineries. Warner Vineyards is nestled along the banks of the Paw Paw river and features a tasting room, restaurant and tours.

From Paw Paw, head south on M-40 through Lawton to Marcellus. At Marcellus follow M-216 east to US-131. Then head south to Three Rivers. While in Three Rivers, take a walk along the rolling and wooded trails of Meyer Broadway Park, enjoying the wildlife and scenic views.

Take M-60 west to Cassopolis. Follow M-62 north to Dowagiac. From Dowagiac take M-51 south to Niles. In Niles, enjoy a unique country garden in a scenic, natural setting at the Fernwood Botanical Gardens & Nature Preserve. Highlights include eight acres of informal gardens, a nature center, fern conservation, arboretum woodland preserve, restored prairie, two miles of trails and much more. Return to New Buffalo via US-12 west.
 
Round Barn Winery's Tasting Room
9185 Union Pier Road
Union Pier, MI 49129
Phone: (269) 469-6885
http://www.harborcountry.org
Award-winning wines and freshly pressed apple cider and tasty fresh fruit will take center stage this weekend in Union Pier as the new Round Barn Winery Tasting Room & Tree-mendus Cider House & Fruit Stand that opened Oct 15-16, 2005. Tree-mendus Cider House & Fruit Stand houses a working cider press and fresh orchard fruit from the Eau Claire-based farm. Visitors will be treated to tours of the cider press, samples of fresh apple nectar. Open Mon-Sat 11-6 and Sunday 12-6.
 
Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow Highway
Sawyer, MI 49125
Reservations: (800) 447-2757
Phone: (269) 426-4013
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=142&type=SPTR
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=182&type=SPTR
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=185&type=SPTR
http://www.midnrreservations.com/SearchPark.aspx?ParkID=5
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10365_36576-308731--,00.html
Warren Dunes has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails and is open year-round. It also has a dune formation that rises 260 feet above the lake with spectacular views and 1,952 acres of recreational opportunity. We have 221 modern & rustic campsites and three modern mini cabins. Pet friendly shoreline.
 
Schu's Grill & Bar
501 Pleasant St.
Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7248
At Schu's Grill & Bar our motto is, "Great food, great view, just add friends," which pretty much says it all. Since 1990, our mission has been to provide consistent, quality hospitality to each of our guests with enthusiasm, warmth and innovative concepts. In addition to the breathtaking view of Lake Michigan, the most recent addition to our restaurant is a hand-crafted fieldstone fireplace! Enjoy our special "Fireside Dining" menu available Monday-Thursday. Dining in southwest Michigan in the heart of downtown St. Joseph has never been better and the crew at Schu's is committed to making sure your experience is exemplary. Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner an drinks.

Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery
6991 Ryno Rd
Coloma, MI 49038
Phone: (269) 468-9463
A winery and tasting room in the middle of the vineyard on top of one of the highest hills in Berrien County. We are a few miles inland from Lake Michigan on a beautiful hillside vineyard above the small town of Coloma. Somewhere between Napa and Bordeaux, yet 90 minutes or less from Chicago, South Bend, Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo. Join us at our tasting room as we watch traffic on the highway far below us and try to decide why everyone else is in such a big hurry. Wine with a point of view. Check website for dates and times open.
 
Jollay Orchards
1850 Friday Road
Coloma, MI 49038
Phone: (269) 468-3075
The Jollay family has been perfecting the craft of growing fruit since 1857! Jump on a hayride heading to our u-pick orchards which are well-maintained & manicured making it easy to choose your favorite apples among the many varieties we grow; visit our Farm Market for apple pies baked in brown paper bags & lots of other Michigan-made treats; enjoy a stroll thru our Animal Farm or Cornfield Maze; cast your line in the Fishing Pond; let the kids enjoy the playground area. Seasonal fruits we grow: Sweet/Tart Cherries, Black Raspberries-July; Apples-Sept.-Oct.; Freestone Peaches-Aug.; acres of Pumpkins-Sept.-Oct.
 
Brush Creek Antiques & Collectibles
109 N. Paw Paw St.
Lawrence, MI 49064
Phone: (269) 674-9766
Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am to 5pm and Sunday 11am - 4pm. Two buildings and two floors of antiques, collectibles, furniture, primitive, jewelry, glassware, and more--all in our charming turn of the century store.
 
Warner Vineyards Winery
706 S. Kalamazoo Street
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Toll Free: (800) 756-5357
Phone: (269) 657-3165
The Midwest's most picturesque winery. Nestled along the banks of the beautiful Paw Paw River with a covered bridge, historic paidcar, water tower and a 100-year-old Michigan historical site building. We offer tours and tastings of our award winning wines, champagnes and alcohol free sparkling juices. Join our Wine Club and receive our signature wines along with cellar and tasting notes. Enjoy a meal in our Waterworks Station Cafe. Open seven days a week.
 
Meyer Broadway Park
59478 Roberts Road
Three Rivers, MI 49093
Phone: (269) 467-5519
This park offers 149 acres of wonderful natural areas featuring hiking and walking trails, picnic areas, rolling hills, woodlands, exceptional bird watching and much more wildlife and scenic views. A large playground, 1/2 mile paved trail, picnic pavilion, modern restrooms, sand volleyball, 36 hole disc golf course and a 5 acre dog park has recently been added to the park. The dog park consist of two separate enclosures. 4-acre area for dogs over 25 pounds and 1-acre area for dogs under 25 pounds. Both area's are grassy enclosures abound with shade trees and plenty of area for dog and owners to enjoy. Clean water stations are also available. The park also offers winter snow tubing, cross country ski trails, and shelter reservations. Fees: Pavilion Rental $60 + $50 Refundable Deposit, Day Use Fee Per Car $4, Season Day Use Fee Per Car $20. Located one mile west of Hwy. 131 on Broadway.
 
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
13988 Range Line Road
Niles, MI 49120
Phone: (269) 695-6491
Fernwood is a special place where people, plants, and nature come together. Beautiful gardens are tucked into the landscape of natural and cultivated areas. Species of endangered and threatened Michigan plants and animals are protected in the nature preserve that features several unique natural communities. Miles of trails await, and indoors, visitors may enjoy an art gallery, fern conservatory, nature center, library, cafe, and gift shop. Fernwood offers many possibilities for learning and enrichment, including classes, workshops, lectures, concerts, trips, exhibits, and special events. Fernwood is a favorite spot for weddings and corporate retreats.