The cluster of beach towns that comprise the Lake Michigan Beach community in Berrien County are all poised around the fifth-largest lake in the world. Lake Michigan Beach has long been a popular spot for Michigan vacation rentals — people come back year after year to enjoy the water, dog-friendly beaches, and picturesque sandy dunes. Here you can spend warm days sprawled on the sand, walking tranquil coastal paths, or kayaking.

Local farmers’ markets offer plenty of opportunities to grab fresh ingredients to cook up at your beach house rental, and where you can watch the sunset over the water from your porch. Design your own road trip around Berrien County, stopping at antiques stores and vineyards, each town with its own unique charm. Despite its picturesque scenery and prime lakeside location, Lake Michigan Beach still feels relatively remote, making it an idyllic spot for a relaxing getaway.

If you’re arriving by air, the closest airports are Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), which is about a two-hour drive away, or Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, which is just a little further. If you’re arriving on a domestic flight, South Bend Regional Airport (SBN) is the closest, at about 45-minutes away by car. Regardless of where you’re coming from, having a car around here will certainly be helpful for hopping between beaches and towns, visiting vineyards, and hauling back all the antiques that you’re bound to find.

To make the most of swimming in the turquoise-blue waters, visit Lake Michigan Beach in the summer. This is when the beach towns in the area all come alive, often putting on regular fireworks shows, craft fairs, farmer’s markets, and festivals. Late spring and early autumn are equally viable choices; the weather will likely be warm enough to get out on the water, though the festivities will have settled down a bit.

Winter is chilly, and many seasonal shops will have shuttered, but there’s one very good reason to visit: the beguiling blue ice fields, blue ice volcanoes, and blue ice balls which emerge from the stark white snowscape. Even considering the chilly temperatures, this rare phenomenon is worth witnessing in person.

Local vineyards

Michigan may not be as famous for its wine as other states like California, but the wine region here is small but mighty. Homegrown estates and charming vineyards dot the landscape around Lake Michigan, and their production is quickly growing. While here, sit down for a sampling of Riesling or Pinot Noir, with rolling hills and sparkling shores as your backdrop.

Sand dunes

Hagar Park is a little-known gem along Lake Michigan’s coast, where powdery soft sand dunes sweep through the scenery, and tranquil walking paths offer a scenic spot to stroll along the shore. Stay all day and picnic on the beach, or head into town afterwards and try one of the quaint local microbreweries or cafes.

Blue ice fields

This naturally-occurring phenomenon is reason in and of itself to travel to Lake Michigan in the wintertime. As the Great Lake freezes, little bubbles of air get trapped and compressed in the ice, leaving space for the color of the bright blue water to come through. While there’s no guarantee that this magic will happen every year, it’s worth making a few calls before booking your trip to see this enchanting landscape.