new buffalo public beach

LyndaWV

This is a terrific beach. It's a little smaller and less overwhelming than Warren Dunes, and less of a walk from the parking lot to the beach if you have older folks with you. Nice view of the river/channel.

213dcc

We stopped by the beach to view Lake Michigan on a cold but sunny January day. The wind off the lake was strong but the views were well worth the time and effort. The inlet was iced over, as was the rocky shoreline. I would recommend that you check the beach out regardless of the season. I am certain that it is beautiful in the summer months. For a municipal beach everything seemed to be well tended and clean. It was a busy location even for this time of year.

jalinluc

We enjoyed the view of the beach from the deck walk. Love the cute little lighthouse and watching the flock of seagulls flying round.

985AmyA

We love this beach. It is clean, safe and there is always enough room to sprawl out and enjoy the soft sand and lake breeze. The bathroom facilities and ice cream shop are an added bonus. The shoreline is dotted with small stones and sea glass that we always collect while we visit. My children and I have such wonderful memories here. And when you are done at the beach you must stroll through the quaint town, visit the farmers market and a few unique art shops while you are there. An absurd favorite spot of ours!!!

crazyplatter

We visited this beach in the fall. It was quiet, uncrowded , peaceful, clean. Bring some blankets and someone you love to watch the glorious sunset.

jeffw487

Didn't care for the cottage we stayed in. Poor weather half the time.Not a good value. Over priced restaurants. Didn't even like the wines we tasted at the wineries. Lot's to "wine" about.

jbrenz

Think the title about says it all. It was pretty until you actually walked on the beach. There's seagull poop everywhere. As I walked a short distance down the beach, there was a dead seagull at the water's edge and another dead one on the beach. On the other side of the lighthouse and rocks, there had to have been a million seagulls. Signs posted saying "No swimming" yet a couple of idiots were. So glad I walked what little bit of the beach I did in shoes....they were covered with bird poop within minutes. Really need to clean this up....it could be very pretty and a hot spot, but with all the icky-ness, I will not go back.

fitnesstraveler

This beach was fabulous It was after Labor Day, so no fee and not at all crowded. Very clean and facilities were ok for a beach town. I would go back.

DLLCOOL

very small beach, very crowded. Good view of boats coming/going from the harbor. If you come midday it will take a long while to even access the place!

MamiRox

New Buffalo Beach is an approximately 1.5-2hour drive from Chicago metro area.It's a quick getaway from everyday life and away from the extremely busy beaches in Downtown Chicago (not to mention traffic and non-existing parking).I visit this beach frequently during the summer months. Some summers I visited 4 Saturdays in a row.Though I'm from Chicago metro area, nothing beats the beautiful beaches of Michigan.New Buffalo Beach is a family beach, they have a swings on the beach, there is a small quaint town, a marina, a beach house with bathrooms and parking isn't bad and it's free. I do suggest, however, that you arrive by 10am to get beach front parking. If not, you will end up parking in the downtown area (over the bridge) but it's a quick walk anyway.I highly recommend this beach -- especially for families. People are quiet, friendly, respectful and keep to themselves.

Roxyjc

The beach was overcrowded and there were sea gulls everywhere!! The space between us and the people next to us was too close for comfort. I'm glad we brought our sandals because I wouldn't have been able to walk over rocks! Ouch! The beach in st joseph is 100 times better.

postmoderndame

Very wide beach adjacent to parking area, $10 and must have correct change. No in and out privileges. Beach itself looked clean but purple flag was up indicating the Health Department had tested and found the water to have excessive E. coli. A park ranger stated that the same circumstance had happened 2 weeks ago. Many hundreds of sea gulls were on the beach, a rather Hitchcock kind of experience. Not many people. A small concession stand on site, swings and a small dune with wooden steps for vista. Short walk from Amtrak stop. Restaurants nearby.

21traveled

The charge for parking for this beach is $10/visit, but we had a season pass from the owners of our rental. The beach was clean & life guards are present during beach patrol hours. The beach has daily water advisories which are helpful. The water is shallow enough for our toddlers to wade out away from the beach to play or swim. Getting to the water is tricky because of the tiny stones & broken seashells before you get to the water, however. Our son-in-law remedied that with digging a path from the sand to the water & it was very tolerable. There is a snack shop available for anything you may have forgotten to bring along. It was also very nice not to have seagulls bothering you when you are eating your picnic lunch on the beach! Our visits to this beach were very enjoyable.

SheriW363

There were lots of sea gulls on the beach. They didn't bother us. If you drive, you have to pay parking at a lot ($10.00) and there is no in and out pass.

mbinbbg

There was a $10 parking fee for the beach. It was clean and there are lifeguards. We took our two grandchildren and they enjoyed it.