A Winter Weekend Getaway to Union Pier

Words and photos by guest contributor Amanda Shaffer

Growing up along the shores of Lake Michigan in the tiny community of “Harbor Country” was something I may have taken for granted during my younger years. Now that I am grown and have my own children, I truly appreciate what a remarkable place the area is. It’s not just a community of small towns strung together by the lake but also a retreat and invitation to slow down. Life has my family living about two hours from the shores of any great lake, but we try to make our way to these beachy towns at least once a season — and winter is no exception. 

Our trip this winter with Bluefish Vacation Rentals began with a check-in at the incredible Sol Haus, a Scandinavian-inspired retreat. The design is modern yet rustic and inviting. It’s the sort of place that instantly gives you that “I just want to stay awhile” feeling. The soft glow from the natural light and the organic materials used in the home brought a warmth you don’t typically find on a cold February day in Michigan. What struck me so much about the home was its open space; we had plenty of room to move around, but each room also invited us to gather together. The amount of intention to create something like that is not lost on me. 

After we had settled in, we were able to get right to enjoying our vacation, and that’s because Bluefish had provided everything in advance with their Concierge Services. Instead of worrying about what to pack to keep the kids entertained, we were greeted in the living room with games, books, toys, and even sleds to use for the duration of the stay. While I am a well-seasoned traveler, from day trips across Michigan to road trips to the far corners of the upper peninsula, I am always looking for ways to lighten my load as I balance giving my children the gift of travel while also getting to enjoy the trip for myself as well. 

What was incredible about choosing Bluefish was how they had taken all the guesswork out of having a great vacation with young children. I would have never dreamed of taking a private cooking class with my husband or adding a baking class for the kids until Bluefish suggested these as part of their service. And everyone knows a Michigan winter means coming extra prepared. There are boots to pack, extra gloves to grab, and snow pants, which I have yet to figure out a convenient way to pack. Using Bluefish’s Concierge Services for food, toys, crafts, experiences, and more left me with a much lighter mental load and made packing up and heading out the door a breeze, knowing things were waiting for us upon our arrival. 

I also loved watching my children’s faces light up as they discovered toys selected just for them to enjoy. My bookworm got right to thumbing through the basket of books that had been left for us to enjoy, and my youngest set out the crafts she wanted to make right away. From the beginning of the trip, everything had been anticipated by Bluefish, and the weight that was lifted was immeasurable. We could just set our bags down and enjoy what we had come to do: spend time together.

After settling into our new home away from home, our stomachs reminded us that it was time for dinner. We were able to meet a friend and enjoy dinner together at one of our favorite restaurants in Union Pier. Red Arrow Roadhouse has been delivering incredible meals since 1988, and it’s a stop that I always try to make when I am in the area (Try the fish tacos!).

Our choice for dinner was just minutes away from one of my favorite Michigan State Parks. It was a no-brainer that the next thing we needed was to take in a Lake Michigan sunset. So we bundled up and made our way to Warren Dunes State Park. There is something so incredibly breathtaking about watching the snow and the sand mix together on the dunes. With the glow of the fading sun, I would argue that it may even feel a bit like a storybook. Climbing the dunes and listening to my daughter proclaim that we were as tall as the sun was something I’ll keep with me.

Following the sunset, it was time to return to our little oasis. With the fireplace lit, pajamas on, and books picked out, it was easy to slow down and enjoy each other in our beautiful vacation rental home. 

When we awoke in the morning, the space spilled with sunlight, and I made my way to the open kitchen to begin breakfast preparation. Another task had been taken off my plate. Bluefish had prepped our refrigerator with breakfast essentials, so I did not have to travel with coolers or make a special trip to the grocery store when we arrived. This service was something I didn’t know I had needed until I experienced it first hand. Instead of worrying about grabbing more ice or running to the store for the one thing I had surely left on the kitchen counter, I could just relax and focus on serving my family healthy food that had been carefully selected and stocked for me. I could definitely get used to this for my future travel excursions.

Fueled by a full breakfast, we packed up the sleds provided to us by Bluefish and made our way to New Buffalo. I had read about the perfect sledding hill for my younger children to try out, which is located at Oselka Park. When arriving, there are designated parking spaces near the park, with the playground set just in front of the sledding hill. This hill was the perfect size for my children (even I took a few trips down). One great thing about the winter season in Michigan is the invitation it constantly gives you to slow down and just enjoy yourself. The stillness reminds us that we don’t need to rush from task to task hurriedly. We can just go outside and be a kid again. 

After lunch, we made good use of the craft basket and created some watercolors on the canvases that had been provided. Admittedly, at home, I will set up an art project and then clean the kitchen, switch the laundry, or finish the dishes while my children create. Here, with no checklists to complete, I was free to join them in creating and to enjoy simply being with the people I love.

Since my last visit to my hometown area, a new lounge had opened up that I knew I wanted to stop in. Barnndogg is a unique space with different cocktail and coffee hours for the season, and the rustic and inviting area is well worth a stop in if you are in the Union Pier area. 

I mentioned before that I do not take the sandy shores of Lake Michigan for granted, right? After checking out the lounge and having a simple dinner, it was time for another Lake Michigan sunset. One of my favorite Michigan pastimes is viewing the sunset from the transformed boardwalk at the New Buffalo beach. I love that there is a prize for the kids with the playground after we have made our way back through the dunes, and even if it’s a sunset that disappears into the clouds, the glow through the dune grass and against the breakwater cannot be beaten. 

On our last day in Union Pier, we enjoyed an unforgettable culinary experience, right in our vacation home and fully arranged by the experts at Bluefish. My husband and I were able to enjoy a private cooking class while our children got to have fun with a special baking class. Our private chef was a dream and made our family feel comfortable stepping out of our comfort zone to try something new. During our experience, I noted the extra care Bluefish Vacation Rentals takes with whom and what businesses they partner with in the community. Everyone we encountered was so knowledgeable and personable. 

While the summer days of Harbor Country have been forever seared into most of my childhood memories, I cannot express the gratitude I feel after a winter vacation like this. Summer on the sandy beach of Lake Michigan is easily what comes to mind when you think of a dream Michigan vacation. Still, I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone and see what winter adventures await you when you truly embrace all four seasons in Michigan. While the elevated services of Bluefish took all of the stress out of planning, Sol Haus provided the perfect backdrop for a true retreat. This trip was just the reminder that I needed that it is okay (and good for everyone) to slow down and enjoy the moment.