Major city · United States
Union Pier
A half-day stop on a Harbor Country road trip: walk the beach, grab lunch, then move on. Not a base.
Union Pier is a small lakeside village in Harbor Country, Michigan, 90 minutes from Chicago. Its main draw is a quiet stretch of Lake Michigan beach and a handful of casual cafes. Most visitors pass through for a few hours between New Buffalo and Stevensville, or stay one night at a B&B for a slow weekend.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many places closed)
- Airports
- MDW · ORD · SBN
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Union Pier911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Union Pier, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMDW Chicago Midway (About 1 h 15 min drive; no direct public transport).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entree$18–35
- Street or quick mealSandwich or salad at a cafe$10–15
- Budget bedHotel room in New Buffalo, a night, per roomUS$100
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$50 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MDW Chicago Midway (About 1 h 15 min drive; no direct public transport) · ORD Chicago O'Hare (About 1 h 30 min drive) · SBN South Bend International (About 40 min drive)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Union Pier: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
12 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The village is walkable but the beach, cafes and shops are spread along Red Arrow Highway. Parking is free at most beach access points.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
New Buffalo
goDoor to door: 10 min
5 min drive south on Red Arrow Highway
Larger beach, marina, and more restaurants.
Harbert
goDoor to door: 5 min
3 min drive north on Red Arrow Highway
Small beach park and a popular bakery.
Stevensville, Michigan
goDoor to door: 20 min
15 min drive north on I-94 or Red Arrow Highway
Grand Mere State Park for dunes and hiking.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Union Pier village
A few B&Bs within walking distance of the beach; no chain hotels.
New Buffalo
5 min south; more lodging and dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × US$180 | US$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Lunch at a cafe2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Dinner at a sit-down restaurant2 × US$35 | US$70 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Sandwich or salad at a cafe | $10–15 |
| Dinner entree | $18–35 |
| B&B double room per night | $120–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lake Michigan water can be cold even in July; check rip-current warnings.
- Many restaurants and shops close by 20:00 outside summer.Many restaurants and shops close by 8:00 PM outside summer.
- No gas station in Union Pier; fill up in New Buffalo or Stevensville.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Union PierUnion Pier
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chicago Midway → Union Pier by car: about 1 h 15 min, tolls on I-94 (check)
- Taxi New Buffalo → Union Pier: $15–25 (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Union Pier. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, many places closed) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Union Pier
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