Welcome to Michigan!

We're so glad you're considering a trip to Michigan or planning your stay with us.

There is so much to see and do and we think you'll love the area as much as we do.

​Our door is always open and we hope to see you soon!

Vertical Divider

Niles, Michigan
South Bend, Indiana
St. Joseph | Benton Harbor, MI
More Area Attractions
​Our Home
​Getting Here

01
Eat and Drink in Niles

Iron Shoe Distillery – craft cocktails, great burgers and rooftop patio

River St. Joe – five minutes from the house this hops farm offers scenic views with a relaxing, outdoor vibe

Gabrizio Italian Café and Bakery – coffee and pastries

Veni’s Sweet Shop – handmade chocolate and candies

Apothica Teas - Victorian Steampunk-inspired tea room, reservations required for afternoon high tea 

Café Italiano at the Sweet Shop – old fashioned candy counter themed sweet shop with ice cream, gelato and desserts

See and Do in Niles

Hacker’s Golf and Games – 18 holes of mini golf, go karts and batting cages

​Michiana Archery – archery lessons

Fernwood Botanical Garden – just down the road offering hiking trails and gardens

​Downtown Niles bike path – paved path along the river

02
Eat and Drink in South Bend (25 min drive)

South Bend Brew Werks – Jake says best easy-drinking beer around, nice beer garden

​Exchange Whiskey Bar – 450 whiskeys available neat or in specialty craft cocktails, speakeasy style bar, worth the cost

Café Navarre – high end dining that’s worth a splurge, reservations required

See and Do in South Bend

Notre Dame – stroll campus

East Race Waterway – Class 2 rapids in the heart of downtown

03
Eat and Drink in St. Joseph | Benton Harbor (25 min drive)

Ryebells – rooftop restaurant seating with views of sunset, FYI that’s 9:30PM in the summer! Reservations required.

Restaurants – many to choose from

Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail - between home and St. Joe you’ll find wine country, the Napa Valley of the Midwest

See and Do in St. Joseph | Benton Harbor 

Mt. Tabor Trails – 3.5 miles of trails between wineries where you can sip and hike

Silver Beach – popular beach

Pete’s Cider Social – renovated bowling alley and cidery

04
More Area Attractions

There are many beaches to explore along Lake Michigan. Starting from Indiana, you can stop near Michigan City at Indiana Dunes National Park. Besides the sand, there are many great shaded hiking trails.

Continue along the coast to New Buffalo, and stop for lunch at Brewster's Italian Cafe and take a stroll through the tourist shops. There are some fun breweries including Beer Church Brewing Co. and Ghost Isle Brewery. 

If you head east on Highway 12, you're just 25 minutes from Niles, but there's plenty to do on the way. Stop at one of Jake's favorite breweries, Seedz Brewery. And Transient Artisian Ales is right on the way in Bridgeman. Not much for ambiance, but very laid back with good selection of beer and cider.

Not into beer or cider and like the hard stuff? Stop at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks.

If you're almost out of money and feeling lucky, stop at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo.

It's easy to find live music and outdoor movies in the summer. There's a drive in about 30 minutes from Niles. And Wellfield Botanic Gardens are about 45 minutes from Niles and worth the visit.

05
Our Home

We have two guest bedrooms (1 queen / 1 king that converts to two twin XL) with a shared bath. 

You can easily win playing us in cornhole or ladder golf, or get a cocktail in the man cave and we can break out Cards Against Humanity.

Relax in the shade on the patio in the morning or evening or watch the colorful sunset from the front porch and wave to the neighbors walking dogs and pushing strollers.

Hot breakfast is provided with the house favorites being traditional cinnamon or cream cheese stuffed French toast. Jake's in charge of eggs. Fruit, oatmeal, granola, cereal and toast are always available. Almond milk and OJ are standard, just ask if you like something else. Pick your puck for the Keurig or hop into town for a coffee.

There's a Dollar General two minutes from the house.

06
Getting Here

The drive is four hours from the Quad Cities. You'll enter a different time zone in Indiana.

If you don't have an iPass, you can zip through the Chicago area without paying the toll when you enter 294. There is no camera tracking, so skip the online payment and the pay cash lane.

I prefer to take 80/90 rather than continue on 94 as the traffic is much lighter. At Exit 16, take 80/90 to the Indiana Toll Road. You will exit right, then have another quick right exit. There is a travel plaza with gas and nice restrooms right after entering the Indiana Toll Road and again 30 minutes later. You're just 1 hour from Niles now and are in the Eastern Time Zone.

Without an iPass, you will need to take a ticket at the toll booth and pay when you exit for Niles. 

Travel about 45 minutes until your exit.

Take Exit 72 to merge onto US31-N to Niles, this is a toll exit. Continue toward Niles to the right after the toll. 

Take Exit 7 and turn right at the stop sign to Walton Road.

Go about a block and turn right to Craig Street. There's a fence and a sign for Victorian Farms subdivision.

Left turn to Elizabeth Street.

Right turn to Darah Street. 2427 is the second house on the left.