Union Pier is a charming lakeshore town in Michigan’s Harbor County, around an hour away by car from Chicago’s downtown and 5 miles (8.04 kilometers) away from Northern Indiana. Flanked by Galien River and Lake Michigan, it started out as a shipping pier transporting lumber from its bountiful land. During 1871’s Chicago Fire, demand for timber grew. The community turned to fish in the beautiful lake waters when wood became rare. It became a popular vacation destination earning the name “United Nations of Tourism” because of its awesome lake and natural landscape and ease of traveling via railway. There’s antique shops, wine tours, cafes serving the best brunches, country resorts, and the best Vrbo vacation rentals in Union Pier, Michigan. Book one from our list below.
1. Home-style bungalow just steps from the beach (from USD 236)
This country cottage is in private subdivision minutes from the beach. The bungalow has high cathedral ceilings with skylights, white-and-beige interiors, wooden flooring, and wrap-around casement windows. Two spacious bedrooms and a private bathroom with a tub host four guests comfortably for a least two to seven nights. It’s designed with a living room adjacent to the dining area that is separate from the kitchen. Though furnished with antiques, it has modern conveniences like cable TV, laundry equipment, fast Wi-Fi, barbecue grill, and air conditioning. The courtyard surrounded by other cottage units has a private walkway to the beach. Parties are prohibited.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
The place is immaculate and comfortable with incredibly comfy beds and super nice sheetsright at the kitchen door NoteThe cottage is SO CUTE and stocked with everything you need including items for the beach: towels umbrella chairs etcso it was somewhat of a challenge to get down to the waterThe beds and bedding are very comfortable and we loved the charming decor and appreciated all of the natural light from the windowsCleanliness:
This property is everything as described and moreThe cottage was adorable and very cleanThe cottage was clean and very cozyThe property was great and had everything we needed for our stayOur cottage was beautiful Rosemary & Mike were wonderful from beginning to endHost:
Everyone we met on the beach was very friendlyMike and Rosemary are so welcoming helpful and kindBeing so close was a giftRosemary provided a great quick tour of the property upon arrivaland Rosemary is a gracious host and very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
The location is very convenient to restaurants state parks for hiking and vineyards for imbibingSuch a joy to stay in this beautiful cottageJust minutes from New Buffalo local eateries nearbyEven with my severely restricted dies I found a mayo-less chicken salad at Whistledunes hikes wineries and breweries
2. Dream cottage with private path to the beach (from USD 267)
This cottage is a cozy blue-and-white home near the lakeshore. It has stylish interiors decorated with antiques, objet d’ art, and local artwork with rattan and wicker furniture exuding a resort-like vibe. This two-bedroom and two-bathroom home hosts six guests. The modest space features a living room warmed by a fireplace, dining area, and open kitchen. French doors open to a side patio with bistro chairs connecting to the outdoor shower and pergola. The trellis-covered pergola has seating areas overlooking the garden with a fire pit. Lounge all day reading a book or enjoying the scenery. A path through the lush garden leads to the beach.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we loved out little retreat the fireplace made our evenings extra cozybeds very comfortable for a good night's sleepCleanliness:
the house is lovely--clean and charmingly decoratedit was very clean and had comfortable beds the fireplace added to the cozinessloved this cottage in union pier very clean nicely decorated and great use of space throughout the cottageHost:
the host joan waa kind and generous and very helpfulRead more reviewsLocation:
the property is nicely maintained and is close to lake michiganand so close to the beach very happy guest herewhat a wonderful cottage great place to stay close to everythingso many great places to eatwonderful place to spend the thanksgiving holiday
3. Luxurious five-star home with a hot tub (from USD 493)
Book this luxurious cottage for one to four nights. It’s at the back of a property surrounded by lush foliage and trees near a bakery, shops, and the beach. The remodeled two-level home has interiors decorated with a mix of contemporary and vintage furniture and accents. The three large bedrooms, fitted with king and queen beds and two big bathrooms and spread on two floors, can host seven guests and their pets comfortably. The ground floor features a lounge with TV, a dining area with a fireplace, and a fully kitted kitchen. Hang out in the screened-in porch with your morning coffee enjoying an excellent view of the woods and the hot tub. The second-floor third bedroom has a terrace overlooking the lush garden with a fire pit.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds were like climbing into a cloudeverything was very well appointed with comfortable amenitieswe loved the kitchen and all the porches and balconythe bathrooms were beautiful the kitchen upgraded and well appointedCleanliness:
clean and well decoratedthe property was clean well stocked and comfortablethe home is beautiful clean and the setting is wonderfulHost:
the owner gave us great directions and ideas of what to do in union pierpaul was very helpful during our stay as wellthe owners have given every attention to detail the koi pond is a sheer delightcan’t compliment the host enough on how cute their place isRead more reviewsLocation:
we loved the location and the quiet neighborhoodit has a great location and we can't wait to return
4. Pet-friendly cottage by the beach (from USD 300)
This accommodation requires a minimum stay of two to seven nights. It’s 90 minutes from Chicago, walking distance to Town Line public beach, 2 blocks from Private Association Beach, and 10 minutes away from Four Winds Casino and restaurants. This single level two-bedroom and one-bathroom home hosts five guests comfortably. After a day of frolicking in the beach, the kids can play with their pets on the vast tree-shaded lawn or sit and relax in the screened-in porch admiring the surrounding scenery. Roast marshmallows on the fire pit while keeping warm at night. Guests are provided with modern conveniences like flat-screen TV, air conditioning, internet, heating, laundry facilities, and free parking.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
extremely comfortable bed and beddingsongbird cottage was the perfect t get away for our family of 5 comfortable accommodations- wonderful screened in porchesit's cozy but perfect for our small familyCleanliness:
nice clean comfortable and well stockedthe cottage is so clean and cozyvery clean great layout tastefully decoratedclean comfortable and prime for making great family memoriesHost:
monica is a splendid hostmonica is a wonderful and friendly hostowner is super responsive and helpfulmonica the owner made sure that we had everything we neededprovides clear directions and is super responsive to questionsRead more reviewsLocation:
the neighborhood was centrally located so it was easy to walk to the beach or townthe location is great as it’s close to restaurants bakeries and grocerythe location is about 2 blocks from the private beach which was perfectthe park/basketball court in the back was a huge bonusthe location made it easy for us to explore the southern dunes and other cities
5. Rustic dwelling in the woods 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from the beach (from USD 214)
This rustic cottage is your perfect hideaway in the woods near the beach and four blocks to Nani’s restaurant. It has cozy wooden interiors, bay windows, and vaulted ceilings with skylights. To sleep six guests, there are three spacious bedrooms with two bunk beds, two single beds, and a queen bed. The cottage has a fully equipped kitchen with an island; a cozy living room with a fireplace, cable TV, and pull-out sofa bed for two; a dining table set for six; two private bathrooms with an enclosed shower and laundry facilities; and a screened-in porch for dining outdoors with a garden view. Enjoy warm nights around the fire pit. Play basketball with the kids in the one-hoop court in the garden during the daytime.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
comfortable chairs and couch to watch tvwe played games nice table and chairshad everything we needed--kitchen supplies comfortable bedding fans games smart tv etcCleanliness:
the house was clean and charmingthe beds were comfortable and the bathrooms were clean and spaciousit was clean well-equipped and spaciousthe cottage was very clean and invitingeverything is meticulously cared for cleaned and stockedHost:
owner was very responsivethe owners were very easy to work withthe owners were very accommodating and so easy to work withthe cabin was great and the hosts were very available and helpfulkaren is a gracious host and maintains excellent communicationRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was perfectbeautiful place close to everything but secluded at the same timethe property was in a great location very cozy in the woods with a short walk to the beachprivate yet close to the beach and great gelatovery relaxing quiet and lots of things nearby
6. Cute cottage a block from the beach (from USD 336)
This cute cottage is a-block-and-a-half away from Lake Michigan and three blocks away from the village. With all the comforts of a modern home, you’ll want to stay for two to seven nights. Three spacious bedrooms plus two rooms with enough thick-cushioned beds can sleep eight guests including a baby. The sitting room is surrounded by bay windows offering great outdoor views while having coffee. Relax while watching cable TV in the living room or whip up a family meal in the fully stocked kitchen. Enjoy dining indoors or outdoors on the wide deck. There’s a hammock for taking siestas and an outdoor shower for rinsing the sand off when returning from the beach. The property is surrounded by a lush garden where kids and pets can safely play. Air conditioning, heating, internet, and parking are provided.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
breakfast and lunch on the deck is quiet and relaxingthe games books and beach chairs are a nice touch and the kitchen has the basics you needCleanliness:
the house was clean and stocked as far as plates glasses utensils laundry items towels etcthe property was well maintained and clean and so is the neighborhoodthe kitchen has everything you will ever need and the bed linens was clean and plenty of themmr hirsch is very pleasant to deal with and again house was clean and well stockedthere is a very clean weber gas grill and a cozy hammock on the deckHost:
owner was extremely thoughtful and accommodating which makes all the differencethe owner was most helpful in answering all of our questions and providing a crib for the youngesthoward was a great host and we had a blastRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is family friendly and great for walking biking and close to the lakecomfortable and in a great location very close to beach and local townclose to the beach plenty of room for my adult children and my grandsons nice layoutneighborhood was always quiet and felt very very safesunday morning was fun with a short walk to town and a great bakery for donuts and cookies
7. Elegant creekside abode on a vast property (from USD 479)
The property is 30 acres (12.14 hectares) of secluded woodland in Harbor Country center 1 mile (1.61 kilometers) away from Lake Michigan beach. It’s surrounded by hiking trails, a stream, Galien river, an organic farm, and an orchard. Ideal for reunions, weddings, group events, or large families on vacation, this 3-bedroom and 2-bathroom cottage can host 10 guests and their pets. The elegant interiors feature large bay windows and warm, pastel-colored walls decorated with chic furniture. There’s a fully kitted kitchen with a breakfast counter, a formal dining area, and a cozy living room with cable TV and fireplace. A screened-in porch allows outdoor dining with garden views and access to the outdoor pool, hot tub, and greenhouse. There’s a modern play area for kids and a fire pit for al fresco dining. Rent kayaks to go paddling on the river or go hiking through the woods.
Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
clean and like homethe cottage is clean and the owners are very friendlyclean adorable and my retreat guests loved the bedrooms with jacuzzi tubs and fireplacesRead more reviewsHost:
owners and staff were very friendlyhosts are very friendlythe home owners were very sweet and very welcoming upon our welcomingjulie and eric have a a very special place and are very kind and helpful
8. Lakefront cottage for romantic getaways (from USD 305)
This is the perfect choice for a romantic or family getaway! It’s a stately home with cosmopolitan furnishings built on a vast lakefront property with three other cottages. It has all the conveniences of a modern home near the beach that you’d want to stay for at least two nights. It features three bedrooms with different color themes and enough thick-cushioned beds to sleep six guests. There’s a full bathroom on the two floors. Aside from the open kitchen, living room, and dining area, there is an open-air patio and deck where you can grill barbecues or have your tea or coffee. Guests enjoy luxuries like central air conditioning, internet, cable TV, and free parking. It’s minutes away from a grocery, bakery, wine store, restaurants, Chicago, and Notre Dame University.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
No gate for the steep stairs or fireplaceIt was also difficult to settle in the living room without some type of coffee tableThe kitchen was very disappointingso there was plenty of room to sleep Two of my friends slept in the larger room upstairs; another friend slept in the smaller room upstairsthe cleanliness and everything that was provided within the homeCleanliness:
everything was very clean and comfortableThe bath towels were very nice quality and a lot of beach towels were availableThere were 4 of usHost:
vineyards restaurants & moreNice property clean inside very close to beachWe all would definitely book againOn the positive side the fireplace was awesomeWe were also pleased with finding many amenities we didn't expect like dish soap dish washer detergent hand soap and showerRead more reviewsLocation:
The bakery and market were a few blocks awayIt's in a great location near the lakeThe beach is really steps away(First week of April )Very comfortable cottage in a great location
9. Delightful abode with a courtyard
On the lakeshores of Red Arrow Highway is a delightful, modest-sized, and air-conditioned studio that can fit four guests comfortably. The open plan features a double bed, a queen-sized sofa sleeper, and a dining table that seats four guests. A narrow wall separates the kitchen which is fully equipped to cook simple meals. There are restaurants five minutes away if you want take-out food. You can ride a bike around town to go shopping or sightseeing. The beach is one-and-a-half blocks away and accessible through a path in the garden. There’s a courtyard where kids can play. Internet, cable TV, heating, and parking are provided.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
this was a charming cottage with plenty of room for the two of usCleanliness:
the house was very clean and put togetherclean cute space with everything we needednice clean condo with a lot more room than i expectedthe property was welcoming and cleanHost:
tricia the owner was simply fantastic to deal withthis was our first trip to the area and this rental/owner did not disappointRead more reviewsLocation:
the location was excellent as you can walk to a private beachgreat location in union pier close to the beach and little grocery shopthe location worked out perfect for usthe location is great easy walk to beach and great food (whistle stop/red arrow roadhouse)easy walk to the beach and a short drive to new buffalo or michigan city
Lovely lakeshore getaways
You’ll definitely look forward to booking these rentals on your trip! These places provide a relaxing environment you need after a stressful event. These homes have a lovely natural landscape and all the modern amenities you need for a soothing getaway. The best Vrbo vacation rentals in Union Pier awaits you on your next visit to Michigan!
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