Union Pier offers public beach access points at the ends of streets, with panoramic views. You’ll also find a completed walking path, tasting options, local art, and a historic inn. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, start by considering the focus of your stay: water, food and drink, or culture each offer a different emphasis. The variety of options can help you choose what to explore based on your interests.

Beach Access and Paths Around Town

Union Pier is known for public beach access points at the ends of streets that offer panoramic views. For specific plans, however, the individual access point matters: access to Lake Michigan at Union Pier-Berrien Street is restricted to Chikaming Township residents with a permit. If you plan to use this access point, check the access requirements again before your trip.

For pedestrians, Red Arrow Highway Linear Park offers a path that improves safety while exploring shops, dining establishments, and beach areas. The completed path in Red Arrow Linear Park stretches 1.3 miles within Union Pier. This means there are two distinct aspects to getting around town: choosing a specific beach access point and using a path whose safety features support exploring on foot.

Tastings, Food, and Music

St. Julian’s tasting room offers flights, wine and cider by the glass, cocktails, and slushies at the tasting bar or on the outdoor patio. Round Barn Tasting Room takes a different approach: it serves wines, craft beers, and spirits, along with flatbreads and light snacks. When choosing between the two, consider what you’re looking for: St. Julian lists cider, cocktails, and slushies among its offerings; Round Barn also has specific food options.

The Union Pier location of St. Julian Winery also offers an extensive selection of wines for purchase. Buying wine is a separate option from visiting a tasting room. Business details can change; check the latest information before your visit. Round Barn Tasting Room’s seasonal program also includes “Live at the Pier,” a weekly live music series: local musicians perform on Saturdays from May 23 through the end of September. As seasonal events can change, check the dates before your trip.

Art, Classes, and Local History

Local Color Gallery displays work by more than 90 artists, many of them from the area. Individual artists and works on display may change. The gallery brings together a large number of artists, including many local creators. Piece by Piece offers mosaic classes that are suitable for people with no prior experience. The gallery and classes offer different ways to engage with art: view works or create with mosaics. Class availability and times can change; check in advance.

Gordon Beach Inn was built in the 1920s and is recognized as a historic site on the State of Michigan Register. Its construction date and recognition add a historical note alongside the art and classes. Union Pier’s cultural offerings thus provide a range of points of interest, from locally influenced works and mosaic classes to the history of an inn.

Discover more destinations: New Buffalo, Watervliet, Sawyer, Chikaming Township, Niles, Benton Harbor, Berrien Springs, Bridgman

For the broader travel overview: Berrien.