A reader recently messaged me to ask about things to do as they’ll be in New Buffalo for a week this summer—a group of 16, about half kids age 4-10. She says they’ve never been to the area.

Don’t get the idea that I can give customized itineraries to anyone who asks, but I was intrigued to consider what I could come up with, since kids aren’t the Diva’s usual territory.

My first bit of advice: stop in Indiana on the way to Michigan. It’ll break up the drive and you’ll get to do some cool stuff you’d miss just getting off 94 at New Buffalo. Dunes Highway (12) is what you want. First stop, unless you’re coming on a weekend: West Beach at The Indiana Dunes National Park. There’s a great short hike involving a lot of stairs that the kids should be able to handle. If you just want dunes, sand and water, go on to Kemil Beach in Beverly Shores (you’ll need a National Park pass).

Then on to lunch (or early dinner, depending on your timing). For a group of your size, the fairly new Burn ‘Em Brewing on Dunes Highway in Michigan City is an excellent choice. You might not get the idea it’s family-friendly from its name and the exterior, but it surely is, with large tables, a kids’ menu, games and plenty of great beer made on the premises to keep the adults happy.

The menu has tasty things like crawfish etouffee along with burgers, fish sandwiches and the like. Burn ‘Em operated for years out of the brewers’ grandma’s house across town before moving to these expansive digs. Another great thing about Burn ‘Em is it’s open every day for lunch and dinner, which is decidedly not the case with all area restaurants. The lights are interrogation-level bright, but that doesn’t bother the brewery’s many devoted fans.

Then on to New Buffalo. You’ll notice more than dozen new pot dispensaries over the Michigan border on the way to New Buffalo; shield the children’s eyes or get ready for the questions. Just past all the dispensaries (seriously, SO many!) you’ll want to stop at Farmette for wine, beer, fresh-baked sourdough, treats for breakfast, spreads and all manner of fancy groceries. The kids can run around the grounds and check out the vegetable gardens while you shop or have a glass of wine, a beer, or coffee inside or out.

You’ll want to spend a lot of your time on the beach, and to make that more fun, rent some water toys at Uncle Jib’s. (Though if your group’s kids are anything like my great-nephews were when they were young, they can have fun without any toys.) For a larger beach, head to Warren Dunes State Park 15-20 minutes up the road (pictured up top).

After a day there at Warren Dunes, head to Seedz Brewery in Union Pier. The kids can run around the grounds while the parents have a nice lager, the specialty here (such a nice change from overly hopped craft beers). There is no food, but you can order pizza for delivery from Villa Nova in New Buffalo (see below) or Mario’s (Union Pier).

If the weather is less than stellar or the kids need a break from the beach, Captain Mike’s Amusement Park is a good choice, with go karts, video games, batting cages and bumper boats.

For dinner, classic mainstay tourist haunts are burger joint Redamak’s and Stray Dog in downtown New Buffalo (kids not allowed on the rooftop). Both are always crowded and neither takes reservations. Consider going off hours for a group of your size, or try Villa Nova pizza. It’s not buzzy but the pizza is solid. Off the beaten path is Tapa Taco in Union Pier. Tacos and other South American fare can be enjoyed inside or on the screened porch, and prices are noticeably reasonable for this area.

I don’t have to tell you there are several great places for ice cream in New Buffalo, do I? The newest is South Side Chicago favorite Rainbow Cone, right on Whittaker at the town’s main intersection.

Have a great week, and let me know what you did!