If summer’s starting to feel more rush than retreat, it might be time to hit pause – and hit the road. Luckily, you don’t have to book a flight or sit through airport security to feel like you’ve truly gotten away. Within three hours of the North Shore are some dreamy escapes that blend charm, style, and just the right amount of indulgence.
From blueberry fields and designer tents to cozy treehouses and whiskey-fueled lofts, here are three getaways that are big on experience and low on stress.
The Fields of Michigan — South Haven, Michigan
Glamping For The Bon Vivant Camper
It’s not a mirage. You really can pick blueberries in the morning, sip rosé in the afternoon, and retreat to a candlelit tent at night. The Fields of Michigan is a luxury “glampground” tucked into a working farm just outside the beachy harbor town of South Haven.
The safari-style tents are less campsite, more boutique hotel suite, with king beds, high-end linens, private bathrooms, and vintage-meets-modern decor. Your mornings start with a breakfast basket on your deck. Days might include a bike ride to the beach, an in-tent massage, or lounging with a book in the sun. By night, sip craft cocktails under the stars and gather for a locally sourced farm-to-table communal meal by in-house Chef Mindy Trafman Somm+Seeds. It’s all very farmhouse-chic, without trying too hard.
Starved Rock Treehouses — Ottawa, Illinois
Elevated Living For The Nature Lover
Remember when treehouses were magical? They still are – especially when they come with rainfall showers, heated floors, and a fire table on your private deck.
Starved Rock Treehouses offers sleek, adults-only suites tucked high in the quiet woods of Ottawa. Inside, you’ll find airy layouts, Scandinavian-style woodwork, plush robes, and oversized windows that blur the line between indoors and out. Step outside, and it’s all trees, birdsong, and deep breaths you forgot you needed.
You’re just minutes from Starved Rock State Park, where sandstone canyons, seasonal waterfalls, and winding trails offer the kind of natural drama that feels like you’ve traveled much farther than you have.
The Flat at Journeyman Distillery — Three Oaks, Michigan
A Stylish Stay For The Industrial Romantic
Above the bustling Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks sits The Flat, a loft-style stay for up to six people with a downtown Soho vibe and a speakeasy soul. Think exposed brick, timber beams, oversized windows, and just the right amount of cheeky wall art. There’s a full chef’s kitchen, a record player, and leather club chairs made for long conversations and slow pours.
Downstairs, tour the working distillery, sample small-batch spirits, or linger over a cocktail in the stylish tasting room. Outside, explore Three Oaks, a walkable town with gallery charm, a vintage movie house, and great pastries at nearby Froehlich’s.
Whether it’s a last-minute romantic reset or a planned-out birthday weekend, these destinations offer luxury with soul, adventure with intention and a getaway that actually feels like one.