Entire home

Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere

Vacation home with kitchen, near Lake Michigan

Photo gallery for Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere

TV, fireplace, DVD player, books - Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere (New Buffalo)
TV, fireplace, DVD player, books - Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere (New Buffalo)
Terrace/patio - Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere (New Buffalo)
Exterior - Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere (New Buffalo)
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop - Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere (New Buffalo)
In New Buffalo's quiet neighborhood, Happy Thoughts Cottage is a charming retreat with whimsical decor and an open-concept kitchen. Enjoy the spacious feel of vaulted ceilings, gas-powered fireplace, and wall-mounted flatscreen TV. Savor summer sunshine on the front deck overlooking a lush lawn or grill outdoors on the rear patio.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 483 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere

Happy Thoughts Cottage

Our calendar is updated in real-time & our nightly rates are accurately displayed. Simply enter your desired dates and click 'Book Now!'

With incredible wall-to-wall windows that let the natural light pour in, this quaint cottage tucked away in a quiet neighborhood of New Buffalo will place you mere blocks from the heart of downtown. Step inside to find a beautifully maintained, air-conditioned space with whimsical decor, vaulted ceilings, and an open-concept kitchen and dining area that give the home a decidedly spacious feel. Enjoy a kitchen with every essential and a peninsula breakfast bar, a dining space with a beautiful wood table, and a living room with a large, comfortable sectional sofa, a gas-powered fireplace, and a wall-mounted flatscreen TV.

Soak up the summer sunshine outside on the front deck, where cafe tables and chairs overlook the large, fenced-in yard with a lush lawn, mature trees, and an in-ground firepit surrounded by comfortable Adirondack chairs. There's also a rear patio with a grill for outdoor cooking, a table with seating for four, and an outdoor shower to welcome you home from New Buffalo Beach (three-quarters of a mile north) each afternoon. At night, two comfortable bedrooms - one with a queen-size bed and one with a pair of twin beds - and a full bathroom are adjacent to the kitchen.

And for those who love a nice stroll, downtown New Buffalo is only a two blocks away, offering great shopping and wonderful eateries.

Things to know:
Streaming TV services available
This property is managed by Vacasa Michigan, LLC.

Parking notes: There is free parking available for 2 vehicles.

Please note: this home resides in a noise-sensitive area and the owners participate in our Good Neighbor protection program. Our smart home technology will alert our team if excessive decibel or occupancy levels are detected, allowing us to reach out directly with a reminder of maximum occupancy and quiet hours. This technology is privacy compliant, and only monitors the presence of decibels and devices-not any personal conversation or information. Thank you for supporting our efforts to be good neighbors!

Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a nightly damage waiver fee, plus tax if applicable (the “Damage Waiver”). (A discount may be applied for stays of 28 nights or longer, if permitted.) The Damage Waiver covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. The Damage Waiver fee eliminates the need for a traditional security deposit.
More information can be downloaded from the "Rental Agreement" on the checkout page.

Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 25 years of age to book. Guests under 25 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Internet access

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping mall

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 892 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

For information about quiet hours, please refer to the listing description.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

48478

About the neighborhood

Map
New Buffalo, MI

What's nearby

  • New Buffalo Township Public Library - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • New Buffalo Railroad Museum - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Louis J. Sima Great Lakes Marsh - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Local - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • New Buffalo Public Beach - 16 min walk - 1.4 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 8 min walk
  • South Bend Intl. Airport (SBN) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪PostBoy - ‬8 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere located?

Located in the heart of New Buffalo, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of New Buffalo City Hall and Lake Michigan. New Buffalo Railroad Museum and New Buffalo Public Library are also within 10 minutes. New Buffalo Station is 8 minutes by foot.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

Adorable Downtown Cottage with Firepit, Fireplace, & Yard - Walk Everywhere Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.6

Cleanliness

10

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kathy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great weekend

Great location - walking distance to everything!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Josh W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great cottage near the heart of down. Thanks for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a great stay!

We had an amazing time. The cottage was perfect for us. The front yard was beautiful and allowed our kids to have plenty of room to play. The neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. Loved it!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen T.

Great home for family of 3-4

This house exceeding our expectations for cleanliness. It is a quiet neighborhood and had everything we needed. Walkable to downtown New Buffalo. I would definitely stay here again.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

Cute, Cozy, and Perfectly Located

We had the best stay at this thoughtfully built and furnished home. Close to downtown New Buffalo and within walking distance of all the best the town has to offer, the rooms and beds were very comfortable, clean, and had everything we needed for a great week with two kiddos in tow. We’ll miss the beach and quiet evenings in the yard. Can’t wait to visit again!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Kristen H.

It was cute and nice. But overpriced

Proximity to downtown

10/10 Excellent

Tammy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Checked all our boxes

Easy walk to downtown which is what we wanted! We brought our baby and toddler and were out of the house most of our stay but after the kids went to bed, the living room was a great space to relax and play games and far enough from the rooms so the kids couldn’t hear us. We drove to the beach which was still very close.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gail A.

Very cute place with everything we needed. Great location.

We loved all of the windows.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Josie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A cozy cottage in a great location

This is our second time at Happy Thoughts Cottage. We love the cozy den, front yard for kids to play, and walkability to the main street.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay

We really enjoyed Happy Thoughts Cottage. It was clean, quiet, comfortable and tastefully decorated. Would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephenie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy weekend.

Cottage was adorable and very clean. We enjoyed the fireplace and the view of the backyard. Cottage was comfortable and charming.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erica C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Michigan getaway!

This house was absolutely perfect for a weekend getaway with my husband! It’s such a cute house, and the yard is so nice, and the house is so cozy!!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Samantha H.

Even better than the pictures!

Loved this rental! It was perfect and even more adorable in person!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Robert R.

Anniversary Getaway

The house was homey, cottagey, clean and very cutely decorated. The location was fantastic, walkable to everything from coffee, to dinner, to nightlife, and the grocery store.

10/10 Excellent

Ryan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Hideaway

We had a delightful long weekend close to everything the area has to offer. The house was super cosy, and we made ample use of the fire pit, kitchen, and outdoor dining spaces. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake life

We had a relaxing stay at Happy Thoughts cottage- it’s the perfect size for 2-3 people, true to listing but even better in person. We loved the sunroom area, it was where we hung out the most, the kitchen was well stocked, even though we didn’t cook! There are several restaurants within walking distance. Thanks for a relaxing stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

rhiannah l.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful little getaway

We absolutely loved staying here! Just steps to the downtown and an easy walk to the beach. We had our 4 y/o with us and just carted her around in the wagon. The house is wonderful. Clean. Newly updated. We’d def stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ann N.

Indiana Girls

The room in the house was fantastic even though it’s a small home it is absolutely big in features. The beds were very comfortable. The air conditioning worked well. The proximity of the property couldn’t be better. It was a five star all the way around
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New Buff

Cute little cottage home
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy Thoughts in New Buffalo, MI

This beautiful, cozy cottage is situated on a quiet street within walking distance to downtown New Buffalo and Lake Michigan. I grew up in New Buffalo and was in town for my mother’s memorial service. Staying here brought back memories of walking to my high school, which, at the time was located right next door! My family and I enjoyed our stay and highly recommend Happy Thoughts Cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Marcy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home with great location, but not suitable for little kids

We loved the proximity to downtown New Buffalo (very short walk), and the inside and outside spaces were beautiful; however, the lack of storage (no bedroom closets) and small bedrooms detracted from our stay and we found the home to not be suitable for families with small children. 1) Small children require a lot of stuff from home. The lack of storage in the bedrooms meant all of our things were everywhere, but mostly in the dining room. 2) Our toddler still sleeps in a crib, or pack'nplay when travelling. The size of the bedrooms were almost too small to safely fit the pack'nplay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Craig H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Pretty good - not clean upon arrival

Overall the stay was pretty good, however the home was not cleaned upon our arrival. We spent the first few hours on the phone trying to figure that mess out. Not a great way to start your vacation - trying to figure out if you’ll have clean bedding to sleep in. Other than that, the place was pretty good. The location is really great. it’s a bit of a hike to the beach, but really close to the shops and restaurants. If you have little ones like us, I would not expect to walk to the beach. We rented a golf cart from a local place and it made the trip awesome. The home was in good shape outside of the cleaning fiasco. They provide basic kitchen utensils, the living area was enjoyable, bathroom and kitchens are fairly well finished and felt overall clean (after the cleaners left). The living room area has lots of nice daylight and was enjoyable. The streaming device was a bit clunky, super slow and really only had Netflix. If you plan to stream any tv I recommend bringing your own setup. WiFi was fast enough to stream otherwise. We enjoyed the outside area during the evening. Overall the cottage was really enjoyable, but the lack of cleaning upon arrival was a bit of a fiasco. Caused a lot of unnecessary stress. I like the house itself a lot, but I’d really need to think hard about renting again due to the cleaning issue.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Maureen R.

Cute bungalow

Loved the bungalow. Very clean and in a quiet neighborhood. Very close to downtown New Buffalo. Would definitely stay there again
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael R., Dunedin, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful cabin near the lake

excellent location close to everything, very clean place and easy check in check out. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Bruce G.

Nice and quiet , walk to everything

Clean, quiet and easy access to town