It’s no surprise that The Neighborhood Hotel team loves to travel. We enjoy experiencing our country (and world) from buzzing cities to charming, small towns. Going between rural and urban is invigorating, eye opening and always seems to bring the ideal change in perspective. And then there is the history, the traditions that bring character to each place — we’re here for all of it. Grand Beach, MI is one of our favorite places to spend 4th of July. We love fireworks against the backdrop of downtown Chicago, but the vibe in Grand Beach has a completely different, magical energy around the 4th.
The Grand Beach Social Club started in 1969 and still runs all of the events in Grand Beach today! A few of the most important gatherings of the year are the Grand Beach Family Festivals!
THE DETAILS
JULY 6TH, 2024
Grand Beach Family Fest:
-KFC dinner, ice cream, inflatables, pony rides, and more will be included with the purchase of tickets.
-Tickets are $25 per person (free entry for children under 3). Email info@nbhdhotels.com for ticket info.
-Golf Cart Mass @ 4pm (CST) on July 6th. With the blessing of St. Mary of the lake, the Mass collection will support Father Bob Gielow’s future golf cart Masses held throughout the summer.
-Golf Cart Parade @ 5pm (CST) following the Mass! This is SUPER fun – we love seeing all of the golf cart decor that each family/group of friends creates! Register to receive your number where line-up begins on the corner of Crescent and Royal. Bikes, scooters, wagons, and strollers are all welcome! Awards will be announced at the Family Fest Celebration.
The fun continues on July 7th @ 1:00 PM (CDT) for a day of Family Racing @ Rhode Field (Behind the 9th Hole green). Get ready for fun, competition, and lots of laughs!
This was The Neighborhood Hotel’s bubble themed golf cart from July 2023! Why bubbles? Why not!
The 4th of July events in neighboring towns are also lots of fun! A few highlights:
July 3rd: Fireworks in Downtown New Buffalo, MI @ 9:30pm
July 4th: Parade in Long Beach, IN @ 10am
Now seems like an appropriate time to appreciate some small town American History! Grand Beach, MI has an interesting timeline.
-Late 1900s: Joseph Deuel (a realtor from New Buffalo) sold a 600 acre parcel of land to Floyd Perkins of Fuller Advertising in Chicago. Perkins intended to develop the parcel into a shooting preserve but changed course and turned it into a summer recreational community near the shores of Lake Michigan.
Fun fact: Grand Beach is the only Harbor Country town that was master planned as a resort community.
1908: Pre-fab houses by Sears Roebuck & Company became available for purchase in Grand Beach — the new “summer colony” where you could live the dream near a beach and golf course.
1912: The stately white entry gate to Grand Beach was created. It still stands today and serves as one of the main identifying features of Grand Beach.
1914: Developers of the future Golfmore Hotel built The Pinewood Lodge which is now The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach. Pinewood Lodge was known for hosting famous heavyweight fighters of the era for training including Cinderella Man, James Braddock.
1922: The Golfmore Hotel in Grand Beach was completed. The Golfmore, known as ‘the jewel of the Dunes,” featured 175 rooms plus a nightclub, large dining room, 200 ft. ski jump, equestrian facilities and a golf course. The hotel helped further establish Grand Beach as a sought after summer destination and was a pretty happening spot throughout the roaring 20’s.
1939: Rumored legal turmoil involving crooked finances, raids, etc., caused The Golfmore Hotel to be frequently shut down in the early 1930’s. In 1939, a fire destroyed the main hotel and it was never rebuilt. The Pinewood Lodge survived the fire as it was far enough away and has been maintained throughout the years.
One more fun fact from the floorboards of The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach: The Heirloomist photographed a Chicago Tribune newspaper from 1963 announcing “Help! The Beatles Are Coming!” that was pulled from the floorboards of what is now the lobby. While you’re there, don’t miss the photo of some old Budweiser beer cans that were also discovered during the reno process!
Happy 4th, friends!
About The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel was founded in 2020 by Jonathan Gordon — a travel enthusiast who enjoys spaces that inspire, comfort and fuel. Each suite is well equipped for short and longterm stays (i.e. kitchens, laundry, etc.). The Neighborhood Hotel transforms old buildings with compelling history into well outfitted apartment style hotels that honor the old while representing the now. The vibe is fresh and fun with rooms that are stocked to support everyone from the homebody to the adventurer. The hotels provide a basecamp for the explorer and a sanctuary for the traveler who needs to recharge, reset or just chill. The suites are simple and clean, punctuated with accents that bring the right amount of pop. The Neighborhood Hotel has locations in Chicago: Lincoln Park, Little Italy, West Loop (2025 opening) and Southwest Michigan: New Buffalo and Grand Beach.
Read about TNBHD in: Architectural Digest, Midwest Living and CN Traveler!
Connect with @the.neighborhood.hotel on Instagram and LinkedIn!