Schlitz Audubon Nature Center: Lake Michigan Bluff Snowshoeing & Raptors

About this adventure

Perched on the dramatic coastal bluffs of Bayside overlooking Lake Michigan, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center encompasses 185 acres of pristine winter forest, ravines, and shoreline. Six miles of trails invite families to explore snow-laden oak woods and view towering natural ice shelf formations along the Lake Michigan beach. When winter snow blankets the grounds, visitors can rent snowshoes sized for both kids and adults. Outside the Dorothy K. Vallier Environmental Center, children can meet resident non-releasable birds of prey—including magnificent bald eagles, snowy owls, and red-tailed hawks—in the outdoor raptor mews. Inside, interactive nature exhibits, live turtles, and a crackling stone fireplace provide comforting warmth. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Paved parking and an accessible boardwalk trail loop; all-terrain strollers recommended for natural woodland trails. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Heated visitor center features comfortable rocking chairs with bird-viewing windows and modern restrooms with changing tables. • Age Suitability: Engaging for all ages; child-sized snowshoes available for preschoolers and older youth. • Sensory Tips: Serene natural setting filled with birdsong and wave sounds; warm environmental center provides quiet indoor spots to decompress.