On the lookout for a calming journey crammed with magical sunsets and mushy sandy seashores? We’ve got traveled up and down the southwest Michigan shoreline and South Haven is our favourite seaside city. Though we’re solely two hours from dwelling, it looks like a world away.
Located on Lake Michigan, this tiny group packs a punch with varied leisure actions on and off the seaside. It’s a picture-perfect small city within the state’s southwest nook that provides many issues to do.
And it’s near many main cities:
- 2 hours from Chicago
- 3 hours from Detroit and Toledo,
- 3 ½ hours from Indianapolis, and
- 5 hours from Columbus.
We’ve achieved all of the analysis so that you can plan your journey. Listed below are one of the best issues to do in South Haven MI
Grasp Out on the Seaside
Nothing says trip like positive crushed sand between your toes! The water is obvious, the sand is mushy, and by the center of summer season, the water is heat… nicely heatish.
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Bike or Hike the Kal-Haven Path
Meander via 34 miles of blueberry fields, wooded areas, coated bridges, and farmland. The crushed limestone path connects South Haven and Kalamazoo.
Because it was a rail path, it’s comparatively flat and simple to handle.
Watch a Sundown
Watching the solar go down is without doubt one of the most romantic issues to do in South Haven MI. The glowing mild over the lake is breathtaking. For an additional particular image, head over to the pier to seize the lighthouse at nightfall.
Wander Round South Haven MI Downtown
Spend a day perusing the specialty outlets in downtown and have lunch at one of many many nautical-themed bars and eating places. See our restaurant suggestions beneath.
Take a look at the artwork galleries, do some wine tasting, wade via the antiques, and far more in downtown South Haven.
On the lookout for one other nice space of Michigan? Take a look at the Higher Peninsula
Stroll out to South Haven’s Historic Lighthouse
Wait, are we on the northeast coast? Because the Black River spills into Lake Michigan, you’ll discover a phenomenal vibrant purple lighthouse. The station was inbuilt 1903 and remains to be working at present. It’s one of the vital recognizable spots in South Haven.
Go Blueberry Selecting
DeGrandchamp Farms is a family-run enterprise that has been working since 1958. Through the years it has expanded to 200 acres of blueberries, 40 acres of cranberries, and roughly 7 acres of container-grown nursery inventory and greenhouses.
Usually the U-Decide season begins in July and runs via mid-August, but it surely varies annually. Through the season the farm is open from 8 am to six pm day by day.
Study concerning the Lake’s Wealthy Historical past on the Michigan Maritime Museum
5 separate buildings are devoted to the area’s maritime background. Keep in mind, approach again when water was the lifestyle. Study boat constructing and what it was prefer to reside a life on the seas.
Take a Boat Experience
The Maritime Museum additionally gives half a dozen completely different crusing excursions on each historic and reproduction vessels.
Select among the many easy-to-spot tall ship, Pals Good Will, a duplicate of a 200-year-old vessel that performed a pivotal function within the Warfare of 1812; Bernida, a 1921 yacht that made crusing historical past; Lindy Lou, a canopied cruiser that floats alongside Black River; Chris-Craft Merry Time, a 1929 classically romantic luxurious boat; and the USCG Motor Lifeboat 36460, which starred within the Disney movie, “The Most interesting Hours.” Take your decide! Every sail or cruise ticket contains Museum admission.
Decide an Out of doors Journey
If you happen to’re nonetheless feeling frisky after a day on the seaside, hire an ATV at KJC ATV Leases and hop on one in all their many groomed trails. Or go for a horseback experience from Simpsarosa Stables or Wild West Ranch.
If you happen to’d prefer to strive your hand at fishing, contact one of many many charters that may get you out on the water for an tour.
Let the Youngsters Play on the Youngsters’ Nook Playground.
How cool is that this playground?! The grounds embrace a maze, boat, slides, rope bridge, tire bridge, and extra.
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Store on the Farmers Market
If you happen to’re in South Haven on a Wednesday or Saturday, cease by the marketplace for contemporary veggies or fruit, made-to-order crepes, and jewellery, or to browse the native artwork.
Locations to Eat in South Haven MI
Breakfast
If you’re in search of one thing fast, Golden Brown Bakery has pastries, donuts, and bagels. Captain Nemo’s has huge parts at an inexpensive worth. They aren’t fast-moving so for those who aren’t in a rush (which you shouldn’t be since you’re in loosen up mode, bear in mind?) seize a desk. And the Phoenix Road Café is at all times a sensible choice with regionally sourced substances and homestyle breakfasts.
Lunch, Dinner and Drinks
Clementine’s is housed in a historic landmark, the Citizen’s Financial institution Constructing, inbuilt 1897. The meals is affordable, the bar is cool, and the workers is tremendous pleasant. Each Captain Lou’s and Loafer Riverboat are on the river, have a enjoyable environment, and provide nice drinks!
If you happen to like craft beer, make a detour to the South Haven Brewpub, the primary one in all its type.
South Haven Ideas
- Keep away from weekends – If in any respect attainable, go to in the course of the week. The seaside and city are much less congested plus you’ll save on lodging prices.
- Free Downtown Public Parking and Bogs – If you happen to do determine to drive into city, there’s a free public parking zone with bogs on Kalamazoo & Huron. It is just a block and a half away from the Farmers Market and two blocks from Phoenix Road (downtown most important road).
- Free Seaside parking – There may be free seaside parking and entry to South Seaside up on the hill on Monroe Boulevard, however you positively must get there early within the day to get a spot.
- Free Espresso – Cease within the Blueberry Retailer for a free pattern of their blueberry espresso.
- Free Samples – Most of the shops and distributors provide free samples.
- Pack a lunch – If you’re heading to the seaside all day, make sure that to pack a lunch or at the least some snacks. If you happen to cease by the Farmers Market earlier than heading to the seaside, decide up some contemporary fruit to snack on. There are concession stands on each seashores, however we like to avoid wasting cash on lunch so we are able to splurge on a pleasant dinner with a number of drinks.
South Haven MI Lodges and Mattress & Breakfast
*Disclaimer: Hyperlinks to lodges are affiliate hyperlinks. We obtain a fee for those who e-book via them, at no extra price to you.*
What are your favourite issues to do in South haven MI? Or when you have one other Michigan seaside city you want, tell us.
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