Fresh Ways to Go on a Date This Fall

October 20, 2025October 20, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

Fall in Southwest Michigan is made for dates, day or night. Cool, crisp air and golden leaves set the stage for cozy-up time and playful adventures. This corner of the state is already known for its colorful fall hikes and farm-to-table dining options, but there’s so much more to enjoy together once autumn arrives. If you’ve been cycling through the same routine of dinner and a movie, this is the season to try something different. Whether you want to relax, get creative or add some friendly competition, here are fall date ideas you may not have tried yet.

Relax, Rejuvenate & Reconnect

At The Salt Haven in Berrien Springs, you’ll step into a Himalayan salt cave glowing softly from the walls. As you settle into lounge chairs, the air fills with tiny salt particles believed to help with easier breathing and overall relaxation. It’s a quiet, restorative experience that lets you sit close, away from distractions.

If you’d prefer calm paired with a glass of wine, head to Solasta Winery. Their outdoor firepits make it easy to linger over a bottle while roasting s’mores. Download the free Makers Trail Passport app and turn the evening into the beginning of a season-long tasting journey. Each check-in earns progress toward rewards, offering a fun reason to return for other stops along the trail.

Another inviting choice is the Haymarket Taproom in Bridgman. Share a wood-fired pizza and enjoy it with your drinks beside the outdoor firepit as the evening cools. The taproom is an especially welcoming stop after hiking through the old-growth beech and maple forest at nearby Warren Woods State Park or taking a scenic fall drive down Red Arrow Highway.

Explore Local Arts

Add a creative spark to your night with a visit to the Benton Harbor Arts District. Explore the galleries, murals and shops, then step into Water Street Glassworks, where hand-blown glass pumpkins fill the shelves each fall. Every piece is one of a kind and choosing one together can be part of the fun. Or plan a date at the GhostLight Theatre. Their fall production of The Rocky Horror Show brings bold performances, playful audience interaction and plenty of energy. It is perfect if you want a spirited night out.

In St. Joseph, the Box Factory for the Arts offers live music, open mic nights and art shows inside a historic factory filled with working artist studios. Or have a playful challenge testing your aim at Lumberjax Urban Axe Throwing in St. Joseph. Coaches show you how to throw safely, and before long, you’ll be cheering each other on to hit the bullseye. It’s energetic and lighthearted, a fun lead-in to dinner or dessert downtown.

Or keep things laid-back with cider and bowling at Peat’s Cider Social in Stevensville. The retro-inspired lanes are paired with craft hard ciders made in-house from Michigan apples. Order a flight, bowl a few games and enjoy food trucks on the weekends.

Celebrate Harvest Time

Start your outing at Piggott’s Farm Market & Bakery in Benton Harbor, where you can pick up cider, donuts or one of their famous fresh-baked pies to take home. Then spend an afternoon at Dinges Fall Harvest in Three Oaks or Jollay Orchards in Coloma. Both offer hayrides, pumpkin and apple picking and corn mazes that bring out a playful side no matter your age.

For couples who love the outdoors, T.K. Lawless Park in Vandalia offers wooded trails for hiking and biking through brilliant fall foliage. As evening falls, the park transforms into a certified International Dark Sky Park, where the Milky Way stretches overhead, undimmed by city lights. Bring blankets and a thermos of hot cocoa to make the stargazing experience even cozier.

Plan a Full Getaway

Turn one date into a weekend by booking a nearby hotel. From there, you’re within easy reach of strolling along Lake Michigan beaches, shopping in quaint resort towns or watching gorgeous sunsets. Staying overnight keeps the pace relaxed and gives you more time to enjoy each other’s company.

The Best Pumpkin Patches and Fall Farms

October 13, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

It’s pumpkin-picking season in Southwest Michigan! Instead of sorting through grocery store bins, bring the family straight to the farms where pumpkins are grown. It’s an outing they’ll look forward to every fall.

Here you’ll find an incredible variety from tiny pumpkins, easy-to-carve classics and jumbo giants. There is a range of colors and textures too, from traditional orange to white, greenish-grey, striped, smooth and those spooky warty varieties that are perfect for any porch or indoor fall décor.

Where to Find Pumpkins

Dinges Fall Harvest | Three Oaks

The folks at Dinges Fall Harvest pour their hearts into creating fun for all ages. There is a small patch of u-pick pumpkins plus a yard packed with a big variety of pumpkins and gourds. In September, you can also pick Concord and Niagara grapes to make homemade juices, jams and jellies. For family time, there is a Jr. Express Car Ride, a Jurassic corn maze, puzzles and games, a haunted trailer, face painting and finding a dinosaur that attempts to hide on the farm. The Dinges also try to have hot dogs, brats and bake sales when you come during the peak picking season.

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Jollay Orchards | Coloma

One visit to Jollay Orchards during their Harvest Festival from late August to early November and you will know why this has been a family tradition for generations. Their pumpkin patch has the big, small, tall and short pumpkins you are looking for. Embrace being out in the country-fresh air picking apples, daring to enter their haunted house, taking a hayride, finding your way out of a corn maze, burning off excess energy on the playground or fishing in the stocked pond. This is also one of Southwest Michigan’s top picks for hot or cold cider, apple cider slushies and oh-so-good fresh donuts.

Piggott’s Farm Market & Bakery | Benton Harbor

Ahhh, pumpkins! There are lots to pick from on this long-time family farm: carving, baking and decorating pumpkins in all sorts of sizes and colors. The market is also chock-full of delicious and nutritious apples, raspberries, squash, onions, plus brilliant shades of mums. And oh, the fresh cider, mouthwatering donuts and homemade pies that are baked or ready to stick in the oven when you get home.

Stover’s Farm Market & U-Pic | Berrien Springs

Here’s a local pumpkin patch that today’s grandparents remember going to as kids. They can’t wait to return with their families (or on their own) every fall. You can’t miss Stover’s Big Red Barn and smiling, round bales of hay on M-139. Take a hayride to pick pumpkins and apples. Visit the market for squash, jams, honey, maple syrup, fresh cider and can’t-stop-eating-them apple cider donuts. The Stovers encourage you to take your time while you’re on the farm. Bring a picnic, hunt for arrowheads and look for wildlife. The fresh country air is wonderful!

Twin Maple Orchard | Galien

Southwest Michigan’s family-owned farms love sharing their country life with other families, so bring yours here (add in a few cousins, too). Twin Maple Orchard offers u-pick pumpkins beginning in mid-September. Add to the outdoor memory making with a corn maze, play area, farm animals, a bakery, as well as other family activities. You will be back!

Amazing Acres | Edwardsburg

All ages will have a blast at Amazing Acres — 90 acres of farm fun with nearly 100 activities to fill your time. Their pumpkin patch is one of the best. The photo opportunities for your kids and their pumpkins are endless! Choose from: Grey Ghost, Cinderella, Fairytale, Jarrahdale, Autumn Buckskin, and, of course, the famous Knucklehead Pumpkin (Mr. Warty) and Red Warty Thing pumpkin varieties. Then it’s off to the corn mazes, outdoor games, the barnyard to pet the animals, hayride, Punchin’ Pumpkins Race, climbing wall and more. Your kids, and you, will sleep well tonight!

Favorite Fall Festivities

St. Joe Farmers Market | Lake Bluff Park, St. Joseph

On Saturdays from September to mid-October, area farmers bring in homegrown pumpkins, seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, jams, cider, fall decorations and more. You can walk from the market to St. Joseph’s charming, Victorian-era downtown, restaurants, craft beverage tasting rooms, the beautiful St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. Check the St. Joseph Today website for market dates.

Pumpkins on Parade | Throughout Southwest Michigan

Hunt for the best decorated pumpkins displayed in businesses and restaurants throughout Southwest Michigan and cast your vote for your favorite. Local artists try to outdo each other with their whimsical, scary, funny and artsy designs. The contest runs from mid-October to October 31. Visit StJoeToday.com for the starting date and participating locations.

Glass Pumpkin Patch, Water Street Glassworks | Benton Harbor

Some of the most beautiful pumpkins in Southwest Michigan won’t ever spoil. Each year, glass blowers at Water Street Glassworks create one-of-a-kind pumpkins bursting with autumn spirit. The toughest part is picking your favorites from the classic harvest orange to dazzling new color palettes. Your purchase will help support this art gallery and studio to keep the fires burning.

How to Choose the Right Pumpkin

When there are so many pumpkins to pick from, how do you know which ones are good for carving, baking, making soup or decorating your porch or table? Check out these 10 Tips for Picking the Perfect Pumpkin or ask the farm staff when you arrive. And before you come, book a place to stay overnight — more fall fun will be here in the morning.

More Fall Fun

Let’s Go Apple Picking and Cider Sipping in Southwest Michigan

With so many orchards and cideries to explore, use this guide to find the best places for your first visit or a return fall getaway.

Top 8 Free Fall Activities in Southwest Michigan

August 8, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

From the gorgeous fall colors to the bountiful harvest that fills our Lake Michigan coast, fall is one of the best times to travel to Southwest Michigan. It is also a more affordable and calmer time of year to visit since our popular summer season has come to an end. You will find plenty of free activities in the region that are perfect for anyone on a budget. Here are the top free things to do in Southwest Michigan this fall.

1. Take a fall color tour

Go on a fall color driving tour. Our jewel-toned landscape is one of the top reasons to visit Southwest Michigan this fall. Check out our Fall Color Guide for the best route suggestions.

2. Hike scenic trails

Start at Galien River County Park. Take in the colorful view of changing leaves as you walk the 300’ canopy walk that leads out to a 60’ high platform overlooking the marshland and Galien River. Or follow the boardwalk that leads to the fishing platform down by the water. Other beautiful fall hiking trails include Harbor Shores Nature & Fitness Trails in Benton Harbor, the McCoy Creek Trail in Buchanan and the Paw Paw River County Park in Watervliet which is designed for people with all abilities.

Two more urban walking experiences with plenty of colorful foliage and restaurants, beer and distilled spirits nearby are in the cities of Niles and New Buffalo. See maps in our Trail Guide.

3. Walk along uncrowded beaches

Lake Michigan is beautiful in the fall! Visit these popular beaches for free: Silver Beach, Jean Klock Park, New Buffalo City Beach and Weko Beach. Avoid the crowds and stop paying parking fees after Labor Day weekend.

4. Paddle your way through Autumn’s beauty

Bring your kayak or rent one and paddle our rivers and lakes! Fall is one of the best times to be on the water. No bugs swarming you, mild temperatures and beautiful fall colors all around you. View our paddling guide to find your favorite route.

5. Bike thrilling trails beneath brilliant foliage

The gorgeous fall colors and technical features at Andrews University Trails will excite any cyclist. And with no admission fee, you can visit several times during your stay.

6. Explore our creativity

Krasl Art Center and the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph and ARS Gallery, Arts and Culture Center in Benton Harbor offer visitors the chance to see their art exhibitions at no cost. Plus, you can play Creative Connections year round and get rewarded for visiting our local galleries, museums and performances.

7. Learn about our fascinating past

There are a variety of museums in our area that tell about our history and house fun, interactive exhibits. Siegfried H. Horn Museum in Berrien Springs, the Silver Beach Amusement Park Museum and the North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma are free to the public.

8. Stay over and enjoy a free, gorgeous sunset on Lake Michigan

Plan ahead, and book at least one overnight stay before heading home so you can watch the sunset over Lake Michigan. While this is free any time of year, the view is priceless no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Lookout Park in St. Joseph is a great, free viewing spot, or find other local spots in the Best Places to Enjoy a Southwest Michigan Sunset blog. There is more free fall fun awaiting you when you wake up tomorrow.

Best bachelorette party destinations in Southwest Michigan

May 20, 2025May 7, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

When it comes to planning an unforgettable bachelorette party, Southwest Michigan emerges as an unexpected gem, offering a blend of picturesque landscapes, delightful wineries, and a charming, fun atmosphere to celebrate in. Whether you seek a relaxing retreat or an adventure-filled celebration, this region has something to offer for every bridal party. These are some of the best bachelorette party destinations in Southwest Michigan.

Where to celebrate your bachelorette party

Cheers at Plank — Photo By: @plankstavern

Brunch spots

No girls’ weekend is complete without a delicious brunch plating. And Southwest Michigan sure has a lot of choices! Choose from farm-to-table restaurants with boozy breakfast cocktails, creative menu offerings, or cozy cafes on the waterfront. Enjoy our freshest ingredients and warm hospitality. Some popular spots include the Mason Jar Cafe, Plank’s Tavern on the Water and the destinations in this brunch and bloody mary blog. Snap a picture of your meal and tag it with #swmichigan so we can see what you chose!

Culinary Cottage

Have a group of chefs and cooks? Take a cooking class and eat together at the Culinary Cottage in St. Joseph! Owner Tara Newman brings the fun hands-on cooking experience to her guests as they learn new techniques and make a meal together. A diverse collection of other culinary talent rotates through this kitchen, offering unique techniques, styles and events. Featured dishes have been farm-to-fork, plant-based, baked, made-from-scratch pasta and more. Class price varies depending on what you make, and private events can be booked, too.

A drink and photos. — Photo By: @sincerelykandj

Makers Trail

What is a bachelorette weekend without some alcohol if the group enjoys a beverage? Our Makers Trail is home to over 40 craft beverage destinations — approximately 30 of them are primarily wineries, vineyards or make wine. The rest consist of distilleries, breweries, and cideries. Visit one or two locations, and grab food at some, too. If you want to spend a whole day on the trail, you can also book a tour bus to take you from maker to maker so you can enjoy it responsibly. If you’re celebrating between Labor Day weekend and Memorial Day Weekend, you can collect codes on the Makers Trail Passport app to earn fun prizes for visiting!

Creative Connections

Maybe your group excels in the art scene. There are so many creators in Southwest Michigan who contribute to our rich culture. A lot of them offer paint and pour, glass blowing, and wine and canvas classes, in addition to other mediums. Check out our Creative Connections game. The locations are included meaning you can schedule a private class or shop for local art while earning rewards! This one runs year-round, and several live performances are included!

Beach

We would be remiss not to mention our beautiful Great Lake shoreline beaches. These can make for a relaxing day by themselves! We know how much everyone loves a day in the sand, along a large body of water, relaxing under the sun. Or to be able to stop by that same spot year-round to watch the waves at play. You’ll find that oasis on the beaches in Southwest Michigan. We know we are impartial, so we will let our refreshing clear waters of Lake Michigan, miles of soft golden sand, towering dunes, and fun-filled locations speak for themselves. If it’s too cold for a day at the beach, at least swing by for a colorful, jaw-dropping sunset.

Outdoor recreation

Take advantage of the region’s natural beauty by forest bathing or organizing outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or kayaking along the scenic trails and waterways in the area. Information about all of these activities can be found in the recreation section of our website.

Shopping

Our region is home to several small businesses, boutiques, and chain department stores. Shop for locally handmade art and home decor, apparel to remember your time in Southwest Michigan, goods to add to your kitchen, keepsakes, and stylish clothing that fewer people will have. In between all your activities, stroll through our charming downtowns and enjoy shopping in Southwest Michigan.

Where to stay for your bachelorette party

Start planning! Discover each of our charming towns and figure out which activities you want. If your itinerary is scattered around the region, rest assured that the drive between towns is short. Once you know where you want to be, book your stay!

Southwest Michigan is an exceptional destination for an unforgettable bachelorette party. With its scenic wineries, picturesque beaches, and an array of cultural and outdoor activities, this region promises to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Plan your bachelorette getaway here and embark on a journey filled with laughter, camaraderie, and moments of pure joy with the bride-to-be. Congratulations to the brides you are celebrating!

Southwest Michigan Summer Vacation: Top Things to Do with Kids

May 13, 2025May 7, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

A Fun-Filled Family Summer Getaway to Southwest Michigan

Looking for the perfect summer vacation destination for quality family time and making amazing memories? Set your sights on the beautiful beachfront communities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph in Southwest Michigan! These scenic towns hugging the shores of Lake Michigan offer an incredible array of attractions and activities to delight kids and parents alike. From sandy beach adventures and outdoor explorations to educational museums and classic downtown charm, you’ll find everything you need for a fun warm-weather family escape. Get ready to load up the car and head to this Midwest summer haven!

Sandy Beach Adventures

Silver Beach County Park, St, Joseph

A family trip in Southwest Michigan isn’t complete without ample beach time. This area has some of the most pristine sandy stretches and blue waters around! The crown jewel is Silver Beach County Park, conveniently located near The Silver Beach Carousel and Silver Beach Pizza. The beach is perfect for sandcastle building, swimming, beach volleyball, kite flying, and classic waterfront fun. Its sandy shore provides plenty of space to spread out and make yourselves at home for the day without feeling too crowded. They also have convenient changing rooms, bathrooms, and a sheltered picnic area. This accessible beach has a free beach wheelchair you can borrow, too.

Jean Klock Park, Benton Harbor

Want to relax in a peaceful oasis? Jean Klock Park is an uncrowded gem for playing along a large, soft sand beach and hiking or biking on paved trails through the dunes and lush natural surroundings. Other beach day amenities include a playground, picnic shelter, charcoal grills, boardwalk, observation trail, tower, bathhouse, concessions, and paved parking.

You can also find your place in the sun and sand at these nearby beaches. Many of them, like Jean Klock, are wheelchair-accessible. All are great places to treat your family to our spectacular summer sunsets.

Whirlpool Compass Fountain, St. Joseph

Pour on the water fun when you bring your family to the epic Whirlpool Compass Fountain splash pad between Silver Beach County Park and Silver Beach Pizza. It is the largest interactive splash pad in Southwest Michigan and one of the biggest in Michigan. Prepare to get wet!

Your kids will squeal with delight running under the shooting jets of water, splashing in the puddles, tossing a ball, rolling down the grassy berms, or resting up for the next dash under the spray. The cannons shoot water 35 feet into the air every 15 minutes! Parents can join in the refreshing fun or relax on the benches surrounding the pad. Check out this other guide for creating a splash pad tour throughout Southwest Michigan.

Engaging Indoor Attractions for Kids

Silver Beach Center, St. Joseph

Head to the Silver Beach Center for hours of air-conditioned, indoor entertainment. Take a spin on the majestic Silver Beach Carousel. There are 48 beautifully carved figures and two chariots, each with its own story, to pick from. At this carousel, find accessibility accommodations for all kinds of riders. It is a happy place for everyone! Besides the ride, an hour or more of fun, interactive activities await. This includes an elaborate model train display, a Silver Beach Amusement Park dorama, interactive exhibits, and indoor/outdoor games to play with each other.

Down the boardwalk from the Carousel is the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone, which easily fills two hours with learning fun. A wonderland for ages 1 to 10 years, its interactive exhibits focus on science, engineering, and the arts. From a pint-sized construction zone to a giant Lake Michigan water table, lighthouse climbing tower, mesmerizing dance movement exhibit, and an all-hands-on traveling exhibit — your biggest challenge will be convincing your children to leave and go to your next destination.

Curious Kids’ Museum, St. Joseph

Along the top of the bluff is another fun-packed place for hands-on learning, the Curious Kids’ Museum. Use all five senses, plus your imagination, exploring two floors of interactive science, technology, engineering, art, and math exhibits that are more play and less work. Designed for ages 1 to 81 there is something to engage every age in discoveries and making friends. Before you come, check their upcoming summer workshops and events to see if they align with your time in St. Joseph.

Downtown St. Joseph

There is much for your family to discover in this walkable downtown. The brick streets offer block after block of shops and art galleries with toys, novelties, souvenirs, clothing, books, and sweets to tempt you through their doors. Catch your breath at one of the restaurants or get takeout for a leisurely picnic along the bluff or the St. Joseph River.

When you are here, check the events calendar, as downtown St. Joseph often hosts lively summer festivals, art fairs, and live music performances, adding to the already enchanting ambiance.

Outdoor Nature Adventures

Sarett Nature Center, Benton Harbor

Beyond its beaches, Southwest Michigan has no shortage of outdoor adventures for kids to explore. Hiking is a popular family activity, and Sarett Nature Center offers eight miles of trails meandering through its 1,000 acres. Watch for deer, sandhill cranes, turtles, and fascinating birds. Two highlights for families in the summer are the Butterfly House and a tree-top walkway. Check their weekend events for guided walks, or use this Southwest Michigan trail guide to find more family adventures while you are here together.

Lighthouses, St. Joseph

The St. Joseph lighthouses are among Southwest Michigan’s top attractions. On the North Pier, these century-old sentinels are accessible from Tiscornia Park.

Warren Dunes State Park

If you’re looking to spend a full day outdoors, plan a trip to Warren Dunes State Park. It boasts towering dunes, three miles of sandy shoreline, and nearly endless hiking and outdoor exploring opportunities. More adventurous families can go sandboarding down the dunes for a huge adrenaline rush! Or stake out a spot on the beach and enjoy the stunning lake views or sunsets while the kids build sandcastles or fly kites. The park offers two, free-to-use beach wheelchairs during the summer. Just ask for one when you arrive.

As you build your day, be sure to arrive early, as this popular spot can fill up quickly on summer days.

One standout reason to explore this iconic park is north of the swimming area, where leashed dogs are welcome on a designated section of the beach. Another is the rare but exciting experience when the atmospheric conditions are just right, you can see the Chicago skyline 60 miles across Lake Michigan!

Family-Friendly Dining Delights

Silver Beach Pizza, St. Joseph

With all that running, playing, and exploring, you’ll want to refuel at some of the most family-friendly dining spots. Silver Beach Pizza is below the bluff with gorgeous views of Lake Michigan. It is repeatedly voted the Best Pizza in Southwest Michigan. There are so many options, including mega-meat, vegetables-only, no-cheese and gluten-free pizzas. You will hem-and-haw over their delicious appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and a kid’s menu with lots of favorites.

Besides the hot-from-the-oven choices, three family pleasers are the wait staff bringing cups of raw pizza dough for the kids to play with until their meal arrives. Adults love their chilled schooners of beer. And the thrill of watching passenger and freight trains stop or rumble by within feet of the windows will hold everyone’s gaze mid-bite.

Clementine’s Too

Another welcoming stop is Clementine’s Too on the St. Joseph River. This casual American restaurant is known for comfort classics for your kids like chicken fingers, mini-corn dog baskets, and oodles of noodles. Adults fill up on some of the best-ever house-made onion rings, French onion soup, juicy burgers, and a long list of salads and sandwiches. A perk of eating here is their waterfront outdoor patio.

Mason Jar Cafe

For breakfast or brunch, treat the family to the Mason Jar Café. This delightful spot focuses on farm-fresh ingredients, with a menu of sweet and savory delights. Kids will go crazy for the banana oat pancakes or stuffed French toast, while adults will appreciate options like avocado toast, veggie scrambles, and flavorful quiches. Everything is made from scratch and absolutely delectable.

Fun Evening Activities

Hidden Pointe Fun Park

While also open during the day, Hidden Pointe Fun Park is a popular evening activity. Kids can show off their putting skills on the themed mini-golf course, show their driving prowess on the go-kart tracks, or challenge each other to bat cage competitions. They also have classic carnival games, an arcade room, and a restaurant on-site.

Captain Mike’s Family Fun Park

Another family-thrill spot is Captain Mike’s Family Fun Park, jam-packed with big-kid and junior go-karts, bumper cars, boats, water cannons, Jumpshot basketball, batting cages, a game room, and “The Captain’s Galley” snack bar! Choose from their unlimited attraction packages and pay-as-you-go options. Whichever you choose, your kids will be ready to sleep when you call it a night.

Plan Your Summer in Southwest Michigan

Start planning your time in this Midwest paradise today! Choose to stay over so you have time for more fun tomorrow. Your kids will be grinning from ear-to-ear making fantastic memories with the people they love most. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!

Plan Your Stay

Morel Mushroom Hunting in Southwest Michigan

May 7, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

Springtime in Southwest Michigan marks the start of the hunt for morel mushrooms. These fungi have a distinctive honeycomb appearance and earthy flavor and are a cherished delicacy for both locals and visitors.

Because morels are extremely hard to farm, you must forage them from where they naturally grow. Where and why they grow is the subject of much debate and lore.

Where Morels Grow

Temperature, moisture, and types of trees in the area are important factors. Variables like disturbed ground, burned areas and clear-cuts can be key, too. People who frequently hunt for morels usually have a preferred set of conditions that they consider ideal. But finding them comes down to a combination of research, patience, keen observation, and chance.

These prized fungi flourish in Southwest Michigan’s diverse landscape of forests, riverbanks, and rolling hills. Your challenge is to discover in which habitat they are growing this year.

Two things are for certain. Spring is the time to hunt, and no one will share the location of their secret favorite spots. Be prepared to do some footwork. Join us as we delve into the enchanting world of morel mushroom hunting in Southwest Michigan.

Start Hunting in April and May

As temperatures rise and the ground thaws, seasoned foragers and novice hunters eagerly anticipate the start of morel mushroom season. From April through May, enthusiasts armed with mesh bags and keen eyes set out into the woods in search of the elusive morels.

Where to Find the Perfect Spot

The key to successful morel mushroom hunting is knowing where to look. While you can find morels in a variety of environments, they favor certain types of terrain. Look for areas with a mix of hardwood trees, particularly ash, elm, and oak, as well as moist, well-drained soil. Riverbanks, wooded slopes, and areas recently burned by wildfires are also prime hunting grounds for morels.

That said, morels’ growing spots are not predictable from year to year. You can find them in fields, forests, along roadsides, and even in wood mulch in cities. Additionally, places where they grow in abundance one year may not produce the next. Try starting your hunt at one of our area state or county parks.

The Thrill of the Hunt

A certain thrill comes with spotting your first morel mushroom peeking out from beneath the leaves on the forest floor. Morels with their distinct shapes and colors can be hard to spot in their natural settings, making every find exhilarating.

As you comb through the underbrush, keep a sharp eye out for the telltale signs of morels — their cone-shaped caps are unmistakable. When you find a morel, cut the stem near ground level. Please do not pull it from the ground; leave the root system intact to encourage regrowth.

Tips for Success

While morel mushroom hunting can be a rewarding experience, it also requires patience and perseverance. Here are a few tips to help increase your chances of success:

Timing Is Key: Morels tend to fruit after warm, moist weather followed by a few days of cooler temperatures. Watch weather forecasts and plan your hunting trips accordingly.
Be Respectful: When foraging for morels, it’s important to tread lightly and leave no trace behind. Avoid trampling vegetation and only harvest what you can use.
Stay Safe: Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for hiking through the woods. Always carry a map, compass, or GPS device. Bring insect/tick spray, a full water bottle, and snacks.
Bring the Right Gear: A sturdy basket or mesh bag is essential for collecting morels without damaging them. Carry a small knife or scissors to cut them carefully from the stem.
Know Your Mushrooms — Some Are Toxic: Michigan hosts various morel species, including black, yellow, and false morels. Some false morels are toxic, posing health risks, including fatality. To mitigate this risk, consider investing in a reliable mushroom identification guide or attending an identification workshop.

How to Store and Cook Morels

Once you’ve gathered a basketful of morels, it’s time to reap the delicious rewards of your foraging efforts. Morels have a rich, nutty flavor and a meaty texture that lends itself well to a variety of culinary applications.

Clean your mushrooms with a brush or wash them with clear water and dry them. Cut them lengthwise to check for bugs. Store unused morels in the refrigerator in a paper bag.

The easiest way to cook morels is to melt butter or heat cooking oil in a frying pan. Add enough halved morels to cover the bottom of the pan and salt lightly. Cook on each side for about five minutes then serve immediately.

You can also cook with other spring favorites like ramps (wild leeks), asparagus, and trout. Or add them to simple sautés, and pasta dishes or to elaborate stuffed morels or creamy risottos. There’s no shortage of ways to enjoy these delectable fungi!

Ahhh, Spring in Southwest Michigan

While morel mushroom hunting is a highlight of springtime in Southwest Michigan, there are plenty of other attractions to explore. Feel the warm breezes as you stroll the shores of Lake Michigan, dine and shop in charming small towns, and visit historic lighthouses.

Play our three challenges, the Makers Trail Passport, Creative Connections, and the Trails Challenge, and earn cool prizes.. Or breathe in the sweet orchard fragrances on our blossom tour. You will go home refreshed and invigorated.

Savor the Last Morel

Morel mushroom hunting is a time-honored rite of spring in Southwest Michigan. It lets you connect with nature and enjoy the bounty of the forest. Whether you’re experienced or new to foraging, it’s magical to wander through the woods in search of these elusive fungi.

So grab your mesh bag and hiking boots, and embark on a culinary adventure you won’t soon forget. If you can’t find any morels outdoors, try local farm markets or savor every bite of these tasty morsels in our chefs’ seasonal selections at restaurants. Happy hunting!

Hit the Trails! The Top Spots for Spring Hiking in Southwest Michigan

March 14, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

As winter loosens its grip and nature bursts back to life, Southwest Michigan becomes a paradise for outdoor lovers. The extra daylight and rising temperatures make it the perfect time to explore the region’s diverse trails. Whether you prefer sandy beaches, towering dunes, paved walkways or serene forest paths, there’s a trail waiting for you. Let’s explore the best spring hiking destinations in Southwest Michigan!

What Signs of Spring Will You See

Spring in Southwest Michigan offers an array of colorful sights and spirit-lifting sounds. Watch as trilliums, jack-in-the-pulpits, dogwood and redbud blossoms add vibrant color to the landscape. Listen for robins, warblers, red-winged blackbirds and spring peeper frogs calling to welcome the warmer days. Combing the Lake Michigan shoreline for fossils, beach glass and driftwood. And don’t miss the sunsets — it’s pure magic watching the sky transform with hues of gold and pink over the dunes and water.

Top Spring Hiking Trails in Southwest Michigan

Dr. T.K. Lawless Park | Vandalia

This park offers seven miles of varied-terrain hiking trails and one mile of paved trails for those with mobility needs or strollers. Feel your stress vanish as you walk, spotting eagles’ nests off the pier on Hogback Lake, wildflowers blanketing the ground along the trails and wildlife in the ponds and river. Adventurous mountain bikers can tackle 10 miles of challenging, scenic trails. But the highlight of this park is its designation as one of only three International Dark Sky Parks in Michigan. Check their calendar for spring stargazing dates.

Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve | Niles

This 105-acre botanical garden and nature preserve offers a peaceful escape with meticulously tended gardens, wildflower-strewn woodlands, a pond, a water mill, a railroad-themed garden and scenic views of the St. Joseph River. Spring brings vibrant blooms, including daffodils, tulips, fragrant herbs and wild cherry blossoms. Birds return for the warmer months, filling the air with cheerful chirps and melodious songs. Several trails wind through the property, showcasing rare, endangered and threatened plant species. After your hike, enjoy a farm-to-table meal and craft farmhouse beer at River Saint Joe just up the road.

Fred Russ Forest Park | Decatur

This park along Dowagiac Creek offers eight miles of trails through some of Southwest Michigan’s oldest forests. Enjoy hiking, morel mushroom hunting, birdwatching, paddling, horseback riding and fishing in the Class A trout stream. The relatively flat trails accommodate those with mobility needs. As you cross the bridge connecting the east and west sides of the park, keep an eye out for non-venomous snakes basking in the sun.

Galien River County Park | New Buffalo

The Galien River County Park offers a unique hiking experience with a 300-ft. canopy walkway leading to a 60-ft.-high marsh overlook. Additionally, there is a 600-ft.-high boardwalk to a fishing platform along the river. Early morning and evening are the best times to spot turtles, waterfowl and deer. The park features both ADA-accessible boardwalks and a 1.4-mile non-ADA dirt trail through wooded areas and ravines.

Grand Mere State Park | Stevensville

This hidden Lake Michigan gem features quiet woodlands, rolling dunes and a stunning shoreline. In the spring, lupines, violets and wild geraniums add vibrant color, while bird-watchers thrill at spying raptors, shorebirds and songbirds as they migrate through the area.

Harbor Shores Nature & Fitness Trail System | Benton Harbor

This 12-mile trail system winds through a championship-level golf course, bringing you up close to wetlands and dunes. Follow the trail down the dune to Jean Klock Park on the Lake Michigan shore and walk out to the historic North Pier Lighthouses for a tour. Bridges connect the trails, providing peaceful walks along the Paw Paw River. The six loops offer easy access to food and beverage stops and the culturally exciting Benton Harbor Arts District. Early mornings are best for spotting wildlife and in late April, blossoming trees and returning shorebirds enhance the experience.

John and Dede Howard Family Recreational Trail | St. Joseph

This paved, multi-use urban trail offers a scenic 2.5-mile route along the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan, perfect for walking, jogging or biking. It’s accessible, family-friendly and well-lit in the evening which makes it ideal for a leisurely spring outing from dawn to sunset.

Love Creek County Park & Nature Center | Berrien Center

This 200-acre park features six miles of hiking trails and 3.5 miles of mountain biking trails through beech-maple forests rich with spring wildflowers. Bird-watchers can spot diverse species in the trees and wetlands. Leashed dogs are welcome. Fat tire bike rentals are available and trail conditions are frequently updated on Love Creek Nature Center’s Facebook page.

Madeline Bertrand County Park | Niles

This picturesque park along the St. Joseph River features a mile-long loop through pine and oak forests leading to a river bluff observation tower. Enjoy hiking, bicycling, a challenging 18-hole disc golf course and spring picnics.

Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve | Covert

Coastal plain marshes are rare in the Great Lakes region; they are typically found only along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This preserve features five miles of trails winding through some of the finest coastal plain marshes in Michigan. Keep an eye out for amphibians, reptiles and elusive mammals like red foxes and coyotes, as well as over 100 bird species nesting in the area’s shrubs and trees.

Sarett Nature Center | Benton Harbor

Ask locals where you should go for an outdoor adventure and most will recommend this wonderful nature center. It features eight miles of trails meandering through its 1000 acres. Hike along the Paw Paw River bluffs for great views of the river valley below. Follow the boardwalks to observation platforms in the floodplain to see spring awakening in the wetlands. Watch for wildlife emerging from their habitats in the wet forests, cattail marshes, shrub carrs and even a unique alkaline wetland called a fen. Sign up for guided birdwatching hikes to spot some of the over 300 bird species that call this preserve home. See it all without getting your feet wet!

Warren Dunes State Park | Sawyer

Along Lake Michigan’s southeastern shore, Warren Dunes State Park is a premier hiking destination. It features some of the region’s highest dunes, dense woodlands, miles of beach to walk and plenty of parking, along with panoramic views. Trails wind through diverse ecosystems, offering insights into the ecological processes shaping the dunes. It’s a favorite spot for hiking with leashed dogs on marked trails and a designated beach. Climb the dunes for breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, where Lake Michigan mirrors the colors of the sky. On clear days, you might even see Chicago’s skyline across the lake. And don’t forget the best part — running down the dunes for an exhilarating finish to your hike!

Warren Woods State Park | Three Oaks

Step into Michigan’s last virgin beech-maple forest. The spring months offer a chance to see trilliums blanketing the forest floor. This serene hike is a favorite among bird-watchers and wildlife photographers.

Take the Trails Challenge & Win Rewards

Join the Southwest Michigan Trails Challenge! Download the Visit Southwest Michigan app, hike five trails and submit selfies at each trailhead to earn prizes.

Essential Spring Hiking Tips

Dress in Layers: Spring weather can be unpredictable. Bring extra layers, especially for early morning hikes.
Pack Essentials: Water, snacks, sunscreen, a phone and a first aid kit are must-haves.
Check Trail Conditions: Springtime means melting snow, mud and swollen streams. Be prepared for varying terrain.
Watch for Ticks: Stick to designated trails, wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellent.
Respect Wildlife: Admire animals from a distance —especially baby animals born in the spring.

Stay & Explore More

After a day of hiking, extend your stay! Explore Southwest Michigan’s arts scene, enjoy local restaurants serving farm-to-table dishes or sip craft beverages on the Makers Trail. Spring is also when you can take a scenic drive through blooming orchards and vineyards and breathe in the sweet fragrances. Book a stay at lodgings with the amenities and rates you want and wake up refreshed for another outdoor adventure.

Book Your Spring Stay

Plan Your Next Hike

Download our Hiking & Biking Trail Guide and Paddling Guide to plan even more outdoor excursions. Where will your next steps take you? Happy hiking!

Fun, Affordable Family Spring Break Ideas

March 14, 2025 St. Joseph Blog

Spring break is just around the corner! Your family is ready to ditch their routine and focus on fun, but you’re on a budget. It’s not a problem — head to Southwest Michigan and invite the cousins or friends to join in.

Here are some exciting, budget-friendly ways to spend your break together.

Embrace the Great Outdoors

Goodbye, snow — hello, sunshine! It’s time to step outside and enjoy spring.

Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park | Vandalia

Hike or bike on serene trails, play a round of disc golf, search for signs of spring in the woods or stargaze on March 28 and 29 at one of Michigan’s International Dark Sky Parks.

Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve | Niles

This 105-acre preserve in Niles boasts ten distinct ecosystems. Spend the day walking along scenic trails surrounded by wildflowers and ferns. Kids will love watching birds at the feeders and spotting frogs and tadpoles in the pond. If you have high school-aged teens, check out Fernwood’s Spring Break Learning Experiences.

Love Creek County Park | Berrien Center

Hike through scenic wooded trails, spot wildlife, explore the nature center or try fat-tire biking for a fun outdoor adventure.

Madeline Bertrand County Park | Niles

A local favorite in Niles, this park features hiking and biking trails through serene pine and oak forests. You can also play disc golf on the 18-hole course or enjoy a laid-back family picnic.

Sarett Nature Center | Benton Harbor

Explore miles of scenic trails through diverse ecosystems at this Benton Harbor nature center. Families will love participating in the Big Tree Hunt — ask for a brochure in the Nature Center. Also, bring along field guides so you can identify the emerging wildflowers and the migrating birds returning with the warmer weather.

Warren Dunes State Park | Sawyer

Climb towering dunes for panoramic Lake Michigan views, embark on nature hikes, catch a glimpse of Chicago across the lake and enjoy a picnic among budding spring flora. Families love hunting for unique rocks and beach glass along the shoreline.

Discover Spring Hiking

Play & Discover Indoors

If spring showers pop up or you want to play inside, there are fun ways to have a blast indoors!

Curious Kids’ Museum & Discovery Zone | St. Joseph

Choose between two fantastic locations — or visit both! The newly renovated Curious Kids’ Museum along the bluff features hands-on learning fun, from face painting and giant block building to playing with bubbles and sliding down a volcano.

Just below the bluff at Silver Beach Center, the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone offers interactive exhibits for toddlers to pre-teens, including the Lake Michigan water table, the 25-foot lighthouse tower, Toddler Beach (specifically for ages 4 and under), a traveling exhibit and Recollections, a dance movement exhibit your kids won’t want to leave.

Silver Beach Carousel | St. Joseph

While at Silver Beach Center, hop on the Silver Beach Carousel. With 48 hand-carved and painted figures and two chariots — including a wheelchair-accessible option — every ride is magical. The Carousel House also offers free or low-cost activities like hula hoops, board games and a mesmerizing model train display that changes seasonally.

JLN Creative Art Studio | Stevensville

This studio believes art is for ages! Join a family-friendly painting session or register for the spring break camp.

Krasl Art Center | St. Joseph

Visit this spring break for a creative and inspiring experience. Explore thought-provoking exhibits or go on the outdoor public art scavenger hunt around Southwest Michigan. Check their website for upcoming classes and free family nights and family days for ways to encourage creative expression over your break.

The Little Things Play Café | St. Joseph

This cozy indoor playground features comfy couches, delicious gourmet coffee and engaging play areas for little ones. While you relax, let the kids climb unique wooden structures and explore imaginative play zones.

Nardo’s Pizza | St. Joseph

Need an idea for entertaining your older children and adults? It’s tough to beat this downtown pizzeria’s combination of an arcade game room and piping-hot Detroit-style and hand-tossed pizzas topped the way you like them.

Slackers Family Fun Center & Laser Tag | St. Joseph

This is a great choice for an action-packed indoor experience. It offers bounce houses, laser tag, a laser maze and arcade games. It’s an affordable way to spend an afternoon, rain or shine.

Water Street Glassworks | Benton Harbor

A must-visit in the Benton Harbor Arts District, Water Street Glassworks offers classes in glass and metal arts. Try making mosaics, fused glass, beads, jewelry or sun catchers. Or watch the expert glassblowers at work.

Indulge in Sweet Treats

No spring break is complete without a few sweet splurges.

Caruso’s Candy & Soda Fountain | Dowagiac

Some places never grow old when it comes to family fun. This sweet shop has been using the same recipes and time-honored techniques for generations. Let your kids taste great-grandpa’s favorite old-fashioned ice cream soda flavor or try a handmade phosphate. Indulge in a bag of chocolate-covered pretzels and Oreos, chocolate-covered marshmallows or a box of handcrafted chocolates. Everything is yummy.

Kilwins Ice Cream – Fudge – Chocolate Shoppe | St. Joseph

This downtown confectionary is famous for its handmade fudge, ice cream and chocolates. It delights everyone who steps inside for an irresistible treat. You will be warmly welcomed every time (and yes, you can ask to sample the ice cream before you make your final choice). Your kids will enjoy watching them make the fudge on the cold marble tables, too.

Oink’s Dutch Treat | New Buffalo

Who says ice cream is just a summer treat? Not anyone we know. This charming ice cream and frozen yogurt shop has made families happy since 1987 with flavors like Cotton Candy Twist, Yellow Cake Batter, Michigan Pothole, Marion Blackberry and Mackinac Island Fudge. Add sprinkles and the smiles get even bigger. The shop’s whimsical pig and ice cream memorabilia add to the fun.

Sweet On Elm | Three Oaks

Three Oaks may not be a big town, but it’s BIG on sweets! Come on in for hand-dipped ice cream, nostalgic candies, small-batch gourmet fudge and decadent chocolates — all from a family that wants to help you have the best spring break ever. Before you leave with a bag of goodies, take a selfie in front of the candy-filled mural and add it to your 10 Murals Challenge stops.

Veni’s Sweet Shop | Niles

Veni’s chocolatiers are immensely proud of their Old World traditions, which have been handed down for over 100 years. Everything is made from scratch using the freshest ingredients such as sweet cream butter, pure oils and extracts and cane sugar. You will love Veni’s meltaways, caramels, toffees and almond butter crunch.

Join Our Free Family-Friendly Challenges

Make your spring break even more exciting with Southwest Michigan’s three challenges for the whole family. These interactive adventures encourage you to explore local art, nature and culture while earning fun rewards.

The Creative Connections Challenge brings you face-to-face with the region’s talented artists, musicians and performers. Attend live theater and concerts, visit art galleries, take art classes and explore interactive museums while collecting stamps in your Creative Connections brochure. Stay overnight in one of our participating hotels and you’ll score a bonus prize, too!

You won’t need any encouragement to get outside when you feel Southwest Michigan’s warm spring breezes. But the Trails Challenge gives you an added incentive — prizes! Just take a photo at five different trailheads, upload them to the Visit Southwest Michigan app and claim your rewards! You can do what your family enjoys most — hiking, biking or paddling.

For a colorful twist on Southwest Michigan adventuring, take the free Murals Challenge and find the vibrant wall art decorating Southwest Michigan’s towns. Snap selfies in front of 10 different murals, check in using the app and earn a prize while learning the stories told with these larger-than-life art pieces.

Over spring break, whether you choose one challenge or tackle all three, you’ll make unforgettable memories while collecting unique keepsakes. It’s rain-or-shine fun!

Plan Your Spring Break in Southwest Michigan

As you plan your trip, check out upcoming events happening during your visit. Southwest Michigan packs spring break with kids’ activities, concerts and performances!

But Southwest Michigan is more than a nearby day trip destination. You can effortlessly fill more days with much-needed time together enjoying our kid-friendly dining options and budget-friendly hotels featuring indoor pools, game rooms and suites. Let’s play soon!

Book Your Spring Break Stay

Start doing Southwest Michigan’s Winter bucket list

November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 St. Joseph Blog

Say so long to your couch, and start crossing off this bucket list of ideas before the spring thaw. Then, return each winter until you finish. Your happy memories will pile faster than snowflakes on a snow day.

When to come for the most winter fun

The same Lake Michigan that makes our warm weather months so popular also creates a winter wonderland. Our annual lake effect snowfall ranges from 80 inches near the lake and 60 inches inland.

The snowiest weeks are from late January through February. The snow removal crews clear our major highways and roads whenever the fluffy flakes fall. Our winter temperatures are rarely frigid. They average in the low to mid-30 degrees Fahrenheit — just right for playing outside!

A dozen ways to have fun

1. Take an enchanting Light Up the Bluff walk

This is an easy way to start checking off your bucket list. From downtown St. Joseph’s State Street, a quick walk west will lead you to a stunning sight. In Lake Bluff Park, there are over one million lights. Stroll under arches, past lighted trees, holiday-themed characters and around the illuminated Maids of the Mist fountain.

If you prefer, drive slowly along Lake Boulevard and take in the magical world. The lights brighten nights from early December through mid-February. Then tour around Southwest Michigan to see more December lights displays.

2. Scatter joy with cherished gifts

Whether shopping for loved ones or yourself, you can find heartfelt gifts in Southwest Michigan. There are many good options for December holidays, winter birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s, Leap Year Day, or to beat the winter blues.

3. Sled or snowboard down giant dunes

Wow! The views of Lake Michigan are spectacular at the top of the towering dunes at Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer. It’s a calorie burner climbing up, but oh, the thrill of flying down. An adrenaline rush for all ages, it’s free with a state park recreation passport. Watch this video to see what fun awaits.

4. Cross-country skiing in wine country

This is one of the premier winemaking regions in the Midwest and there are so many places to cross-country ski or snowshoe near the snow-covered vineyards. A unique bucket list must-do is sipping craft beverages while skiing or snowshoeing on Mt. Tabor Trails between Round Barn Estate and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant.

Don’t have skis? Several county parks offer rentals and lantern-lit night skiing is an amazing way to see the stars. Here are the best places to ski and snowshoe.

5. Give your fat tire bike a snowy workout

You don’t have to be a white-knuckle, bone-jarring fat tire cyclist to click this idea off your bucket list. Southwest Michigan has extreme rides and first-timer and intermediate trails.

One trail for experienced bikers is Chikaming Township Park & Preserve in Three Oaks. Combining the three scenic loops, you can ride a total of six miles of twisting single track. There are quick climbs, logs, and bridges to keep you craving the next thrill. Try these mountain and fat tire bike trails.

6. Skate through your visit

Once temperatures drop below freezing, the outdoor ice rinks fire up their Zambonies. St. Joseph, Harbert, and South Haven offer public skating, private ice reservations, and skate rentals. You can also skate year-round at the St. Joseph Garden Ice Arena.

If you don’t want to lace up skates, you can have a wildly fun time zipping around Garden’s rink in an ice bumper car ramming into your family’s and friends’ cars. Here’s a list of our best ice skating destinations.

7. Earn cool prizes, tasting craft beverages

Download this year’s Makers Trail Flight Crew Passport, then, taste your way through several of the area’s over 40 local wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries. The more you visit before May 31, the more Passport access codes you can scan and the more cool prizes you can earn. It’s a fun way to discover new favorite beverages, too, on the Makers Trail.

8. Dine in an igloo

Enjoy winter activities at our Makers Trail spots. Have fun in cozy igloos with pretty lights, sit by fire pits, or relax in heated tents during festivals. Dablon Vineyards & Winery made USA Today’s 10 best list for top tasting rooms in the United States. What better place to try exceptional estate wine than in a private igloo watching the snow gently fall onto the vineyard? Then, visit these winter tasting experiences nearby.

9. Become a River Rocks champion

River Rocks is an exclusive shuffleboard-on-ice game at River St. Joe Farmstead Brewery. Using a broom you push the curling stone “rocks” down one of three chiller-cooled ice lanes towards a target underneath the ice. Anyone can play but only one person or team can claim being champion.

10. Slide down a volcano

Climb up a volcano and slide down its side like lava … then, quickly move before the next eruption! This is one of dozens of hands-on learning exhibits you can explore at St. Joseph’s Curious Kids’ Museum along the top of the bluff or Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone in the Silver Beach Center below the bluff. The next day, pick one of these family vacation ideas to do.

11. Ride a hippocampus

Jazz up your bucket list with something extraordinary. Instead of choosing a horse figure on the Silver Beach Carousel — go for the hippocampus, raptor or clown fish. There are 48 hand-carved and painted figures and two chariots to pick from, including one chariot that is wheelchair accessible.

Another fun bucket list idea is to challenge yourself to ride all 50 in your lifetime.

12. Sing along or laugh uproariously

If your idea of entertainment is passively watching streaming shows or listening to recorded music, add live performances to your winter bucket list. The Acorn in Three Oaks features incomparable talent performing rock, folk, indie, jazz, opera, open mics, dance, drama, and comedy in a turn-of-the-century former corset stay factory. Or thoroughly enjoy more great entertainment while earning artsy prizes, play the Creative Connections game.

Stay over to complete more on your bucket list

A day trip to Southwest Michigan can certainly knock two to three things off your winter bucket list. But staying over for a night or more lets you wake up to finish even more. Easily find a hotel with the amenities and rates you want, including waterfront views and being a snowball’s throw from many of these bucket list ideas. Warm smiles will greet you each time you walk through the door.

Book your room

Double your fall color tour fun: Nature + Makers Trail

September 4, 2024October 1, 2024 St. Joseph Blog

Many places in Michigan focus their fall color experiences on the dramatic changes in leaf colors. But in Southwest Michigan, you can see and taste another autumn color show on our Makers Trail — glasses filled with amber, russet, garnet, purple, and rose wines, beers, ciders, and cocktails.

EARN COOL PRIZES THIS FALL SIPPING AND HIKING

To create a fall getaway that is twice as much fun, we have paired several of our more colorful nature trails with nearby Makers Trail destinations. Even more exciting is that you can earn rewards by simultaneously taking the Makers Trail Passport Challenge with the Southwest Michigan Trails Challenge. Download the Visit Southwest Michigan app from the App Store or Google Play and start bringing home prizes.

Here are some suggested combinations — you can mix and match them to fit your itinerary.

MT. TABOR TRAILS + ROUND BARN ESTATE AND TABOR HILL WINERY & RESTAURANT

Mt. Tabor Trails in Buchanan is an entirely different tasting adventure provided by the Moersch Hospitality Group. The 3.5 miles of trails wind through woods and vineyards between Round Barn Estate and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant.

Before you set out on the easy, intermediate, or tougher trail — taste the wines, beers, or cocktails at one of these sites. Then, purchase a glass of your favorite beverage to sip as you hike to the other winery destination. Bring along your children and leashed pets. You’ll toast fall’s beauty all along the way!

LOVE CREEK COUNTY PARK + LEMON CREEK WINERY & FRUIT FARM

Love Creek County Park in Berrien Springs offers six miles of hiking trails through various habitats, including a colorful, mature beech-maple forest that is gorgeous in autumn. You can take your outdoor time to a high-calorie burn by renting one of the park’s mountain bikes to explore the 3.5 miles of beginner/intermediate biking trails.

Then take a 15-minute scenic drive to Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farm. This is one of our area’s pioneer fruit growers and winemakers dating back 160 years! Choose from dozens of vintages ranging from dry reds to bubbly champagnes. Then browse the farm market for just-harvested produce to add to your fall meals or go into the orchards or vineyards to pick apples and grapes. Now that’s eating fresh!

MADELINE BERTRAND COUNTY PARK, RIVERFRONT PARK OR INDIANA-MICHIGAN RIVER VALLEY TRAIL + IRON SHOE DISTILLERY AND NILES BREWING COMPANY

Niles offers an urban and countryside trail system to hike or bike, much of it showcasing the St. Joseph River. Choose from the Madeline Bertrand County Park on the outskirts, the downtown Riverfront Park, and the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail that will eventually connect Niles with Mishawaka, IN. There are many miles of scenery to enjoy before the trail is completed.

While in downtown Niles, sip and dine at the Iron Shoe Distillery or Niles Brewing Company. Iron Shoe distills every spirit onsite and serves up delicious Angus beef burgers plus tasty vegan and vegetarian entrees. Niles Brewing Company encourages you to bring in food from local restaurants to enjoy with their unique craft beers, creative cocktails, and a full-service bar. Both locations cater to anyone who joins you on your fall color tour.

FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN + RIVER ST. JOE BREWERY

Fernwood is a crown jewel nature destination in Berrien County. It is on the St. Joseph River in Niles near Buchanan. Easily fill two hours walking and hiking the miles of trails, visiting a reconstructed prairie, an arboretum, and an array of gardens full of autumn’s glory. Stop in the gallery and gift shop before heading to River St. Joe, one of the newest breweries on the Makers Trail. It’s one of those rare places you can connect with the land —the beer and food taste extra delicious on the farm.

River St. Joe brews farmhouse ales; generously hopped beers made with homegrown hops; sour, wild, and mixed culture beers; refreshingly crisp, clean, and low ABV quenchers; tasty no-proof beverages, botanical elixirs, and more. A seasonal menu showcases just how flavorful locally sourced, organic ingredients taste. Outside, they temporarily convert their winter River Rocks rink to a fall bocce court, so come ready to challenge your family, friends, or the people sitting next to you. It’s that kind of place.

MCCOY’S CREEK TRAIL + LEHMAN’S BREWERY & FARMHOUSE

This trail can be accessed at 121 S. Oak St. or 209 Schirmer Parkway, Buchanan. It displays many fall colors in the downtown, Spafford Woods and E.B. Clark Woods. The paved trail is accessible to bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, and leashed pets. The Duck Pond is a popular resting and picnic point on the trail.

Lehman’s Orchard Brewery & Farmhouse is about a minute’s drive from the trail’s east end. Come by for their craft beers, wines, ciders, whiskey, gin, brandies, and cocktails. The Taproom serves a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and desserts. The homemade apple dumplings and pie feature fruit grown in their Niles orchard. Yum!

GALIEN RIVER COUNTY PARK + GHOST ISLE BREWERY

The Galien River County Park near New Buffalo traverses wetlands along the river. Take the 300-foot Canopy Walkway for a treetop view of autumn’s beauty. The walkway leads to a 60-foot-high Marsh Overlook Tower and a 600-foot-long Marsh Boardwalk that brings you to a platform for river viewing and fishing. This trail is great for seeing wildlife — the best times are early morning and late afternoon.

Ghost Isle Brewery is a short drive from the trail and offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating with spectacular views of the Louis J. Sima Great Lakes Marsh wetlands. The brewery boasts a unique 10-barrel steam-powered brew house, with serving tanks behind the bar to supply fresh craft beer in pints and growlers year-round. The family-friendly restaurant serves up a delicious assortment of tasty pub-style food. Their full bar features Ghost Isle’s craft brews along with choices of wines, spirits, and specialty craft cocktails.

Outside, the deck is perfect for relaxing and taking in the breathtaking scenery. Don’t forget to ask about the intriguing history of “Ghost Island,” which sits to the west of the brewery.

WARREN DUNES STATE PARK + BRIDGMAN BREWERIES

Warren Dunes State Park near Sawyer is a gateway to Michigan’s amazing landscape. Open year-round, fall amplifies the beauty of the magnificent dunes rising as high as 260 feet above Lake Michigan. The park has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests and dunes, plus a dog-designated beach.

Within 10 minutes of the park, in nearby Bridgman, you try some of the best craft beers in the Midwest. Haymarket Taproom offers brews and wood-fired pizzas that will top your favorites list. There’s indoor and outdoor seating with an option to sit by a fire outside when fall temperatures bring out the sweaters and fleeces.

Transient is a fantastic place to try artisan ales, but keep checking the tap list as their selection changes so you can return and try something new.

JOHN & DEDE HOWARD FAMILY RECREATIONAL TRAIL + DOWNTOWN ST. JOSEPH WINERIES & A BREWERY

The John & Dede Howard Family Recreational Trail is one of the best ways to see St. Joseph. A good place to start is below the bluff at the end of Lions Park Drive. Walk under a colorful canopy of hardwood trees to Park Street, then along Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River. From the river, follow State Street through the harvest decorations downtown to the tree-lined, Victorian-era neighborhoods. Dogs are welcome on leashes.

Quench your thirst at several places downtown, including in their outdoor social district. You are always within a few steps of the next winery or brewery. Baroda Founders Tasting Room serves classic varieties from fruit-flavored wines to decadent dessert wines infused with chocolate. Lazy Ballerina Winery introduces you to batch wines inspired by family recipes in a relaxing, don’t-take-yourself-seriously setting. Before you leave, find out why it is called Lazy Ballerina.

White Pine Winery specializes in aromatic whites like Riesling and Pinot Gris and fruit-driven reds like Syrah and Merlot.

For craft beer and tasty flatbreads, handhelds, and vegetarian options — head to Silver Harbor Brewing Company behind the U.S. Post Office. Order a flight to discover your favorite brew to fill a glass or growler. But don’t miss their one-of-a-kind fall experience — try a glass of their Kumbaya Brown Ale. They inject hickory smoke into a glass chamber and bring it table-side to infuse your brew. It’s like a fall campfire, only tasty.

HARBOR SHORES NATURE & FITNESS TRAIL + NORTH PIER BREWING COMPANY, HILL DISTRICT OR THE LIVERY

Check out the fall colors along the nearly 12-mile Harbor Shores Nature & Fitness Trail system in Benton Harbor. These hiking/biking trails take you through the Harbor Shores Golf Course, along the Paw Paw River, across wetlands, and up the dunes for a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan. These fall views were designed for championship golfers and you. The river is a favorite for kayaking, too.

Three nearby Benton Harbor establishments make your autumn hike well worth it! North Pier Brewing Company can be accessed from the trail. Enjoy hoppy IPAs and Belgian-style ales in their taproom or outdoor beer garden. Across the street Hill District offers modern BBQ cuisine with beautifully presented smoked meats and upscale pub favorites, complemented by a fresh cocktail menu and handcrafted North Pier brews. The Livery is located in the heart of the Benton Harbor Arts District. Locals and travelers alike return again and again for their 18 taps of hand-forged beers, hard ciders, homemade pretzel bits, and specialty pizzas. You will, too.

PAW PAW RIVER COUNTY PARK + ARCLIGHT BREWING COMPANY OR MOONRISE WINERY

One of Berrien County’s newest parks is the Paw Paw River County Park in Watervliet. It shines as a place for people of all abilities to use the paved trail to reach the fishing spot and accessible kayak launch on the river. The colorful leaves will lift your spirits.

From this downtown county park, you are just minutes from Arclight Brewing Company and Moonrise Winery. Arclight is your destination for lagers, stouts, sour ales, hard-iced coffees, fruit shakes, and craft sodas. Check their website for the food truck schedule.

Moonrise is one of the area’s newest wineries. Owners Tom and Karen Zabadal invite you to taste their thirteen wines made with love, patience, and passion.

STAY OVER FOR THE BEST FALL GETAWAYS

With so many trails to hike and Makers Trail stops to enjoy, plan to stay over at least one night. To enhance your visit even more, see what festivals and events are happening while you are here. There is always more fall beauty and locally crafted beverages to enjoy tomorrow!

Sleep then leaf jump