Top 10 Autumn Adventures in South Haven

September 3, 2024October 1, 2024 South Haven Blog

South Haven has everything you need to add color to your fall escape! With outstanding lodging options, a thriving downtown retail and food scene, and more outdoor recreation opportunities than many towns twice its size, South Haven is the perfect place to experience the harvest season in Southwest Michigan. Find inspiration for your fall itinerary with the list below, and sign up for our weekly newsletter for updates on the latest happenings and things to do!

1. Explore West Michigan Wine County

Take a tour of area wineries in style with Happy Trails Wine Tours & Limo Service, or chart your own fall excursions into West Michigan wine country with our handy maps of The West Michigan Pike and Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Whether you’re exploring Michigan’s oldest winery in Paw Paw or taking in the fall colors on the patio at Cogdal Vineyards, the area is ripe with opportunities to broaden one’s palate.

2. Wake Up to a Crisp Autumn Morning in the Great Outdoors

Whether you’re seeking cozy cabins nestled in a forest of fiery foliage or an unforgettable glamping weekend complete with spa day, South Haven has the perfect option for your next outdoor retreat. Refresh, unplug, and unwind in nature, explore camping options here!

3. Catch the latest thriller at The Michigan Theatre

Take in the latest flick at The Michigan Theatre in downtown South Haven! Enjoy first-run films with affordable tickets & concession prices at The Michigan Theatre.

Local Tip: Every Monday, all showings are just $4!

4. Explore the Bounty at South Haven Farm Market

Discover autumn’s abundance at the South Haven Farm Market! Located downtown at the Huron Street Pavilion, the freshest produce from local farms is available Saturdays through October 12. Other farm stands include Barden’s Farm Market and Phoenix Farm Market.

5. Go Dutch On Your Next Orchard Outing!

Discover where the world-renowned Red Haven Peach and all other Haven varieties of peaches were born and choose from a wide variety of mouth-watering apples at Dutch Farm Market and Orchard. The bakery and farm market are open 9am – 6pm daily, 7 days a week through October 31.

Local Tip: Apple season in Michigan is from mid-September through mid-October.

6. Have a Pumpkin Martini at Clementine’s

A community staple for over 40 years, Clementine’s is housed in a former bank and filled with nostalgic decor. Make your way to the hand-carved bar where you’ll find folks who stop in each fall for a taste of Clementine’s legendary pumpkin martini! A must try for lovers of all things pumpkin, and available for a limited time.

Local tip: Clementine’s is part of the South Haven Social District. Enjoy your pumpkin martini on a scenic downtown stroll or during events like the South Haven Jazz Fest and New Year’s Eve Celebration!

7. Conquer the Corn Maze at Bumbleberry Acres

Bumbleberry Acres is the perfect place to bring the family for fun on the farm. Not only do they have fresh fruits and vegetables, wagon rides, and a petting zoo, but the corn field transforms into an experience for all to enjoy in the fall. Test your navigation skills while twisting and turning your way out of the cornfield just a few short miles away from the shores of Lake Michigan.

8. Take on the South Haven Pure Michigan Trail Town Challenge

The South Haven Pure Michigan Trail Town Challenge invites adventurers to explore the scenic trails of South Haven, earning points by completing various outdoor activities along the way. Participants can enjoy hiking, biking, and paddling through picturesque landscapes while competing for prizes and the satisfaction of conquering the challenge!

Sign up today, you only have until October 31 to complete the challenge and claim your prize!

9. Trivia at Three Blondes Brewing

Thursday Night Trivia is back at Three Blondes Brewery, offering you the perfect chance to flex your brainpower for bragging rights and prizes! We recommend arriving early—it fills up quickly. Visit anytime for a great sit-down dining experience, or just to pick up a growler of your favorite brew to-go!

10. Take a fall cruise aboard The Lindy Lou

While Friends Good Will shines all summer long as its masts whip in the wind as it sets out for Lake Michigan from the docks of The Michigan Maritime Museum, the Lindy Lou snags the spotlight throughout October with fall color cruises along the Black River.

Bonus: Watch the Fall Sunset Simmer on Lake Michigan!

The day’s activities often take a backseat to the grand finale: sunset. Whether you’re perched along the bluffs or strolling the local beaches, this is the moment when the sky transforms into a stunning canvas of dark reds, bright purples, and everything in between. With over 10 public beaches to choose from, there’s no shortage of spots to witness this nightly spectacle. Make sure you carve out time to catch one of these mesmerizing light shows—it’s a South Haven experience you won’t want to miss.

The Best Beaches in the Grand Haven Area for Your Favorite Activities

August 19, 2024 Grand Haven Blog

The Grand Haven Area is home to many sandy beaches to make memories on. Whether you’re looking for a game of volleyball, a nice hike, some deep relaxation, or family trip with the pup, Grand Haven has the beach for you! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite beaches to go to for sports, relaxation, hiking, dogs, and group gatherings.

Sports:

Grand Haven State Park Beach

Whether playing volleyball with friends or dribbling a basketball around, Grand Haven State Beach has plenty of room and the beachgoers to strike up a game. This is one of the Grand Haven area’s most popular beaches; there is no shortage of friendly visitors who will start a game. The volleyball courts are set up by Memorial Day and stay through summer. For little kids, there is a playground to climb and swings to catch a breeze. Head to the Beach Shop for toys, towels, Grand Haven souvenirs, and camping supplies, or to rent a beach chair. The Shop is open daily from 10AM to 8PM. The Grand Haven State Park Beach is the destination for many sporting events, including Soccer in the Sand and the Grand Haven Beach Vault.

City Beach

The City Beach, located next to the State Park, is also a great place to play. You can always count on someone to bring a spike or soccer ball to kick around. If you don’t want to bring too much, the Surf Shak is conveniently located next to the parking lot and has rentable surf, paddle, and boogie boards. You can also find some beach accessories or a quick bite to eat there. City Beach is home to exciting events like the annual Sand Sculpture Contest, and is a great spot for a friendly game!

Relaxation:

Windsnest Park

This warm, secluded beach is the perfect spot for some relaxation. This sandy escape is just a short walk away from the parking lot, making it an easily accessible hidden gem. The playground and restrooms make it ideal for a family day with the kids. Bring a book and a beach chair to soak in the rays, or enjoy a nice sunset walk. In the off-season, (Labor Day to Memorial Day) leashed dogs are allowed at the beach! Park hours are 9am to 10pm.

Hike:

Olive Shores

This woodsy beach has the perfect trail for you with three routes to choose from.

Take the Beach Access Route straight to the shore.
Hike the Dune Ridge Loop to explore some natural dune formations.
Olive Shores’ Dune Meadow Loop is open to all as a barrier-free trail.

The Lake Michigan shoreline at the end of your hike is the perfect view. Olive Shores opens on April 1 and closes after the first snowfall. Due to the narrow paths, dogs are not allowed at Olive Shores. Fun Fact: Olive Shores was the site of a scene from a Tom Hanks film, “Road to Perdition”!

Rosy Mound Natural Area

The Rosy Mound 0.7-mile-long trail is great for stair lovers! With over 1,000 feet of stairs taking you up and down a classic dune system, you’ll see some beautiful views while getting your steps in. Four trails split and reconnect to take you through forested dunes before arriving at a final Blowout Dune Lookout, where the Lake Michigan coastline stretches as far as the eye can see. Park hours are 7am to 10pm from March through October.

Pups:

Kirk Park

From May to the end of September, your dog can enjoy all the amenities of Kirk Park’s south beach area off-leash! While on-trail they must stay leashed, but the 1.2-mile loop trail offers lots of area to sniff around. Whether in the mood for a beach day or a nature walk, this park and beach offer incredible views. In the off-season, dogs are allowed off-leash on the north and south beaches. Bring a friend for a doggy playdate or the kids to give your dog the time of their life!

Grand Haven City Beach

The Grand Haven City Beach is available to your four-legged friend on-leash before 11am and after 5pm Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the off season, dogs are allowed on-leash at all times. This beautiful beach has a perfect view of the pier and lighthouses. Your dog will have a great time running with you on-leash at this beach! Our favorite way to enjoy the City Beach is by an early morning walk with the sunrise.

Groups:

North Beach Park

North Beach Park has the perfect picnic shelter for your next cookout or get-together. With a large group grill, electrical outlets, and picnic table seating, the covered shelter is a great spot to meet with friends. If you’re looking to meet on a specific date, you can reserve the shelter through the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Department. Nearby, the North Ottawa Dunes have a stairway to the top that offers a panoramic view of Lake Michigan. The dunes, sand volleyball court, and the beach ensure there’ll always be something to do. Dogs are not allowed from May 1 to September 30.

Kouw Park

With a picnic area and shelter, grills, a playground, restrooms, hiking areas, and a beach, Kouw Park is a hidden gem in Port Sheldon that is great for hosting people. Let the kids run free on the play equipment while you start grilling, or plan a nature hike and sit for a picnic afterward. The reservable picnic shelter is the perfect place to hang out while you take a quick break from the beach. Dogs are not permitted from May 1 through September 30. Park hours are March 1 through October 15 – 7am to 10pm; October 16 through February 28 – 7am to 8pm.

Top Things To See & Do This Fall in the Grand Haven Area

August 10, 2023 Grand Haven Blog

The Grand Haven area is famous for its beaches but there is still plenty to see and do in autumn. With many of tree covered parks and trails, the Grand Haven area offers lots of opportunities to take in the fall colors. Here’s our list of the top fall things to see and do in the area!

Hiking
The Grand Haven area is blessed with an amazing system of parks that offer trails through forests, along the rivers, over dunes, and with stunning views of Lake Michigan. Some of our favorite hiking spots are North Ottawa Dunes, Kitchel Lindquist Dunes, Hemlock Crossing, Pine Bend, Grand Ravines, and PJ Hoffmaster State Park.

Biking
With over 100 miles of biking trails in the Grand Haven area, seeing the fall colors via bike is a great option. Popular trails include the Lakeshore Trail from Grand Haven to Holland, the Lakeside Trail along Spring Lake, and the North Bank Trail.

Breweries
Cheers to fall by visiting one of the local breweries in the Grand Haven area. Odd Side Ales, Trail Point Brewing, Grand Armory Brewing, and Burzurk Brewing Co. each offer many different locally made brew options as well as live music.

Geocaching
What’s geocaching? Geocaching is an anytime, anywhere real world adventure. All you need is a GPS or the free Geocaching app on your phone, a free account on Geocaching.com and you’re ready to go! This endless outdoor activity takes you to places near and far to find hidden caches in all shapes and sizes. Once you find one, sign the logbook and return it to its original location. Some caches have items inside of them for trade so its always fun to bring along your own items to trade out for new ones. You never know what you’re going to find on your next geocaching adventure.

Pumpkin Picking
Though the Grand Haven area is known for our beaches, we are home to many farms and u-picks. During the fall, Bethke Farms offers pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze and more.

Farmers Markets
The Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and GVSU-Allendale Campus farmers markets are still in full swing during fall. You can stop by to grab seasonal produce including apples & pumpkins, as well as baked goods, flowers, meats, cheeses, and more.

Paddling
Seeing the fall colors from a kayak along the Grand River, Spring Lake, Pigeon Creek, Pigeon Lake, and Lake Michigan is an amazing experience. You can bring your own kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board – or you can rent one from Lakeshore Kayak Rental. This is also a great way to spot local wildlife including eagles, beavers, otters, Blue Herons, Sand Hill Cranes, turtles, muskrats, fish, deer, and much more!

Birding
Whether you are an avid birder or just desire to experience birds beyond your backyard, Ottawa County Parks & Recreation offers naturalist led birding walks and field trips throughout the fall.

Historic River Road Self Guided Auto Tour
If you are looking to cover a larger area during your fall color tour of the Grand Haven area, then by car is the way to go. Our favorite route to take is the stretch of road from Grand Haven to Eastmanville Bayou and back – known as the Historic River Road. Using the handy guide found on our website or at our Visitors Center, this self-guided auto tour brings you along the original River Road which is oldest byway in Ottawa County and one of the oldest in the state. Numbered signs along the way indicate stops and points of interest that mesh local history with our beautiful riverside and park system.

Surfing & Kiteboarding
We’ve been asked several times over the years if Lake Michigan has big waves…it does! While it doesn’t have a tide like the oceans, when the wind starts blowing we can get some pretty sizable waves here in the Grand Haven area. The fall and winter are the windiest times of the year so it is the perfect time for surfers and kiteboarders to take advantage of the wind and waves.

Fishing
Fall is still an active time for fishing in the Grand Haven area. For a DIY experience, popular spots include Spring Lake, the bayous of the Grand River, and the north pier. To eliminate the guess-work, schedule a trip with a local charter captain. (Plus, they provide all the gear and hottest lures.)

GVSU Football Games
Grand Valley State University is located approximately 20 miles east of downtown Grand Haven and is home to the GVSU Lakers. Cheering on the team at GVSU’s beautiful Allendale campus is a fun fall tradition.

Scenic Overlooks
If you are looking for a unique view of the fall colors but aren’t up for a long hike you can find stunning views atop 5 Mile Hill, from the dune side stairs at North Beach Park, and from the top of the stairs at Rosy Mound Natural Area.

Nature Education Center
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation’s Nature Education Center at Hemlock Crossing Park offers year round seasonal programs, guided hikes, kids activities, a wildlife viewing area and more. You can also find a kayak/canoe launch here! (Once you click link, be sure to refine your search by clicking the Kayak/Canoe Launches.)

Golfing
Golfing at one of the many Grand Haven area golf courses is a great way to take in the fall colors as well as get those last few rounds in before the snow starts flying. Favorite courses include American Dunes Golf Club, Pigeon Creek Golf Course, Evergreen Golf Course, The Meadows at GVSU, Terra Verde Golf Course, and Three Fires Golf Course.

Sunsets
There is no better way to end a fun fall day than with a stunning sunset over Lake Michigan. While we have beautiful sunsets in the summer months, fall sunsets tend to be the most stunning and colorful ones of the entire year. Great places to watch the sunset include Grand Haven State Park, Rosy Mound Natural Area, the north pier, and North Beach Park. To learn more, check out this timeless guest blog post from area photographer Walter Elliott.

Be sure to share your Grand Haven area fall photos and videos with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! #VisitGrandHaven