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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.

5 Can’t-Miss Shops in the Grand Haven Area

July 17, 2024July 24, 2024 Grand Haven Blog

With Summer in full swing, it’s the best time of the year to explore the shops in the Grand Haven Area. With over 60 different stores, there’s bound to be something just for you. Gift shops, specialty foods/drinks, combined with lots of local art options to carry memories for a lifetime await! Well, we’ve put together a list just for you, and anyone who happens to find themselves in the Coast Guard City, USA.

Here are 5 can’t-miss shops in the Grand Haven Area:

1. Blueberry Haven

This shop in downtown Grand Haven smells as good as it sounds. Established in 2007 and inserted to downtown Grand Haven in 2011, they’ve paid homage to West Michigan’s blueberry roots. Your nose will whiff an amazing blueberry aura after you see a dazzling display of all kinds of blueberry products like jams, spreads, sauces, soaps, and snacks! If that all sounds delicious, then consider a gift box, which is one of their most popular options for buying their products. The cherry on top is their wonderful staff which is very friendly and knowledgeable about their locally grown and produced blueberry goodies. Blueberry Haven is perfect for treating yourself or getting a gift for someone. Make sure to stop by, they’re open every day!

2. Gallery Uptown

Located in downtown Grand Haven, Gallery Uptown is the oldest artist-operated gallery shop in the state. Award-winning artists from all over the area showcase their work in the gallery, and each month, a themed show featuring new work by gallery members and invited guests is exhibited. Viewing or admiring the work may be a good excursion for visitors, as it’s free to go look at the art and see what this areas’ artists have to offer. If you look to shop, you can buy original art, unique little trinkets, and many more knick-knacks to remember your time in the beautiful Grand Haven Area.

3. Grand Harvest Bread Co.

Served with a side of purpose, the baked goods from Grand Harvest Bread Co. aim to be the best you’ve ever tasted. We couldn’t agree more! They’re locally owned and community-focused, and have been stunning the taste buds of locals and visitors for years. Once that amazing smell of bread fills your nose as you approach the front desk, you can even try a free slice of fresh warm bread to see if you like the taste just as much. They’re known to serve flavorful bread that’s warmed to perfection, along with cinnamon rolls and cookies! So stop by, eat inside or continue on your journey through downtown Grand Haven with a loaf of bread in hand.

4. J-Dubs Market and Wine Shop

J-Dubs Market and Wine Shop may be the perfect place for you, with their premium selection of wine, craft beer, and charcuterie that’ll leave your taste buds more than satisfied. Their customer service is also top-notch, able to help anyone find their perfect wine no matter their experience with drinking it. If wine is not for you, you can immerse yourself into the local and nationally renowned craft beers. Not into beer? Well, the charcuterie is chock-full of flavor, filling guests’ appetites as needed like a perfect pit stop on their walk. They also offer gift baskets that could be a perfect fit for your special someone! Consider stopping by if you venture through center!

5. Marushka

If you’re looking for a whimsical and artsy shop in the Grand Haven Area, look no further than Marushka! This unique shop has original art made into wearable clothing, house decor, textiles, and more! You’ll find themes related to the Grand Haven Area and the beach town vibes in their products, acting as a memory after you buy them. They’re also good for the environment with the use of earth-friendly/water-based inks for their hand-printed items. This shop has great uniquely memorable items made by local artists, so you’d be supporting more than just Marushka. Add this to your itinerary!

In Closing

This is just a sampling of what the Grand Haven Area has to offer for shops, but make sure to check these out. They’re located in the downtown area and so close to other great shops. We hope to see you exploring the downtown area this summer!

Harvest Holland This Fall

August 4, 2023August 21, 2023 Holland Blog

What do watercolor windmills, running shoes, geodes, and muskets have in common? September in Holland!

Kick off the first month of fall at the Art on the Island Gala. Enjoy free admission to Windmill Island Gardens, vote for your favorite artistic rendition, and even purchase a piece you love to take home. Next up, the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8k. Pick your distance and race along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. For precious stones, be sure to check out the 53^rd Tulip City Gem and Mineral Show, and to relive the Battle of Gettysburg, don’t miss the Van Raalte Farm Civil War Muster. Finish the month with a tour around the world at International Festival.

Fall Fest

Fall Fest comes to downtown Holland the first weekend in October. Experience the historic city center decked out with corn stalks and hay bales and buzzing with activities. Witness giant pumpkins getting carved, medium-sized pumpkins sculpted into captivating displays, and mini pumpkins painted by your kids at the farmers market. Then, marvel at street performers and a windmill-side artisan market. When the sun sets, procure a harvest-themed beverage and admire all the flickering jack-o’-lanterns.

(For more fall fun, why not do some leaf peeping as you explore vineyards, orchards, and breweries following the Handcrafted Passport?)

Day of the Dead

Whether you honor your ancestors, dress up to scare away ghouls, or just like gathering candy, Holland has an event for you on October 28^th.
From 10 til noon, littles dressed in ghost and Barbie costumes will converge on downtown Holland to Trick or Treat along 8^th Street. Then, it’s onto the Holland Armory for music, dance, and art in celebration of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Finally, after the kiddos are down for naps, adults can head back downtown for Taps and Treats to sample Halloween sweets perfectly paired with a stout or IPA companion.

A Cornucopia of Musical Adventures

There’s a harvest of music in Holland this fall. The Park Theatre hosts the most with a packed line-up of tribute bands ranging from Elton Rohn to Fooz Fighters, performances by popular regional bands, and the annual ParktoberFest.

Classical music afficionados will flock to Hope College’s Great Performance Series with its Grammy-winning jazz, chamber ensembles, and harpist who mixes old with new tunes. Also amazing, Holland Symphony Orchestra’s autumn performances feature Brahms and a piano tribute to the planets, and the Holland Museum hosts a musical evening about Idlewild, Holland’s “Black Eden.”

Parading into the Next Season

Holland loves a parade and hosts SEVEN each year, three in the fall. The Labor Day Truck Parade features rumbling trucks, free ice cream, and giveaways. For more big rigs, the Fire Truck Parade kicks off Fire Safety Week with 50 fire trucks rolling down 8th Street. To wrap up November and usher in the holidays, the Parade of Lights has 75 floats plus (more) trucks, antique cars, walkers, and marching bands all decked out in thousands of sparking lights. What a way to escort Santa into downtown Holland!

Pick a season, any season, and there’s always something happening in Holland. Check out what’s on for today, tomorrow, and even next year at the Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s calendar of events.