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!
ers push the boundary of flavor combinations and end up being distributed far beyond just Michigan. On top of that, the bar is welcoming and viewing their tap list from online or inside is a piece of cake. As well as being located in the first block of Washington Street by the
even wine! Not only are the drinks splendid, but its proximity to Grand Haven favorites like the 
their honorable handcrafted beer, you’ll feel at home and more than likely make a new friend in the wonderful community. Being in 
farmland, combining the two communities together. They pride themselves in keeping the Coopersville down-to-earth, roll-up-your-sleeves values, but also aim high for locals and visitors alike. With a passion for serving their community, you can be sure that you’ll receive a great-tasting beer and excellent service to boot. If you find yourself in Coopersville for one of their many events this summer, their brewery definitely deserves a visit before or after!
Dedicated to the Caribbean & Reggae styled taproom, their brewery has served as a place for locals and visitors to enjoy a night out or just to chill. It also doesn’t matter what kind of beer drinker you are as they use their 12 taps to cover all kinds of beer. They stretch from sour ciders, to stouts and porters, to a range of IPA’s. They also host plenty of event nights that you surely won’t find at any other brewery. If you’re visiting and looking for a spirited brewery, Burzurk Brewing Company may be the perfect one!
a Belgium inspired aesthetic to their restaurant that locals and visitors enjoy. Alongside their filling food are their fantastic draft beers, which are surely worth any beer lover’s taste! Slide on over to the East side of Grand Haven during your trip, you won’t be disappointed with what you find!
can’t find anywhere else! On your trip to Grand Haven, it’s a great idea for a date, or for fun with a group of friends. If you’re just getting into trying wine, their helpful staff is able to satisfy your taste buds with a best suited wine for you also! One of the best things about 12 Corners Vineyards is that everything is grown locally, so you’ll know that you’re trying quality wine. If it blows your socks off, they have a wine club you can join that offers all kinds of amenities. If you live in West Michigan and enjoy wine tasting, it’s a great deal!
all the same. As the name suggests, they’re known for their wine, fine dining, and Italian roots that were woven into the restaurant’s creation. Fear not, beer drinkers, as they have 12 taps with a mix of classic options along with 6 seasonal drafts to choose from. This definitely still deserves a stop during your trip, because it will feel like a step into the world of Little Italy. This is a place where both wine and beer lovers can come together and take in all this place has to offer!
over quantity. Stop by on a Friday or Saturday to try their unique wines & ciders at their bar, patio, or lounge! Better yet, plan a visit with a group like your family and friends, as you’ll receive excellent service. Their mission is to make people happy, so whether it’s your first time trying wine or the 100th time, you can be sure you’ll have a great time!
fabulous choice of wines is fridges full of hand-crafted Michigan Beers! Just inserted to their lineup this summer is their new beloved brew, the “Beach Town” IPA! It’s characterized as a great juicy beer with lots of citrus, and has a little bite at 6.7% ABV. Just blocks away from downtown Grand Haven and right next to J&W Food & Spirits, its location is convenient and the products are enticing. And even if you’re not a beer or wine lover yourself, they offer gift baskets which can be a special present to someone close to you. On a stroll through Grand Haven, you’re not going to want to miss trying the beach town IPA!
brewery will be a spot to drop in during a bike ride for one, or an entire group of bikers! Park your bicycle and enjoy a sip of their in-house beer while taking a break. The compact indoors give a relaxing vibe while the outdoor patio delivers fun with games and live music. Perhaps during a busy time of vacationing, consider stopping on your ride to take the edge off. For visitors who like biking, this is a good spot to try a new beer, or if you’re a local, consider their
also be hosting all kinds of events all year long, from cocktail classes to live music. Also, they plan on having specials you won’t want to miss everyday except for Friday. For visitors in the Grand Haven Area, you can’t pass up trying out one of the few New Holland breweries in the world. We can’t wait for it to make its grand entrance into Downtown Grand Haven. 
