Drew's Summer Southwest Michigan Guidebook
Food scene
Walking distance from the cottage to great pizza and burgers. Cash only (ATM onsite).
33 locals recommend
DiMaggio's Pizza & Burgers
6410 Michigan 63Walking distance from the cottage to great pizza and burgers. Cash only (ATM onsite).
Want a craft beer with a big burger? Look no further. With dozens of beers on tap, a great atmosphere, and really good food, the Buck is a local favorite in Saint Joseph.
33 locals recommend
Buck Burgers & Brew
412 State StWant a craft beer with a big burger? Look no further. With dozens of beers on tap, a great atmosphere, and really good food, the Buck is a local favorite in Saint Joseph.
An ideal spot for good food at affordable prices. Waterfront dining right on the Saint Joseph River allows you to watch all of the boats passing while enjoying a meal on the patio.
17 locals recommend
Clementines Too
1235 Broad StAn ideal spot for good food at affordable prices. Waterfront dining right on the Saint Joseph River allows you to watch all of the boats passing while enjoying a meal on the patio.
One of the nicer restaurants in the area, this crafty spot offer superb cocktail, amazing entrees, and a lively yet cozy atmosphere.
27 locals recommend
bread+bar
645 Riverview DrOne of the nicer restaurants in the area, this crafty spot offer superb cocktail, amazing entrees, and a lively yet cozy atmosphere.
We love the rooftop patio at 221 Main right downtown Saint Joseph. With view of the water and good food, you cant go wrong here.
14 locals recommend
221 Main - Restaurant & Cocktail House
221 Main StWe love the rooftop patio at 221 Main right downtown Saint Joseph. With view of the water and good food, you cant go wrong here.
Another local favorite with a great rooftop views. Head here for a pre-dinner drink on the rooftop overlooking the water.
48 locals recommend
RyeBelles Restaurant & Bar
518 Broad StAnother local favorite with a great rooftop views. Head here for a pre-dinner drink on the rooftop overlooking the water.
Bob's Barn has it all: great people, delicious desserts and sandwiches! Once you have a taste of their pies you will be addicted! My husband really enjoys the sandwiches. There is an assortment of gourmet treats to fill your pantry. Hop in your car and get there pronto! Yum factor is 100%!
6 locals recommend
Bob's Barn | Farm Market & Bakery
4830 Coloma RdBob's Barn has it all: great people, delicious desserts and sandwiches! Once you have a taste of their pies you will be addicted! My husband really enjoys the sandwiches. There is an assortment of gourmet treats to fill your pantry. Hop in your car and get there pronto! Yum factor is 100%!
Amazing pub off the boardwalk. The food was incredible. Hole in the wall type atmosphere.
23 locals recommend
South Haven Brewpub
515 Williams StAmazing pub off the boardwalk. The food was incredible. Hole in the wall type atmosphere.
I loved this place! Great views of the water, decent prices for the food and their staff was really nice.
31 locals recommend
Idler Riverboat
515 Williams StI loved this place! Great views of the water, decent prices for the food and their staff was really nice.
City/town information
Quaint Michigan beach town. What makes this place special is that the beautiful sandy beaches are within walking distance from the shops and restaurants. Spend the day at the beach, beach vollyeball courts, and concessions, then walk the shops on your way to get an ice cream cone or dinner.
Fun Fact: Whirlpool Corporation is headquartered here (Brands include Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, JennAir & Amana)
94 locals recommend
St. Joseph
Quaint Michigan beach town. What makes this place special is that the beautiful sandy beaches are within walking distance from the shops and restaurants. Spend the day at the beach, beach vollyeball courts, and concessions, then walk the shops on your way to get an ice cream cone or dinner.
Fun Fact: Whirlpool Corporation is headquartered here (Brands include Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, JennAir & Amana)
Another Michigan beach town gem, a must see on your trip to SW Michigan. With sandy beaches, a historic lighthouse, great restaurants, and a plethora of shops; a day trip here will compliment any vacation.
94 locals recommend
South Haven
Another Michigan beach town gem, a must see on your trip to SW Michigan. With sandy beaches, a historic lighthouse, great restaurants, and a plethora of shops; a day trip here will compliment any vacation.
Sightseeing
Only about a mile from the cottage, this beach is the closest and most secluded in the area. Enjoy a quieter atmosphere close to home versus the other more popular beaches in the area
28 locals recommend
Hagar Park/Beach
5408 M-63Only about a mile from the cottage, this beach is the closest and most secluded in the area. Enjoy a quieter atmosphere close to home versus the other more popular beaches in the area
The iconic Silver Beach is a must see when visiting SW Michigan. It offers a concessions stand, beach volleyball courts, a walk on the pier to the light house, as well as easy walkable access to the shops and restaurants.
140 locals recommend
Silver Beach
The iconic Silver Beach is a must see when visiting SW Michigan. It offers a concessions stand, beach volleyball courts, a walk on the pier to the light house, as well as easy walkable access to the shops and restaurants.
Only a handful of miles north on Blue Star highway will lead you to Van Buren State Park in South Haven. This easily accessible beach offers great views, large beach area, and plenty to do in South Haven.
49 locals recommend
Van Buren State Park
23960 Ruggles RdOnly a handful of miles north on Blue Star highway will lead you to Van Buren State Park in South Haven. This easily accessible beach offers great views, large beach area, and plenty to do in South Haven.
One of my favorites if you like a mixture of hiking, dunes, and beach. About a 1 mile direct hike (with lots of off-shoots) from the parking lot to the beach up and down some (at-times, steep) sand dunes. The beach is narrow as the water has risen and eroded some of it, however, the natural beauty of this park is still there!
67 locals recommend
Grand Mere State Park
7337 Thornton DriveOne of my favorites if you like a mixture of hiking, dunes, and beach. About a 1 mile direct hike (with lots of off-shoots) from the parking lot to the beach up and down some (at-times, steep) sand dunes. The beach is narrow as the water has risen and eroded some of it, however, the natural beauty of this park is still there!
Local park along the St Joseph river with playground, softball fields, picnic area, and hiking. Explore this 1.50 mile, loop trail near St. Joseph, Michigan. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 37 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, trail running, and walking.
6 locals recommend
Riverview Park
Local park along the St Joseph river with playground, softball fields, picnic area, and hiking. Explore this 1.50 mile, loop trail near St. Joseph, Michigan. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 37 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, trail running, and walking.
Well kept trail, designed for cycling but lovely for walking or running. Great shade if you're worried about the heat.
39 locals recommend
Kal-Haven Trailhead
Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State ParkWell kept trail, designed for cycling but lovely for walking or running. Great shade if you're worried about the heat.
Located in Berrien Springs, MI, about 40 minutes from the cottage. If you are looking for good hiking trails, this is one to look in to. Love creek has amazing trails. Many different ones to choose from! Can find a few without a lot of hills. One walks about a creek with beautiful views.
38 locals recommend
Love Creek Nature Center and County Park
9292 Huckleberry RdLocated in Berrien Springs, MI, about 40 minutes from the cottage. If you are looking for good hiking trails, this is one to look in to. Love creek has amazing trails. Many different ones to choose from! Can find a few without a lot of hills. One walks about a creek with beautiful views.
Only about 10 minutes from the cottage, Sarrett Nature Center is a lovely place to stop. Fantastic place to see the beauty of the woods. The hiking trails are very well done and easy to walk through, with beauty all around. Does turn into natural trails so bring good shoes
64 locals recommend
Sarett Nature Center
2300 N Benton Center RdOnly about 10 minutes from the cottage, Sarrett Nature Center is a lovely place to stop. Fantastic place to see the beauty of the woods. The hiking trails are very well done and easy to walk through, with beauty all around. Does turn into natural trails so bring good shoes
Our favorite 'hidden gem' in SW MI, and bike-able from the cottage at only about 800 meters away, this park offers pristine beach access, ~20 or so parking spaces that rarely get filled, great beach walking with beautiful cottages and homes speckled throughout. This truly is one of those 'unkept secrets' that locals love.
16 locals recommend
Roadside Park
Blue Star HighwayOur favorite 'hidden gem' in SW MI, and bike-able from the cottage at only about 800 meters away, this park offers pristine beach access, ~20 or so parking spaces that rarely get filled, great beach walking with beautiful cottages and homes speckled throughout. This truly is one of those 'unkept secrets' that locals love.
Wineries & Breweries
A Beautiful vineyard accompanied with delicious wines and a gracious charming owner. By far our most amazing wine tasting experience in Michigan. Even the restroom was gorgeously decorated.
31 locals recommend
Contessa Wine Cellars Tasting Room
3235 Friday RdA Beautiful vineyard accompanied with delicious wines and a gracious charming owner. By far our most amazing wine tasting experience in Michigan. Even the restroom was gorgeously decorated.
The winery is a great place to stop for a glass of wine. The owner is usually around and is very knowledgeable and friendly. A really great selection of wine where you can find something for everyone! The outdoor seating area has an amazing view of their hillside vineyard and humming bird feeders just outside the windows let you watch them as they feed.
12 locals recommend
Moonrise
7785 Hill RdThe winery is a great place to stop for a glass of wine. The owner is usually around and is very knowledgeable and friendly. A really great selection of wine where you can find something for everyone! The outdoor seating area has an amazing view of their hillside vineyard and humming bird feeders just outside the windows let you watch them as they feed.
Great Winery to add to the wine tour! Round Barn is a classic staple in the South western Michigan wine community and a must see on any tour. Great staff ,very knowledgeable about the different wines and spirits. Beautiful scenery and great selection
167 locals recommend
Round Barn Estate
10983 Hills RdGreat Winery to add to the wine tour! Round Barn is a classic staple in the South western Michigan wine community and a must see on any tour. Great staff ,very knowledgeable about the different wines and spirits. Beautiful scenery and great selection
This is a beautiful vineyard and I love walking through the vineberg. The restaurant is also very nice with good atmosphere and delicious food.
Local tip: It is possible to hike to Round Barn from here through the woods with a glass of wine.
150 locals recommend
Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
185 Mt Tabor RdThis is a beautiful vineyard and I love walking through the vineberg. The restaurant is also very nice with good atmosphere and delicious food.
Local tip: It is possible to hike to Round Barn from here through the woods with a glass of wine.
What a treasure of a find. Great atmosphere, great wine, and live music. The food was all homemade and delicious! Sit out on the patio and enjoy overlooking the vineyard.
30 locals recommend
Vineyard 2121
4110 Red Arrow HwyWhat a treasure of a find. Great atmosphere, great wine, and live music. The food was all homemade and delicious! Sit out on the patio and enjoy overlooking the vineyard.
Nice location and great selection of preselected tasting flights. The sweet wines are not as sweet as other wineries, however, Lemon Creek should definitely be on your list to visit.
96 locals recommend
Lemon Creek Winery
533 E Lemon Creek RdNice location and great selection of preselected tasting flights. The sweet wines are not as sweet as other wineries, however, Lemon Creek should definitely be on your list to visit.
We had great service and enjoyed the outdoor experience. One of Michigan's fine treasures. Great selection of wines and ciders. And as the wife says try the slushies.
38 locals recommend
St. Julian Winery
716 S Kalamazoo StWe had great service and enjoyed the outdoor experience. One of Michigan's fine treasures. Great selection of wines and ciders. And as the wife says try the slushies.
A wide variety of wines. We love stopping in at 12 corners. A reasonably priced wine tasting with a chocolate dessert. Everyone is always so helpful and can tell us about the wine. No matter what type of wine we are feeling, they have something for every pallet. I love that they have hard ciders as well to appeal to everyone. Paying extra for the ice wine is a must!
42 locals recommend
12 Corners Vineyards
1201 N Benton Center RdA wide variety of wines. We love stopping in at 12 corners. A reasonably priced wine tasting with a chocolate dessert. Everyone is always so helpful and can tell us about the wine. No matter what type of wine we are feeling, they have something for every pallet. I love that they have hard ciders as well to appeal to everyone. Paying extra for the ice wine is a must!