Things To Do in South Haven

We’ve put together a guide of things to do when you stay with us in South Haven to help you plan your trip. It covers outdoor adventures, shopping, day trips, dining, things to do with the kids and what to do if it rains…

Beach Days

South Haven’s beautiful sandy beaches make for a relaxing and adventurous day out. Take a stroll south of North Shore & Bent Tree beaches towards the famous double pier for snacks on the bustling North Beach at the concession stand known for its local ice cream, brats & hotdogs, slushies, and sandwiches before strolling back along the Black River to admire the homes. Or, head north on the beach towards Sleepy Hollow for a much quieter walk to start your beach glass collection. Head into the water for some waves, but do check the lake conditions and look out for flags. 

Boat Tours: There’s nothing like sailing on a historic tall ship. Friends Good Will is a replica 1810 tall ship that was used in the War of 1812, so if you’re into the wind rushing against your face and listening to the sounds of the flapping sails, reserve your spot at the Maritime Museum. There’s also Lindy Lou, an electric-powered replica river launch for tours down the river, as well as small wooden boats and racing yachts. 

Boat Private Hire: There’s nothing like steering your own way over Lake Michigan’s waves. For speed boats, pontoons, dingy’s and jet ski’s, check out Adventure Watersports or Blue Water Boat Rentals. It’s recommended that you have your Michigan Boating Safety Certificate. 

Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Rafts: Leave Lake Michigan behind and paddle along the Black River towards Bangor along a water path that is parallel to the Kal Haven Trail. There are many paths to choose from and a lot of wild life to be seen. We’d recommend grabbing boats from Kayak-Kayak or Soha Surf Shop along the river to take straight in. But if you do want to stay on the lake, head just around the block to Outpost Sports where you can find a lot of kayaks and rafts to make the waves even more fun. 

Dune Rides: Hop in a Jeep and ride over Michigan’s dunes in Saugatuck. It’s the alternative to amusement parks. 

Exploring the Great Outdoors

Life’s a beach, but there’s more.

Hiking & Biking: our favourite walks are of course up the pier and riverwalk (the Maritime District Harbor walk) because you have scenic views of the lake and river. But when we have more time, we head out on the Kal Haven Trail (normally with bikes) which goes all the way to Kalamazoo. There is also the Van Buren Trail for bikers. Bike rentals can be found at Rock’n’Road and Outpost.

ATV Bikes: Travel along the scenic trails of South Haven speedily with ATV bikes. 

Horseback Riding: You’ll need to take a little drive to get some good horseback riding in, but the trails are beautiful. There is Apple Ridge Farm in Bangor, Simpsarosa in Grand Junction, and Wild West Ranch in Allegan. Bitter-Sweet Acres in Bloomingdale has carriage rides (sleigh rides in winter). 

Golfing: There are quite a few golf courses less than 3 miles away from the condos. Hawkshead is beautiful and has a great restaurant the whole family will want to enjoy. Beeches is the other South Haven-based course with a grill and bar. Cheshire Hills in Allegan, Shamrock Hills in Gobles, and Heritage Glen Golf Club in Paw Paw are also options. 

Fishing: Feel free to join the fisherman on the piers of the Black River or join a fishing charter. You might catch some salmon, steelhead, perch or trout. You can get updates on fishing conditions and more fishing information in Southwest Michigan right here. 

For the Kids: There are a number of great parks, some playgrounds even on the North & South beaches. Not far away is a playground on Packard Park. On the south side of town is a huge wooden park called Kids’ Corner (563 Monroe Boulevard). 

Eating + Drinking

There are a lot of family-run, independent restaurants in South Haven. Many, if not all are very kid friendly. Here’s just a sampling of recommendations:

Breakfast & Coffee: Just up the street is Bunde’s Bakery & Cafe which serves coffee and pastries. For something more substantial, you’ll need to head into town. We’d recommend Six Chicks, Julia’s at the Pavilion or Phoenix Street Cafe. 

Casual: For views on the river and great perch & bar food/sandwiches, we like Captain Lou’s or The Black River Tavern. Captain Nemo’s is also meant to be good, although we only ever go for the ice cream which is cheap and they serve A LOT of it. Clementine’s is a bit of a South Haven landmark and you will always find a line outside. Su Casa is a great place if you’re in the mood for Mexican and they have a sun deck to get views over the Black River. Kitchen 527 is quickly becoming known for its gourmet burgers. 

Higher-end: taste, which overlooks the Black River is a small plates & Martini bar. It’s great for sharing and family-style. Tello remains our favourite Italian. Hawkshead, located on a beautiful golf course always serves seasonal dishes. 

Bars & Drinks: Admiral Jack’s is on a boat on the harbor just opposite Captain Lou’s so you won’t have too far to go. Channel Wine Bar and Gravity Wine Tasting have great wine lists. Black River Tavern has sports & comedy, and Kitchen 527 will have more extensive beer lists. taste is always a good choice for classic cocktails. 

Wineries: Michigan wine is now on the map, literally, if you follow Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. They offer a Winencentive coupon card which gives you discounts on all southwest Michigan wineries. Cogdal Vineyards is the local winery run by Jack & Deb whose tasting room is open from noon and 12 Corners Vineyards now has a tasting room downtown. But if you’d prefer to go to the vineyard, the drive to Benton Harbor isn’t far. Over in Fenn Valley, Fenn Valley Vineyards offer educational tours as well as winemaker’s dinners. You have nothing more to wine about…

Breweries: Three Blonds Brewing, Harbor Light Brewery, and South Haven Brewpub are the most local to us. If you want to head out of town, you can try Saugatuck Brewing Company in Douglas, Arclight Brewing Company in Watervliet or Waypost Brewing Co in Fennville. 

The other option is letting Coastal Tours do all the work in planning your wine & beer-filled day out. 

Ice Cream: If you want your money’s worth, definitely visit Captain Nemo’s. The Sherman Dairy is also a good spot. Pair it with your trip to the grocery stores since you’ll need the car to get there. North Shore Concessions right on the beach will have serves to hit the spot too. 

Shopping, Festivals & Unique Experiences

Shopping: Downtown South Haven is brimming with boutiques and galleries. We wouldn’t know how to make recommendations because the variety is so vast, so take a stroll and see what’s there. We’d also recommend spending a day in Saugatuck, Douglas and downtown Holland if you enjoy popping in and out of stores, and trying new restaurants, wineries and bars. 

Farms & U-Pick: One of the joys of Michigan summers I the fruit. You can pick raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, pears, peaches, cherries, apples and cranberries when they are in season. Some nearby farms are: Bumbleberry Acres, Riverbend Farms, DeGrandchamp Farms, Dutch Farm Market, and Overhiser Orchards. Have a look at their websites as some farms have animals, rides, mazes and more. Call ahead to check availability and opening times.. 

Festivals & Art Fairs: Every summer there is the Blueberry Festival and Craft Fairs. Be sure to check back here each year for dates. Pure Michigan will also have festivals in the Southwest Michigan region. 

Enjoy a race: If you’re a fan of fast cars, sportbikes, and motorsports, then visit Gingerman Raceway. Their events schedule is right here. There is also a speedway in Hartford if you’re up for a little drive. 

Take a plane ride: Yes. You can hop on a WW2 plane. Michigan Warbirds offer rides on vintage aircrafts. Who wouldn’t want to sore over Lake Michigan and see South Haven from a different view?

Movies: We like the movies. Especially when it costs just $4 for a ticket, and $1 for a bucket of popcorn. The Michigan Theatre is a great place to spend an afternoon. You can also drive to Coloma or Holland to go to their movie theatres. 

Bowling: Lakeside Bowl has 16 lanes and a mini golf course. That’s outside of course, but you can come back when it isn’t pouring down with rain. 

Art: You can visit The Art Box to take classes or paint. Sometimes they even have classes in bars, parks and vineyards so check their schedule. 

Pamper Yourself: Go to the spa or get your nails done. There are a handful of places downtown. 

Travel: If it’s been raining for a few days, there are museums and indoor activities in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to explore, especially for the little ones.