South Haven is a historic port town with a rich past, stunning natural surroundings, and intriguing things to do all year long. It is perched at the entrance of the Black River, gazing out over Lake Michigan.

South Haven is an outdoor and cultural haven. It has been designated as one of Michigan's Trail Towns. There are 770 acres of nature preserves, 91 miles of kayaking and canoeing paths, and more than 48 miles of hiking and biking trails if you're seeking for enjoyable things to do.

Some of the most historic buildings in the state, a performing arts centre, and outstanding cafés and restaurants are just a few of the town's other draws. One of South Haven's historical businesses, agriculture still continues today. One of the main draws to visit South Haven is the renown fresh food.

Prepare to learn about South Haven's top attractions and why this is one of them.

1. See the lighthouse in South Haven

The South Haven Lighthouse is a well-known feature of the city and serves as more than just a ship's light on Lake Michigan. A reminder of South Haven's maritime history, the current historic South Haven lighthouse was built in 1903. Although this lighthouse was not the first of its kind, prior versions had been around since the middle of the 19th century.

In 1872, the first lighthouse was built, and it had a residence and a tower with a permanent red light within. The lighthouse was relocated around on land over the years, and in 1903 a metal tower was ultimately built there.

Near the point where the Black River empties into Lake Michigan, the lighthouse is located today at the western end of the South Pier. The lighthouse is closed to visitors, but you can stroll out onto the catwalk and relax in its shade to observe the passing boats. A research library has been constructed out of the previous keeper's home.

In South Haven, Michigan, at 60 Water Street

2. Cycle along the Kale Haven Trail

The Kale Haven Trail is a great way to explore the natural splendor of southwest Michigan at any time of year. A multi-use walkway that connects South Haven and Kalamazoo for 34 miles, the trail was once a railroad bed. It is regarded as one of Michigan's finest recreation areas.

Lumber was transported between Kalamazoo and South Haven in the 19th century using the Kalamazoo-South Haven Railroad. Before the line was abandoned, the train route was in use for just over 100 years. Years passed before the creation of a public nature trail. A plan was eventually approved, and the Kale Haven Trail was inaugurated in 1989. It is one of the state's oldest trails and served as a guide for other paths in Michigan in the future.

Today, it is excellent for cross-country skiing, biking, walking, and running. Before reaching the Lake Michigan shore, the walk passes through cities and villages, open farmland, a glacial moraine, and wetlands.

3. Unwind at North Beach.

Seven beaches, to be exact, are located within the city borders of South Haven. North Beach, however, is the biggest and busiest beach in the South Haven area. The expansive beach lies on the north side of the city, as its name suggests, and it has a tonne of attractions for tourists to enjoy.

The seven-acre North Beach offers accessible parking, a playground, pier, picnic area, concessions during the warmer months, and restaurants in addition to swimming and sunbathing. Additionally, the beach is ADA accessible.

One of South Haven's most well-liked neighborhoods is North Beach, which is known for its opulent mansions, green spaces, and convenient location to the city center.

4. the Michigan Maritime Museum

South Haven is no different from the rest of Michigan in being proud of its marine history. A visit to the Michigan Maritime Museum is essential when seeing South Haven to assist provide a sense of location and history for this Lake Michigan community.

The museum is open all year long and offers a variety of displays in addition to self-guided tours. New exhibit Full Steam Ahead: The Golden Age of Great Lakes Passenger Steamships has just debuted at the museum. It describes the opulent passenger steamers that plied the Great Lakes in the early 20th century. Discover everything about daily life on board from the crew members' and passengers' viewpoints.

Visitors to the museum get the opportunity to board a tall ship replica from the 19th century and set sail on Lake Michigan. Five of the on-water exhibitions of the Michigan Maritime Museum are made up of historic and replica ships. Public sailings are possible on all five.
260 Dickman Avenue, South Haven, Connecticut

5. Walk through Van Buren State Park

One of Michigan's most beautiful state parks is only a few miles away from South Haven. On the shores of Lake Michigan, Van Buren State Park encompasses 400 acres. One mile of sandy beach is one of its highlights, but its undulating sand dunes are what make it famous.

Van Buren State Park in South Haven, which is surrounded by stunning, naturally occurring sand dunes, is one of the most well-liked locations for swimming or relaxing at the beach throughout the summer.

But regardless of whether guests are camping, having a picnic, grilling, or just strolling along the forested pathways, the park is busy every month. Nearby to the Lake Michigan shoreline are the more than 200 campsites in the campground. Each campsite features a picnic table, a fire ring, and power. Additionally, the campground has showers and facilities.

The 5.5-mile Van Buren Path is the most popular trail in the park. The paved or gravel trail is well-liked by bikers and hikers.

In South Haven, Michigan, at 23960 Gurgles Road

6. Head over to Bumbleberry Acres

The farming industry has a long history in South Haven. Visits to South Haven in the spring, summer, or fall must include a stop at Bumbleberry Acres. The welcoming working farm is a fantastic place to reconnect with South Haven's agricultural heritage, patronise a neighborhood business, and sample some exceptionally fresh vegetables.

You can pick your own blueberries at Bumbleberry Farms, which are well known for them. There are also pick-your-own sunflowers and pumpkins there.

The farm features a small petting zoo with goats, donkeys, rabbits, and other adorable animals if you're coming with children. Visit the Farm Market to go through their selection of pickles, sauces, syrups, and other foods.
Remember to bring your camera. Families will find the farm to be full of wonderful photo ops, from the fanciful farm decorations to the charming market and, of course, the cuddly animals.

South Haven, Michigan (6785 Baseline Road)

7. Visit the Michigan Flywheelers Museum to learn about Michigan's past.

The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is one of the most distinctive things to do in South Haven. A flywheel is exactly what? A manual transmission car's flywheel is a metal disc that keeps the car going and balances the engine. Of course there would be a museum devoted to flywheels in a state with a great automotive history.

The 80-acre Michigan Flywheelers Museum features a sizable collection of antique farm equipment, a sawmill, and "Old Town," a hamlet that has been faithfully rebuilt from the 1920s and includes everything from a blacksmith shop to a mediaeval jail.

The Michigan Flywheelers Museum is an excellent site to learn more about Michigan's farming and automotive past because of the state's extensive nautical history on its shores.

68th Street, South Haven, Michigan, 06285

8. Visit Overhear Orchards to select apples

In relation to South Haven's agriculture sector, Overhiser Orchards must be visited. Another well-known location in South Haven to reconnect with the past is here. This historic farm, which has been in operation since 1863, is still one of the best in Michigan for fresh veggies and other handcrafted treats.

The farm offers U-Pick fruit all year long, including cherries, peaches, plums, pears, and apples. A petting zoo with bunnies, goats, kittens, and even a few alpacas is also present on the property.

In the summer, you may stroll the trails lined with sunflowers, and in the fall, you can navigate the corn maze. Wagon rides, food trucks, a picnic area, and a kids' play area are other entertaining activities available.

South Haven AESA, located in southwestern Michigan, seeks an innovative executive director to perform a variety of complex administrative, supervisory & professional work in planning, coordinating & directing the activities of the fire/ambulance authority https://t.co/zEqvMgtEou pic.twitter.com/x1DgRUeYni

— Michigan Townships (@MItownships) November 20, 2019

A family-run business, Overhear Orchards is now in its sixth generation of cultivation.

109th Avenue, South Haven, Michigan, 6405

9. Explore the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum and Gardens.

Famous horticultural and botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey formerly lived in South Haven, Michigan. He was one of the American Society for Horticultural Science's cofounders, and South Haven tourists can learn all about his life and accomplishments by going to the museum named in his honor.

The life of Bailey is chronicled in the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum. It is located in Dr. Bailey's childhood house and is surrounded by a park and several gardens that highlight his life's work in research.

Additionally, the museum is a National Historic Site. Built between 1853 and 1856, the house. With the Bailey Farm's old smokehouse, the South Haven Blacksmith Shop and Carriage Barn, as well as a nature trail, the gardens and grounds still reflect the area's historic past.

In South Haven, Michigan, at 903 S Bailey Ave.

10. Attend a show at the South Haven Center for the Arts

The premier cultural organization in South Haven, Michigan, is the South Haven Center for the Arts. The center is well-known for its creative and cultural exhibitions that highlight work from both Michigan and around the world, and it is housed in the elegant former Carnegie Library downtown.

It is open to the public for free and has been a cornerstone of the community for more than seven decades. The center offers concerts, seminars, art exhibitions, classics, workshops for all ages, and more in addition to exhibitions. It routinely requests submissions from artists so that they can have their work displayed at the many art markets they host all year long.

Monthly displays are rotated at the center, and each exhibit's featured artist is chosen from among local artists. The South Haven Art Fair takes place in the summer, while the Mistletoe Market takes place in November and December each year.

South Haven, Michigan 600 Phoenix Street

11. Take a stroll along the Black River in South Haven's downtown

From its Lake Michigan beaches to its lengthy agricultural past, South Haven is a town with numerous facets. However, South Haven's historic downtown area along the banks of the Black River is where you'll find the city's pulsating heart.

Downtown South Haven is directly surrounded by the Black River. Its heritage and personality are shaped by the ports, seafood eateries, and old structures that line its coastline. The center of the town's culture, including its bustling eateries and cafés and shopping boutiques, is located in downtown South Haven.

Since the Black River flows into Lake Michigan, South Haven has historically been a significant port city. It used to be a significant timber shipping town, exporting timber to other Midwest regions.

Sailing, day cruises, and other water activities and attractions are the main draws for tourists at the recreational harbour even now.Visitors can discover more about South Haven's waterfront heritage at the Michigan Maritime Museum, which is located downtown just a few steps from the Black River.