When planning your Lake Michigan vacation, remember the adage, “Location, location, location.” Inn at the Park is strategically located between the beach and town. Step out of our front door and go right 1½ blocks to Lake Michigan and left 1½ blocks to town. Then when you are ready to rest, your welcoming rooms are just minutes away.
Attractions, Events, & Things to Do in South Haven
Local Dining
- Bunde’s Bakery One of our favorites for coffee and breakfast – and across the street from our sister property, Waters View Inn. Check out Bunde’s before your morning beach stroll – Steps from both Inn at the Park and North Beach.
- Café Julia Fantastic deli-style eats for breakfast and lunch. Stop over before hitting up the Farmers’ Market across the street.
- The Depot Mostly a liquor store, but their deli is a hidden gem! Some of our favorite fresh-made sandwiches – great to grab and head over to the beach or a park to picnic. Walk across the bridge from Inn at the Park and you’re at The Depot!
- Maria’s Taste of Italy Is it fair to say probably the best pizza in town? And a full Italian menu too. Plan ahead and get here early!
- Taste Small plates and martinis… what more can you ask for? Fantastic food in the heart of downtown. With a wide-ranging menu, there’s something for everyone – and a really fun bar to sit at too!
- Black River Tavern Your local bar that frequently has live comedy shows and music. Come here for a range of food and drink. And stop down below in The River Bottom for fun cocktails and a taste of the Mediterranean.
- Three Blondes Brewing Headed out to Sherman’s Ice Cream or looking for a great local brewery? Just on the edge of town, Three Blondes offers craft local beer, a wide menu and a fantastic patio.
Festivals and Fun
Be sure to check out the South Haven Visitors Bureau for all the up-to-date details on local events. Here are just a few to check out:
- Ice Breaker Festival (February)
- Chocolate, Wine & Jazz Fest (March)
- Annual Member Artist Exhibit (over 70 years) (May)
- Blessing of the Fleet and Season Kick-Off Fish Fry (May)
- Tulip Time (May)
- Harbor Fest (June)
JUNE
- Mermaid Festival
- HarborFest
- Annual Sherman’s Ice Cream Social
- Festival of Cars
- Antique & Classic Boat Show
JULY
- Light Up the Lake! Fireworks
- 4th of July Parade
- Garden Walk
- Annual South Haven Art Fair (a happening for over 60 years)
- Annual Lake Shore Harvest Road Rally
- Waterfront International Art Fair in Saugatuck
- Village Square Art Fair in Saugatuck
AUGUST
- Blueberry Festival and Craft Fair (almost 60 years)– second weekend in August
- Festival 5K Run & Walk
SEPTEMBER
- Annual All Crafts Fair
- South Haven Jazz Festival
- Annual Crane’s CiderFest
- Annual Lakeshore Harvest Ride
OCTOBER
- Annual Blues Coast Artists Tour
- The Vine Wine’d – 5K or 1 mile tour through vineyards, meadow and forest
- Fennville’s Annual Goose Festival
- Douglas Halloween Adults Parade
NOVEMBER
- Mistletoe Market
- Holiday in the Park
DECEMBER
- New Year’s Eve in the Haven
Attractions
- Michigan Maritime Museum — offers maritime exhibits, harbor walk map, and educational sessions. Newly renovated and offering extensive meeting and events space – across the street from Inn at the Park!
- Farmers’ Market every Wednesday and Saturday 9-2 AM. (Spring-Fall)
- Lake Arvesta Farms — Southwest Michigan’s newest attraction, offering over 188 acres of year-round outdoor fun for the whole family – world-class indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, the area’s first elite disc golf course and a 4-lake Aqua Park
- Blue Water Boat Rentals offers tourists and locals in South Haven and St Joseph, Michigan the opportunity to rent a boat by the hour, day, or week. Ask us how to save $25 on your boat rental.
- RiverWalk Park Concert every Thursday night in summer.
- Foundry Hall – a century-old building in the heart of downtown, extensively renovated in 2000-2001 from a former piston factory into a music hall and theater.
- South Haven Center for the Arts — explore, discover and experience the arts.
- Friends Good Will Tall Ship – a replica of an 1810 topsail sloop, commissioned by and for the Michigan Maritime Museum. Offers summer sails three times daily, a pirate cruise, and charter sails.
- Kal-Haven Trail – along the Black River and over a covered bridge. A wide range of activities are available to trail users: biking, hiking, birding and horseback riding. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
- Van Buren Trail – Biking or hiking south through Van Buren County parallel with Lake Michigan
- Golf – 10 area courses. Championship course like Hawk’s Head, an Arthur Hill course, Beeches Golf Club playing from just over 5,000 yards up to just over 7,100 yards or Ravines, a Palmer course, can challenge any golfing fanatic.
- Gingerman Raceway – local and long-distance racing hobbyists come to live their passions. Events have included guests such as Paul Newman and a recent movie filming location for “Blue Sky The Movie”.
- Bangor/South Haven Heritage Water Trail – a canoe and kayak trail encompassing 21 miles of the South Branch of the Black River between Bangor and South Haven in Van Buren County, Michigan, emptying out into Lake Michigan.
- Wine Trail – 11 wineries offering tasting, tours, and other special events.
