Ever since I was little I've been fortunate enough to be able to spend my summers in a town called South Haven, Michigan.
Since I'm up here, I wanted to share some interesting and fun things to do here.
1. Go to the Beach
The beach is always fun. I spend hours down at the beach tanning. If its a calm lake day, you can rent paddle boards and practice your balancing skills.
2. Go to Restaurants
This town is known for some of the restaurants here. Here are restaurants and cafes I recommend trying out: Clementine's, Su Casa, Maria's, Captain Lou's, The Idler, Admiral Jack's, South Haven Brewery, Cousin's, Never Miss Cafe, Julia's, Golden Brown Bakery, Bundies, Phoenix Street Cafe, Captain Nemos and Brix.
3. Go Shopping
The things I love about this town is some of the stores here are independently owned and others are chains. I love to support the locals and buy things I love. But I also love supporting the 'touristy' stores too. Here are some of the stores I go to when I'm up here: SoHa*, Renaissance and Papyrus*, Oh My Darlings*, Bahama Mama, Plaid Britches*, Props* and Decadent Dogs.
* independently owned local stores.
4. Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is a great way to get amazing fresh produce locally. Every Saturday and Wednesday from 8am to 2pm there is a bunch of tables full of farm fresh produce.
5. Barden's Market
If you can't get to the Farmer's Market, here is another amazing place to get local farm fresh food as well as pastries, bakery items and drinks. Barden's is located off Blue Star Highway and its amazing place to stop when you're just getting into town for a couple things for dinner or when you're leaving and you want to bring the amazing food home with you.
6. Michigan Theatre
The Michigan Moore Theatre is the place to go if its a rainy day and you wanna go see a new movie in theaters. If you go there for a movie make sure to get a bucket of popcorn because you can keep the bucket and the next time you go for a movie, you can get 50 cents popcorn refills if you bring it with you. Plus their hot dogs are amazing.
7. Go to Sherman's
Sherman's Dairy Bar is the best place to go if you want fantastic ice cream. They're open from 11am to 11pm and if you go there on a weekday right before closing, there's barely a line. But if there is a line, make sure to stick it out because the ice cream is worth it.
8. Blueberry Picking
Blueberry picking is amazing at DeGrandchamp Farms.
9. Canoeing & Kayaking
You can rent canoes and kayaks and go out on the Black River and enjoy the scenery
10. Fall Blue Coast Artist Tour
You can experience the local artists of South Haven on this tour--touring 12 studios between South Haven, Saugatuck and Fennville. Each site will feature original artwork, refreshments, and most artists will offer various demonstrations.
11. Fideland Fun Park (The Fun Park)
This fun park is amazing if you have small children with you or any kids for that matter. I still love this park! You can play mini golf, go karting, water bumper cars and regular bumper cars.
12. Beeches Golf Course
The golf course is names after the type of trees and if anyone needs to go out and hit a couple of balls and relax- this is the golf course to do it at.
13. Sunset Cruises
Sunset Cruises are amazing! You can go on a boat and experience the sunset from on the lake. You can also do earlier tours if you dont want the sunset ones.
14. Friends Good Will
Friends Good Will is at the Michigan Maritime Museum. You can get tickets and go on the historical ship and experience an amazing trip including a cannon going off at sunset.
15. Craft Fair
The craft fair is always an amazing experience. Locals and close by artists come to show and sell their excellent work. It ranges from artwork, pottery, henna, paintings, clothes, and more. It happens during Blueberry Festival and Labor day weekend.
16. Blueberry Festival
Blueberry Festival is probably my favorite thing about South Haven. Its a weekend usually around the beginning of August. There are so many activities. Theres concerts by the harbor, basketball tournaments, ice cream socials, beer & wine tents, yoga on the beach, sidewalk sales, and the 5k Walk/5k Run/10k Run, barbecue, and of course craft fair.
17. Pier
If you want to take a walk, you can walk through town and down a hill to the break wall and the pier where there are fisherman. You can go to the public beach and or walk down the pier and experience the sunset.
South Haven has to be my favorite place to go to during the summer. There are so many things to do and activities. I love it. I would highly recommend going if you have a chance.
