When planning a beach vacation, Michigan may not be the first place that comes to mind to visit. However, don’t rule out a family-friendly vacation to explore the Lake Michigan shore. A true hidden gem of the Midwest, southwest Michigan offers sugar-sand beaches, charming beach towns, and plenty of outdoor adventure for the whole family. Today, Sara Lesire, mom of two and founder of Midwest Nomad Family shares why they love Southwest Michigan so much and all the amazing outdoor adventures to be found there. Read on to plan the perfect getaway for the whole family using this family travel guide to Southwest Michigan.
Best times to visit southwest Michigan
Southwest Michigan is beautiful any time of year. Spring brings blooming flowers and the famous tulip festival in Holland, Michigan. Fall means stunning drives and hikes among the colorful fall foliage. Winter is even a time of unexpected beauty when brave explorers can witness the lighthouses encased in ice. However, summer is the most popular time of year. While it never becomes unbearably hot, the summer temperatures are warm enough to take the chill off the cool Lake Michigan water.
Due to the proximity of southwest Michigan to Chicago, expect summer weekends, holidays, and big events to be busy with city travelers. If you can book a stay for during the week or the off-season, you will have more availability and lower lodging rates. Even if you do stay during a crowded summer weekend, there is still plenty of sand and shore for everyone.
Each of the major towns in southwest Michigan has its own vibe.
- St. Joseph is one of the most kid-friendly with the beach, kid museums, a carousel, splash pad, and lots of restaurants all within easy walking distance.
- South Haven is another great town to stay in, with a fun playground and splash pad, soft sand beaches, canal walk, and an interesting maritime museum.
- The small town of Saugatuck is an artists haven and boasts one of the best beaches in the country.
- Holland, Michigan allows you a glimpse of a European vacation without the travel. This charming town showcases its Dutch heritage in its architecture and attractions.
Each of these beach towns in southwest Michigan offers a variety of lodging options. For those who wish for a more rustic stay, there are many campgrounds available. Warren Dunes and Van Buren State Park offer tent and RV camping sites right along the Lake Michigan shore. There are also several KOA and private campground options.
There are numerous cabins, inns, and private rental homes available. Many of the private rentals do have minimum stay length requirements. Hotels line the interstate just east of the downtown areas. While traffic is never really much of an issue, keep an eye on the location of your lodging and check how far of a drive it is from the beach and other activities you have planned.
The best beaches in southwest Michigan for families
While the water of Lake Michigan is much colder than the gulf, you don’t have to worry about sharks or jellyfish! Lake Michigan water is also very clear and has that turquoise hint that appears tropical. You can find dozens of sandy shore options to relax, swim, or play, but these are our favorite options.
1. Silver Beach County Park
Silver Beach is located right near the heart of downtown St. Joseph. This beautiful stretch of sand is very popular and boasts a playground, shower house, and views of the St. Joseph pier lighthouse. The beach is also a short walk from dining at Silver Beach Pizza or the attractions at Silver Beach Center.
2. South Beach
This stunning beach is steps away from downtown South Haven and a popular place for swimming. The beach also has a playground, concessions, showers, and memorials explaining the local history. If you want a close-up look at the red South Haven lighthouse, this beach offers access along the pier. Each evening you can witness a gathering to watch the sun go down from this stretch of shore.
3. Pilgrim Haven
While this isn’t the best beach for building sandcastles, this spot is the perfect place for rock hunters. The rocky beach offers endless opportunities to find some unique stone souvenirs. Up to 25 pounds of rocks per person per year can be legally collected in Michigan from state-owned and public trust lands such as Pilgrim Haven. So those little rock collectors can gather to their heart’s content!
4. Pier Cove
Another great beach stop for rock collectors, this beach rests along the site of an old ghost town. What was once a bustling port town is now a quiet and hidden beach. While there are only about 10 parking spaces and no amenities, this beach offers a quiet option with a mix of sand, rocks, and a shallow creek. Keep an eye out for the unusual lightning stones that are often found here.
5. Oval Beach
Oval Beach in Saugatuck is a gem that has been named one of the top 25 beaches in the world. This long stretch of sugar sand offers plenty of space and amenities for families to explore. If you want a unique way to reach the beach, try taking the hand-cranked chain ferry across the Kalamazoo River from downtown Saugatuck. It is thought to be the only such ferry still left in existence.
6. Holland State Park
The Holland lighthouse, known as “Big Red,” towers over this beautiful beach. Part of a state park, visitors can enjoy many activity options at this popular beach.
Family travel guide – what do in southwest Michigan
Southwest Michigan offers so many great options for the whole family to enjoy. While the beaches are the big draw to this region, there are numerous other activities to discover.
1. Hiking in Southwest Michigan
Southwest Michigan has several state and county parks that offer miles of trails. Warren Dunes State Park is one of the most beautiful places to hike with eight different trails that ramble through the woods and over the sand dunes. Saugatuck Dunes State Park offers 13 miles of trails to choose from and plus the perfect beach for cooling off after your trek. If you wish for a hike that is more woods than sand, check out Warren Woods State Park. For a stroller-friendly option, check out the 0.75-mile paved nature trail at Grand Mere State Park. Just remember that any trails through sand will be much more difficult than hiking on solid ground!
There are also several great county parks and nature preserves to explore. The Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve offers several kid-friendly trails, an adventure garden, and even a miniature garden railway exhibit. Sarrett Nature Center has a cool elevated boardwalk to make you feel as though you are walking in the treetops. The DeGraff Nature Center in Holland offers short trails, many of them stroller friendly. Gallien River County Park is another great family option with extensive boardwalks and canopy trails over a wetland marsh.
2. Pedal or walk a bike trail
Kal-Haven State Park is a 33-mile bicycle trail that runs between South Haven and Kalamazoo. The converted rail-trail winds through gorgeous scenery along streams, through wooded areas, and past farmlands. Starting at the South Haven end allows the option to pass through a covered bridge about 1.5 miles from the trailhead. A shorter biking option is the paved Van Buren Trail leading from South Haven to Van Buren State Park.
3. Visit a playground or splash pad
The Kid’s Corner playground in South Haven is one of our kids’ favorites. Not only is the wooden castle playground amazing, but the park also offers free parking with direct beach access! If you wish for a more natural play option, check out the brand new Sally Smoly Nature Playscape in Holland. This state-of-the-art nature playscape features climbing walls, logs, boulders, slides, nets, and sandboxes.
If you want some water fun without the sand, check out the brand new splash pad in downtown South Haven. This fun play area opened in 2020 with a giant ship to climb and spray water. Meanwhile, the Whirlpool Compass fountain in St. Joseph is the largest splash pad in all of Michigan. Watch out for those automatic spray cannons!
4. Southwest Michigan museums
There are several great museum options for kids to learn about history, STEM, or culture in southwest Michigan. The Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven is a great option with a mix of interactive indoor and outdoor exhibits. Visitors can learn about maritime history, boat-building, and explore various vessels. They even offer the option of taking a ride on several types of boats. The museum is currently closed for construction and expansion but is set to reopen in early summer of 2022.
For those rainy days when you need an indoor option, there are four different children’s museums in the area to explore. St. Joseph contains two different locations of its Curious Kids Museum. One is downtown while the other is located at Silver Beach Center, next to a replica historic carousel and other attractions. Fennville and South Haven each have sister locations of the Forever Curious Kids Museums. All of these museums offer great exhibits focused on pretend play and STEM activities.
5. Southwest Michigan’s unique outdoor attractions
Holland contains two must-see Dutch-themed attractions. Windmill Island Gardens is a beautiful oasis featuring gardens, canals, a children’s play area, and a hand-painted Dutch carousel. One of the most unique features at Windmill Island is the original working Dutch windmill brought over from the Netherlands in 1964 which is available for tours. After exploring the gardens, head over to Neils’ Dutch Village for even more kid-centered rides and attractions including a play area and petting zoo. Both of these attractions are especially beautiful in May when the tulips are in peak bloom.
The Outdoor Discovery Center near Holland is on our list to explore on our next trip to southwest Michigan. This site contains a visitor center, trails, a nature playscape, wildlife exhibits, and a birds of prey center. There are so many great options at this center to learn all about nature.
A hidden gem attraction, Eden Springs Park in St. Joseph is the location of a former resort and amusement park. The structures and grounds are slowly being restored by volunteers to their former glory. Visitors can roam the grounds and also take a fun miniature train ride.
6. View a lighthouse
Did you know the state of Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state? In southwest Michigan, you can beautiful lighthouses in St. Joseph, South Haven, and Holland State Park. The St. Joseph lighthouse is even open to climb inside! Saugatuck also features a charming lighthouse although it is a replica to represent several light stations that once served the area.
If you wish to walk along the pier for a closer look at the lighthouses, please do so carefully. Keep a close eye on children and do not attempt when the water is rough.
7. Pick some fruit
Michigan is known for having the perfect climate for growing many types of fruit. Cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and apples especially flourish at orchards all over the state. Head over to one of several southwest Michigan orchards such as Crane’s in Fennville, or DeGrandChamp’s and Overhiser Orchards in South Haven. Many of the orchards offer gift shops and kid activities.
8. Watch a sunset
No Michigan vacation is complete without at least one evening of watching the sun drop below the horizon. Some of our favorite spots to watch the sunset are at Silver Beach in St. Joseph, South Beach in South Haven, or Holland State Park. With a west-facing shoreline, however, there really are no bad sunset viewing spots!
Southwest Michigan family-friendly travel
We hope this little family travel guide to Southwest Michigan has inspired you to check out all the amazing outdoor adventures to be had right here in the Midwest! There are so many great options for places to stay, things to do, and ways to explore this gorgeous stretch of freshwater shoreline. If you’re craving a summer beach getaway, but don’t want to deal with the heat and humidity of the South, put Michigan on your list of places to check out! We promise you’ll be impressed!
Have you ever explored Southwest Michigan?
About the author
Sara has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.
You can find more from Sara online in the following locations:
Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily
Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family
RWMC posts: Sara Lesire