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Getting Families Outside, One Adventure at a Time

family travel beach

BEACH, FAMILY TRAVEL, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SUMMER
Family Travel Guide to Southwest Michigan
- May 17, 2022
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.

Family-friendly places to stay in southwest Michigan

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
BEACH, FAVORITE GEAR, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
8 Tried & True Tips for a Successful Beach Trip with Kids
- July 12, 2018
As we get closer to our family’s upcoming Florida trip, I’m so excited about spending time on the beach with my kids. I envision hours of fun in the waves, building sand castles and flying kites. However, I’m also aware of the meltdowns and non-stop action required to keep the kids entertained. In addition, this will be our first time taking a 4 month-old to the beach. A baby adds a whole new element of preparation and packing.

This is why I’m so excited for today’s post, by the fabulous Dr. Autumn Hanson of Permission 2 Move. Autumn is a physical therapist, blogger, mom of 2 and Florida-native. She’s here to share her tried and true tips on how to make your next beach trip with kids stress-free and fun! Not only will she help you prep for your trip, but she’ll get you moving out on the beach and making memories to last a lifetime.

Meet Autumn

Hello everyone! I’m excited to be here on Run Wild My Child sharing some tips and advice on how to make a beach trip with kids as successful and stress-free as possible. As a Florida native, I’ve spent a lot of time at the beach over the years. I was fortunate enough to grow up within walking distance to the beach in beautiful Treasure Island, Florida. With 3 girls in my house growing up (ranging in ages from 6-16), it was challenging to find activities we could all enjoy doing as a family. It was always a struggle just to get out the door. However, we were always happy to be at the beach once we got there.

Not much has changed since I began my own family years later. Now, as a parent of two girls aged 3 and 1, I appreciate the effort that makes a beach trip enjoyable for both the parents and kids. Without adequate preparation, the happy beach trip you imagine will likely end with one (or all) of the following: sunburns, crying children, a miserable spouse, sand covering everything, or even a strike from a stingray (as my husband suffered through and ranks as one of his most painful experiences)!

With dozens of family trips to the beach under my belt, from Hawaii to Bermuda and back to Florida, I’ve got boatloads of experience in what works and what doesn’t. Here are my 8 tried and true tips to make your beach trip run smoothly and enjoyable for everyone!

Timing is essential

Make sure that you choose the right time to hit the beach when going with little kids. While mid-day might sound appealing, there are two elements working against being at the beach mid-afternoon: the intensity of the sun’s heat and nap time. Those two factors, when combined, are exponentially harder to overcome and can lead to major meltdowns, both figuratively and literally. The best times to beach are mornings and evenings when the sun and heat are less intense.

In order to get to the beach early, pack the car the night before and plop your kiddos in the car as soon as their eyes open! The longer you spend in the house getting ready to go, the later you get to the beach. If you are like me and get great ideas of what to pack and clean and rearrange at the last minute…don’t! JUST LEAVE! (see below for more info on prepping the night before)

If you miss the window of leaving early or the day is heating up quickly, don’t despair. Going to the beach in the evening is wonderful! Usually, the crowd disappears shortly before the sun does, so you’ll have more space to run free. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset with cooler temperatures and without worrying about getting the sand on the lady next to you when your child uses her towel as a superhero cape.

Protect yourself from the elements

There is nowhere to hide from the sun at the beach. Long gone are the days where your sole purpose to go to the beach is to get tan. Little children need the shade, not only to protect their skin but also to hide their meltdown from the rest of the beachgoers. Trust me on this one.

Whether you choose a sun shelter, a giant umbrella or tent, you need something to protect your littles from the harsh sun and any sand-blowing wind. We have tried several options for beach protection from the sun and we love the Ikea Sommarvind. Once you master the folding process (after watching a few dozen YouTube videos), this pop-up tent cannot be beaten for its simplicity, storage size, and function.

Bring a cooler with hydrating snacks

Just before you anticipate a meltdown, call everyone over for a refreshing treat. The most enjoyable snacks are those that cool you off under the summer sun. Pro tip: these almost always include some sort of dripping liquid, so bring napkins or wet wipes, too! Our family favorites are watermelon, frozen grapes, coconut water, sparkling water (or bubble water as my 3 year-old lovingly refers to it) and popsicles.

If you are concerned about the amount of sugar in your children’s beach snacks, I have a great popsicle swap idea for you! Fill a silicone popsicle mold with water (or healthy juice) and fresh fruit, then pop it into the freezer. My girls really enjoy their own fruit popsicles at the beach and I love not having to constantly say, “NO MORE POPSICLES!”

To keep everything cool, you’re going to need a good cooler. Our favorite cooler is the Yeti Hopper Flip 8, but simpler options will also suffice. We also pack insulated water bottles to keep our water icy cold even when it is out of the cooler. Our favorite water bottle is this 64-ounce Hydroflask.

Prepare the night before

In our house, preparation starts the night before. Since we have a habit of doing ‘just one more thing’ before we leave, we have better luck getting out of the house on time without a mess if we prepare ahead of time and leave as soon as we wake up. Pack a bag with your sun protection, accessories and beach activities the night before and put it in the car. Tidy the house and check everything off your list as you pack. Leave the delicious snacks in the refrigerator until it is time to go.

Prepping the night before ensures we get out the door with everything we need at a decent time. We love the feeling of coming home after a long day on the beach and walking into an unusually clean house with overtired kids (and adults). The sigh of relief from everyone is quickly followed by a smile, as well as a lighter-hearted approach to showers and rest.

Play with your kids!

If you are in the mindset of going to the beach to ‘sit back and relax,’ you’re in for a shock! That’s the mindset of your former pre-family self. With little kids, those days are over! Sorry! Save that thought to motivate you to take a trip with your girlfriends later in the summer and instead switch gears to being active at the beach with your family.

If you are active at the beach, you will feel twice as successful. An enjoyable family outing and a full body workout all wrapped into one beautiful day at the beach! Think of the calories you’re burning as you drag that overflowing wagon through the sand. Try walking barefoot in the soft sand to strengthen your lower legs. Chase the kids (or the birds) for excellent cardio! But most of all, just play with your kids. That typically includes activities like shoveling sand, tag, body surfing in the waves while attempting to keep your kids’ faces out of the water and hauling buckets of water for the amateur sand sculptors. This is when the best memories are made!

Bring activities, but not many

Don’t go overboard packing entertainment for the kids. After all, the great thing about the beach is that it serves as its own entertainment. I do suggest bringing some activities though. My mother used pre-planned activities to achieve the family bonding she was interested in cultivating. While the rest of us were focused on what we like to do individually, she was focused on what activity drew us together as a family. These activities will vary on the age and interests of your family. Try to think of activities that promote teamwork like playing soccer, baseball, kan jam, Frisbee, or bocce ball together. These activities transfer your focus from the heat to the game.

Explore & make friends

Remember how I mentioned early that the beach serves as the entertainment as well as the destination? Use that to your advantage. Grab a shovel from your sand castle building crew and start digging. Have a contest to see who can find the most unique shell. Then head over to the edge of the water where the coquinas lay buried just below the surface, until, like magic, they resurface as the sand gets pulled away with the tide. Walk the beach for sea treasures. Cue the kids to find out what items float or not and why. Explore why you need water to make a sand castle or why a bucket of water gets heavier each subsequent one you carry.

You can also use your beach time to make new friends. Maybe it is as simple sitting near a family with kids your children’s ages. Kids make fast friends at the beach and then they’ll have new friends to explore and play games with. Plus, they’ll likely be much more understanding of the sand in the face from the superhero cape…I mean, towel.

Change your perspective

Little kids have a different idea of fun than parents do. I challenge you to view your beach trip from their point of view. Spend a whole day focusing on what’s important to them and you’ll be so pleasantly surprised at how much fun the beach can be.

Your kids won’t remember that you forgot the organic sunscreen and had to use the aerosol stuff you swore you would never use. They just know that you made sure they were protected. They don’t remember their meltdown over saltwater in their eyes. But they will remember you surrounding them with a towel and blotting it out. They won’t remember that the blueberries were covered in sand, but rather that you packed their favorite snack. They won’t remember the time they fought with their sibling about how big the sand castle has to be. But they will remember that they built the biggest sand castle ever and that you helped them do it.

What’s your best piece of advice
for beach outings with kids?

Hello, my name is Autumn! I am a wife to my high school sweetheart (a pilot in the Coast Guard) and mama to two spunky little girls that are frequently playing with dinosaurs in dress-up clothes. When I am not out adventuring with my family, I work as an outpatient physical therapist and Pilates reformer instructor. I love that my career allows me to help people move and feel better. However, after years of hearing my patients say, “I wish I would have learned the importance of movement sooner in life,” I started Permission2Move. I am grateful to have an avenue to inspire people to move more adventurously!

Learn how to creatively add movement into your daily life by following along at:

Website/Blog: permission2move.com

Instagram: @permission2move

Facebook: permission2move

Email: permission2move@gmail.com