South Haven Travel Guide

On the shores of lake Michigan lies South Haven -- a city popular for its beautiful beaches and boating. With the lake so close, South Haven is home to a variety of water sports, including cruising and fishing. The city also has a small-town vibe, with a weekly farmer's market selling fresh produce and quaint restaurants along the harbor for local cuisine.

Things to Do in South Haven

The Kal Haven Trail is a favorite with hikers and bikers, offering the chance to get outside and explore. Equally, the famous landmark, the South Haven Lighthouse is found on the South Pier of the Black River Channel and is a great spot for photos.

For visitors who prefer to relax, there is no better place to unwind than North Beach. The beautiful beach has golden sand and turquoise blue waters, and is perfect for sunbathing and swimming.

To learn more about South Haven’s past, head to the Michigan Maritime Museum. For golf enthusiasts, Beeches Golf Course is perfect for a quiet round or two.

Best Time to Visit South Haven

The summer months are popular with vacationers in South Haven who take advantage of the good weather.

A Local's Guide to South Haven

Although relatively small, this West Michigan beach town has something to offer all types of travelers throughout the year. In addition to its beautiful sandy beaches, South Haven has a range of interesting local culture and fine-dining.

The charming town is a favourite spot for vacationers, who come from all over looking for the perfect home in South Haven, predominantly in summer. The town is packed with great eateries and an impressive shopping scene. Not to mention, tucked around street corners are an array of museums and unique art galleries. Of course, the beautiful beach helps to make it a popular spot for families.

The Michigan Maritime Museum is a fantastic place to start a journey here, and highlights the heritage of the great lakes. Here, visitors can find a boathouse, the lightkeeper's house and the Great Lakes research library. Every summer, the city hosts free concerts in the Riverfront Park. Overlooking the Black River, it is the perfect way to spend an evening before heading back to a vacation home in South Haven.

After a long day out in the sun, on the beach or exploring the town, it is important to have somewhere comfortable and relaxing to return to at night; luckily, South Haven has a huge range of vacation rentals. From romantic B&Bs for couples to huge cottages for large groups (some even come with a hot tub), the town has it all. There is also a vast range of hotels, motels, and private resorts available. For something more luxurious, choose a South Haven vacation home with stunning views over the nearby Lake Michigan -- quite a spectacle to wake up to in the morning.

One of the most popular activities in South Haven is fishing on Lake Michigan. There is nothing quite like being on a boat out on the water, seeking out trout and salmon. The lake is also host to sports like surfing and water skiing. Back on land, active travelers can play on one of the town's championship golf courses or enjoy a round of tennis. For some pampering after a long day, the local salons and day spas are ideal. Alternatively, take a tour of one of the nearby stunning vineyards, and take part in tasting sessions.

South Haven is one of the blueberry capitals of America, making it the perfect spot to host the National Blueberry Festival -- just one of the annual events and fairs the town holds. The festival takes place in August, and is one of the country's oldest continuously-running fruit festivals.

Cabins in South Haven

The town of South Haven is primarily known for its huge, beautiful, sandy beaches. The town also has a busy harbor and is surrounded by many orchards and vineyards, meaning in fall, golden orange and red colors fill the landscape. Most of the outdoor activities in the area start with Lake Michigan and Lake Michigan Beach, which offer a huge range of water sports. For land-based fun, go horse-riding, enjoy a round of gold, take a tour of an alpaca farm, cycle the Kal-Haven Trail, and pick your own fruit. Meanwhile in the winter, the town transforms into a skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding wonderland.

South Haven cabin rentals are the perfect home away from home when staying in the town, with vacation rentals lining the shores and some even having a hot tub. Many more vacation homes are available in the center of town, close to all the attractions.