South Haven is one of the best beach towns out there for an exciting and luxurious getaway. It’s known for its miles and miles of gorgeous beaches—but what else are you going to do when you come to stay? We have some great ideas for you to see when you decide to visit South Haven!
What to Do When You Visit South Haven
Everything is worth seeing when you visit South Haven. We recommend you make time for a little of everything! Spend a day in the sprawling beauty that is Van Buren State Park. Visit the cultural hubs, like the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum and the Michigan Flywheelers Museum. Get some shopping in at the Center Street Emporium and spend an afternoon skating at the South Haven ice rink. Whatever you do, make sure to save a morning for the classy and unique South Haven Center for the Arts, which specializes in nurturing individual artists in the community. This is the best place to go to get exposed to the art scene when you visit South Haven.
Where to Eat
If you’re looking for some high-end seafood, check out The Grand Seafood & Oyster Bar. Enjoy some chill live music while you dine on oysters in an atmosphere that rides the line between high-end and quaint. And if the atmosphere is important in your dining experiences, you’ll definitely want to eat at Clementine’s at least once. Even the view from the street as you’re walking in is part of the experience there, starting with its old-fashioned gold lettering and intricate orange-brick architecture, and ending with the extravagant bar setup inside and each carefully styled dish. Explore some of the best restaurants in the area.
Where to Stay
The most important consideration of all is that of where you’ll stay during this getaway. The most luxurious option available to you here in South Haven are lakefront properties where you can enjoy the majestic view of Lake Michigan, and that’s something Beachwalk Properties has in spades. What’s your style? Do you like quaint and old-fashioned brick and mortar housing with a luxurious interior? Check out our Lighthouse property. Or, if you like that ‘cottage at the seaside’ vibe where coziness is the biggest priority, check out Surf Cottage. If you love that but want to max it out with spaciousness and give it a classy modern twist, take a look at Beach Glass Cottage. Browse our wonderful lake view vacation rentals.
There are so many different properties to choose from. We have a home for every set of tastes; all you have to do is take a look!
How to Get Started
There’s no one better acquainted with South Haven than Beachwalk Properties, so when you’re coming to South Haven, you can count on us to provide you with the vacation of your dreams. Get in touch with us today at (269) 767-6125 to get up with the rental property that will provide the luxury you need for the ultimate getaway.
If you are thinking of visiting South Haven, Michigan in the upcoming weeks, we recommend you plan ahead for an exciting Memorial Day Weekend! Several exclusive events are held each year for this annual holiday, giving you the perfect excuse for your next adventure getaway. Here are some Memorial Day events in South Haven for you and your family to enjoy this year:
Memorial Day Parade
Perhaps the biggest Memorial Day event held each year in South Haven is the annual Memorial Day Parade. This exciting parade starts in the middle of South Haven at Center Street and Michigan Avenue as it marches down Phoenix Street. The parade typically lasts for 45 minutes and is full of participants and floats that are decked out for the holiday. Feel free to follow the parade to its finishing point at the Lakeview Cemetery, where a ceremony is held to remember our fallen veterans. Stick around town and grab the free sloppy joe lunch that will be available from the American Legion. This all-ages event is the perfect way to show your family how South Haven commemorates their armed service members.
Blessing of the Fleet
Start your Memorial Day Weekend off with the Michigan Maritime Museum and their Blessing of the Fleet. Each year the Michigan Maritime Museum welcomes South Haven to join this ceremony that asks for a safe and successful fishing season. Several boats including Friends Good Will and other museum vessels will participate in this annual ceremony. See how these historic vessels continue to have a presence in the town. After the ceremony make sure to attend the fish fry in the Maritime District just off the lake for beautiful scenery and delicious food. This year’s Blessing of the Fleet will take place at the Michigan Maritime Museum. The fish fry is known to be reasonable and fun making for a cheap and tasty meal to start your Memorial Day Weekend on the lake.
Memorial Day Weekend in South Haven
Do not hesitate and start planning your Memorial Day getaway to South Haven today. This holiday is a great way to start the summer with these exciting events and other local attractions to enjoy. Your stay will be like no other when choosing our vacation rentals for your stay. Each rental includes all of the necessities and amenities you expect of a resort but in the peace and privacy of a home. Give us a call today and let us set you up in the perfect rental for your Memorial Day stay!
When it comes to a quick and easy meal that no one in your family will argue about, pizza is the way to go. South Haven, Michigan has a plethora of delicious pizzerias in town that are favorites of many of the locals in the area. Here are several spots you should visit for South Haven pizza during your stay:
Maria’s – A Taste of Italy
Enjoy a decadent Italian meal when you dine in at Maria’s. This local favorite is featured in the downtown neighborhood and is the prime destination for real Italian dining. Their menu includes delicious homemade Italian sausage, homemade meatballs, and of course, freshly prepared pizza. Their hot oven pizza uses only the freshest ingredients with a fantastic crust and all of your favorite toppings.
Venezia Pizza Restaurant
If you are looking for great food and service, look no further than Venezia Pizza Restaurant. You will find all of your favorite pizzas in addition to pasta and other Italian fare. Venezia’s specializes in a thin crust pizza that will have your mouth watering right when you walk through the entrance. The house salad is big enough to be shared by two or more people!
South Haven Brewpub
Locals go to South Haven Brewpub for some of the best craft beer in town but stay for the delicious pizza. You will find all of your favorite pizzas freshly prepared right in house as you enjoy the outdoor patio or bar seating. Pub-themed appetizers such as mac and cheese bites and beer cheese pretzels are great to start with!
Three Blondes Brewery
Not only does Three Blondes Brewery make their own craft beer but also their own freshly prepared pizza. This local favorite is a great place to try Michigan-made craft beer while the kids get to enjoy the delicious pizza. The service is friendly and will always make sure you have a place to sit down at.
Your South Haven Getaway
Enjoy these local favorite places for pizza in South Haven and more when you book your next Lake Michigan vacation. You will be right around the corner from delicious restaurants and exciting attractions when you reserve one of our vacation rentals. Experience comfort that no other local lodging provider can give you. Reserve your next stay online today and get ready for your South Haven adventure!
While many people wouldn’t think of South Haven as a place to visit during a vacation, those in the know realize that our favorite place on earth is filled with a natural beauty that makes it the perfect place for your annual getaway. Tranquil beaches, beautiful homes, and a downtown so charming it could have come straight from the frame of a Norman Rockwell painting are just a few of the reasons your next vacation should be here, and our guide to the best sights and things to do in South Haven will help make sure that you don’t miss a single moment of the fun that awaits you!
Things to Do in South Haven – South Haven Light, 355 Hubbard Street
Since 1903, the iconic South Haven Light has stood at the entrance to Lake Michigan’s Black River. Standing strong and proud, and constructed of steel painted barn red, it’s been the backdrop of thousands of family photos over the decades, and when you visit South Haven, it can be the supporting actor in your family photos as well!
Van Buren State Park, 23960 Ruggles Road
The simple joys of exploring the state parks in the vacation destinations of your choice can’t be overestimated, and a visit to Van Buren State Park will be one for the memory books! Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, it’s the place to enjoy hiking trails, picnic tables, and a mile of beach perfect for playing, reading, or simply watching the sun set over the waters on any quiet evening during your stay. This is one of the most popular things to do in South Haven!
Casco Township Nature Preserve, 716-762 Blue Star Memorial Highway
As a nation, we have forgotten the importance of preserving the natural landscape, but in South Haven that is not an issue, and the Casco Township Nature Preserve is the perfect example. Offering paved paths, picnic tables, and some of the most breathtaking scenery in Michigan, when you visit the preserve you realize anew how important it is to conserve and protect our natural landscape.
See the Landmarks in South Haven at the Douglas Root Beer Barrel, 701 West Center Street, Douglas
Landmarks and other things to do in South Haven don’t always have to be breathtaking and awe-inspiring; sometimes they can be slightly wacky and weird and make us smile. The Douglas Root Beer Barrel in nearby Douglas is one such landmark. A hotdog stand built to look like a gigantic root beer barrel, it has been open since 1952 and is still going strong after being renovated in 2011. Still serving hot dogs and root beer, your summer break in South Haven will not be complete without a visit to this quirky landmark!
Your South Haven Experience Begins and Ends with Beachwalk Properties
Our homes are designed for traveling families who enjoy comfort and classic elegance. Reserve yours today and make your vacation in South Haven one you won’t ever forget!
People from all over the country are delighting to find opportunities for quintessential beach living in South Haven, Michigan. Amazing views, fun on the beach, and a unique community are certainly the main reasons for any visit here. But upon visiting, people discover many one of a kind events that each provide an unforgettable experience, particularly during the winter time. These are 3 of the best Winter events in South Haven that you should not miss.
Holiday in the Park
Officially, this event is dedicated to lighting the community holiday tree, but there is so much more to love than that. In November, Dykman Park comes to life with this celebration of the coming of the holidays. Along with the lighting ceremony, you will have the opportunity for ice skating, parades, karaoke, and so much more. This is one of the best Winter events in South Haven. It’s a perfect opportunity to get to know this community!
New Year’s Eve in the Haven
South Haven knows how to celebrate the coming of a new year just about as well as anyone. New Year’s Eve, the entire downtown area will be dedicated to the festivities, so you can walk freely among the streets celebrating with locals and visitors alike. Enjoy incredible live music, amazing food, dance parties, and so much more. Stick around until midnight for an awesome New Year’s surprise when you experience the best Winter events in South Haven!
Ice Breaker
This winter festival is marked on every single local’s calendar because they know what an amazing time it is. The downtown area is cleared for all the fun in the form of incredible ice sculpture demonstrations, sled races, chili cook-offs, ice skating, and so much more. This ultimate celebration of the winter comes in the downtown area in February.
Enjoying the Best Winter Events in South Haven with Our Amazing Vacation Rentals
There are so many amazing places to stay that are available to you and your group this winter. You cannot miss them when you look to Beachwalk Properties to provide the right one for you. Choose from beautiful cottages on the beach, cozy homes amidst charming neighborhoods, and much more. Regardless of where you choose to settle down, it is a certainty that it will be an amazing place to stay both in the comforts of home and the luxuries of a vacation.
Find the comfort of home in quality beds, a full kitchen, and a spacious dining room. Find luxury in high-end furniture, flat screen TVs, beautiful décor, and so much more. Throughout the endless options we provide, you will find the perfect place to make amazing memories. Find your home away from home with us today!
People travel to South Haven, Michigan to find the incredible beauty and slow pace of life that comes with beach living. A charming community and beautiful beaches facilitate this lifestyle wonderfully. But the community also provides incredible shopping opportunities that you will not find anywhere else. Nothing compliments a day at the beach like these three spots in South Haven for shopping representing the best the area has to offer.
South Haven Shopping – Blue Star Studio of Wood and Glass
Here, South Haven shopping is not simply about leaving with great items, but it is an experience in and of itself. You do not have to buy anything in order to have a phenomenal day shopping here. Find countless items that range from functional pieces to aesthetically beautiful ones. You can find jewelry, blown glass items, turned wood pieces, and so much more. Find it at 1684 Blue Stay Highway.
Barden’s Farm Market
This farm market offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity that you can only find daily from May through October. During this time, you will find a shopping experience that embodies the heart of this town. Get lost in endless rows of locally grown flowers, fruits, vegetables, local crafts, and so much more. This is an experience that not only provides amazing items and products but a full immersion into this one of a kind community. Find it at 1101 Phoenix Street.
Downtown South Haven
The Harbor in Downtown South Haven is home to countless shops that provide a little something for just about everyone. Find upscale women’s fashion at unique boutiques like Janny’s Beach House and Crescent Moon, while you can find something for the whole family at N & R Department Store. For all of your beach needs, visit Harborwear, for a cool souvenir check out Flamingo Island, and for beautiful pieces of jewelry, stop by Black Pearl. This is one of the most popular South Haven shopping spots!
Find the Perfect Vacation Home
The beginning of your vacation starts with “shopping” in one sense or another as you endeavor to find the perfect place to stay during your South Haven vacation. Well, you will find nothing but joy and ease in this “shopping” experience when you look to Beachwalk Properties to provide you with the vacation home of your dreams. We are one of the best vacation rentals providers in the area because of the amazing selection of homes that we provide, along with the ease of finding the right one for you. Pick between beautiful homes and condos offering spacious living rooms, cozy bedrooms, gourmet kitchen, and so much more to love. Find it easier than ever by browsing our website today!
A trip to South Haven, Michigan always comes with great times on the beach and throughout this charming town. But a big part of the experience here is the food. You will find something for everyone here, especially those who are looking for a healthy meal that will leave them energized rather than sluggish. The following are the top healthy places to eat in South Haven.
Best South Haven Restaurants – Kitchen 527
Kitchen 527 takes classics that we all love and gives them new life with fresh ingredients and unique preparation. You can certainly have yourself a not-so-healthy meal while here, but you will find delicious and healthy options in the largest salad bar in town, quinoa sweet potato cakes, pan-seared Atlantic salmon, and more. Check it out at 527 Phoenix Street.
Taste
As the name suggests, this is the place to go for the best small plates in town. Among the healthiest and most delicious are their seafood small plates with an emphasis on the freshest sushi in town. Eating healthy has never been so delicious as it is here with tuna tartare, hummus plates, crab & avocado rolls, and so much more. Find the best sushi in town and much more at 402 Phoenix Street.
Clementine’s
Imagination and the freshest ingredients make this the best American fare that you can find in South Haven. Of course, any place offering American cuisine offers its fair share of fried food, but you can also find lean and delicious meals like mussels sautéed with spinach and onions, shrimp and spinach salads, and incredible salmon entrees. Eat well at 500 Phoenix Street. This is one of the most popular and best South Haven restaurants!
Café Julia
Delicious coffee and fresh sandwiches are the name of the game here. They carry the best in meats, cheeses, and ingredients to ensure these sandwiches are delicious and healthy. Among some game-changing healthy additions to these sandwiches, you will find made from scratch tomato and basil hummus, cranberry chutney, and Greek dressings. This is one of the best South Haven restaurants. Find it at 561 Huron Street.
Find the Perfect Vacation Rental
Your very own vacation home is sure to provide more luxury, privacy, space, and convenience than any hotel could hope to provide. And the vacation rentals provided by Beachwalk Properties are sure to stand out from the rest. As one of the most celebrated vacation rental companies in South Haven, we showcase the very best real estate in the area. Whether you are looking for a home with a view of the lake, a swimming pool, or luxurious features like hot tubs and fireplaces, you will find what you are looking for with Beachwalk Properties. Browse our selection today, or give us a call for more information!
South Haven, Michigan is just that: a haven in southwestern Michigan right alongside the lake. It has become a very popular place for a vacation as the secret is out that the town features beautiful beaches and a one-of-a-kind community. One of the best ways to get the local flavor is by visiting some of the best local restaurants, of which there are many. The following are some of the best and quickest places to eat in South Haven for a bite.
Places to Eat in South Haven – Clementine’s
While you can almost always expect a crowd, Clementine’s is known for dishing out delicious food fast. Among a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere, Clementine’s is quickly whipping out American classics done right with the freshest ingredients. The menu is incredibly extensive, so there is something for everyone here. Visitors delight in picking between over 10 appetizers like the New Zealand Green Lip Mussels. Move on to fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, and expertly crafted entrees for one of the most satisfying meals you will have in South Haven. Find it at 500 Phoenix Street.
Curve Inn
The claim to fame here is everything is made from scratch and it is made in a hurry. The quick nature of the kitchen here in no way affects the quality, as you can find some of the best wood-fire chicken dinners, pizzas, burgers, soups, and much more at Curve Inn. This charming spot also gives you a good feel for the community, as you will always encounter locals coming and going. This is one of the best places to eat in South Haven! Find this South Haven hotspot at 10336 Blue Star Highway.
North Side Memories
There are few places that offer more charm than local delis. Well, North Side Memories is the go-to convenience store and deli for locals and visitors alike. Beyond the charming atmosphere, you can find many classic sandwiches along with some very inventive items on the menu. Everything is made fresh and in a hurry, so you can get back to enjoying this beautiful area. Check it out at 112 Dyckman Avenue. This is one of our favorite places to eat in South Haven!
South Haven Vacation Rental
There is nothing quite like vacationing in a place you have never been, yet feeling at home in a cozy and spacious vacation rental. In South Haven, nobody provides this for more people than Beachwalk Properties. We pride ourselves on not only on offering the very best in real estate that South Haven has to offer but also in making it incredibly easy to find the perfect one for you. Whether you are looking for a cozy beach cottage or something a bit more luxurious, you will find it in our large selection of homes—contact us to book with today!
Known for its expansive beaches, bustling harbor, and fun events, Michigan’s South Haven is a popular destination for summer vacation. Located right on Lake Michigan’s shoreline, South Haven is quaint and amazingly beautiful in the summertime. The summer events held in South Haven draw visitors from around the Great Lakes area and are not to be missed! Read on to learn about five of our favorite Lake Michigan summer events in South Haven!
Harborfest
Known for its large, bustling harbor, South Haven’s boating community is quite large! Come celebrate life on Lake Michigan in South Haven by attending Harborfest in mid-June each year.
Packed full of fun, Harborfest runs for two days (Saturday and Sunday) and hosts a variety of fun events and activities to enjoy. Featuring a craft show, Food Fest, beer garden, dragon boat races, kids rides and activities, and live entertainment, Harborfest is a wonderful celebration to enjoy with the whole family. This is one of the best Lake Michigan summer events!
South Haven Art Fair
For almost 60 years, the South Haven Art Fair has been showcasing the area’s most talented artists and craftsmen. Organized by South Haven’s Center for the Arts, the South Haven Art Fair is held yearly leading up to 4th of July.
Located at a beautiful wooded park just one block away from Lake Michigan, the South Haven Art Fair’s venue is incredibly beautiful. With 120 vendors, locally sourced food, and live music, the South Haven Art Fair is the place to go in Michigan to peruse and purchase from the best artists and creators in the area.
Light Up the Lake Fireworks
Every year on the evening of July 3rd, South Haven holds an epic fireworks show over Lake Michigan. Drawing visitors from around the Great Lakes region, this popular Lake Michigan summer event showcases one of the best fireworks shows in the area.
Viewable from Riverfront Park, North Beach, and South Beach in South Haven, the Light Up the Lake Fireworks show blasts off fireworks a safe distance away on the North Pier. South Haven has many lake view vacation rentals if you want to avoid the crowd as well. For added fun, be sure to tune your radio where applicable for coordinated music.
A perfect event for the whole family, Light up The Lake Fireworks in South Haven is a wholesome and iconic American holiday event that is not to be missed!
South Haven 4th of July Parade
The morning after the Light Up the Lake Fireworks event, South Haven holds an annual 4th of July parade downtown. Starting at 11:00 AM, the parade starts at Elkenburg and winds through several streets of downtown South Haven before ending on Center street.
Prime viewing of the parade is along Huron Street downtown near the pavilion. A wonderful event for the whole family, the South Haven 4th of July Parade features classic cars, floats, and marching bands. An exciting and loud event, we recommend the 4th of July Parade to those wishing to celebrate America’s birthday surrounded by high spirits.
National Blueberry Festival
For over 50 years, South Haven has been hosting the National Blueberry Festival each August. As the epicenter of blueberry production, South Haven started the National Blueberry Festival as a small event to celebrate the yearly blueberry harvest.
Since its inception in 1963, the National Blueberry Festival has blossomed into a large event that features baking competitions, recipe exchanges, and a parade. Fun for the whole family, we recommend the National Blueberry Festival to blueberry lovers of all ages.
Choosing Beachwalk Properties when Seeing All the Great Lake Michigan Summer Events
With so many fun events to attend all summer long in South Haven, finding comfortable and convenient vacation accommodations can be tricky. Luckily, we offer a variety of gorgeous private homes in the South Haven area. Each home is hand-selected for its location, quality, and livability and then appointed with modern amenities to help our guests feel comfortable and at home.
Browse our available South Haven vacation homes today! Booking online is easy through our website.