South Haven is a waterfront resort and boating community known for its National Blueberry Festival, maritime heritage, the Michigan Maritime Museum and it’s location on the pristine waters of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Black River.

For breakfast, try Phoenix Street café for a filling Nova Scotia Lox & Cream Cheese Omelet or Eggs Benedict, probably the best breakfast in town.

The Michigan Maritime Museum near the drawbridge offers maritime exhibits and tours of the Boathouse, Boat Shed and the Keeper’s House. For an additional fee, you can sail on the Tall Ship “Friends Good Will”. Later stroll through Old Harbor Village on the Black River, a small upscale New England style village with unique shops, Warner’s Vineyards Tasting Room and restaurants.

Walk down to North Shore Drive and have some fun in the sun at North Beach. You can grab a hot dog at the concession stand, play a game of beach volleyball or walk along the pier. Stop at the farmer’s market and pack a picnic at Packard Park, just up the road from the beach which has a beach on one side and a park on the other with a playground and picnic tables.

For a bite to eat, try real homemade fare like soup and daily specials from Cousin’s Restaurant or delicious sandwiches from Captain Nemo’s with Sherman’s ice cream for dessert. Otherwise, grab a pizza from Venezia Pizza and take it down to Black River or Dyckman Park and people-watch.

While downtown, see what you can find at the “Best Antique Shop” Arbor Antiques, the Roger Mason Gallery, the Blueberry Store, Macdonald Drug Store or pamper your pet with some treats from Decadent Dogs. Then pamper yourself with saltwater taffy from Lollipop’s or fudge from the Chocolate Café.

Rent a bike from Rock ‘n’ Road on Broadway and bike down Kal-Haven Trails through wooded trails, over bridges and following streams. The trail starts on North Bailey Avenue and ends in Kalamazoo on 10th Street, you can pick up a pass at the staffed trailheads. You’ll either have to bike back or have a ride waiting in Kalamazoo.

Later visit South Haven’s largest blueberry farm, DeGrandchamp Blueberry Farms, and tour the packing plant or try some of their large berries and specialty items. Further north, tour the McIntosh Apple Orchards and Cider Mill then walk through the orchard, depending on the season pick fresh fruit or browse their farm market for food, gifts and fudge. They also have a winery with premium wine tasting available. Their draught cider is also excellent.

Dinner at HawksHead Inn overlooks the greens and is nestled in the woods with entrees like wild duck breast and raspberry chicken. Tello Italian Bistro is another great option for a relaxing intimate dinner with fine Italian dishes. Clementine’s offers a more casual dining experience, with the best plate of fried perch as voted by the Chicago Tribune and great onion rings; you may have to wait since this is a very popular place for locals and tourists.

Across I-196 near Wal-Mart is the Sherman Ice Cream ‘factory store’; very popular on summer nights.

Top the day off with a sunset cruise on a 38-foot Lagoon catamaran sailboat with Cat’s Meow Cruises. During the summer South Haven has a Riverfront Concert series on Thursday evenings, just bring your own chair!