Work & Play: Family-Friendly Meetings in Southwest Michigan

Business trips and conferences often don’t align with family vacations, but what if they could? Southwest Michigan offers the ideal solution, making it possible to balance work commitments with family fun. Known for its natural beauty and abundant attractions, the region caters to all ages, allowing parents to attend business meetings while their spouse/partner and children enjoy various activities. Families can seamlessly enjoy downtime activities before, after, and in between meetings, creating a “vacation” experience for everyone.

Family Activities in Southwest Michigan

Whether your attendees are bringing their kids along or planning a family vacation around a work event, Southwest Michigan has a variety of attractions to entertain children of all ages.

Indoor Activities

With these indoor spaces providing fun activities, kids stay engaged regardless of the weather, allowing parents to concentrate on work worry-free.

• Curious Kids' Museum & Discovery Zone (St. Joseph): These hands-on museums are family favorites, offering interactive exhibits that combine education and fun. Curious Kids' Museum is designed for younger children, while the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone caters to slightly older kids.
• Krasl Art Center (St. Joseph): Offering rotating exhibits and art workshops, the Krasl Art Center provides a creative space for older children and teens interested in the arts. The center also has outdoor public art throughout Southwest Michigan, so families can tailor their trip around viewing the various artworks. 
• Silver Beach Carousel (St. Joseph): Don’t miss riding this magnificent, hand-carved, hand-painted carousel! The biggest challenge is choosing which of the 48 figures and two chariots to take for a spin first! Will it be a tiger, raptor, jewel-covered horse, giraffe, or wheelchair-accessible sea serpent chariot? No matter your attendees’ age —  size — physical, mobility cognitive abilities, or sensory sensitivities — this is one of the most inclusive attractions in Southwest Michigan.  Parents love that they can join in the fun with their kids, enjoying free activities like coloring sheets, hula hoops, cornhole, checkers and more. A seasonally decorated model train and a detailed Silver Beach Amusement Park diorama captivate visitors of all ages. The entire Carousel House transforms into a magical world with Christmas, Halloween, and other holiday-themed decorations and activities, making this a carousel experience like no other! Refreshments are available on-site and the restrooms are mom-approved.
• Peat’s Cider Social (Stevensville): Looking for a place where adults and kids can get to know each other better? Peat’s Cider Social is it! Housed within a 1960s bowling alley, you can bowl or bumper bowl, challenge each other to arcade games, taste new hard ciders and seltzer waters, or sip juice boxes. 
• Slackers Family Fun Center & Laser Tag (St. Joseph): An exciting mix of laser tag, arcade games, and other activities, Slackers is perfect for families seeking continuous fun. Your attendees can come on their own or turn this into one of your group outings.
• The Little Things Play Cafe (St. Joseph): A welcoming, living room-like space for families, where young children can play and parents or caregivers can relax with a good cup of coffee. Climb, pedal, make-believe and build for an hour or more.
• Celebration Cinema (Benton Harbor): A relaxing option for catching the latest family movies and your fill of popcorn.

Outdoor Activities

Southwest Michigan’s outdoor attractions are a main draw to this four-season meeting destination. Families visiting for business can explore parks, beaches, and hiking trails that make this area a top pick for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are a few of our favorites: 

• Silver Beach County Park (St. Joseph): A short walk from conference and meeting venues in downtown St. Joseph, Silver Beach is a family favorite. The wide soft-sand beach, playground, volleyball courts, and picnic areas make it ideal for children through teens. Across from the beach parking lot and the Silver Beach Center is Whirlpool Compass Fountain — one of the largest splash pads in the state, so your kids won’t want to leave in the summer months.
• Jean Klock Park (Benton Harbor): This beautiful park on the shores of Lake Michigan provides a great setting for families to play or soak up the sun from morning to sunset. Its expansive sandy beach is one of the least crowded and is ideal for sand castle building, swimming, jogging, and strolling.  It is a trailhead for the free Harbor Shores Nature & Fitness Trail System — 12 miles of paved hiking and biking trails. Choose loops through the Harbor Shores Golf Course, along the Paw Paw River, Ox Creek, and the St. Joseph River, across wetlands, and up the dunes. 
• Warren Dunes State Park (Bridgman): This park is famous for its towering dunes and hiking trails. Families can spend hours climbing and running down the dunes, enjoying the beach, or exploring the scenic wooded trails. For more exciting dune descents, challenge your group to sandboarding or sand sledding in the summer, and in the winter, try snowboarding, skiing, or sledding. The top of a dune is also a great place to possibly catch a glimpse of Chicago — which is approximately 52 miles away — or a spectacular location to view the brilliant sunset over Lake Michigan. 
• Sarett Nature Center (Benton Harbor): This expansive nature preserve is another family favorite. It features eight miles of hiking trails, a tree-top canopy overlook, an indoor nature center, a butterfly house, and educational programs for all ages. It offers a peaceful escape into nature, with stunning views of the Paw Paw River valley and diverse wildlife habitats. In the winter, it has five miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and rental equipment. 

A great way for families to enjoy the outdoors is to participate in Southwest Michigan’s Murals and Trails Challenges and earn prizes. The Murals Challenge encourages families to discover colorful murals across the region, while the Trails Challenge offers the chance to hike, bike, or paddle scenic trails. 

Check Out Our Four Challenges

Seasonal Attractions

Southwest Michigan has activities that make this a year-round destination for family-friendly meetings.

• Fall Fun: If your event is in autumn, families can explore various activities across Southwest Michigan. Besides Jollay Orchards, where apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides and a corn maze offer fun for all ages, families can also visit local farms and markets for pumpkin patches, freshly made donuts, and cider tastings. Scenic fall hikes at area parks and breathtaking vineyard views during harvest season provide even more family-friendly options, ensuring a memorable autumn experience for everyone.
• Winter Adventures: Winter in Southwest Michigan offers opportunities for sledding, ice skating, and exploring local holiday light displays. Families can skate at the John and Dede Howard Ice Arena in St. Joseph, the Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Niles, which hosts a magical holiday light show, or the Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area in Jones. Southwest Michigan also hosts popular winter festivals, including the Ice Fest in St. Joseph.

Family Dining

Throughout the day, parents will appreciate restaurants that cater to adults and children. And you will find them here! 

• Silver Beach Pizza (St. Joseph): Located just steps from Silver Beach, Whirlpool Compass Fountain, and Silver Beach Carousel, this family restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere and delicious pizza. Kids stay entertained by playing with a ball of squishy pizza dough while waiting for their food or watching the freight and passenger trains pass outside the pizzeria’s windows. 
• The Buck (St. Joseph): Known for its downtown and Lake Michigan views, onion rings, a variety of burger options, and a big beers-on-tap menu, it’s a great place to unwind after a busy day.
• Clementine’s Too (St. Joseph): Another favorite for families, Clementine’s Too serves up classic American fare and offers calming views of the St. Joseph River. One of the first things you will notice is the towers of onion rings on almost every table. They are delicious!
• Dad's Farm & Cafe (St. Joseph): Located in The Market, this local favorite offers a variety of delicious kid-favorite meals, including grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit smoothies. The Market's relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff make it a great place for families to enjoy a meal together.
• Happy Poochie Eatery (Benton Harbor): Happy Poochie is a great place to dine in or pick up food for a picnic. They offer various kid choices including cheese a pita, sandwiches, and wraps. It’s one of the best places to go for vegetarian and vegan options. 

Tips for a Smooth Trip

To ensure a successful family-friendly meeting, plan and create an itinerary that balances work and play. Here are a few tips for families attending conferences in Southwest Michigan.

Choose the Right Hotel

Families traveling for business will appreciate opportunities to relax between meetings. Consider booking rooms at family-welcoming hotels with amenities like a pool, family suites and proximity to local attractions. 

Create an Activity Guide

For multi-day conferences, meeting planners can offer an activity guide featuring local attractions, seasonal events, and kid-friendly destinations. Providing this guide to families before the trip will help them plan their free time and ensure they make the most of their stay in Southwest Michigan. 

Choose Family-Friendly Venues

When selecting venues for meetings, it’s helpful to consider the family-friendly amenities that might be available. Venues like Shadowland in the Silver Beach Center (St. Joseph) are close to family attractions and provide easy access to the beach, museums, ice cream shops, and other kid-friendly destinations.

We look forward to assisting you 

By choosing Southwest Michigan as a conference destination, meeting planners can cater to business needs while ensuring that families feel welcome, entertained, and relaxed. Family-friendly meetings in Southwest Michigan offer the best of both worlds, transforming business trips into cherished family memories. For more information on planning your next event, feel free to contact us for assistance in making your meeting a success.

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