Chicago | Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council
Chicago as seen from Warren Dunes photo by Joshua Nowicki
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Southwest Michigan is close to you. 90 minutes by car, yet a world away from Chicago’s sky-scraping buildings, congested highways and busy suburbs. This corner of Michigan is well known for its fresh water, soft sandy beaches, dunes and resort towns. A few miles inland, you are surrounded by verdant vineyards and orchards, craft wineries, breweries and distilleries, and locals who warmly welcome you to join in their fun. Stay for our gorgeous Lake Michigan sunsets. Then, spend the night at one of our comfortable lodgings. You can easily fill tomorrow with more memories made in this paradise located around the Lake.

View of Saint Joseph, Michigan and Lake Michigan from the Boulevard Inn.

Travel tips

Make hotel reservations before you arrive.

Southwest Michigan has many hotels and resorts with rates that will fit your short- or long-stay travel budget. Many of these lodgings are located close to Lake Michigan in the cities of Benton Harbor, St. Joseph and Stevensville. These hotels fill up quickly during the summer months as well as on festival weekends in autumn, winter and spring. Please use our “Book A Room” service to get the hotel and dates you want.

Summer sunset with sailboats.

Four seasons of relaxation, adventure and cultural experiences

Southwest Michigan is a year-round vacation destination. Whether you are seeking a solo retreat, a romantic couples’ getaway, a family memory-making vacation or a reunion with friends or extended family, each season offers its own nearby fun.

a dad playing with two young children at the whirlpool compass fountain

Bring your children. They will love spending time with you at:

How to get here: Southwest Michigan is easily accessible by car from I-94 and I-196. We also have daily Amtrak train service from Chicago with stops in St. Joseph as well as New Buffalo, Bangor, Dowagiac, and Niles.

Trip planning assistance: Stop by and talk with our staff at our Travel Information Center, 2300 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor (I-94 exit 29) for more ideas. Look through our itineraries. Or, for more information, contact us.

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