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Tours & Attractions
What an amazing place! Here, you can ride in a miniature train pulled by a 100 -year-old steam engine. Sail on a replica War of 1812 tall ship. Climb to the top of a lighthouse. Or challenge your teens to laser tag. This page directs you to hours of fun.
Makers Trail
Just follow the Makers Trail. What a welcome you’ll receive at each stop along the way in Berrien County as we pop wine corks, tap beer kegs and whiskey barrels, and pour flights for you and your friends. Drink in our makers’ art and bring home your favorites.
For Foodies
Southwest Michigan grows a cornucopia of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Explore this section to find nearby farms and markets to gather up your favorite just-picked, flavor-rich foods. Or a myriad of restaurants and sweets shops — many proudly serving locally raised ingredients. There’s a table ready for you.
Outdoor Recreation
Southwest Michigan is a four-season paradise with Lake Michigan and a countryside peppered with scenic rivers, inland lakes and verdant hills.
Creative Connections
Some places naturally inspire us. Southwest Michigan is one of them. The vibrancy and beauty of Lake Michigan, the serenity of our countryside and the rich stories of our past fill this land with creative inspiration. That’s why some of the region’s finest artists, writers, musicians, history-makers and performers call this home.
Natural Route
Take the Natural Route today for remedy and relaxation, and discover our local dispensaries.
Lighthouse
When you walk the Tiscornia Beach shoreline, look over the bluff or simply go for a drive along Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, you can’t miss the two St. Joseph Lighthouses.
Social Districts
Get a taste of several drinks in one place in Southwest Michigan’s social districts.

See More

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Media Services

Images

Need photos for your story? Please contact us and our staff will do its best to get you the images that meet your needs.
You may use these photos solely for non-commercial purposes to promote visiting Southwest Michigan. You may not use them for advertising, commercial or individual purposes.

B-Roll

 

Videos are available for non-commercial use by broadcast media. Contact us with the name of the video and we’ll send you a link to download the file.

Photo Opportunities

Contact us for directions to key locations for taking photographs or video footage for your stories. Here are a few of our recommendations:
Arts District, Benton Harbor
Golf Club at Harbor Shores and Nature Trails, Benton Harbor
Bike, Hike & Cross-Country Ski Trails, Berrien, Cass & Van Buren Counties
Farms and Markets, Berrien, Cass & Van Buren Counties
Paddling Trails, Berrien, Cass & Van Buren Counties
Snowmobile Trails, Berrien Cass & Van Buren Counties
Craft Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries, Berrien County
Annual Berrien County Youth Fair, Berrien Springs
Warren Dunes State Park, Bridgman
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, Niles
Victorian-Era Downtown Shops, Restaurants and Year-Around Festivals, St. Joseph
North Pier Lighthouses, St. Joseph
Silver Beach Center: Silver Beach Carousel, Discovery Zone by Curious Kids’ Museum, Shadowland at Silver Beach, St. Joseph
Whirlpool Compass Fountain, St. Joseph

Fact Checking Services
apple pickingHow many miles long is Southwestern Michigan’s coastline? When can you start picking Honey Crisp apples? The staff at Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council can help writers confirm facts about our region. Call (269) 925-6301 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Media List
The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council can assist you with compiling a list of local and regional publications, radio and television stations. Contact us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (269) 925-6301.

Interview Contacts
Need suggestions for knowledgeable people to interview for your story? We can connect you to craft brew masters, wine makers, distillers, carousel operators, farm-to-table chefs, artists, chocolatiers, farmers and so many more. Send us an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (269) 925-6301.

Media Hosting Tours
ToursThe Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council coordinates tours and provides itineraries for:

  • Press groups
  • Travel writers and editors
  • Freelance travel writers or photographers on assignment
  • Assigned staff from radio and television programs
  • Bloggers from quality websites or blogs devoted to travel, outdoor recreation or food who have highly engaged audiences.

Depending on the assignment, we may be able to assist you with accommodations, transportation, etc. Complimentary or discounted arrangements, however, are subject to availability and the discretion of our members. Our number one concern is to assist working journalists, so we will not ask our members to host spouses, children and accompanying friends or journalists planning a leisure trip.

Our peak season is May through Labor Day, so it is rare that we can offer journalists discounted or complimentary accommodations, meals or admissions during those weeks. We can, however, during the summer months assist you with itineraries, scheduling interviews and photo sessions as well as providing background information about our area.
To help us help you, please:

  • Give us as much lead time as possible (it’s best if we have two business weeks for arrangements).
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us a letter describing your assignment and samples of previously published or aired work.
  • Bloggers, please send third party documentation (such as Google Analytics) of your web traffic data.
  • To remain on our preferred media list, please forward a copy of your Southwest Michigan print or online published story, blog or video.
  • For radio or television broadcasts please send a link and the air date after it runs.

Guest Bloggers

wall climbGuest bloggers are also welcome. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your blog ideas or blogs to us for consideration.

Get Updates

Resources
Here are other information sources which can help you with your stories:
City of St. Joseph
Dowagiac and Sister Lakes
Joshua Nowicki Photography
Pure Michigan
South Haven Visitors Bureau
 St. Joseph Today Welcome Center

Again, thank you for wanting to share our story with others. We look forward to showing our paradise in the Midwest to you.

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E-Newsletter

Whether you plan your vacations weeks in advance or spur of the moment, this twice-monthly e-newsletter will keep you in-the-know about Southwest Michigan. To opt-in for your free subscription, enter your email address below, then submit.