Creators and Makers Trip
This two-day itinerary highlights all things creative and artistic in Berrien County. Explore these stops at local art galleries, performance venues, and fun museums. But creativity isn’t just about the arts. Our local makers have also added their own creative twists to their wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Grab a bite to eat, sample some beverages along the way, and let your right brain play in the creative Southwest Michigan. Make sure to bring along your Makers Trail Passport and Creative Connections brochure to collect stamps! You can ask for one if you don’t have one as you visit these destinations.
Day 1: St. Joseph and Benton Harbor
From art galleries and glass blowing demonstrations to locally-sourced pours and eats, you
Clementine’s Too
(Approximately 1 hour)
Stop by this St. Joseph riverfront restaurant for lunch. Their extensive menu will satiate the appetites of the whole family! They are well-known for their onion rings, perch, a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, oodles of noodles and soups.
1235 Broad St.
St Joseph, MI 49085
Lazy Ballerina Winery Tasting Room - St. Joseph
Approximately ½ hour
Taste some small batch wines inspired by family recipes in a fun, relaxed environment at Lazy Ballerina Winery’s tasting room. This was Southwest Michigan’s first women-owned winery!
321 State St.
St Joseph, MI 49085
Silver Beach Carousel
Approximately 1 hour
Did you know there used to be an amusement park where Silver Beach is now? Learn more about its history, see artifacts from Silver Beach Amusement Park and, of course, ride one of the 48 unique carousel figures around and around!
333 Broad St.
St Joseph, MI 49085
Water Street Glassworks
(Approximately 1 hour)
Stop in the shop to purchase a glass blown creation made on site. If you want to spend more time at Water Street Glassworks, take a tour, view glass blowing in real time on the catwalk or take a class to learn the trade for yourself.
140 Water St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
The Livery
(Approximately 1-1 ½ hours)
End day one of your trip with a locally-sourced meal — The Livery is known for its spent-grain pizza. Sample some of this Southwest Michigan maker’s “hand-forged” craft beer. They have 16 taps total, including two nitro and two Real Ale taps.
190 5th St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 2: Buchanan, Berrien Springs and Three Oaks
Transport yourself back in time to an 1800s courthouse and Featherbone Corset Factory. See a show and explore the history of the area.
The History Center at Courthouse Square
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
Here, guests of all ages are invited to dive deep into the past. Home to Michigan’s oldest courthouse, explore the1839 Courthouse, the 1870s Sheriff's House, and the 1860s County Records building — as well as two additions to the grounds in the late 1970s — Bennett's Forge and the Murdock Cabin.
313 N Cass St.
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Lehman's Farmhouse
(Approximately 1½ hours)
Lehman’s is a brewery, distillery and winery with a taproom and store. The taproom has 12 beers and six ciders on tap along with seasonal cocktails. You can sample flights of beer, cider and spirits. An ever-changing menu of appetizers, sandwiches, flatbread pizzas and desserts are made of locally sourced ingredients. It is family friendly with optional smaller portion servings and handcrafted sodas.
The store stocks Lehman’s beers, ciders, spirits and wines along with jams, salsas, fudge, syrups, bottles of vinegar and fruits from nearby Lehman’s Orchard. Enjoy!
204 Red Bud Trail N.
Buchanan, MI 49107
River Saint Joe
(Approximately 1½ hours)
This brewery is the result of a dream six years in the making. With a mission of sustainability, River Saint Joe works with Flatwater Farms, an organic farm and hop yard in Southwest Michigan, to create its organic beer and seasonally inspired dishes. In the winter, you can combine shuffleboard and curling to play River Rocks outside!
Almost everything you consume is made from ingredients sourced from Flatwater Farms or other nearby farms.
15475 Walton Rd.
Buchanan, MI 49107
Journeyman Distillery
(Approximately 1½ hours)
From organic distilled spirits to an artfully restored factory building, everything about this distillery is handcrafted, authentic, and steeped in history. This is one of few certified organic & kosher distilleries in the country, offering a wide variety of spirits including whiskey, vodka, and gin — plus flavored liqueurs. If it’s your first visit, go behind the scenes to learn how distilled spirits are made with a knowledgeable Journeyman's guide. Then stick around to sample a variety of spirits. Children under 21 are welcome but may not sample.
Staymaker Restaurant
(Approximately 1½ hours)
Located in the same building as Journeyman Distillery, you’ll enjoy this pub-style food for dinner. Small plates include homemade pretzels served with Featherbone bourbon mustard and cheddar cheese sauce, pork cracklins, charred carrots with goat cheese and more. Chase away any remaining hunger with a choice of salads, soups, Amish chicken, braised short ribs, garden grinder, Detroit-style pizza and more. A decadent treat is their bourbon vanilla adult malted milkshake topped with fresh whipped cream.
109 Generations Dr.
Three Oaks, MI 49128
The Acorn
(Approximately 1½-2 hours)
Housed in the same turn-of-the-century former corset factory, this beautiful building is also a venue for performers of incomparable talent who delight patrons with audience proximity and outstanding acoustics. Get tickets to an evening show, or see one of their outdoor performances in Southwest Michigan.
107 Generations Dr.
Three Oaks, MI 49128
Thanks for joining us!
We hope you enjoyed your travels throughout Southwest Michigan. Check out other trips that you can take on our itineraries page.
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