Makers Trail Fall Itinerary
Southwest Michigan’s Makers Trail pairs well with autumn weekends. Crisp air, colorful trails and vineyard views make this the perfect season to explore breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries alongside outdoor adventures. Collect check-ins with the Makers Trail Passport and join the Trails Challenge as you go. The more stops you make, the more rewards you earn.
Day 1: St. Joseph & Benton Harbor
The day blends standout dining, lakefront views and Makers Trail favorites. Kick off your adventures with a delicious breakfast, stroll the Lake Michigan shoreline and immerse yourself in brilliant fall colors at a nature preserve. Midday offers waterfront dining followed by cider and wine tastings. Then choose golf or a trail walk before ending with BBQ and craft drinks.
The Copper Pot Breakfast Café
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Known for hearty portions and specialty coffees. The Copper Pot serves creative takes on Eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles and their signature oven-roasted grapefruit. Pair a selection of mimosas and “Eye Opener” cocktails with your breakfast.
Rocky Gap Park
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Take in sweeping views of Lake Michigan from the bluff or from the pergola on the overlook deck, then head down to the quiet shoreline. The beach is a popular place for rockhounding and finding colorful beach glass. If you are ambitious, you can walk the shoreline to Jean Klock Park and Tiscornia Park Beach.
1100 Rocky Gap Road
Benton Harbor, MI
Sarett Nature Center
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Explore over 1,000 acres on trails that wind through forests, wetlands and along river bluffs. Boardwalks and overlooks bring you close to the fall foliage and the treetop walkway offers a bird’s-eye view of the colorful forest canopy.
2300 N Benton Center Road
Benton Harbor, MI
Plank’s Tavern on the Water
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Located inside the Inn at Harbor Shores, this restaurant has some of the closest waterfront dining views in the area. Overlooking the St. Joseph River harbor, it serves lunch/brunch with options ranging from burgers to chicken, waffles, crepes, wraps, omelets and shareable plates. Guests can dine indoors or enjoy the seasonal outdoor seating during pleasant weather.
800 Whitwam Drive
St. Joseph, MI
Carriage House Cidery
(Approximately ½ -1 hour)
Inside a 130-year-old carriage house, this cidery handcrafts sparkling hard ciders in small batches, using fresh-pressed local apples, wild yeast and traditional oak-barrel aging for a champagne-like character. Visitors can relax on the tasting patio from spring through fall, sample seasonal releases or book a tour to see the cider-making process up close.
920 N Shore Drive
Benton Harbor, MI
Vineyard 2121
(Approximately ½ -1 hour)
Enjoy estate-grown wines as well as craft beer, hard cider, premium vodka and fun seasonal slushies. The menu features house-made soups, sandwiches and appetizers, while live music and events create a lively atmosphere indoors or on the vine-wrapped patio.
4110 Red Arrow Hwy.
Benton Harbor, MI
Harbor Shores Golf Club
(Approximately 2½ - 3 hours)
This Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is the only one on Lake Michigan and has hosted the Senior PGA Championship. Its 18 holes span inland terrain, dunes with lake views, woodlands and riverfront wetlands, making it a premier Midwest golf destination. The integrated 12-mile Harbor Shores Nature & Fitness Trail System includes both paved and unpaved sections that wind through the course, along two rivers and across wetlands and dunes. It’s one of the most beautiful places for fall paddling, hiking and biking.
201 Graham Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI
Hill District by North Pier
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Hill District serves modern BBQ with smoked meats and elevated pub favorites. Menu highlights include poutine, smoked wings, a smash burger and the Pitmaster platter, all paired with fresh-ingredient cocktails or handcrafted North Pier brews.
107 Higman Park Road
Benton Harbor, MI
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 2: South of St. Joseph
Start your day with a bakery breakfast, followed by a peaceful forest hike and a stop to shop for local flavors. Spend the afternoon driving through the countryside to the wineries and trails, taking in the scenery, the colors, the wind blowing through the trees and across the fields. Walk on the trails aware of what you see, hear and the fragrances in the air. Then finish with craft drinks and a wood-fired pizza.
Breakfast
(Approximately ½ -1 hour)
Red Coach offers classic and specialty donuts, pastries and locally roasted coffee. Bit of Swiss is renowned for its European-style baked goods, offering sweet indulgences like almond croissants, cinnamon bread and pear-almond tarts, alongside savory favorites such as potato-bacon-herb pockets and a full lineup of artisan breads. At Caffé Tosi, you’ll find Bit of Swiss pastries, fresh-brewed coffees and teas, plus house specialties like eggs espresso, frittatas and waffles. Besides the indoor seating, the outdoor tables give a view of the changing trees along Lake Bluff Park.
Warren Woods State Park
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Step into 311 acres of old-growth beech and maple forest, where the Galien River winds beneath a canopy that glows with autumn color. A peaceful one-mile trail follows the river, crossing a scenic bridge and surrounding you with towering fall foliage. It’s a beautiful alternative to nearby Warren Dunes State Park and is usually much quieter in autumn.
Sawyer Home & Garden Center
(Approximately ½ -1 hour)
This is a treasure trove of fall food, plants and décor. The market is stocked with fresh produce, gourmet foods, craft beer and more than 500 wines from around the world, including local favorites. Browse through aisles of home decorations, kitchen items and gifts, then stop in on a weekend for wine tastings and discover a new favorite bottle. In the fall, pumpkins, mums and seasonal treats make it worth the stop.
Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
(Approximately 1 - 2 hours)
Tabor Hill crafts estate wines ranging from timeless favorites like Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to signature specialties including Syrah and Meritage. Guests can enjoy a lunch overlooking the vineyards, delighting in dishes made with locally sourced ingredients that pair perfectly with their vintages. The restaurant also features craft beer, cocktails and desserts to satisfy each of your traveling companions’ tastes.
Mt. Tabor Trails
(Approximately ½ -1 hour)
These free trails link Tabor Hill and Round Barn with routes ranging from 1.15 to 3.5 miles through vineyards and woods. Choose a drink or snack to go from either tasting room, then sip, snack and explore on your way to the next stop. Open year-round during winery hours, the trails are family- and pet-friendly, with non-alcoholic options for kids.
Round Barn Winery & Estate
(Approximately 2 hours)
Housed in a turn-of-the-century Amish round barn, this family-owned estate combines a winery, distillery and brewery in one unforgettable setting. Guests can sample Lake Michigan Shore wines, craft beer and cream-based spirits or step into the Bourbon Barn Cocktail Lounge for handcrafted cocktails. The estate also features live music, seasonal events and food from the onsite truck, with pets welcome on the deck.
Haymarket Taproom
(Approximately 1½ -2 hours)
Famous for wood-fired pizzas that bake to perfection in minutes, Haymarket pairs its fresh craft beer with bold, satisfying flavors. Among the pizza favorites are the Elote, featuring fire-roasted corn, cotija, umami mayo and lime, and the Sausage & Giardiniera, layered with fennel sausage, mozzarella and a zesty pepper blend. Relax indoors or gather with friends at the outdoor firepits on cool fall nights.
9301 Red Arrow Hwy.
Bridgman, MI
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.