Family Fun Trip in Southwest Michigan
Our region is one of the most family friendly destinations in Michigan. So turn off the television, put away the electronic devices and join us for hours of unforgettable time together! Take this self-guided family fun trip in Southwest Michigan.
Day 1: All-around fun
This one is a trip the whole family can enjoy — from your little tikes to the grandparents!
Silver Beach Pizza
(Approximately 1 hour)
This popular stop holds the title of Best Pizza in Southwest Michigan and is attached to the St. Joseph Amtrak train depot. This family-owned, Italian restaurant’s menu offers a delicious variety of salads, sandwiches, appetizers, gluten- free and vegan options and a children’s menu. Be warned, you may need to order ahead based on wait times. Use the Yelp app to reserve a table while you enjoy all the nearby family-friendly activities. In the summer, you will especially appreciate the option of ordering a pizza at the takeout window.
410 Vine St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Sidewalk Stretch
(Approximately 1 hour)
St. Joseph has a very walkable downtown. After lunch, make your first stop at the St. Joseph Today Welcome Center, 301 State St. Pick up a list of nearby stores, winery tasting rooms, ice cream and candy shops, restaurants and kid-friendly attractions. You'll find a store that lets kids play with several of the toys, book store, clothing shops, Kilwins Ice Cream and general merchandise stores that offer everything you'll need for the beach or entertaining the kids at the hotel or cottage.
301 State St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone
(Approximately 2 hours)
Curious Kids' Discovery Zone will entertain up through junior high ages and stimulate imaginations and a love of learning. Traveling exhibits add to the fun and enrichment. This child-centered space is open year-round; check their website for hours and admission fees.
333 Broad St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Whirlpool Compass Fountain
(Approximately 1 hour)
Eight water cannons and 28 water jets shoot refreshing H2O across a 150-foot splash pad, weather-permitting May through early-September. Bring a beach ball or Frisbee to toss. Wear clothes that can get wet and keep a towel handy because the youngest to the oldest in your group will want to jump, run and splash for at least an hour.
200 Broad St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Picnic & Castles until sunset
(Approximately 4 hours)
Get takeout food from one of the downtown restaurants or buy picnic fare from a nearby grocery deli, then bring it to one of these Lake Michigan beaches. Parents Magazine named Silver Beach County Park one of the best family beaches in the U.S., but Lions Park Beach and Tiscornia Beach Park get high marks from toddlers to grandparents. Each of these destinations has soft sand for castle building. Silver Beach and Lions Park have playground equipment and sand volleyball courts.
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 2: All-around fun
This one is a trip the whole family can enjoy — from your little tikes to the grandparents!
Marco Polo at a hotel indoor pool
(Approximately 45 minutes)
Most local hotels offer an indoor pool. Enjoy yours before checkout!
Southwest Michigan
Love Creek County Park & Nature Center
(Approximately 1 hour)
This is a great place to introduce your children to the diversity of plants, birds and wildlife in the Great Lakes region. Explore a variety of habitats along 6 miles of trails and see a spectacular array of wildflowers. Mountain bikers will enjoy the 4.5-mile beginner-to-intermediate trail through fields and forest. In the winter, the park grooms 3 miles for fat tire snow biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. See the website for entry, trail and rental fee details.
9292 Huckleberry Road
Berrien Center, MI 49102
Clementine’s Too
(Approximately 1 hour)
Enjoy one of the area's largest menu selections in a spacious dining room overlooking the St. Joseph River. Their hand-dipped onion rings (you'll get a tower of them) and perch are local favorites. It is open all year-round.
1235 Broad St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Peat’s Cider Social
(Approximately 1½ hours)
What a fun combination — bowling lanes, arcade games and a chance for the adults to taste some of Southwest Michigan’s best craft ciders. Whether you are a cider fan or still sipping juice boxes, you’ll make lifelong memories challenging the family to see who can knock down the most pins. Then it’s off to discover that Southwest Michigan’s history is anything but boring!
6201 Red Arrow Hwy.
Stevensville, MI 49127
The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center
(Approximately 1 hour)
Nothing is boring about the stories you and your family will discover in this history-rich region. The Heritage Museum is a great source for learning about Southwest Michigan’s past when you explore its permanent and special exhibits. For example, did you know that before the Wright Brothers flew their airplane, Augustus Moore Herring went airborne in his flying machine over Silver Beach?
The Heritage is fully ADA accessible. It is open Monday-Thursday by appointment and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Free admission.
601 Main St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Krasl Art Center
(Approximately 1 hour)
Explore the art galleries, arrange a guided tour, take a class, or, in the summer, meet at the St. Joseph Today Welcome Center for a Sidewalk Art or Sidewalk Heritage Tour (dates and times are posted on the Krasl site each May). If you're in the area the second weekend in July, the Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff is ranked as one of the best in the U.S. Kids enjoy seeing the variety of art as much as adults do.
707 Lake Blvd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Margaret B. Upton Arboretum
(Approximately 45 minutes)
Watch boats (including Great Lakes freighters) in the St. Joseph River and Harbor. One of the best vantage points is Margaret B. Upton Arboretum. If you time it right, you can watch the historic railroad swing bridge or drawbridge in action.
617-699 Water St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Slackers Family Fun Center
(Approximately 1 hour)
Play a few rounds of laser tag, beat some arcade games and jump on bounce houses!
1155 Vineland Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Hidden Pointe
(Approximately 2-3 hours)
Hold an informal family mini-golf tournament at Hidden Pointe in Benton Harbor. Go-karts, batting cages, arcade games and jump shot basketball trampolines are some of the other ways to have fun. Then grab some ice cream from their concession stand!
1062 Nickerson Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
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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