Day 1: Friday Night
After the drive to Southwest Michigan, ease into the weekend with dinner and drinks before checking into your hotel. It’s the perfect way to settle in and start savoring your getaway.
1
(Approximately 2 hours)
Kick off the weekend with artisan cocktails and a locally inspired meal at Iron Shoe Distillery in downtown Niles, a stop along Southwest Michigan’s Makers Trail . This small-batch distillery crafts every spirit from local grain, creating high-quality rums, liqueurs and whiskeys aged in Michigan white oak barrels. The menu puts a creative spin on comfort food, featuring BBQ pork sliders with Michigan cherry BBQ sauce, maple bourbon Brussels sprouts and signature Angus beef burgers.
3 N. 3rd St.
2
(Approximately 2 hours)
End your evening at The Study, a speakeasy-style bar inside the Laugh Lounge. Step through the door and you’ll feel like you’ve slipped back to the 1920s. Low lighting, fireplaces, shelves of books and vintage décor create a warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages you to linger. Sip a classic cocktail while jazz music plays softly in the background, for a night that feels both timeless and exclusive. To get in, you’ll need to know the secret code — TAR & FEATHER — and reservations are recommended.
204 N. 4th St.
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 2: Saturday
Saturday is a chance to experience more of Southwest Michigan before the wedding festivities begin. Start with breakfast, browse the seasonal farmers market and enjoy the lakefront at Silver Beach. Then spend the afternoon shopping, tasting local wines and relaxing with coffee before celebrating the newlyweds.
1
Breakfast
(Approximately 1 to 2 hours)
Start your day with breakfast at one of several local favorites. Plank’s Tavern on the Water serves classic dishes with a waterfront view. Clifford’s Coffee Canal , open seasonally, offers coffee, juices, smoothies, pastries, breakfast tacos and more along the Paw Paw River. Mason Jar Café in the Benton Harbor Arts District features an extensive menu and is known for its creative, farm-to-table fare and friendly atmosphere.
St. Joseph, MI &
Murals in the Arts District
4
Lunch
(Approximately 1 hour)
Enjoy lunch at one of several unique spots in St. Joseph. Caffe Tosi offers Italian-inspired sandwiches, soups, salads and a large selection of teas and espresso drinks in a cozy European-inspired café. Brookie’s Café serves classic sandwiches, skillets, soups and salads. For something lighter, stop at Full of Crepe , where sweet, savory and gluten-free crepes are made to order with fresh ingredients.
St. Joseph, MI
5
Downtown St. Joseph
(Approximately 2 hours)
Spend the afternoon exploring downtown St. Joseph’s locally owned shops and tasting rooms. Browse G&M Variety for nostalgic finds, discover fun gifts and collectibles at State Street Stuff and explore The Market, which features locally created art, a specialty wine shop, cheese and more. Then visit White Pine Winery, Lazy Ballerina Winery or Baroda Founders to sample Southwest Michigan wines, from crisp whites to rich reds. Each offers flights, glasses and bottles to enjoy or take home.
St. Joseph, MI
7
Cheers to the Newlyweds
(Approximately 4 to 6 hours)
Enjoy celebrating at the wedding! This region offers an incredible variety of venues, from rustic country barns surrounded by rolling fields to elegant historic buildings and modern spaces like local wineries, breweries and distilleries. Each setting captures a different side of the area’s character, whether it’s the charm of the countryside or the energy of the waterfront. Wherever the celebration takes place, you’ll find beautiful backdrops, local flavors and warm hospitality that make every wedding here unforgettable.
Southwest Michigan
Explore Wedding Venues
8
Late-Night Celebrating
(Approximately 2 hours)
After the wedding, keep the celebration going with munchies and drinks. St. Joseph’s Sand Bar Grille is a laid-back favorite for gathering with friends, sharing stories from the day and enjoying a cocktail or beer until 2 a.m. Or On the River Tavern and Mo’s Cigar Bar , also in St. Joseph, keep the good times rolling until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with their choices of craft beers, cocktails, made-from-scratch pub fare and cigars. Down the road, McCollum's Restaurant & Bar in Buchanan serves a deep selection of bourbon, wine and handcrafted cocktails from its speak-easy bar on Fridays and Saturdays until midnight.
Southwest Michigan
See You In The Morning
You will find more fun to enjoy tomorrow.
Day 3: Sunday
After the wedding, ease into the day with comfort food and a little exploring. Enjoy breakfast or brunch, browse antiques or play golf, then grab lunch before heading home.
1
Breakfast
(Approximately 1½ -2 hours)
Thornton’s Home Town Café serves hearty, home-style dishes in a friendly setting that feels like a true neighborhood spot. The Copper Pot is known for creative takes on Eggs Benedict, omelets, waffles and its signature oven-roasted grapefruit. Pair your meal with a mimosa or one of their “Eye Opener” cocktails if you need a little extra boost to start the day. For something lighter, stop by Broad Street Café for coffee, muffins and bagel breakfast sandwiches.
St. Joseph, MI
2
Golfing or Antiquing
(Approximately 2 to 3 hours)
Spend the morning hitting the links in Southwest Michigan. Choose from beautiful courses like Harbor Shores, Lake Michigan Hills or Paw Paw Lake Golf Club. Each offers scenic fairways and a fun challenge for every skill level. After lunch in Watervliet (see ideas below), go treasure hunting at the Great Lakes Antique Mall in Coloma, where more than 150 vendors showcase vintage furniture, décor and collectibles.
Southwest Michigan
3
Lunch
(Approximately 1 hour)
Before returning home, stop in Watervliet for lunch in a friendly, small-town setting. Check out the train mural on the Sidetrack Café II , then step inside for plates of American comfort food, from burgers and sandwiches to hearty daily specials. Craving a delicious pizza, steak, wings, pasta, or more? Find a table at the Local 3 Grill & Tap . Or visit La Chula Mexican Market for authentic tacos, burritos and house-made salsas.
Watervliet, 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.
Find More Idea Starters
