Outdoor Recreation
Dunes, beaches, trails and water-based adventures
Fill your days with dune climbs, Lake Michigan beaches, trail hikes, small towns, craft beverages and plenty more.
Our challenges reward you for enjoying the best of the area — from beach days and outdoor adventures to delicious restaurants, local shops, galleries, craft beverages, summer music concerts and year-round festivals.
From pristine beaches, award winning wineries, distilleries and craft breweries to stunning lighthouse tours and one of a-kind adventures, Southwest Michigan offers unforgettable experiences for every taste. Explore our list of featured experiences below and discover what makes this region so special.
The same Lake Michigan that lures you into its sparkling fresh waters is the reason we harvest one of the largest varieties of fruits and vegetables in the United States! The lake tempers our climate to create some of the best growing conditions. That’s why many of our farms have been owned by families for generations.
Today, dozens of our Southwest Michigan farms welcome you into their orchards and fields. Let your children see where their food grows. Handpick the freshest, sweetest strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, grapes and more to bring home to your table. Or choose the plumpest pumpkins to carve or beautiful Christmas trees to decorate.
Going to our farms isn’t just about fruits and vegetables bursting with exceptional flavors. It’s about riding the hay wagon out to the orchards or Christmas trees, picnicking on a blanket, finding your way out of a corn maze, watching them milk cows then eating fresh ice cream after and playing outdoor games with grandpa and grandma. Visiting Southwest Michigan farms will become an annual tradition that won’t end.
Many of our farms also have stands brimming with just-picked flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs and pumpkins. You will also find seasonal decorations, jams, salsas, organic eggs and meats, cheeses, cider, donuts, pies, family recipes, Christmas trees, wreaths and more. Read our harvest guide food chart to learn what is in season each month or view our Farms & Harvest Guide brochure below.