South West

Getting There-The Gerald R. Ford International Airport or O’Hare or Midway, the Pere Marquette Train (runs from Chicago to Holland and Grand Rapids seven days a week). Amtrak service from Chicago to St. Joseph.

Eight communities south of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph situated along Lake Michigan are collectively called Harbor Country. A two hour drive from Chicago makes this a popular weekend destination for Windy City residents.  Stay in a quaint bed & breakfast and visit three beautiful State Parks, golf, boat, bicycle, shop, or u-pick your own berries and vegetables.

There are several charming towns to explore in this region, and just too many to mention them all.

The Saugatuck/Douglas area is also known as the art coast. The town’s character retains a Victorian flavor with many 19^th century homes to view. Some of them serve as bed & breakfasts. The oval beach is rated as one of the top beaches along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Just three hours from Detroit or Chicago makes it a top destination for urban residents. Take in charter fishing, boating, shopping, bicycling and dining.

Holland, a Dutch settled town, offers malls shopping and large grocery stores. Holland is famous for its tulip festival in early may. Local Dutch Americans show up in their wooden shoes for the week-long event that includes concerts, parades, and klompen dancing.

You can enjoy four full seasons in the Grand Haven area.  Fall season offers a bounty of fun attractions with u-pick farms, train rides, color tours, hiking or biking area parks, shopping in historic downtowns, museum visits, art galleries  and more. We also offers a wide variety of lodging options from family friendly hotels, affordable motels, romantic bed & breakfasts to fantastic vacation homes and rustic cabins.

Grand Rapids is big enough to have it all – museums a world-class botanical garden, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, plays, art galleries, John Ball Zoo, Public Museum, Children’s Museum, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum to name a few. Enjoy the beaches, bicycling, golf, dining, hiking and more.

Upcoming Events
Benton Harbor
January 21: Winter Delights A Festival of Wine , Food and Jazz..More info call 269.927.1221

Grand Rapids 
January 30 at Meijer Gardens  Animal Adventures : Growing Wild  Visit www.meijergardens.org 

 Grand Haven
26-29th
The snow is here, and Grand Haven is offering a full weekend of winter fun. This is an interactive festival with both indoor and outdoor activities. For more info call 616-402.4887 or visit   www.winterfestonline.org

Muskegon
January 21 and February 11:
 Nordic Nights Gourmet Dine and Glides   four course dinner, ski pass and entrance to heated tent with live music. Cross country skiing on groomed well lit trails. Choose from 1K or 5K trails. More info call 231.744.9629

Montague
1-21-1/22  White Lake Perch Festival

St. Joseph  
Kalamazoo