Extraordinary
Southwest Michigan
Vacation Homes

11115 Lake Shore Drive
Berrien Springs,
Michigan 49103

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(888.866.4244)

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Tubing & water sports on all sport Lake Chapin Michigan

Southwest Michigan Activities & Attractions

Beaches   Biking   Casinos   Festivals   Fishing Charters Golfing
Hiking   Sporting Clays Snow Skiing   Sledding/Sleigh Rides
Snowmobiling    U-Pick Fruit   Local Wineries
Activities Listed by Town  Local Restaurant Guide QuickLinks

Start right outside your new SW Michigan vacation home and check out the nearby attractions of Southwest Michigan. Perhaps MSNBC said it best: "Imagine a weeklong vacation spent lounging on a sandy beach in Florida, touring a Napa Valley winery, visiting an art gallery in New York, exploring a historic Cape Cod lighthouse and golfing surfside on Hilton Head Island. Sounds great -- except for the expense, the unfeasible travel logistics and the exhaustion. Now a leisurely vacation on the west coast of Michigan, where similar destinations are close enough to each other to be enjoyed in a lot less time and for a lot less money." Every season, every time of day, there’s something wonderful here for the kid in all of you!

When it comes to our signature public beaches and waterways, we've got a lot to brag about. For example, Silver Beach was named by Parents Magazine as one of the "Top 10 family beaches in the U.S." We had a bit of trouble understanding how they could narrow it down to one beach along Lake Michigan's dune-filled shoreline. All our beaches are absolutely stunning, especially compared to the narrow beaches on the Chicago side of the lake. And you certainly won't find our breathtaking sunsets on the other side! And Michigan has so much more to offer than just Lake Michigan. Several rivers and over 250 inland lakes also offer loads of fun boating, swimming, tubing, fishing (even in winter), aqua biking, skiing and more. Come enjoy all of our waters!

Silver Beach is located in the town of St. Joseph. January 2010 marked the return of The Carousel, complete with music, which boasts 48 uniquely hand-carved figures of horses, tigers and more. The beauty of Silver Beach, other than the obvious, is that it offers everything from swimming, picnicking, play-grounds, beach volleyball, fishing, concessions, restrooms, and showers. You will want to walk the pier and enjoy the views. Save some time to explore the town, as it is consists of blocks of restaurants, ice cream parlors, art galleries, and interesting shops.

Weko Beach is located in the town of Bridgman, and offers an expansive sandy beach, complete with playgrounds, concessions and a chance to body surf in the waves of Lake Michigan. In the summer, you will enjoy the Concert Series, which takes place weekend evenings on the beach. Climb up either of the two dunes overlooks and experience a sunset you won’t soon forget. If you do stay for the sunset you will hear “Taps”, which is played each evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Warren Dunes State Park, located at 12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer, MI 49125, features a beautiful stretch of beach on Lake Michigan. After a few hours picnicking and relaxing in the sun, you may want to explore some of the miles of sandy trails that Warren Dunes is so famous for.

Oval Beach of Saugatuck has been rated by Conde Nast’s Traveler Magazine as one of the 25 best shorelines in the world. It is also rated one of America’s 11 best beach towns to live in. National Geographic Traveler Magazine rated it one of the top two freshwater beaches in America, and the Chicago Tribune ranked it number one of the Midwest’s five best beaches.

The Michigan Underwater Preserve has given Michigan the honor of becoming a world-class scuba diving destination. Due to its location at the shipping lane terminus through the Great Lakes, there are countless cargo and passenger ships which have sunk over the last 300+ years. There are eleven protected, designated areas called “Underwater Museums”, which cover 2,400 square miles. Divers can explore shipwrecks and examine unique geologic features.

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REDBUD MX Race Track is located at 6405 Redbud Trail in Buchanan, MI. Highlights each season include the AMA National Motocross and the AMA/ATVA National ATV Motocross. There are also charity fundraisers to watch as well as open-riding days.

Check out Big Lake Outfitters of Saugatuck where you can rent mopeds and bikes to explore the hills and neighborhoods up close.

Scooter Joe’s Sport Rentals and More in downtown St. Joseph will rent you scooters, bikes, even Surrey Bikes, where a family of eight can ride together.

Backroads Bikeway trails offers 14 self-guided bike routes on paved area roads, with lengths from 5 to 60 miles. The routes follow secondary roads over rushing streams and through rolling hills, farmland, meadows, parks and forests.

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The Four Winds Casino Resort located at 11111 Wilson Rd., New Buffalo, MI 49117, is a magnificent Casino worth exploring even if you are not a big gambler. In addition to the top notch gambling, it houses a beautiful hotel, several restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.

The Blue Chip Casino Hotel is located at 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, IN. In addition to its 65,000 square feet luxurious gaming environment, the Blue Chip features entertainment in its Stardust Events Center, as well as a spectacular new 10,000 square foot Spa, and some excellent dining choices.

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Bridgman

The Wine Festival at Weko Beach is a magnificent way to spend the day on the beach overlooking Lake Michigan. Here you will sample award-winning Michigan wines and enjoy live music, as you dine at the many food tents. This festival is a joint effort between the Economic Growth Alliance and the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail. Raise your glass and “toast the coast”.

Dowagiac

The Dogwood Fine Arts Festival is a weeklong fest, which honors the fine arts. This season you will find live entertainment, readings, dancing, sculpting, culinary arts and storytelling. Tickets can be purchased through the website.

Holland

The Tulip Time Festival is a celebration of Dutch heritage and culture, which offers three amazing parades, multiple Dutch Dance performances, concerts, theatre, Dutch food, children’s events, trolley tours and more. The sheer number, color and variety of the tulips is enough to take your breath away.

New Buffalo

The New Buffalo Winter Festival is a weekend full of fun. You can ice skate, watch the ice sculpting, take a sleigh ride or attend "Bev’s Second Season Ball". The Ball is a great opportunity to visit with your friends, enjoy the champagne fountain, local food, dancing, and participate in the live and silent auction. Tickets can be purchased online.

St. Joseph

Antiques on the Bluff is a charming way to spend a Sunday outdoors. You will enjoy the variety of antiques as well as the beautiful view, as you shop. This event occurs the first Sunday of each month, May through October.

The Brownbag Concert Series features live entertainment on Wednesdays at noon, June though September. The John E.N. Howard Band Shell overlooks the St. Joe River and is a perfect spot to enjoy your lunch.

Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff featuring over 200 artists has long held the status of being one of the top 100 art fairs in the nation. Located at Bluff Park in downtown St. Joseph, the view of Lake Michigan is the perfect backdrop to the incredible artwork. Admission is free.

The Magical Ice Carving Festival is really something to see. The National Ice Carving Association sanctions it. The ice sculptures are judged on originality, artistic quality, technique and design. You can watch the sculptors as they work, or take part in some of the other fun activities the festival has going on throughout the weekend.

Luminary Festival is the perfect kick off for your holiday season. Walk through the candle-lit streets as over 800 luminaries light your way through downtown St. Joseph. Take a ride through town on a free horse-drawn Trolley Ride, and gaze into all the decorated store windows.

Saugatuck

The Venetian Festival in Saugatuck is a great way to spend the day and night. The boat parade floats past you, each vessel competing for the coveted “Venetian Cup” and the bragging rights that accompany it. There are food tents, live entertainment, family fun and so much more.

South Haven

As South Haven is the self-proclaimed “Blueberry Capital of the World” you will not want to miss its National Blueberry Festival. Here you will enjoy their annual parade, entertainment, art fair and yes, plenty of blueberry-inspired taste treats.

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Countless lakes and some of the best freshwater fishing in the world await the fisherman in Michigan. You can deep-water fish, ice-fish, or just wade into a stream. Michigan has about 146 kinds of fish ranging from tiny minnows to giant lake sturgeon. You’ll find salmon, trout, walleye, perch, smelt, pike, catfish, crappie, sucker, bass and muskie. And just minutes from your Southwest Michigan lake home, just below Berrien Springs, is a world-class steelhead fishery stocked with more than 250,000 fish every year. Take the kids to see the fish ladder on the river to watch the steelhead and king salmon make their annual journey.

A Michigan fishing license is required and can be found at most local sporting stores or bait shops. Call the Michigan DNR at 517-373-0908 for more information.

Fishing Charters nearby on Lake Michigan
http://www.goldeneyecharters.com/
http://www.riverquestcharters.com/
http://www.bigbirdcharters.com/
http://www.finpowercharters.com/
http://www.finnailer.com/
http://www.fourseasonscharters.com/
http://www.headhuntersportfishing.com/

For a great local source for fishing tackle and rods, apparel, bait, and more, including hunting and camping gear and gifts, be sure to visit the nearby Trailhead Mercantile in Niles. Give Bryan a call at 269-683-FISH (683-3474) for real local knowledge of great spots to drop a line as well as an expert opinion on everything in his vast inventory. If nothing else, drop in to browse his fun shop at 209 East Main Street in downtown Niles when you're in the area. Even if you aren't the fisherman, camper or hunter in the family, you'll love his selection of both useful and great, fun gifts which are sure to be appreciated.

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For a great resource on beautiful courses throughout Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan, and to find the latest specials and rates, check out the helpful MichianaGolf.com website, packed with great information on everything you need to know before heading out to any of the area links. Or click on the individual sites for our local area courses below.

Berrien Hills Golf Club is located in Benton Harbor, MI

Blackthorn Golf Club is in South Bend, IN

Brookwood Golf Course is located in Buchanan, MI

Hampshire Country Club is located in Dowagiac, MI

Hawkshead is located in South Haven, MI

Indian Lake Hills Golf Course is located in Eau Claire, MI

The Golf Club at Harbor Shores is located in Benton Harbor, MI

Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club is located in Benton Harbor, MI

Lost Dunes Golf Club is located in Bridgman, MI

Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club is located in Benton Harbor, MI

Orchard Hills Country Club is in nearby Buchanan, MI (Mention Lake Chapin Shores to Bill Loux and he'll extend you an incredible membership rate or get you out to try the course for a nominal fee... It's a gorgeous track!)

Pipestone Creek Golf Course is located in Eau Claire, MI

Signal Point Club, although a private club, offers unlimited play with no tee times needed! It's just 10 minutes away in Niles, MI and was recently ranked the 7th Best Nine-Hole Course in America by Golf World. The club features the best practice facility in the area, platform tennis, as well as fine dining in a cozy clubhouse overlooking the 18th hole. The course, is "perhaps the most imaginative ever from architect Robert Bruce Harris," according to Ron Whitten, Golf Digest's Senior Architecture Editor. "The course has two flags on each green and separate tee boxes to make the course play a complete and well designed 18 holes." Come visit us and ask about our special membership pricing.

Spruce Ridge is located at Dowagiac, MI

Whittaker Woods Golf Community

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For some of the best hiking in the entire Midwest, head to Warren Dunes State Park at 12032 Red Arrow Hwy in Sawyer, MI. It offers hiking trails of various levels. If you're ready for a challenge with a view of Lake Michigan, take one of the trails up to the top of the park's famous sand dunes, which is an experience you won’t want to miss. This park features 2.5 miles of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline, so don't forget your camera!

Berrien County Parks offer miles of gorgeous trails to explore, ranging from easy, level trails to more difficult ones. Countless families have enjoyed the three-mile trail at Madeline Bertrand and the five-mile hike at Love Creek.

The Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve, located at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, MI 49120, is delightful in any season. It features a 55-acre Nature Preserve complete with beautiful and well-marked trails. After your hike, reward yourself with a delicious lunch at Fernwood’s Café, with a view you are certain to enjoy.

Warren Woods State Park, is located at 12032 Red Arrow Hwy, Sawyer, MI 49125. Although this Woods is but ½ square mile, it consists of a primeval forest featuring several hiking paths, a foot bridge over the Galien River, and great place to do some bird watching.

Kal-Haven Trail State Park consists of 34 miles of crushed limestone path connecting South Haven and Kalamazoo. Your hike will take you through beautiful woods and farmland, as you walk along the river and streams.

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The state of Michigan is a wonderland for hunters and fisherman. It boasts of being first in the nation for licensed hunters, counting over one million, who contribute $2 billion to its economy. The white-tailed deer season alone draws over three-quarter of a million hunters. The woods and fields of Southwestern Michigan are teeming with wild game. All you need is a Michigan hunting license and permission from the landowner to hunt on the property. Limited hunting is also permitted at: Crane Pond State Game Preserve, Cass County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, Cass County.

Popular hunting includes: White-tail Deer: Bow & Arrow and Regular Firearm, Cottontail Rabbi, Squirrel, Ruffed Grouse and Fall Wild Turkey

Call the Michigan DNR at 517-373-0908 for more information.

The Deer Creek Hunt Club features sporting clays, skeet shooting, 5 stand & trap shooting, with a state of the art throwing system.

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It’s always a Winter Wonderland in Southwest Michigan. Whether it’s cross-country skiing, dog sledding, tubing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, you can make it happen in Southwest Michigan. You may wish to start a new family tradition by visiting a Christmas Tree Farm and cutting down your family’s tree for the holidays. For more information on winter fun in Michigan go to the West Michigan Tourist Association website. Here you will find up to date information on the latest ski conditions at all of the great ski areas, a calendar of winter festivals and details on winter activities along the scenic West Coast of Michigan.

Looking for a ski resort? The Big Powderhorn Mountain has something for everyone, including day and night skiing, restaurants, classes, as well as an indoor miniature golf course and a pool.

Swiss Valley Ski Area is located at 13421 Mann Street in Jones, MI (269) 244-5635 This resort is family oriented with 11 runs, two quads, one triple & four rope tows for our separate beginner's area. Every slope is lighted for night skiing. They have two "Terrain Parks" ideal for snowboarding. Relax by the fire and enjoy the chalet lounge. Amenities and services include: snow making, day lodge with cafeteria, full service ski shop, rentals, PSIA ski school, racing and children's programs. Michigan's closest ski area to Chicago and Indiana and is just 50 minutes from Lake Chapin Shores.

Love Creek Park, located near Berrien Springs at 9292 Huckleberry Road, Berrien Center, offers five miles of groomed, lighted “traditional” ski runs, as well as many cross-country ski trails. Rental equipment is available on site. (269) 471-2617

Madeline Bertrand, located in Niles, offers three miles of level to gently rolling trails through the forest and along a bluff overlooking the St. Joseph River. Skiers also enjoy exploring trails in the adjacent St. Patrick’s County Park in Indiana. Rental equipment is available on site.

Kal-Haven Trail State Park consists of 34 miles of crushed limestone path connecting South Haven and Kalamazoo. The trails, which meander through woods and farmland, and run along rivers and streams, are perfect for cross-country skiing.

Cannonburg Ski Area has added a little extra to the ordinary when it comes to ski resorts; with the highest vertical in Southwest Michigan and trails for the unnerved beginner and the seasoned professional. With one of the most revolutionary snow-making technologies and special room rates at a nearby hotel, Cannonburg ensures a memorable skiing experience for all.

Alpine Valley offers a beautiful landscape, 25 breathtaking slopes, 9 ski-lifts, and four picturesque parks all together creating one of the largest ski areas in southern Michigan. Merely three hours from Berrien Springs this Resort ski park provides fun for all ages and abilities. Don’t have your own skis?- no problem a brand new fleet of rentals enables visitors to participate in any activity the mountain can offer.

Crystal Mountain is an oasis for avid golfers and skiers; open year-round in Michigan’s northwest Lower Peninsula this 1,500 acre resort offers 45 slopes with night skiing daily on their 98 percent skiable terrain. Family friendly offers include: kids 18 and under sleep and ski free midweek when accompanied by parental accommodations and programs to keep them entertained for hours.

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Sleigh Rides Too... For an entirely different experience, try the Winterwind Sleigh Ride (located near Bessemer), where you will experience the beauty of a snow covered historic farm, while riding in an old-fashioned sleigh, pulled by a team of Percheron Draft Horses.

For great sledding and toboggan trails, head over to the Five Pines, located in Warren Dunes State Park. You won’t want to miss trying out the 400-foot tubing hill. Five Pines has night-lights and tubes can be rented at the site.

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Click here to find an interactive snowmobiling website, which will supply you with all the information you need to rent a snowmobile or purchase one. They list miles of trails and even have the conditions available for you. This is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of Michigan’s winter wonderland, up close.

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Southwest Michigan is also known for its incredible rich farming and is known as the Fruit Belt, supplying much of the produce consumed in the entire region, including the Chicago area. "U-Pick" or "Pick Your Own" vegetable and fruit farms are plentiful and several are within a very short drive of Lake Chapin Shores. Take a scenic drive and pick your own peaches, pears, cherries, blueberries, sweet corn, apples, grapes, asparagus, strawberries, and more.

NOTE: Hours and other information contained in these listings can change, so be sure to call first before heading out on your fruit picking adventures. Another good resource is the website PickYourOwn.org.

During September and October, one stop you'll want to make is Dinges' Fall Harvest at 15219 Mill Road in Three Oaks. With an amazing variety of pumpkins, gourds and rides for the kids, this is definitely a kid-friendly place to spend a few hours. (269) 426-4034

Ashman Farm is located at 2630 Pipestone Road Benton Harbor, MI 49022, phone: 269-925-8079. U-pick strawberries are available in June. Open: for strawberries Monday to Friday, 8 am to 7 p.m. Saturday, and Sun, 8 am to 4 p.m. Farm market open 10 am to 6 pm.

Blueberry Patch is located at Holloway Drive, Sawyer, MI 49125, phone: 269-426-4521, offering U-pick or we-pick blueberries. Open: mid-July thru late Aug., daily, 10 am to 6 pm.

Bredeweg Acres is located at 2268 West Rockey Weed Rd, in Stevensville, MI, phone: 269-422-2731. They offeralready-picked Blueberries, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, and farm animals. Open Monday thru Saturday from 9am to 6pm; Closed Sunday. Click here for a map and directions.

Calderwood Farms is located at 2993 East Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103, phone: 269-471-2102. They offer U-Pick and already picked, sours pitted, Peaches, and Apples. Call for dates and hours.

Contessa Wine Cellars is located at 3235 Friday Road, Coloma, MI 49038. Phone: 269-468-5534. They offer Sweet Cherries and a free sampling of fine wines in a warm and elegant tasting room, overlooking vineyards along the Coloma valley. Open: all year, daily 12pm-5pm.

Earth First Farms is located at 8335 Smith Road, Berrien Center, MI 49102; phone: 312-399-7820. It features certified organic apples and strawberries. Open: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, mid August through the end of October. Click here for picking updates. Click here for a map and directions. U-Pick Strawberries in June; U-Pick Apples from August 15 to October 31.

Eckler's Produce and Greenhouse is located at 1879 Barron Lake Road, Niles, MI 49120, phone: 269-683-2509. They offer U-Pick blueberries and raspberries, as well as over 50 kinds of vegetables grown fresh on the farm., including sweet cherries, peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines, apples, hydroponic tomatoes, asparagus, and 17 kinds of dried hard shell gourds. Open: April-Nov., seven days a week, 9 am to 8 pm.

The Extraordinary Berry is located at the intersection of Riverside and Pier Roads, Riverside, MI 49084, phone: 269-470-4645. They offer U-Pick of Blueberries, Red Raspberries and Blackberries. Click here for a map and directions. Typical ripening dates: Blackberries: July 10 to October 15, Red Raspberries: June 27 to October 15, Blueberries: July 4 to September 15, Peaches: July 20 to September 15, Pears: Aug 20 to September 30, Plums: July 20 to September 10, Apples: August 15 to October 30, Tomatoes: August till frost, Raw Honey: July 1 till frost.

Frank Farms is located at 8249 Dean Hill Road, Berrien Center, MI 49102; phone 269-461-4125. They offer U-Pick and ready to buy: apples, cherries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and pre-picked produce, restrooms, and a picnic area. Click here for picking updates. Strawberries June 10th, Tart Cherries 1st of July, Red & Black Raspberries July 1st, Peaches August 1st, Apples September 15^th.

Fruit Acres Farm Market & U-Pick is located at I-94 at Coloma Exit #39, Coloma, MI 49038, phone: (269) 468-5076. They offer U-Pick apples, cherries, corn (sweet), nectarines, peaches, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and pre-picked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area and tractor-pulled hay rides. Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in July, August, September, October. Open: Farm Market is open daily from 9am to 7pm, June through October; U-Pick is open most weekends July through October from 10am to 5pm. Big Black Sweet Cherries July 1-10 Sour Pie Cherries July 7-16 Early Peaches July 23-31 Freestone Peaches August 1-September 15 White Flesh Peaches August 20-September 10 Baby Gold type Cling Peaches August Early Apples July 20-August 30 Fall Apples September 1-October 25.

Grampa's Orchard is located at 11025 M-140, Niles, MI 49102, phone 269-684-8742. They offer apples, cherries, peaches, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries. For a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, and October. Open: 7 days a week 8am till dusk. Approximate Ripening Dates: (Please call for exact dates and prices.) Strawberries: June 1^st; Sweet Cherries: July 1^st; Peaches: August 1^st - 25^th; Fall Red Raspberries: August 15^th; Frost Apples: September 1st-October 10^th; Pumpkins: October 1st.

Heart of the Vineyard Winery is located in Baroda, MI, phone: 800-716-9463. They offer U-Pick Concord and Niagara grapes and fresh pressed juice, mid-September thru October. Open: daily 10 am to 6 p.m. Sunday, 12-6 p.m.

Hillside Orchards is located at 8198 Fleisher Lane, Berrien Springs, MI, phone: 269-471-7558, featuring apples.

Jollay Orchards Family Fun Farm is located at 1850 Friday Road, Coloma, MI 49038, phone: 269-468-3075. They offer U-Pick cherries, apricots, raspberries, peaches, apples and pumpkins as well as a fresh market with bakery, jams and jellies, other specialty items. Picnic area, animal farm and playground for fun activities. Fall Harvest Festival offers hayrides, children's activities and pumpkin patch. Open: May 1-Thanksgiving, daily, 10:30 am to 5:30 p.m. Harvest Festival weekends in September and October, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm.

Jone's Blueberries is located at 9245 Gast Road, Bridgman, MI 49106, phone: 269-465-4745. They feature U-Pick blueberries, as well as picked blueberries, jams, fruit butters, honey, blueberry syrup, peaches and gift baskets. Open: after July 4 through end of Aug., depending on fruit availability, 9 am to 6 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lange Farms is located at 5233 River Road, Sodus, MI 49126, phone: 269-925-6655. They offer a small family farm where people can pick their own or buy already picked apples. Many people like our non-commercial atmosphere. Open: September to October, daily 10am-sundown.

Lehman’s Orchard is located at 2280 Portage Road, Niles, MI 49120, phone: 269-683-9078. They offer cherries, pre-picked peaches, apples, produce and a gift shop. Open: Tart cherry harvest hours: Monday to Saturday. 8-4, Sun 12-5. Saturday Farm Market starting July 15 until October. Saturday farm market hours 8-4. Two week tart cherry harvest starting around July 4. Also, pure honey, dried fruit, preserves, dry roasted soy nuts and tart cherry juice concentrate.

Lemon Creek Fruit Farm is located at 533 E Lemon Creek Berrien Springs, MI 49103; phone: 269-471-1321. They offer U-Pick cherries, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, plums, apples and grapes. See this page for when fruits are typically available to pick. They also offer free wine tasting, picnic area, festivals, Father's Day Festival, home wine makers welcome. Open: June to November, Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm Sunday from 12 to 6 pm.

Nye’s Apple Barn located in St. Joseph, offers U-Pick and is open seven days a week, from May till October.

Piggott’s Farm Market located in Benton Harbor, while not a U-Pick, is the perfect stop for fresh tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, melons, cucumbers and apples.

Pinecrest Christmas Tree Farm is located at 4403 Spring Creek Road, Galien, MI, phone: 269-545-8125. They feature U-Cut Scotch pine, firs and spruce, wreaths and a Christmas shop.

Shafer Orchards is located at Shafer Road, Baroda, MI 4910, phone: 269-422-1972. They offer U-Pick for five varieties of peaches, 10 varieties of apples, grapes (Concord), many sizes and shapes of pumpkins, squash and gourds. Open: August 10-October 20, daily, 9 am to 7 pm, Michigan time.

Springhope Farm is located at 18720 Cleveland Avenue, Galien, MI 49113, phone: 269-545-8313. Springhope Farm is a family friendly orchard with peaches, U-Pick and ready-picked apples and pumpkins. The farm store also features a variety of farm fresh vegetables, cut flowers and dried gourds. There is a picnic area available and hayrides to the apple orchard on the weekends. Open: late July-October 31, 6 days a week (closed Wednesday), 10 am to 7 pm.

Stover's Farm Market and U-Pick is located at 7837 M-139, Berrien Springs, MI, phone: 269-471-1401. They offer strawberries, raspberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, apricots, red and black blackberries, and grapes. They are a regular vendor at the weekly farmer markets in downtown Chicago throughout the summer. Stover’s features hayrides in October.

Tree-Mendus Fruit in Eau Claire offers U-Pick on a beautiful setting, a country store, and fun activities for the family. Check the website for events such as the Cherry-Pit-Spit. Readers Digest has recognized Eau Claire as being the Cherry Pit Spitting Capital of the World.

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The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail of Southwest Michigan is not just one of Michigan's greatest attractions, but also one of the top destinations in the entire Midwest. Home to 10,000 acres of grapes, you have your pick of 11 wineries plus several more satellite tasting rooms, nestled in the countryside, each with a slightly different ambience and experience. In 2001, the Southwest part of the state of Michigan was designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), called ‘Lake Michigan Shore’, just as Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are designated AVA areas. Subsequently, the following 11 Wineries came together with the AVA to create The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.

Lemon Creek Winery & Fruit Farm is located at 533 Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs.

Round Barn Winery is located at 10983 Hills Road, Baroda, MI. It is best known for its cognac quality cherry, and its peach and strawberry brandy.

Contessa Wine Cellar is located at 3235 Friday Rd., Coloma, MI.

St. Julian Wine Company is located at 9145 Union Pier Road, Union Pier, MI.

Tabor Hill Winery is located at 185 Mt. Tabor Road, Buchanan, MI. In addition to its winery it offers intimate fine dining overlooking the vineyard.

Free Run Cellars have a variety of locations throughout Southwest Michigan. There is one just 5 minutes away at 10062 Burgoyne Road, Berrien Springs.

Domaine Berrien Cellars and Winery is located at 398 East Lemon Creek Road, Berrien Springs, MI.

Fenn Valley Vineyards and Wine Cellar is located at 6130 122nd Avenue, Fennville, MI.

Gravity, 269-471-WINE, is the newest winery to call southwest Michigan home. It is located in the town of Baroda, less than 15 minutes from Lake Chapin Shores. Gravity describes itself as follows: 'We do our tastings a little different. Our wines are served by the flight and each wine is paired with either gourmet chocolate or cheese. We have lots of seating indoors and outdoors overlooking the lake and vineyards for you to enjoy this unique experience!'

Hickory Creek Winery is located at 750 Browntown Road, Buchanan, MI.

Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery is located at 6991 Ryno Road, Coloma, MI.

Warner Vineyards is located at 706 S. Kalamazoo Street, Paw Paw, MI.

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