Top 10 Best Activities in South Haven Michigan

November 7, 2025

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Picnic spread on a blanket: wooden boards with food like bread, dips, and a bowl of green relish.

The gorgeous little town of South Haven in Michigan has a tremendous amount to offer to locals and tourists and in this article, we've pulled together the top ten things that you can do when visiting. Read on and be prepared to be impressed by how this charming beach town has something for everyone's budget.

1. Watch the sunset and see the stars sparkle
The moment that you see the sunset from South Haven, you will realize you have been transported to one of the most beautiful places on earth. Absolutely stunning, breath-taking, and exquisite; these are only a few of the many adjectives that can describe the view. Walk along the pier, admire the historic homes and the popular marina. Take your flip flops off and step onto the sand and listen to the waves whisper as the sky changes color while the sunsets. Also watch the moon glow and the stars start to sparkle as day turns to night.

2. Ride a Bicycle
The natural beauty of and from South Haven is so very picturesque and you can best experience that for yourself while riding around and through it with a bicycle. Bicycles are complimentary for guests of the Victoria Resort and Bed & Breakfast. You will have a number of bike trails to explore and some of the best ones actually start from South Haven. A great choice is the Kal-Haven Trail, which is known for having a flat terrain that is great for cruising on. What makes this trail stand out is the perfect canopy of trees that give you shade during the stretch.

3. Visit a farm and enjoy picking blueberries
If you are looking for something for the whole family in South Haven, check out the farms around. At the DeGrandchamp Farms, you can learn about blueberries and even pick them for your own consumption later. There are a number of family-run farms around but do note the time slots they have set up regarding when you can visit and pick blueberries as well as purchase some blueberry produce. With blueberries being a great source of antioxidants, picking them and popping a few in your mouth is not just a great treat, it's great for you as well.

4. Attend a wine tasting session
If you fancy yourself as a potential wine connoisseur, then you will be delighted to hear that the state of Michigan has more than 125 wineries and some of the best are known to be tucked away in South Haven. The wineries and vineyards in this town are spots on and it would be a shame to visit South Haven and not attend a wine tasting session at one of its exceptional establishments such as the Cogdal Vineyards. You will be greeted by the friendly staff and enjoy the wonderful outdoor patio where you can relax while sampling various types of wine.

5. Devour Sherman's ice-cream
Sherman's ice-cream is a big name in South Haven; ask any local and they will tell you that it's the best place for a sweet treat in the area. This place makes ice cream in the old fashioned way, so without the help of any fancy technology, it still serves up an abundance of flavors to its customers. There is a reason why there is always a line coming out of the door at Sherman's as this place is an ice-cream heaven that can't be missed. Try the butter pecan, coconut almond fudge, or the mint chocolate chip ice cream; you will be convinced that Sherman is the best ice cream ever within a few mouthfuls.

6. Take a trip to The Maritime Museum and enjoy the Friends Goodwill Sunset Cruise
The Maritime Museum in South Haven is truly fantastic. While it is a rather small museum, its displays are incredibly engaging, and the content is informative. The best part of an experience here, however, has to be when you step onto the outdoors part of the museum and discover the replica of a very tall 1810 merchant vessel ship which, for a fee, will take you to Lake Michigan for one hour. For an even greater experience, time the trip with the sunset, letting you enjoy the splendor in the sky. The crew onboard are outstanding and will make sure that you have a totally memorable experience. Get ready to embrace and experience history in action while you sail on this tall ship.

7. Visit the Farmers Market on Wednesday and Saturday
Locally produced meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables, as well as home-grown flowers and herbs are in abundance in South Haven. No trip to this town would be complete without a stop at the Farmers Market which is open on Wednesday and Saturday from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm. The market has a great atmosphere and is filled with local farmers and artisans who are enthusiastic to share their items with you and we believe that you will be enticed by what's on offer here.

8. Get sporty and do some kayaking, paddle boarding, and golf
Believe us when we tell you that South Haven is the place to be if you're a fan of outdoor activities; its serene beach and stunning lake mean that it's the perfect environment for all things wet and wonderful. If you're looking to do some watersports, then contact Black River Boat Rentals, Kayak-Kayak or Soha Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals. Perhaps you're interested in golf? Get in touch with the popular 18-hole Beaches Golf Club, the lush Heritage Glen Golf Club or the family-owned Cheshire Hills Golf Course.

9. Go a little bit wild on an ATV on the move
Adding a thrill to your outdoor experience is best done on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a 4-wheel vehicle that is ready to get your adrenaline pumping. South Haven is home to well-established KJC ATV Rentals & Trails which offers some of the best ATVs out there for you to enjoy while exploring the awesome trails. The trails have a lot of turns, twists, and peaks which makes a ride on them brilliant fun; the ATVs have real power. The staff at KJC ATV Rentals & Trails are known for their safety cautious yet fun approach; visiting them and enjoying an ATV experience here will not disappoint.

10. Get a professional to take your family photographs
As South Haven has so much beauty, it's a special place in which to take photographs and we suggest that you instruct a local professional photographer to capture the beauty and your loved ones. Create a memory that incorporates the stunning South Haven and the happiness of your travel companions. Photographers like Greggersen Photography LLC are family-friendly and can take some wonderful photos for you, whether it be in the morning, afternoon or evening. This is perfect if you're captivated by the sunrise, sunset, or night stars and want to save a moment with it.

Conclusion
All that is left for you to decide now is when you're coming and for how long. We suggest that you stay for a minimum of three nights if you want to appreciate the natural beauty, scenery, and history that is on offer in South Haven! For more destination guides and accommodation reviews, hotels and vacation rentals, check out Trip101.

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