Jennifer’s guidebook.
Food scene
3 minutes from the house, great perch, burgers, drinks and service! Reasonably priced. River is right in front of outdoor patio.
Babe's Lounge
565 Riverview Dr3 minutes from the house, great perch, burgers, drinks and service! Reasonably priced. River is right in front of outdoor patio.
Great brew pub. Fresh ingredients used in food, outdoor fun and live music (in normal times). Local Favorite.
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The Livery
190 5th StGreat brew pub. Fresh ingredients used in food, outdoor fun and live music (in normal times). Local Favorite.
We kayak to this pub, but it is down the street from the Livery. Great beer garden and food. Fun atmosphere!
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North Pier Brewing Company
670 N Shore DrWe kayak to this pub, but it is down the street from the Livery. Great beer garden and food. Fun atmosphere!
Right across the street from the North Pier Brewery. Great burgers! Outdoor patio as well. Both are down the street from Jean Klock Beach. You can walk from the beach if you wanted.
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North Shore Inn
107 Higman Park RdRight across the street from the North Pier Brewery. Great burgers! Outdoor patio as well. Both are down the street from Jean Klock Beach. You can walk from the beach if you wanted.
Dialo's Cafe
1924 Michigan 139Soul food. "HOMEMADE & DELICIOUS FOOD...THAT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL"
LARK'S BAR-B-QUE
174 W Main StGreat BQ on Main st. Friendly service, close to home.
A little high end, but very good. REALLY beautifully designed dining room and bathrooms are very cool!
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Houndstooth Restaurant
132 Pipestone StA little high end, but very good. REALLY beautifully designed dining room and bathrooms are very cool!
THE BEST PIZZA! Fountain and Silver Beach are right in front of the restaurant. Upstairs has great view, but you need a reservation, so make it way in advance. Downstairs is first come first serve, but you can walk around the area till your table is ready and they will text you. Plenty to see while you walk around.
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Silver Beach Pizza
410 Vine StTHE BEST PIZZA! Fountain and Silver Beach are right in front of the restaurant. Upstairs has great view, but you need a reservation, so make it way in advance. Downstairs is first come first serve, but you can walk around the area till your table is ready and they will text you. Plenty to see while you walk around.
Farm to table EXCELLENT food! Artist studios share the building space, so great visuals as well.
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The Mason Jar Cafe
210 Water StFarm to table EXCELLENT food! Artist studios share the building space, so great visuals as well.
Beautiful decor, good food (a little pricy), right on the canal, flowers and plants everywhere make it very cozy.
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Clifford's Coffee Canal
619 W Main StBeautiful decor, good food (a little pricy), right on the canal, flowers and plants everywhere make it very cozy.
You choose your ingredients and they put it on a huge hot stone. It's like Mongolian BQ, but not. Very fresh. I love this place! One block from the bluff overlooking the beach.
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Tim's Too
511 Pleasant StYou choose your ingredients and they put it on a huge hot stone. It's like Mongolian BQ, but not. Very fresh. I love this place! One block from the bluff overlooking the beach.
Super fun! Outdoor fireplace on the patio. Outdoor bar. Down the street from New Buffalo beach. About a 20 minute drive from our house, but worth it.
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Beer Church Brewing Co.
24 S Whittaker StSuper fun! Outdoor fireplace on the patio. Outdoor bar. Down the street from New Buffalo beach. About a 20 minute drive from our house, but worth it.
WE LOVE THIS PLACE!! They have the BEST outdoor patio! It could be 98 degrees, and you can eat outside under the trees and feel refreshed. Great food, and well made cosmos...... I love cosmos....
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Brewster's Italian Cafe
11 W Merchant StWE LOVE THIS PLACE!! They have the BEST outdoor patio! It could be 98 degrees, and you can eat outside under the trees and feel refreshed. Great food, and well made cosmos...... I love cosmos....
This is wonderful and VERY close to our house!
"Bread+Bar’s location boasts beautiful sunsets while you dine alfresco, enjoy a craft cocktail on our seasonal patio. The restaurant décor utilizes natural materials, giving a feeling of warmth, comfort and ambiance, perfect for good conversations, celebrations, meetings, and small dinner parties." - from their site.
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bread+bar
645 Riverview DrThis is wonderful and VERY close to our house!
"Bread+Bar’s location boasts beautiful sunsets while you dine alfresco, enjoy a craft cocktail on our seasonal patio. The restaurant décor utilizes natural materials, giving a feeling of warmth, comfort and ambiance, perfect for good conversations, celebrations, meetings, and small dinner parties." - from their site.
Close to us. In Benton Harbor Arts District. Good casual food, good service.
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The Brick House
190 Territorial RoadClose to us. In Benton Harbor Arts District. Good casual food, good service.
In St Joe (close), great food, beer, decor, outdoor patio.
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Silver Harbor Brewing Company
721 Pleasant StIn St Joe (close), great food, beer, decor, outdoor patio.
Forté Coffee
2045 Niles RdClose (BH Arts District) - good coffee, pastries and service.
Good food, pleasant atmosphere, friendly and right next to the harbor and the beach. Down the street from Brewsters and Beer Church, about 20 minutes from our house.
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The Stray Dog Bar & Grill
245 N Whittaker StGood food, pleasant atmosphere, friendly and right next to the harbor and the beach. Down the street from Brewsters and Beer Church, about 20 minutes from our house.
This place has a really nice outdoor seating area right on the water. I’ve never unhappy with the food, But mostly I like the setting.
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Plank's Tavern on the Water
800 Whitwam DrThis place has a really nice outdoor seating area right on the water. I’ve never unhappy with the food, But mostly I like the setting.
"Kingfisher brings to life the beach-inspired cocktails from North Pier Brewing Company. This is our home to innovate and experiment with a wide-range of cocktails whether it’s a kitsch’d out Tiki drink or a Baja favorite. Pair these with our fresh street taco flavors and you’ve got a winning combo." - Kingfisher website
Kingfisher by North Pier
"Kingfisher brings to life the beach-inspired cocktails from North Pier Brewing Company. This is our home to innovate and experiment with a wide-range of cocktails whether it’s a kitsch’d out Tiki drink or a Baja favorite. Pair these with our fresh street taco flavors and you’ve got a winning combo." - Kingfisher website
Great mom and pop pizza. Italian family (Capozio) who have run a pizzeria in the area over 50 years. This pizzeria is owned and run by the 3rd generation, Joey Capozio.
Joey C's Pizzeria
Great mom and pop pizza. Italian family (Capozio) who have run a pizzeria in the area over 50 years. This pizzeria is owned and run by the 3rd generation, Joey Capozio.
Anemel is fast-casual counter service, DINE IN & CARRYOUT! No reservations for dine in. About a 5 minute drive from Gingerbread House.
Anemel
Anemel is fast-casual counter service, DINE IN & CARRYOUT! No reservations for dine in. About a 5 minute drive from Gingerbread House.
St. Joseph On The River Tavern
600 Fishermans RdGreat location right on the river.
Restaurant on a boat in the harbor in South Haven. About 20 minutes away. Great scenery!
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Idler Riverboat
515 Williams StRestaurant on a boat in the harbor in South Haven. About 20 minutes away. Great scenery!
Right on the harbor in South Haven. About 20 minutes aways. Very popular place.
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Captain Lou's
278 Dyckman AveRight on the harbor in South Haven. About 20 minutes aways. Very popular place.
Right on the harbor in South Haven and next to the Idler. About 20 minutes away from us.
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Admiral Jack's Bar & Grill
515 Williams StRight on the harbor in South Haven and next to the Idler. About 20 minutes away from us.
Beaches
Our area has some of the most beautiful beaches in the the world. This list does not include them all. :)
Very large beach. If you don't like over crowded beaches, this is the beach for you. Walking distance to North Pier Brew pub, North Shore Inn and Paw Paw River. Jean Klock Park is one of the oldest public parks in the state of Michigan and predates the formation of Michigan's state parks, which occurred in the early 1920s. The park was donated to Benton Harbor in 1917 by the Klock family in honor of their daughter Jean.
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Jean Klock Park
Jean Klock BoulevardVery large beach. If you don't like over crowded beaches, this is the beach for you. Walking distance to North Pier Brew pub, North Shore Inn and Paw Paw River. Jean Klock Park is one of the oldest public parks in the state of Michigan and predates the formation of Michigan's state parks, which occurred in the early 1920s. The park was donated to Benton Harbor in 1917 by the Klock family in honor of their daughter Jean.
Amazing dunes if you have the heart to climb them. This park is on Red Arrow Highway south of where we live. The same road that has all the cafes, furniture making shops, etc I talked about earlier. Beach can be busy, especially on the weekend.
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I-Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow HwyAmazing dunes if you have the heart to climb them. This park is on Red Arrow Highway south of where we live. The same road that has all the cafes, furniture making shops, etc I talked about earlier. Beach can be busy, especially on the weekend.
Very popular and busy beach. You can get to pier from this beach. Very crowded on weekends. Walking distance to an awesome fountain that is made for playing in, and a beautiful Carousel, and Silver Beach Pizza.
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Silver Beach
Very popular and busy beach. You can get to pier from this beach. Very crowded on weekends. Walking distance to an awesome fountain that is made for playing in, and a beautiful Carousel, and Silver Beach Pizza.
Might be less busy, on north side of pier, near yacht club and marina. Small sand dunes. Great for families. You can park and walk the pier from this beach.
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Tiscornia Park
80 Ridgeway StMight be less busy, on north side of pier, near yacht club and marina. Small sand dunes. Great for families. You can park and walk the pier from this beach.
Weko Beach
5239 Lake StHagar Park/Beach
5408 M-63South of Silver Beach, much less touristy. Nice paved trail along the base of bluff.
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Lions Park Beach
South of Silver Beach, much less touristy. Nice paved trail along the base of bluff.
Glenlord Beach Park
3000-2986 Glenlord RdGrand Mere State Park
7337 Thornton DriveI-Van Buren State Park
23960 Ruggles RdThings To Do
There are many winter festivals in the area. (Winter Beer Fest', Ice Sculptures...)
Check out this site to see what's going on when you come.
Kayak rental 5 minutes from the house on the Paw Paw River. Great river to kayak. Slow current and beautiful scenery. We kayak this river all the time. We paddle to the bank of the river behind North Pier Brewery, pull our boats on the the river bank, walk up the path to the pub, have lunch and then paddle back. It's so fun!
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Third Coast Paddling - Paw Paw River Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
601 Graham AveKayak rental 5 minutes from the house on the Paw Paw River. Great river to kayak. Slow current and beautiful scenery. We kayak this river all the time. We paddle to the bank of the river behind North Pier Brewery, pull our boats on the the river bank, walk up the path to the pub, have lunch and then paddle back. It's so fun!
Harbor Shores Golf Club
201 Graham AveSaugatuck Dune Rides
6495 Blue Star HwySOOOOOOOO FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BEAUTIFUL property!!!! Great for winter and summer hike. Trails running through beautiful virgin Beech tree forest. Never been logged. Galien River runs through it, over which you can walk via a really great bridge. One of my favorite hikes. I try to get here each season to see the changes in the colors of the landscape. Also great for snowshoeing. Take the Gingerbread House snowshoes.
Warren Woods Forest Primeval
7098-7298 Warren Woods RdBEAUTIFUL property!!!! Great for winter and summer hike. Trails running through beautiful virgin Beech tree forest. Never been logged. Galien River runs through it, over which you can walk via a really great bridge. One of my favorite hikes. I try to get here each season to see the changes in the colors of the landscape. Also great for snowshoeing. Take the Gingerbread House snowshoes.
Trails for cross country skiing. Paw Paw River runs through the property. Beautiful building with nature store and indoor display of amphibians, and observation windows. Great butterfly house and trails. You can rent snowshoes.
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Sarett Nature Center
2300 N Benton Center RdTrails for cross country skiing. Paw Paw River runs through the property. Beautiful building with nature store and indoor display of amphibians, and observation windows. Great butterfly house and trails. You can rent snowshoes.
Live music, outdoor patio, beautiful scenery.... There is an amazing path through the woods to Tabor Hill Winery.
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Round Barn Estate
10983 Hills RdLive music, outdoor patio, beautiful scenery.... There is an amazing path through the woods to Tabor Hill Winery.
Timber Ridge
07500 23 1/2 StBittersweet Ski Resort
600 River RdJohn and Dede Howard Ice Arena
2414 Willa DrSouth Haven Ice Rink
546 Phoenix St"Sarett Nature Center offers five miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and designated trails for snowshoeing. Beginners and families can rent equipment and enjoy the mostly flat terrain of Sarett’s forest, prairie and wetland habitats.
We will be offering ski and snowshoe rentals during regular business hours as soon as there is enough snow! Check-in for rentals inside the nature center building.
Our outdoor firepit and seating area is available on weekends this season to keep you warm before or after your ski/snowshoe or winter hike! Restrooms are available inside the nature center during open hours." - Sarrett website
Take the Gingerbread House snowshoes.
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Sarett Nature Center
2300 N Benton Center Rd"Sarett Nature Center offers five miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing and designated trails for snowshoeing. Beginners and families can rent equipment and enjoy the mostly flat terrain of Sarett’s forest, prairie and wetland habitats.
We will be offering ski and snowshoe rentals during regular business hours as soon as there is enough snow! Check-in for rentals inside the nature center building.
Our outdoor firepit and seating area is available on weekends this season to keep you warm before or after your ski/snowshoe or winter hike! Restrooms are available inside the nature center during open hours." - Sarrett website
Take the Gingerbread House snowshoes.
"Get ready to hike, sip and explore the beauty of Mt. Tabor Trails, sponsored by our friends at Honor Credit Union. With a little over 3.5 miles of stunning trails looping through the woods and vineyards, you can stretch your legs and venture between Round Barn Estate and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant. Did we mention it’s free?" - Tabor Hill website
Bring the Gingerbread House snowshoes with you.
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Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant
185 Mt Tabor Rd"Get ready to hike, sip and explore the beauty of Mt. Tabor Trails, sponsored by our friends at Honor Credit Union. With a little over 3.5 miles of stunning trails looping through the woods and vineyards, you can stretch your legs and venture between Round Barn Estate and Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant. Did we mention it’s free?" - Tabor Hill website
Bring the Gingerbread House snowshoes with you.
Wineries
I like the Round Barn Tabor Hill. You can walk between them, and they compliment one anouther. They are out there on the Red Arrow Highway jaunt. Tabor Hill is beautiful and slightly more upscale. Nice deck. They also have a bar that serves more than just wine. Round Barn is actually a huge round barn. They are more lively then Tabor Hill. They usually have live music out on their patio. You are allowed to walk around the vineyards at all places I’ve been to. You need to ask someone at one of the places you stop at along Red Arrow for the wine trail map or use your gps. They aren’t right on Red Arrow. They are more inland. Beautiful rolling country.
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Round Barn Estate
10983 Hills RdI like the Round Barn Tabor Hill. You can walk between them, and they compliment one anouther. They are out there on the Red Arrow Highway jaunt. Tabor Hill is beautiful and slightly more upscale. Nice deck. They also have a bar that serves more than just wine. Round Barn is actually a huge round barn. They are more lively then Tabor Hill. They usually have live music out on their patio. You are allowed to walk around the vineyards at all places I’ve been to. You need to ask someone at one of the places you stop at along Red Arrow for the wine trail map or use your gps. They aren’t right on Red Arrow. They are more inland. Beautiful rolling country.
12 Corners Vineyards
1201 N Benton Center RdVineyard 2121
4110 Red Arrow HwyOutdoor area, live music, cooking classes...
Third generation wine maker, Tony Peterson. Outdoor patio.
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Contessa Wine Cellars Tasting Room
3235 Friday RdThird generation wine maker, Tony Peterson. Outdoor patio.
Sightseeing
Harbor Duck Ride Office
121 Griffith StThe shops, bakeries, and coffee shops are open in downtown St. Joe. You can walk down to Silver Beach easily from down town. Many restaurants have outdoor service. There are many festivals through out the winter. Check out the st. joe city website for more info.
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St. Joseph
The shops, bakeries, and coffee shops are open in downtown St. Joe. You can walk down to Silver Beach easily from down town. Many restaurants have outdoor service. There are many festivals through out the winter. Check out the st. joe city website for more info.
Very cute little village. Restaurants, shops, coffee, marina, beach....all along the main st. Easy to walk and see it all. If you take Red Arrow Highway (by car) to New Buffalo, you can explore countless art studios, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries, delis.......
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New Buffalo
Very cute little village. Restaurants, shops, coffee, marina, beach....all along the main st. Easy to walk and see it all. If you take Red Arrow Highway (by car) to New Buffalo, you can explore countless art studios, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries, delis.......
An artist's kind of town. Right on Saugatuck Bay, great shopping, dining, art...... The village of Douglas is right across the Kalamazoo River, and equally and awesome!
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Saugatuck
An artist's kind of town. Right on Saugatuck Bay, great shopping, dining, art...... The village of Douglas is right across the Kalamazoo River, and equally and awesome!
The Arts District is home to a variety of unique and inspiring artists, their galleries and studios, as well as shops and boutiques. There are many ways to delight your palate and quench your thirst in the Arts District.
New Territory Arts Association
465 Water StThe Arts District is home to a variety of unique and inspiring artists, their galleries and studios, as well as shops and boutiques. There are many ways to delight your palate and quench your thirst in the Arts District.
Round Barn Estate
10983 Hills RdOutdoor Igloos and firepits
Biking and hiking trails
10 miles of biking and hiking trails along Lake Michigan, Paw Paw River, and Saint Joe River.
Biking and hiking trails, predominantly are along water the entire way. Beautiful.
Harbor Shores Trails
Biking and hiking trails, predominantly are along water the entire way. Beautiful.
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
Water Taxi FREE ALL SUMMER - runs Fri, Sat, Sun.
Copy and paste this link for schedule. https://exploremishore.com/
Click 'Fun'. #3 is the Riverview stop by Babes. (Close to our house.)
Takes you to 4 stops (mostly restaurants that are on the river) along the St. Joe River and channel. Park on Riverview Dr in front of The Bread Bar and Babes, hop on the Water Taxi and go over to other spots without having to worry about driving, take the Water Taxi back to your car. (Please tip the Captain.😊)
Fabulous! Did I mention the ride is FREE
Ukuzulazula
Water Taxi
Free boat rides on the "Water Taxi" all summer all along the St Joseph and Harbor to restaurants, etc along the water. Park your car at the Benton Harbor "Bread Bar" stop, and take the taxi from stop to stop, to shop or have dinner, and then take the taxi back to your car at the Benton Harbor stop. Great way to enjoy a boat ride and get around town, without worrying about parking, etc..