South Haven, Michigan

South Haven is one of only two small towns we have seen that provides covered parking for visitors. The other is St. Augustine, Florida. Due to its position on Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Black River, this small town has always been a shipping port. In the early 1900’s, South Haven became a resort town, sometimes referred to as The Catskills of the Midwest. South Haven is still a regional tourist draw because of its recreational harbor and beaches. It is the western terminus of the Kal-Haven Trail, popular with bicyclists and snowmobilers. This trail has a crushed limestone base and extends 34 miles to the west of Kalamazoo. Nearby are Van Buren State Park and the Van Buren Trail State Park. This 14-mile-long unimproved rail trail is used primarily by horse trail riders and snowmobilers. Western Michigan University and Lake Michigan College, a junior college, have branch campuses located within South Haven.
South Haven offers several cultural attractions. The Michigan Maritime Museum, host of the tall ship Friends Good Will, is perhaps it’s most famous. The Historical Association of South Haven is devoted to documenting and retelling the town’s history. On Eagle Street, there's Foundry Hall, which brings live music and entertainment to residents and visitors. The Michigan Flywheelers Museum allows visitors to experience the life of early local farmers. During the winter months the city's ice rink is available. The town has celebrated their National Blueberry Festival each summer for nearly five decades.