Attractions

South Haven holds a unique and beneficial feature - its port layout and close proximity to downtown shops, attractions, restaurants, and accommodations. The "U" shape of the port beckons the public to stroll the newly developed HarborWalk connecting the South Haven lighthouse on South Pier to the North Pier, with sights along the way: the downtown shopping district, Old Harbor Village, Michigan Maritime Museum, Stanley Johnston Park, Bed & Breakfasts, and the Historic Monroe Cottage District adjacent to the North Pier. All within walking distance! No wonder this small picturesque port was the recipient of the American Sail Training Association's "1998 Port of the Year" award.

The harbor serves as a backdrop for the annual Riverfront Concert Series - outdoor concerts held on Thursday evenings from May through August offering a variety of musical performances on the lawn of Riverfront Park. The harbor also is home to the HarborWalk - a self-guided tour of twelve interpretive markers placed along the Black River depicting significant eras of South Haven harbor history.

South Haven offers a variety of cultural entities for a town of its size. The Michigan Maritime Museum displays maritime exhibits of Great Lakes history and the Padnos Boat Shed is a hands-on facitlity offering classes and workshops designed to teach and preserve maritime traditions, knowledge and skills. The most recent addition to the museum is the Friends Good Will - a 101 ft. long Great Lakes replica tall ship whose primary goal is education. An onboard classroom helps meet that goal, however, the general public is invited to sail at specified dates and times.

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum is devoted to the life of Dr. Liberty Hyde Bailey, Jr., father of modern horticulture and distinguised educator, botanist, world traveler, and author. The preserved homestead serves as a museum of numerous collections of agriculture, minerals, everyday objects, and items of South Haven's past.

The South Haven Center for the Arts, housed in the former Carnegie Library building erected in 1906, is the home of concerts, exhibitions, classes, and programs year round.

For theatre lovers, the Legend Theatre offers varied performances of drama, comedy, cabaret and puppet shows. Ascensions in the Blue Star Theatre is a cultural facility offering live concerts, classes, and a vast list of healing arts programs. Blue Star Music Camp provides a safe, encouraging and fun environment for youth ages 13 to 18, to learn contemporary music, voice and theatre skills from professional musicians, including Grammy-winning artists.

South Haven boasts many indulging restaurants from fine to casual and everything in-between. The Idler Riverboat is a turn-of-the-century riverboat now used as a stationary restaurant and open-air bar. Clementine's is housed in a renovated historic landmark where "onion rings on a peg" are famous. When it comes to dining out, an amazing array of selections can fill your plate: dine alfresco on the harbor, bite into a char-grilled burger, savor an icecream waffle cone, sip a warm latte, or fill up on native bounty paired with local wine.

Many festivals are held throughout the year. The kick-off to summer in South Haven is the annual Harborfest showcasing festivities at Riverfront Park on the harbor. Held in June, it has become an attraction to entertainers seeking to play on the waterfront's main stage. The Fine Arts Fair is held annually over the Fourth of July holiday attracting over 50,000 people. Fireworks are staged over the North pier and can be easily seen from the North and South Beaches. The Annual National Blueberry Festival is held in August and provides fun for all ages with concerts, a parade, arts & crafts fair, and more. The Labor Day Arts & Crafts Fair is held in Stanley Johnston Park which hosts over 150 juried artists and crafters.

South Haven offers a variety of shops not only in the downtown, but outlying areas as well. Clothing, antiques, gift and flower shops, health food stores, book shops, home decor, and unusual clothing and handmade jewelry. Of course, blueberry items such as blueberry cards, pottery, and candy can be found in this "Blueberry Capital of the World".

The South Haven Farmer's Market is located in the recently renovated Huron Street parking lot. With ample room and an updated environment, the market will continue to expand. It is a "Grower's Only" market - selling only food grown locally on family farms. Fruits and vegetables, free-range eggs, honey, perennials, homemade bread, jams, jellies, granola, pies, and coffee are just some of the items that can be found.