St. Joseph, Michigan, once a French fur-trapping settlement, now attracts tourists to its beaches on Lake Michigan as well as to its museums and other local attractions. Interstate 94 runs alongside the town, which has many parks, hotels and restaurants. On top of it all, St. Joseph is part of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail.
St. Joseph, Michigan, is home to a sandy, quiet beach called Silver Beach on Lake Michigan. This beach has places to play volleyball, a pier, a historic (and still functioning) carousel, a swimming area and summertime concerts. Downtown St. Joseph has sites to see, as well, including the Curious Kids Museum, which offers a hands-on approach to science and physics. The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center features exhibits on St. Joseph history, from Native Americans to French fur traders.
St. Joseph, Michigan, is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Interstates 94 and 196 are the major highways running through St. Joseph. I-94 runs east/west from Ann Arbor to Chicago, and I-196 runs north/south from Grand Rapids to South Bend, Indiana. The closest major airports are Grand Rapids Kent County International Airport (87 miles) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (122 miles).
Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake that is completely within the borders of the United States. This lake, the second largest of the Great Lakes, has 1,600 miles of shoreline, some of them in St. Joseph.
Lake Michigan isn't the only place around St. Joseph to enjoy water sports. Nearby Paw Paw Lake offers lakeside vacation homes, yachting and skiing.
Although St. Joseph is a small town, many people come from afar to enjoy the beaches and outdoors. Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Suites, Courtyard Marriott, The Hampton Inn and Candlewood Suites offer guests accommodations. Smaller hotels and guest houses are available in the area as well.
Silver Beach Carousel is a classic, historic carousel built on Silver Beach in 1910. Considered one of the best carousels of its day, Silver Beach Carousel attracts tourists to its spinning, hand-carved horses and organ music. The carousel is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Silver Beach Carousel
333 Broad St.
Saint Joseph, MI 49085
269-982-8500
silverbeachcarousel.com
St. Joseph is one of many cities on the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, which features more than two dozen wineries within a half-day's journey from St. Joseph. Activities include wine-tasting events, grape stomping, guided tours and music programs.
