Location: Saint Joseph
Top Things to do in Saint Joseph
The 10 Best Things to Do in Saint Joseph, United States
St. Joseph is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,365. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about 90 miles (140 km) east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county seat of Berrien County. It is home of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Restaurants in Saint Joseph
1. Whirlpool Compass Fountain
Overall Ratings
5 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By Ashley C - Benton Harbor, Michigan
I have four kids (12, 11, 4, & 1) and each of them absolutely love this place. We go here a lot seeing how you can park close by and not have to walk far. We go here more than Silver Beach because it just seems better. Don't have to worry about the kids drowning, going too far away from me because I can see the whole area from wherever I stand, walking through a bunch of sand, having a long walk back to the car because the parking prices are ridiculous on the beach, and they enjoy it much more than the beach.
2. Silver Beach Carousel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 490 reviews
MAKE A MEMORY ALL YEAR ROUND! The horses, the tigers, the hippocampus, the panda, the clown fish - in all, 48 unique carousel figures and two chariots - are whirling with excitement to see you. Come pick your favorite and ride beneath 1000 twinkling lights as the band organ's music happily soars and dips with the gears. Each figure is beautifully hand-carved and hand-painted by the artisans at The Carousel Works. Around the top of the carousel you can learn about our local history - told as no one else in the world has told it on a carousel - using historic photographs. As you gaze at those 18 rounding boards, you'll become part of our story, too.You'll find all the magic and wonder of the Silver Beach Carousel below the bluff in St. Joseph, just yards from Lake Michigan's Silver Beach, named one of the top 10 family beaches by Parents magazine. Open all four seasons, you can ride a different carousel figure or chariot every week and fill the year with a new memory each time. Our sea serpent chariot is wheelchair accessible so everyone can ride! Tokens are available for cash or credit card at the admissions desk or for cash from our token machine. To find us, click here for a map and directions.THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO DO!Riding the carousel is just one of the fun things you can do at Silver Beach. Steps away from the carousel is Michigan's tallest kaleidoscope and Curious Kids' Discovery Zone by Curious Kids Museum, an entertaining place for toddlers to teens to explore water exhibits, a climbing wall and traveling exhibits. Next door to us is the beautiful Silver Beach Shadowland Ballroom, where special celebrations and wedding dreams come true. Across the road is the Whirlpool Compass Fountain where you can splash in the mist on warm days. And throughout the year, plan to join us for lots of fun events.Our Silver Beach Center packages let you create hours of fun at special prices. The Activities Room is an easy place to celebrate your child's next birthday or a special event. Just let us know what day you'd like to book by clicking here. You'll also find carousel gift ideas in our onsite and online gift shops. Or check out other gift ideas and sponsorship opportunities here.So come for the best ride in town - it's unforgettably happy! Visit our website for hours and more information about pricing and events.
Reviewed By trisha25teacher - Dearborn, Michigan
The Silver Beach carousel is one of our son's favorite attractions when we visit St. Joseph during summer vacation! It is top notch. It's beautifully hand crafted and painted. They have a gift shop too! They also have rocking chairs and tables with games or crafts for the kids. Sometimes they have it decorated in a certain theme. Once they had it decked out in all Wizard of Oz decorations. They play the music from the movie too! The workers are very friendly and upbeat. Definitely worth checking out!!!!
3. Silver Beach County Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 654 reviews
Reviewed By JOL2T - Toronto, Canada
What a beautiful beach! Love the sunsets and the cool breeze during warm summer days. The beach is very clean, but crowded during summer months. I came here mostly during shoulder season (fall/spring) taking a stroll on the beach or pier. Although I've been to many great lakes beaches, I have to say, Silver Beach is one of my favourites. Lots of amenities during busy summer months, but quiet during off season.
4. St. Joseph Lighthouses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 259 reviews
Reviewed By hellmbeck - Fishers, Indiana
Nice town, nice lighthouse, very scenic and great photo op here. Depending on the tides, you can walk out to the lighthouse. Depending on time of year, summer season, they offer tours of the lighthouse. Public parking lot for a fee in season.
5. Curious Kids' Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Climb a miniature volcano, crawl inside a giant bubble or explore the surfact of Mars.
Reviewed By Ashley C - Benton Harbor, Michigan
I have four kids (12, 11, 4, & 1) and needless to say, they all found something to do. The staff is great. There is a bathroom here and an elevator for those parents with strollers or that can't do stairs. There are three stories, but the basement is only open to children signed up for special activities (so you have two stories to roam). There is a toddler area that is baby proof! You can just let your toddler go and not have to worry about him/her getting hurt. The area is gated so the little ones can't escape. There is an area where you pretend to be in another country, dinosaur area, pet area, apple picking section, face painting, and other pretending/learning environments. I even got into a role playing thing with the kids as being a patient with a broken leg.
6. Tiscornia Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By V_B_Z - Plainfield, Illinois
Nice beach that has more of a rustic feel than what you might expect for a city beach. The lighthouse extends from this beach, and if the time of year is just right, you can get some dramatic sunset shots with this lighthouse in frame. There are dunes immediately behind the beach that obstruct any view of the surrounding residences. We were there on a Wednesday evening for sunset, and there weren't more than maybe two or three dozen other people there. Some swimming, some watching the sunset, and come young couples having their photos taken with the sunset as their backdrop. One family had a small dog with them on a leash, so I presume pets are allowed there. There is a parking lot at the beach; not sure how much it costs, because we parked a couple blocks away and walked in. Do be careful not to park in the parking lot on the southeast side of Ridgeway St overlooking West Basin Marina. There is a small sign in the middle of this line of parking spots that says it's for marina parking only and that violators will be towed. We actually parked there, not seeing the sign, and we were lucky that we weren't towed.
7. Krasl Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By hjensen90 - Ann Arbor, Michigan
The Kraal Art Center is a lovely facility that supports the arts. They have a nice gift shop, gallery and a staff that is friendly and helpful. Stop by to take a look. They really value art here.
8. White Pine Winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 41 reviews
White Pine Winery showcases Southwest Michigan's finest wines and warm hospitality, a destination in the charming town of St. Joseph. We produce a range of delicious red and expressive white wines such as Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and several red and white blends. Owner and winemaker, Dr. David Miller, is a noted winemaker and viticulturist with over 25 years of experience. We invite you to visit us at our tasting room in downtown St. Joseph.
Reviewed By TCalderon0000 - Darien, Illinois
We stopped in to see and sample some wine. We ended up buying a few bottles to be shipped to a relative. The woman was very accommodating since we had to call with details after a few days to give her the proper address. We think we will go back there and get another bottle of wine for ourselves. At the time, we had just bought 6 bottles in South Haven (alcoholic and non alcoholic), and didn't need any more for ourselves.
9. Lions Park Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer C - Chicago
Thank you to those of you that left reviews about the new playground equipment. There was only one pic, but we decided to go check it out anyway. It was perfect! I was actually very surprised at how much there was to do there. We got there around 10 and it wasn't crowded at all. My 7 and 4 year olds loved it. There are multiple play structures which make it great for kids of all ages. We were there around 10 and they had just finished cleaning the bathrooms. My husband used the men's restroom before it was cleaned and said it was a mess. That's to be expected for a beach bathroom though. They are clearly cleaning it daily to keep up with it though. The women's restroom was clean since they had just finished. There are lots of picnic tables and covered structures for shade. The parking lot was $7. A nice lady at the park told my husband that if you park across the little street that it's free. He had already paid, but nice tip for future trips. We were able to use the parking by the splash pad without paying again, because it's the same pay system. (At least I think that's how it works lol).
10. Nye's Apple Barn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 37 reviews
A family owned farm market with U-Pick Peaches in Aug. and U-Pick Apples at another nearby farm in the fall. We have a large selection of Local and family grown fresh fruits & vegetables in season. We also offer jams, jellies, local honey and syrup, Amish made Take'n'Bake pies and other Amish goods. Honey Crisp Apples and all other great fall items. Hanging baskets and planters in the spring. May hours daily 10:30am- 5:30pm, June-October daily 9am-6pm, November Fridays-Mondays 10:30am-5:30pm. Call ahead in May and November because sometimes depending on weather we may need to close.
Reviewed By jjhenke - Saint Joseph, Michigan
This is your basic fruit/vegetable stand in a barn, conveniently located right off 1-94. Nye's carries the usual range of local produce. but also carries other (local) items as well: jam/jelly, maple syrup, pies. Also cold drinks for thirsty travelers and sweets for fussy children.
As a local, I appreciate the "seconds"--fruit and vegetables that may have been dinged, or needs to be eaten/used today. (I don't care if there's a pock mark on the Honeycrisp apple, or if there's a crack in the tomato. The apple tastes just as good, the tomato's going into sauce.)
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