What to do and see in Benton Harbor, United States: The Best Places and Tips

January 5, 2018 Trinity Boughner

Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan which is located west of Kalamazoo, and northwest of South Bend, Indiana. In 2010, the population was 10,038 according to the census. It is the smaller, by population, of the two principal cities in the Niles–Benton Harbor Metropolitan Statistical Area, an area with 156,813 people.
Restaurants in Benton Harbor

1. Whirlpool Compass Fountain

333 Broad St, Saint Joseph, MI 49085-1083
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 144 reviews

Whirlpool Compass Fountain

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. 12 Corners Vineyards

1201 N Benton Center Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-9754 +1 269-927-1512
Excellent
52%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 65 reviews

12 Corners Vineyards

For nearly a century, West Michigan has been the home of some of the most productive and picturesque fruit farms in the Midwest. Lake Michigan's "lake effect" has sheltered the fruit of our region from the harshness of winter - blanketing the fruit vines with snow and providing slightly warmer temperatures. 12 Corners Vineyards was started by a small group of friends who grew up in Michigan and recognized the uniqueness of a site just four miles off Michigan's famed "Gold Coast." The hamlet of Twelve Corners, Michigan is our namesake. We have an 115 acre estate planted with both vinifera and hybrid grapes. The vineyards are planted on soils of varying textures and slopes, bringing a distinct and pronounced terroir to the wines we proudly serve.

Reviewed By bunky36669 - Schaumburg, Illinois

The staff was very helpful in guiding us to the wines they thought we would like based on our remarks. We enjoyed all of our tastes, and bought a few bottles to take home. We loved the salted chocolate and also purchased some of that,...MoreBummer about the chocolate, that seems to happen often. ? Whenever we accommodate tastes, it makes the sale so much easier. Come back and see us or order online if you need to get your 12 Corners fix. Cheers friend!

333 Broad St, Saint Joseph, MI 49085-1083 +1 269-932-1141
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 490 reviews

Silver Beach Carousel

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!!!!

4. Sarett Nature Center

2300 N Benton Center Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-9704 +1 269-927-4832
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 35 reviews

Sarett Nature Center

Reviewed By ynotravel

They have a lot of walking trails, as well as some other activities to keep our little ones occupied and entertained. The playground is nice, as is the tree top walkway. Caution, bring bug spray! They do have some in the main office to borrow, but it can wear off of you are going on a longer hike. Children under 12 are free, $3 for everyone else.

5. Silver Beach County Park

101 Broad St, Saint Joseph, MI 49085 +1 269-982-0533
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 654 reviews

Silver Beach County Park

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.

6. Harbor Shores

201 Graham Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-3636 +1 269-927-4653
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Harbor Shores

Just 95 minutes from Chicago, this 18-hole, public Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course reflects the high standards of the world's leading design firm, Nicklaus Design. After successfully hosting the Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid in 2012 and 2014, Harbor Shores will again play host in 2016 and 2018. The course runs over remarkably diverse terrain that challenges golfers even as it offers a spectacular setting in which to play. Three holes offer dramatic views of Lake Michigan, eleven holes border the Paw Paw River, Ox Creek and its wetlands, and four holes wind through rolling hills, ravines and a hardwood forest. The result is a golf course unlike any other.

Reviewed By Diana H - Charlotte, Michigan

It was great to play a Jack Nicklaus course! Playing a second time would be even better because I would know the course and where to hit the golf ball! Hitting the green in the wrong place makes your putt an adventure! The greens are extremely fast! Stay out of the bunkers at all costs! The bunkers are steep and the sand is different. If you spend your time in the bunkers your arms will get tired from all the raking lol :) We played the day after the Senior Major and it was very quiet. The pin placements were the same as Sunday.

7. St. Joseph Lighthouses

North Pier St, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 259 reviews

St. Joseph Lighthouses

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.

8. North Pier Brewing Company

670 N Shore Dr, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-3646 +1 269-757-7163
Excellent
75%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
10%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

North Pier Brewing Company

Reviewed By shari w - Saint Joseph, Michigan

Really cool small place in the Harbor Shores area. They value local business. Nice indoor and outdoor seating. Food trucks come often. Burgers available across the street. Bring in whatever food you like. Popcorn fresh.
Friendly. Fun. Clean. Service oriented. I loved Old Shuck, the porter. Liked the flights very much compared to other local breweries. Pretty laid back.

9. Curious Kids' Museum

415 Lake Blvd, Saint Joseph, MI 49085-1231 269-983-CKID
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 154 reviews

Curious Kids' Museum

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.

10. Water Street Glassworks

140 Water St, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-3473 +1 269-925-5555
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Water Street Glassworks

Reviewed By allen006 - Holland, Michigan

This is a wonderful place to visit. There are always classes available for learning the art of glass blowing, and many other areas of glass work. They have an attractive show room, along with tasty Gelato. Be sure to walk in the back and watch the glass blowers. Glassworks also trains local high school students in the art of glass blowing, and also develop business skills.

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