Southwest Michigan Photo | Lake Michigan Destinations

Explore Southwest Michigan!

The Southwest Michigan portion of the Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a beautiful drive that takes you through many charming towns along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Beginning in New Buffalo (known for its variety of vineyards) the Lake Michigan Circle Tour switches to I-94 through the St. Joseph / Benton Harbor region. Here is where you’ll find the popular Silver Beach County Park with an historic, restored merry-go-round called the Silver Beach Carousel, along with the St. Joseph North Pier lighthouse located at Tiscornia Park. Continuing north on I-196/US-31, you will pass though the Saugatuck / Douglas area on the Lake Michigan Circle Tour route.

Southwest Michigan Counties & Communities
Counties: Berrien County, Van Buren, Allegan
Communities: New Buffalo, Bridgman, Stevensville, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, South Haven, Saugatuck, Douglas

Southwest Michigan Destinations

There’s nothing like being “Up North” and we think you will want to linger in this beautiful region, filled with outstanding Lake Michigan Destinations. 

Here are but a few of the towns which are delightful to discover in Southwest Michigan:

southwest Michigan map

Southwest Michigan Lighthouses

Lighthouse lovers will love the lights located along the Southwest Michigan lakeshore.

 

Tiscornia Park St. Joseph Lighthouse Molly Schuler Pate

Tiscornia Park St. Joseph Lighthouse
Photo by Molly Schuler Pate

  • New Buffalo Lighthouse, New Buffalo
  • North Pierhead Lighthouse, St. Joseph
  • South Pierhead Light, South Haven
  • Kalamazoo River Light, Saugatuck

Discover More Lake Michigan Destinations

Suttons Bay, Michigan

Suttons Bay, in Leelanau County, about midway up the eastern shore of Leelanau Peninsula and is a very popular destination in the summer time.

Hammond, Indiana

Straddling Indiana’s border with Illinois sits Hammond, which thrives despite the decline of factories on the southern tip of Lake Michigan.

Sheboygan beach

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Located halfway between Green Bay and Milwaukee, Sheboygan is both a waypoint and a great opportunity to unwind.

Menominee, Michigan

Among the water activities, shopping, and dining, Menominee, Michigan offers historical museum, beaches, and parks.

Lake Michigan water

Berrien County, Michigan

Berrien county is located in the southwest corner of Michigan and just north of the Indiana border. It’s home to the St. Joseph River.

Lake Michigan water

Van Buren County, Michigan

Van Buren County is fun for all seasons, whether it be hiking the many trails, fishing the Black River, or skiing at Timber Ridge.