Too Much to do in St. Joe
You may not be familiar with the small city of Saint Joseph, Michigan, but it rests directly on the lake and suffers from the unique malady of “too many things to see and do.” If you are visiting, give yourself at least a week. Even then you will face hard choices about which sights and activities will make the cut. I have listed a few of my favorites, but be forewarned, it is by no means a complete list.
Downtown
The downtown shopping district is vibrant and bustling. There are many colorful shops and a wide variety of restaurants to help while away an afternoon or return for an evening dinner reservation. Downtown is so central to many of the other points of interest, that you will likely end up there sooner rather than later.
Beaches
There are two beaches in St. Joe. Silver Beach is nearest the downtown and it is the primary city beach. On a good day you will see crowds of swimmers, windsurfers, boogie boarders and, when weather on other parts of the lake creates waves, surfers. Beach volleyball courts, food vending, playgrounds and changing rooms are also on the beach.
Not far south along the coast, you will find Lions Beach. This beach is a little more relaxed and removed from the crowds, but maybe that’s what you’re looking for.
North Pier Lighthouse
The North Pier Lighthouse is visible from Silver Beach. It consists of an inner and outer light, both of which are still in operation. Tours of the lighthouse are available, but you might also like to just wander down the pier to take pictures
Art Spaces
Art seems to be everywhere in St. Joe. You you might start these spaces by visiting the Krasl Art Center. Here you will find numerous formal exhibits both temporary and permanent.
Across town you will find Box Factory for the Arts, which is run by the Barrien Artist Guild. This venue offers studio space to local artists. There is a shop downstairs, a space for art shows and you are free to wonder through the building and see what the residents are up to.
Finally, there is also “art in place” in the neighborhoods surrounding the Krasl, which brings us to the next item on our list.
Historic Neighborhoods
Homes, both stately and historic, comprise the neighborhoods in this part of St. Joe. Directly adjacent to (south and east) of the Krasl are many of the older, stately homes in what was and still is a fairly affluent section of the city. Many have historic markers with information about the house. As you walk the tree-lined streets, keep your eye out for more art.
Nearer the lake is a section of town that was settled by European immigrants at the turn of the 20th century during the “Great Migration.” The homes are more modest, but no less interesting. This section of town seen some gentrification and improvement of many home for use as vacation rentals.
Maritime Heritage Trail
The Maritime Heritage Trail winds along a section of the coast and up the navigable St. Joseph River. This inland waterway connects the lake to local marinas and other maritime structures or businesses. Signage along the trail explain how the river shaped the history of the twin cities—St. Joe and Benton Harbor.
Wineries
The farmland around St. Joe once grew grapes for Welches. When that market dried up, they pivoted to wine grapes. The soil and micro climates along the lake proved perfect for the production of both European and Native grape varieties. The result was a new wine region bottling world-class wines. I placed a few of my favorites on the interactive map, but there are many more within a short drive of the city.
U Pick
The same conditions that are perfect for grapes also produce a wide variety of other agricultural goods. As you explore the backroads around St. Joe, you will find many U Pick farms that allow visitors to pick their own berries or other fruit. Many farms have associated stores on the property that also sell fruit, jams and a variety of other products.
Warren State Park
The sand dunes at Warren State Park another must-visit site. Boardwalks and trails allow for exploration on foot or you may opt to just chill at the beach.
Lake Michigan
Of course, proximity the lake means there are a host of other maritime activities that I have not mentioned above. This means you can explore and be surprised by some of the region’s other outstanding features.