Michigan Riviera Coasts
The Michigan Riviera stretches along the the coast of Lake Michigan within Michigan, from the Indiana-Michigan state line north, up to Ludington. This area is also known as Michigan’s Sunset Coast and Michigan’s Gold Coast. It includes sandy beaches, lighthouses, orchards, harbors, and many small town gems filled with art and culture. These towns offer beaches, harbors, lighthouses, boutique shops, downtown restaurants, farmers markets, wonderful accommodations, and their own unique flavor; from south to north:
1. Red Arrow Coast
New Buffalo with its harbor of a thousand boats (cityofnewbuffalo.org/harbor) is at the heart of Harbor Country. Harbor Country includes New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Michiana, Grand Beach, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, and Sawyer (harborcountry.org). New Buffalo is the Gateway to Michigan. Further up the Red Arrow Highway, beyond Harbor Country, is Bridgman and Stevensville.
2. Twin Cities Coast
The Twin Cities of Benton Harbor and Saint Joseph offer golf, boutique shops, the Curious Kids’ Museum, Krasl Art Center, the lighthouse, and Silver Beach, plus the Silver Beach Carousel and Shadowland Pavilion with the nearby Whirlpool Compass Fountain – good for all ages to splash and have fun! Check out the glasswork gallery at Water Street Glassworks in the Benton Harbor Arts District. Benton Harbor lives up to it’s nickname: “Port of Opportunities.” And Saint Joseph stays true as a “Special Place on the Lake.” The Twin Cities host the region’s oldest annual festival: Blossomtime – celebrating the flowering of the region’s fruit trees and produce plants. Benton Harbor helps celebrates the region’s produce with their Pumpkin Festival. And Saint Joseph holds its BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival, among others. The Twin Cities Coast also includes Hagar Township with its Coloma addresses and the descriptively named unincorporated town of Lake Michigan Beach.
3. Blue Coast
South Haven hosts the Michigan Maritime Museum and the nearby Van Buren State Park and Kal-Haven Trail State Park. Up the Black River from South Haven is the Bangor-South Haven Heritage Water Trail for paddling – which leads inland to Bangor, with its great riverfront boardwalk and quaint downtown. South Haven is the home to the National Blueberry Festival (blueberryfestival.com), held in August each year. Just south of South Haven is Covert Township with its great beach park on Lake Michigan.
4. Art Coast
The Art Coast of Saugatuck and Douglas has a special magic, with numerous art galleries, Oval Beach, the chain ferry, dune rides, and close access to Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
5. Tulip Coast
Proud of its Dutch heritage, Holland is home to May’s Tulip Time Festival (tuliptime.com), Veldheer Tulip Garden, and Windmill Island. Holland’s Big Red lighthouse, Holland State Park, and Tunnel Park are along Lake Michigan.
6. Grand Coast
I’ve loved Grand Haven ever since I was a kid – Grand Haven State Park, the lighthouse and pier, and Lighthouse Connector Park are a must. Grand Haven hosts the annual Coast Guard Festival (coastguardfest.org) at the end of July into early August. North of Grand Haven and across the Grand River are Spring Lake and Ferrysburg. Further north and connected by water is Fruitport.
7. Fruit Ridge Port Coast
The Port Coast includes Muskegon, P. J. Hoffmaster State Park, Pere Marquette Park, and Muskegon State Park.
8. White Coast
The White Coast includes Whitehall, Montague, and Duck Lake State Park.
9. Silver Coast
The Silver Coast includes Silver Lake State Park, New Era, Shelby, Mears, Pentwater, and Hart.
10. Big Sable Coast
Big Sable Coast includes Ludington, Ludington State Park, Big Sable Point, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, and Manistee National Forest – Lake Michigan Recreation Area.
Continuing north you enter the Sleeping Bear Coast, beginning with M-22 in Manistee.