We’re in Southwest Michigan for a couple days with all of our extended family from Chicago! There’s almost 20 of us and we’re having fun and checking out breweries in multiple towns. And we’re excited to explore what Southwest Michigan has to offer!
Planning our trip to Southwest Michigan
We flew into Chicago on Saturday and got picked up by our Uncle Mike and Aunt Diane. And after staying with their family in Flossmoor, IL, we are driving to their lake house in Pullman, MI. After stopping at Indiana Dunes National Park, we’re headed into Michigan and to our 1st brewery. New Holland Brewing in Holland, MI has become famous for its Dragon’s Milk beers, and we’re excited to go there.
Tomorrow, we have a full day of fun planned in Southwest Michigan thanks to Uncle Mike. Starting in Saugatuck, we will board the Star of Saugatuck for a boat cruise out to Lake Michigan. And afterwards, we’ll explore more of Saugatuck including another brewery. And on the way back we’ll stop at Crane’s Pie Orchard for dessert. Later that night we’ll head to the town of South Haven to see their July 4th fireworks. And we’ll enjoy some time on the lake for Independence Day. On the way to the airport in Grand Rapids, we’ll stop at Founders Brewery for lunch before we leave. We’re looking forward to spending a lot of time with family in Southwest Michigan!
New Holland Brewing
I first heard of Dragon’s Milk 10 years ago when Mike and Diane sent us some. And a few years later we’ve been able to get some in Florida stores. This bourbon-barrel aged stout is their signature beer, and we’ve seen different varieties of it. But we’re really looking forward to seeing their special releases at their brewpub. See New Holland Brewing – Brewery and Distillery in Holland, MI for more about this brewery.
We have a reservation at 6:30PM and not just for us, the kids, Mike and Diane and their kids. But we also have a reservation for Mike and Diane’s extended family, and we’re late. But luckily, Diane’s sister Linda and her husband Bob are there with their daughter Katie and her kids. Katie is also there with her husband Mike, his brother Matt and their parents Dave and Kathleen. Diane and her girls show up after us, and we’re told we have to order some pizza rolls. So we order them with some flights of beer.
They have 8 versions of Dragon’s Milk including the 2023 reserve stroopwafel and s’mores as well as other limited releases. In addition to their yummy pizza rolls, we order a pretzel and pizza to share. We choose their Pickle pizza with bacon, pickles, fresh dill, herb oil, cheese curds and mozzarella not knowing how it would taste. It is delicious.
Our daughter gets her own personal cheese pizza and hangs out with her cousins at the end of the table. And after yummy food and beers, we check out their store which has everything. So, we pick up some beers and other goodies to take back with us to the lake house.
Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise
After a relaxing morning, we head to the Southwest Michigan town of Saugatuck on Kalamazoo Lake. We have a 2:00PM booking for the Star of Saugatuck boat cruise. The Star is an authentic sternwheeler paddleboat with an upper and lower deck seating 120 passengers. And we’re excited because it follows the Kalamazoo River out to Lake Michigan. You can learn more at: Home – Star of Saugatuck (saugatuckboatcruises.com).
We had made reservations in advance, but when we arrive we pay to get our tickets. And about 5 minutes before 2:00, we board the boat. We have reserved tables up top where we meet up with the rest of the gang.
Once the boat starts moving we get a narrated tour over the speakers as we cruise the Kalamazoo River. We’re also able to buy some snacks and drinks from the bar downstairs. After getting situated, we sit at our table and enjoy the ride through the Saugatuck harbor.
After circling the harbor, we head out to Lake Michigan. It’s a beautiful day and the water is calm. We pass many houses and see many boats along the way. And we’re in the great lake in 40 minutes. We turn to our left overlooking the popular Oval Beach which is packed. And then we head a little farther out into the ocean, I mean lake. We spend about 25 minutes in the lake before we head back the way we came.
On the way back we admire the red paddlewheels as they churn from the back of the boat. The whole trip takes about 1.5 hours and we’re back at the dock around 3:30PM.
Saugatuck Chain Ferry
There is another famous boat in Saugatuck called Diane or the Saugatuck Chain Ferry. And it’s the only remaining hand cranked chain ferry of its kind remaining in the U.S. The boys and I have experienced the ferry many years ago, but Becky really wants to ride it. So she waits for it as the rest of us find something to eat.
Diane takes passengers across the river by a chain that is connected to both sides. It costs $3 one way departing about every 15 minutes depending on demand. And it’s a great way to get across to climb Mt. Baldhead or go to Oval Beach. But Becky just rides it there and back.
Trained operators use hand cranks that pull the boat along the chains across the river. But they also let her take a try which is not as easy as it sounds. After a fun experience, she rejoins us next door for some food.
Exploring Saugatuck and Saugatuck Brewing
Next door to the chain ferry is a restaurant called Baldy’s Smoked Meats which smells good. Not only do they have BBQ, but the boys see they sell Italian Beef sandwiches and want one. And of course they sell Chicago hot dogs. So, the kids and I go in and order some dogs and Italian beefs.
Uncle Mike is with us and we’re joined by Katie and Mike and their son, as well as Mike’s brother Matt. While we’re waiting their son and our daughter are hanging out avoiding tickles from Uncle Mike. Becky joins us and after eating, we continue walking along the street past some shops. Katie wants to go to a store named American Spoon that offers all kinds of preserved goodies in jars. We get a few items before we head back saying bye to rest of the family.
But on the way back we have to stop at the Saugatuck Brewing Company. I have turned Becky on to their Neapolitan stout since I last visited here over 10 years ago. And I convince her we need to try it from the source. It’s a short drive on the way out of downtown, so we make a pit stop. We each get a Neapolitan stout draft at the bar before heading back to Pullman.
Crane’s Orchards and Pie Pantry
But there’s one more place we have to stop at on the way back. I have been telling Becky about the raspberry pie from Crane’s Pie Orchard for over 10 years. So, we make another pit stop, but this time it’s for pie. Crane Orchards have a seasonal u-pick option for various berries. But, we’re a little early for picking, so we go inside.
They actually have a full restaurant and winery, see Cranes Pie Pantry Restaurant | Crane’s Winery. But again, we’re here for the pie. So inside we find a line to a bakery counter. We each order a different slice of pie to try and find a table outside. Becky also decides to get a whole raspberry pie to take back for the rest of the family. It’s a great idea, because we can have more pie!
I tried the blueberry pie and Becky tried their cherry. Both are exceptional, though we both tried the raspberry later and agreed it’s the best. And we get back to the lake house in time for dinner and more food. We’re treated with yummy BBQ and all the fixings and of course more pie. And we were glad we got a whole pie to share with the rest of the family so everyone could try some.
South Haven Fireworks
After resting after dinner, we head to another Southwest Michigan town called South Haven. Each July 3rd, they have their Independence Day fireworks over Lake Michigan. The rumor is they have it the night before so everyone can enjoy their Independence Day with their family. And it’s exactly what we plan to do. So we head to South Haven and find some parking blocks away from the lake.
We had no idea there would be so many people here for the fireworks in this small town. But we brought some towels and find a spot to lay on the grass by their marina. And then we wait for the show. For a small Southwest Michigan town, they do a great fireworks show. And it’s a great way to end our day.
Southwest Michigan Fun on the Lake
The small community of Pullman is on Lower Scott Lake. And Mike and Diane’s lake house is a wonderful retreat on a great lake. It’s the perfect size to explore by kayak and that’s what Becky and I do for a couple hours. We find a family of swans and paddle near them before they hiss at us. You have to give them space, but we loved being on the lake. There are surprisingly a lot of small lakes in Southwest Michigan in addition to the great lake.
In the evening, we head over to Dave and Kathleen’s house also on the same lake. They are having a cookout for the 4th and we all meet again to hang out. More great food and company and we also take a boat ride to the middle of the lake. And Uncle Mike has discovered the perfect way to relax in the water.
He calls it the hillbilly diaper which is basically putting on a life vest upside down. Instead of putting your arms in and putting it around your chest, you put your legs in. With it wrapped around our waists, we jump in the water. It works perfectly to keep us afloat while we have our hands free for a beer. The water is a little colder especially a few feet down, but it’s great. Back at the house, we hang out until ready to call it a night.
Founders Brewing
After sleeping in, we pack-up to leave Southwest Michigan. We’re flying out of Grand Rapids and plan one more stop for lunch at another brewery. And Founders Brewing Co is not far from the airport. They have a large dining restaurant and nice menu of sandwiches, salads and more.
We each get a flight which is great for their strong beers. We also get some sandwiches which are really filling. Both are great. They also have nice gift shop that we spend a little time in before we have to leave. This was a great place to have our last lunch in Michigan with Mike and Diane and their girls.
Summary of our Southwest Michigan trip
We had so much fun with our extended family in Southwest Michigan. We took a boat ride out to Lake Michigan and hung out in charming Saugatuck. And we made it to 3 great breweries that are known nationally. Not to mention we had more raspberry pie from Crane’s! There is so much to do in Southwest Michigan, we all wanted to stay longer. But what we enjoyed most was spending time with our family from Chicago and their extended family.
We were glad we could come up for Catherine’s graduation, and can’t thank Mike and Diane enough for having us. And a huge thanks to their extended family’s hospitality. We enjoyed spending time with Diane’s sister Linda and husband Bob and their daughter Katie, husband Mike and kids. And Mike’s parents Dave and Kathleen, and brother Matt were very gracious. We promised it would not be another 10 years before we make it back to Southwest Michigan!