Berrien Springs is a village in Berrien County and part of the Oronoko Charter Township.
This village is named after John M. Berrien, a former US Attorney General.
Berrien Springs is one of the oldest settlements in the Oronoko Township and is graced with mineral springs and other natural wonders.
Today, you’ll still see that most of the attractions and tourist spots in Berrien Springs are hinged on its beautiful natural landscape.
Along with their unrivaled views, there are also dozens of historical sites that helped shape the village’s culture and heritage.
Check out 15 of the best things you can do while in Berrien Springs, Michigan!
Nothing beats the sound of the calm waters while reading your favorite book on a picnic mat in front of a lake in Berrien Springs.
Nestled between St. Joseph Valley Parkway and M-139, Lake Chapin is arguably one of the best places in Berrien Springs where you can relax and step away from the busy city life.
The reservoir covers 600 acres and is also a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to engage in a series of watersports activities like canoeing, kayaking, and waterskiing.
Take a sip of your favorite drink while resting under a cool shade in the middle of the lush green forest surrounding the lake.
From a distance, you’ll also spot the remnants of an old bridge built in the early 1900s and the oldest hydroelectric dam in the state, which is located nearby.
Feel the cool breeze brushing against your skin on a sunny day in Love Creek Nature Center on Huckleberry Rd.
Love Creek covers 600 acres and has enough amenities for you to try out if you’re looking to get some exercise or simply lounge around the area.
Take a walk around, and you’ll see a Beech-Maple forest swarming with wildflowers一a truly captivating sight that will beef up your Instagram game.
Love Creek Nature Center also has six miles of hiking trails that will take you to Berrien Springs’ most scenic views.
You can even ride your bike or go cross-country skiing on the nature center’s groomed trails, which are perfect for classic or skate-style skiing.
Find everything there is to know about Berrien Springs and Berrien County when you visit the Berrien County Historical Association on N Cass St.
The historical association has all the information you need to know more about Berrien Springs and several historical sites that have been preserved up to this day.
Check out the Berrien County Courthouse, the oldest one of its kind in Michigan and one of the oldest in the Great Lake states.
Next, swing by Bennett’s Forge and get a good look of the transformed auxiliary building, which also serves as a venue for blacksmithing demonstrations and exhibits.
You’ll also see the famed Murdock Cabin that was discovered to be under an old farmhouse on Kephart Lane.
Wine connoisseurs are sure to have a great time spending a day at the Lemon Creek Winery on E Lemon Creek Rd.
Established in 1855, Lemon Creek Winery and Fruit Farm boasts over 160 years of grape and fruit growing experience.
Explore the 300-acre vineyard and orchard set over exquisite rolling hills to get the most out of your trip.
Then, stick around for the wine tasting experience, which is usually on a first-come, first-served basis.
Of course, you wouldn’t want to come home empty-handed, so don’t forget to bring home best-sellers, like Blanc de Blanc, Meritage, Shiraz, and more.
Relive the past and unearth important pieces of history by visiting the Institute of Archaeological Siegfried H. Horn Museum at Andrews University.
This museum in Berrien Springs houses over 9,000 artifacts in the form of coins, pottery, and jewelry, which were traced back to Biblical times.
Check out these artifacts and archives, and get a good look at how ancient people used to go about their daily lives.
Also inside the Horn Museum are over 3,000 ancient cuneiform tablets recovered from the Sumerian times and Achaemenid period.
Andrews University also hosts a couple of lectures every year that are open to the public, giving visitors the chance to learn about other historical topics.
If you’re planning to stick around in Berrien Springs for quite some time, it’d be nice to immerse yourself in the local community by joining a few groups like the Berrien Springs Garden Club.
Established in 1953, the Berrien Springs Garden Club is a great community where you can learn anything about planting flowers and vegetables.
Here, you’ll learn about topics like herb cultivation, pollinators, floral arrangements, and even create nature-based crafts.
But if you think this club isn’t the right one for you, that’s perfectly fine as you can participate in some activities hosted by the club.
You’ll still be welcome to watch demonstrations, attend and join workshops, and listen to a couple of lectures held throughout the year.
If you’re planning to visit Berrien Springs sometime in August, you’re just in time for the annual Berrien County Youth Fair.
This annual celebration is a week-long event where locals and visitors can enjoy everything there is to see in the area, from food and drinks to contests and shows.
Get front-row seats to witness tractor pulls, demolition derbies, and crowd favorites like bull riding and mutton busting.
The Berrien County Youth Fair also features contests for kids and young adults.
And lastly, enjoy the week by listening to live music and entertainment at the fairgrounds, and jam along to the tunes while hanging out with your friends and family.
There are a lot of things to love about Berrien Springs, but perhaps one of the best things about the community is the annual Pickle Festival.
Berrien Springs was once recognized as the Christmas Pickle Capital of the World, thanks to this celebration, which unfortunately went on a hiatus for quite some time.
Currently, the Berrien Springs Pickle Festival is celebrated alongside the 4th of July, creating an even bigger event in the community.
Expect a lot of pickle-related events like pickle decorating and pickle toss contests, along with the usual 4th of July festivities.
There’s also the annual pickle recipe contest where participants can showcase their best pickle recipes and creations, which you can also join if you think you have something in the bag that could help you bring home the crown.
Relax your mind and enjoy the serene atmosphere in Free Run Cellars.
Located along Burgoyne Rd, Free Run Cellars gives visitors the perfect opportunity to enjoy the peaceful view of the vineyard while sipping on crafted wines.
Take your pick from a wide variety of reds, whites, wine flights, and cocktails, and pair them up with breadsticks or an entire charcuterie board.
Aside from having a scenic picnic facing the vineyards, Free Run Cellars also hosts musical Sunday nights with live music from local artists.
Enjoy the view with the company of your closest friends while in this Berrien Springs favorite, and make memories you won’t forget.
Shamrock Park is one of the best places where you can enjoy the great outdoors!
This park was founded in 1973 and currently offers 124 campsites near the banks of the St. Joseph’s River.
Set up a camp while nestled deep into the forest, enjoying the company of the chirping birds, starry sky, and rustling leaves.
Those who enjoy fishing can cast their lines at the river and try catching a couple of salmon, steelhead, walleye, and other species.
Guests also have the luxury of choosing their own campsites and their preferences on whether they’ll need electricity and water or go the primitive route.
Grab a shopping bag, make a beeline go to Stover’s Farm Market along M-139, and shop for loads of fresh produce.
You won’t regret buying favorites like peach salsa, sweet fire pickles, dried cherries, vidalia peppercorn dressing, raw liquid honey, and more.
Founded by John and Sarah Stover in 1870, the farm started off as an area where the family grew grain and fruit along the St. Joseph River.
Today, the family-owned farm has established itself as the top place to go when shopping for fresh produce.
As you visit the market, you can also take a walk by the woods or check out the apple orchard that’s also part of the farm.
Nothing beats a pint of ice-cold beer after a long day of touring the streets of Berrien Springs.
And if you ever find yourself running out of options on where to go, drive a few miles outside Berrien Springs to St. Joseph, and head straight to Silver Harbor Brewing Company.
Take a swig of craft creations, and spend the night chatting with your friends and catching up on age-old stories.
There are about 12 varieties on tap for you to try out, so make sure you get a good taste of each one to know why Silver Harbor is one of the best breweries in town.
And if you’re looking for something more unique, try the brewery’s smoked beer!
Wading through the streets of Berrien Springs can be tiring and might even drain what little energy you have left.
But don’t worry, because it’s something a cup of coffee from Nikki’s Cafe can surely fix.
Located along E Ferry St, Nikki’s Cafe is a quaint and simple coffee house and breakfast spot where you can relax and drown in the aroma of fresh coffee beans.
It’s also a great spot to read your favorite book or meet up with your friend before starting your adventurous day.
Keep an eye out for specials like Taco Tuesdays, Nana’s Homemade Meatloaf, Cherry Cobbler served with vanilla ice cream, and a whole lot more.
Nikki’s Cafe also serves an old diner kind of vibe, which makes for a great background when taking your photos, too!
Looking to learn other sports?
Head over to Berrien County Sportsman’s Club on Linco Rd.
This sports club in Berrien Springs offers visitors the chance to learn sports, like archery and shooting.
There are also other facilities like muzzleloaders and voice-activated trap ranges, which club members can use.
If you’re new to outdoor activities like these, Berrien County Sportsman’s Club offers concealed pistol classes and range safety classes for beginners.
There’s also a campsite where visitors can try fishing for trout and salmon.
Susan B Sheldon / Shutterstock.com
Just a few miles outside Berrien Springs is St. Joseph, where you’ll spot the famous Silver Beach Carousel.
This amusement park offers many rides and games that everyone in your family will surely enjoy.
Marvel at the festive decor and snap a few photos as you enter before conquering all the rides you possibly can.
Dagny Scott, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Of course, your trip wouldn’t be complete without riding the infamous three-row carousel, which also holds a piece of history integral to St. Joseph’s culture and heritage.
To commemorate your trip to Silver Beach, head over to the Brass Ring Gift Shop to pick out the perfect souvenir.
Dagny Scott, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Berrien Springs is one of the places where you can enjoy a lot of nature-filled activities thanks to its geographical location.
You’ll find great pleasure in exploring vineyards, trails, parks, and campsites, among others, while in this magnificent Michigan village.
And to get the most out of your trip, make sure to stick to this list of the best places to do while in Berrien Springs, and you definitely won’t regret your visit.
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