Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Three Oaks, MI

  • Published 2022/08/24

Many areas offer tons of exciting and enjoyable experiences in Southwest Michigan.

Three Oaks is one of those places.

This place is a village in the township of Three Oaks in Berrien County, Michigan.

With a population of over 2,000 people, the area contains many hidden gems, just waiting to be discovered.

You’ll find a unique mix of shops, distilleries and wineries, restaurants and quaint bakeries, historic sites, museums, theaters, and plenty of outdoor activities in Three Oaks.

Thanks to its rural atmosphere and friendly folks, the village is also a nice place to settle down and build a family.

Here are the best things to do in Three Oaks, Michigan, to help you plan your next trip:

Hike the Trails around Warren Woods State Park

Warren Woods State Park during autumn

Mark Baldwin / Shutterstock.com

Warren Woods State Park attracts hundreds of visitors yearly due to its natural beauty and recreational activities.

The Warren Woods State Park is a 300-acre preserve home to pristine white beaches, dunes, hiking trails, and scenic views.

Hiking trail at Warren Woods State Park

Hank Erdmann / Shutterstock.com

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in the park because its hiking trails lead to the most beautiful views.

There are also plenty of spaces where you can enjoy having lunch.

You can eat on the grounds itself, as there are no available seats or picnic tables.

Some popular outdoor activities in the park include swimming and other water sports.

A long boardwalk at Warren Woods State Park

Mark Baldwin / Shutterstock.com

You can even bring your dogs to the park, but you must keep them leashed.

Warren Woods State Park is the perfect place to stop by and unwind if you’re looking for a quick getaway.

Rent a Bicycle from Dewey Cannon Bicycle Museum

Nestled in downtown Three Oaks, the Dewey Cannon Bicycle Museum is a hub for all your bicycle needs.

The Three Oaks Spokes Bicycle Club runs the bicycle museum inside an old train depot.

Besides a history of bicycles, the museum offers bicycle rentals, tourism and cycling info, and a t-shirt shop.

If you’re curious about bicycle history, check out the displays covering its humble beginnings to its modern developments.

You can also rent cruisers, trail-a-bike, or a bugger trailer if you prefer to explore the village on wheels.

Visit the Dewey Cannon Bicycle Museum if you need a ride or are curious about the history of bicycles.

Commune with Nature in Kesling Nature Preserve

Kesling Nature Preserve is a popular spot for bird watchers, nature lovers, and anyone who likes to spend their time outdoors.

Established in 2004, the Kesling Nature Preserve is a 55-acre preserve with a half-mile walking trail, diverse wildlife, and picturesque scenery.

The nature preserve boasts an abundant wildlife habitat, making it an ideal location for birdwatching and viewing.

People believe that the Kesling Nature Preserve is also home to the yellow-throated warbler, a state threatened species.

In addition, the Galien River also crosses the nature preserve, which gives an excellent opportunity for fishing.

Spend your free time in Kesling Nature Preserve and immerse yourself in nature.

Play in the Welter’s Folly Putting Green

Get a taste of Scotland without leaving the village by visiting Welter’s Folly, a family-friendly putting green.

Welter’s Folly, located behind Journeyman Distillery, is a 30,000-square-foot, 18-hole golf course that offers a full day of entertainment.

After hiking with friends in Wisconsin’s Sand Hills, the owner got the idea of building a putting green.

You can play in the putting green with your friends or family or indulge your competitive spirit and join a putting tournament.

Welter’s Folly is a must-visit destination if you want to try a new experience aside from visiting parks, shopping, or eating out.

Watch a Documentary in Vickers Theater

If you’re looking for a place to watch a movie while checking out artwork, go to the Vickers Theater.

Since 1911, the Vickers Theater has given visitors a unique experience as a classic art gallery and cinema.

You can watch independent films, documentaries, foreign films, and the latest releases in the theater’s intimate setting.

The theater has a maximum capacity of 126 people, including limited balcony seats and café seating.

The theater’s mission is to entertain people and open their minds by showing exceptional films.

Vickers Theater will provide the ultimate movie experience with its old-fashioned snacks, authentic buttery popcorn, wines, and beers.

Taste the Meats fromDrier’s Meat Market

Entrance of Drier’s Meat Market

Fotoguy49057, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Since 1875, the Drier’s Meat Market has provided meat products like hams, bologna, and bacon to the people of Three Oaks.

The meat shop began as a wagon repair shop, then converted to a butcher shop named “The Union Meat Market.”

Today, Drier’s Meat Market is a National Historic Site.

It has operated continuously since the end of the Civil War.

Side view of Drier’s Meat Market

Kefacho, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Drier’s Meat Market has also appeared in some Michigan papers, such as the Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.

The meat shop offers the best meat products around the village, including lean hams, bacon, sausages, bologna, hotdogs, and more.

Don’t forget to try the local favorite, Ring Bologna, a type of small salami in a horseshoe shape.

Whenever you need some high-quality meat smoked to perfection, you already know where to go!

Admire the Artworks in Judy Ferrara Gallery

Since 2003, The Judy Ferrara Gallery has become a part of the Three Oaks art community.

The Judy Ferrara Gallery is a haven for creative artists and their creations.

You’ll find something here from local to international artists.

The gallery owner, Judy Ferrara, provides her clients with consultation services.

These services include an onsite visit and virtual mockups based on suggestions from the gallery’s extensive inventory.

Likewise, the gallery has 1,600 square feet of space to showcase contemporary and eclectic artworks.

It also has a 500 square feet outdoor space for private events.

If you need a place to spark your inner artist, come to Judy Ferrara Gallery to get some inspiration.

See a Live Performance in Acorn Theater

Acorn Theater is a performing arts theater that serves as a venue for artists to showcase their talents.

In 2003, the theater opened and produced 45 successful shows in its first year of operation.

Word of Acorn Theater quickly spread like wildfire, becoming a renowned destination for performance arts.

It even appeared in the New York Times.

Today, the theater hosts talented local and international artists and performers, providing the best entertainment around the village.

The funky and chic vibe of the theater is perfect for open mic nights, comedy nights, indie shows, drama, rock and jazz concerts, and others.

Acorn Theater is an essential element of Three Oaks’ arts community.

Support the theater by attending a performance or two.

Buy Organic Produce from Granor Farm

Staying healthy is key to a good life, and Granor Farm can help you start your healthy lifestyle.

Granor Farm is an organic farm that grows local herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and grains.

You can choose from more than 70 kinds of fresh, organic products harvested at peak ripeness.

Memberships in the farm’s seasonal vegetable programs allow you to enjoy freshly harvested produce every week.

Granor Farm also hosts a yearly seedling sale, farm store visits, farmhouse dinners, and summer camp for children.

If you ever need fresh ingredients for a nutritious meal, stop by and see what the farm has to offer.

Purchase a Bottle of Handcrafted Spirits in Journeyman Distillery

Barrels and other machineries at Journeyman Distillery

Logan Bush / Shutterstock.com

If you’re looking for a place to hang out with your friends while drinking some whiskey, check out Journeyman Distillery.

The Journeyman Distillery is one of the few distilleries in the United States that creates high-quality organic spirits.

The distillery is proud to say that the ingredients used to craft their spirits are free from harmful chemicals.

Exterior of Journeyman Distillery

Kefacho, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For example, Kosher Organics has inspected and evaluated Journeyman Distillery, giving it a kosher certification.

You can choose from a large selection of spirits in the distillery, including whiskey, gin, rum, rye, vodka, and brandy.

Everything in Journeyman Distillery is a labor of love, making every sip of your drink more special.

Spend the Weekends in Lakeside Cabins Resort

The Lakeside Cabins Resort is on a 110-acre property with wooded ravines, nature trails, stunning waters, and lots of space for outdoor activities.

With its serene ambiance, you can say that Lakeside Cabins Resort is the ideal spot for a weekend trip with friends and family.

This lakeside resort offers numerous opportunities to enjoy your stay, including swimming in the lake, fishing, hiking, and having a picnic on the lake’s banks.

You can purchase a cabin or rent one for the night.

Either way, you will have access to the same amenities.

Experience a simple and peaceful life next to a lake and book a room in the Lakeside Cabins Resort.

Tie the Knot at Blissful Barn

Blissful Barn is where elegance meets nature, in a rural setting surrounded by corn and soy fields.

Constructed in the 1860s, the vintage barn has become a venue for special occasions like weddings.

Celebrating milestones at Blissful Barn will take you back to 125 years ago before modern conveniences.

You can enjoy a private event amid vast fields, and all you can hear is the wind rustling.

If you want to look at this venue, you can book a tour to see what Blissful Farm is all about.

Check out their offers for free!

The scenic views from the fields and the peaceful environment in the Blissful Barn will make you want to move to the rural side of Three Oaks.

Even if you aren’t celebrating anything, you are welcome to come and enjoy the beauty of the Michigan countryside.

Eat a Homemade Meal in Froelich’s

There is no better way to begin the day than having coffee and handmade bagels from Froelich’s Bakery.

Located along Elm Street, Froelich’s is a bakery, kitchen, and pantry offering simple and nourishing food items.

Visitors and locals return to Froelich’s again and again to enjoy tasty delicacies or a hearty lunch.

The bakery offers a vast selection of homemade bread, pastries, and cakes that satisfy your sweet tooth.

On the other hand, the restaurant offers a lunch and dinner menu that will fulfill your hunger.

Aside from delicious meals and treats, they also offer other products such as jams, spreads, jellies, and sauces.

No matter what your food preferences are, you can always find something delicious at Froelich’s.

Practice Your Hunting Skills in Deer Creek Hunt Club

The Deer Creek Hunt Club is a public bird hunting and clay sporting venue that provides opportunities for people to feel the rush of the hunt.

The hunting facility has three sporting clay courses: one for beginners, one for intermediates, and one for professionals.

You will move from one station to another during practice, shooting in different clay courses.

Then, the Deer Creek Hunt Club will test your skills after learning the fundamentals of hunting.

An expert guide and a hunting dog will accompany you as you venture outdoors to hunt in some of the best upland bird hunting areas.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind experience when you visit Three Oaks!

Bring Your Family to Chikaming Township Park & Preserve

The Chikaming Township Park & Preserve is an excellent choice for families to spend the day outdoors and have fun with the kids under the sun.

The expansive 263-acre park offers plenty of areas for children to play and numerous sights to see.

It includes several hiking and bike paths, opportunities for bird viewing, fishing, and other activities suited to any level of fitness.

The preserve is also home to various landscapes in Southwest Michigan, including prairies, woodlands, wetlands, and a five-acre lake.

If you’re still looking for a place to spend the weekend, bring your family or friends to the Chikaming Township Park & Preserve.

Final Thoughts

With an endless list of activities to try and places to visit, you’ll never have a dull moment in the village of Three Oaks.

If you don’t know where to start your adventure, use this list of the best things to do in Three Oaks as a guide.

Who knows what else you’ll discover after arriving at Three Oaks, Michigan?

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