jenmoore, you should have a great time in South Haven.

A girl friend just this last week took 4 of her older women workmates and took them on a 2 day- 1 overnight wine tasting tour of her own design and they stayed overnight in South Haven.

This is fruit picking time coming up, as well. Lots and lots to do, besides walking on the beach- if you'd like. You will like it.

Also there is a new big Casino with 5 restaurants just off the expressway in New Buffalo- if you have an inkling.

I have a tiny house on a lake inland in Cass County and we do this drive every other week. Sometimes the 4 Winds is a perfect stop or alternative to days of outdoors. St. Joseph and New Buffalo have lots of big personal craft. And do not forget you will always have those beyond description sunsets.

The sunset coast is awesome.

Thanks everyone for your advice on South Haven. We just back back. Although the weather wasn't very good (rainy on Saturday and cool/overcast on Sunday, so no swimming), we had a really good time. The town was charming and we had a nice time going to the farmer's market, walking along the beach, and just enjoying being away from the city.

I was disapointed, though, in the food options within walking distance of town. We had delicious pasteries from a bakery in town, but lunch and dinner were a struggle. Most of the menus in town were all the same -- fried fish, hamburgers and pizza -- and the food was pretty average. We went to the fancy Italian restaurant in town (Tello) for dinner one night, which was OK, but we were surprised there weren't more "nice" options or charming sandwich shops for lunch.

This didn't ruin the trip, but I want future researchers to know what they're getting into food-wise.

You need to go inland. There's a lot about SW Michigan and Harbor Country especially that is a fairly well-kept secret. And that's the fact that nearly all the good restaurants (and that doesn't have to mean high end either) are inland. Although I think there are a couple outside the towns on BlueStar Hwy. But Kevins, for instance, in Paw Paw is awesome.
And Drop Anchor in tiny Marcellus has the best steak and fresh market vegetables, all the time. Also Dowagiac has numerous high end as well as variable.

But that's one of reasons I go to New Buffalo or South Haven in Oct. or Nov. to walk the waves and that's about it. It isn't my cup of tea. Too crowded and all the services, not just the restaurants, seem exactly as you describe in high tourist season. In the small beach towns, especially- sometimes the meals are mediocre and the places are packed with lines to get them.

We got the rain too. I had about 20 baby frogs in a sinkhole near my sea wall. They loved it.

I live in the Holland, MI area and vacation near Traverse City...also love food! :) I know many, many "Chicagoans" travel up the coast and stay south of here (in which I'm not familiar)- but many seem to like it up here in Saugatuck/Douglas and Holland areas. I've never been impressed with any of the restaurants in S.Haven...with that said, here are some good "foodie" ones if you head a little further North...(if the economy is kind, they'll still be here!)...
Everyday People Cafe (Douglas)
Phil's Bar (Saugatuck)
Wick's Park Bar& Grill (Saugatuck)
The Piper (Macatawa)
Butch's (Holland)
Perredies (Holland)
CityVu (Holland)
Via Maria (Holland)
And...rumor has it, a new "pub" will be opening in Fennville under the same owners who opened JourneyMan (which was a fantastic organic food restaurant)...but no word yet! ;)

Thanks tons, Merox.

Next summer I will get over to Holland and North of Holland much more frequently. Fennville too.

Also Featherbone in Three Oaks, MI- inland just a couple miles from New Buffalo is also good variable bar and grill food.

Merox: that would be good if Journeyman II were to open. Hopefully the previous owners will have learned they really should remit those payroll taxes to the government after all.