Our Community

Community High Lights

- Close to Chicago - Top 10 Family Beach - Championship Golf Coures - Seasonal Festivals - Casinos - Award Winning Public Schools - Diverse Community

Located just 90 miles from downtown Chicago, Southwest Michigan is carefully nestled on the southern tip of what has been termed "The Riviera of the Midwest." The area is a growing resort community - stretching from the state line in a spectacular arc along Lake Michigan. Our corner of the state offers so much to do and so much to see, it's amazing it all fits in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties!

Tourists come to Southwest Michigan every year by the tens of thousands to enjoy the beaches, Lake Michigan, the rivers, inland lakes, downtown shopping, festivals and more. While you are here you'll discover some of the finest, sugar-sand beaches on Lake Michigan (Parents magazine named Silver Beach, in St. Joseph, one of the top 10 family beaches in the U.S), experience a lush countryside that produces some of the nation's finest orchards year round and award winning vineyards.

The Outdoor attractions here are endless. Grab your fishing pole and gear to experience some of the best freshwater fishing in the world regardless of the season. Play a round of golf on a new 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Cool off and let loose by Splashing in the Whirlpool Compass Rose Fountain. Feel like a kid again by taking a ride on the new hand carved Silver Beach carousel. See beautiful autumn hues.   Cross-country ski the beautiful parks and nature centers. Swoosh down snow-covered hills. Watch the orchards fill with fragrant blossoms. Enjoy hundreds of seasonal fairs, festivals, performances and events.  The days are never long enough when you're here!

Indoor leisure activities are also available in the area.  Southwest Michigan is home to New Buffalo's Four Winds casino, where you can enjoy all of your gaming pleasure, not to mention a luxury hotel, excellent restaurants, weekend entertainment. You'll also find many museums, galleries and art centers in our three-county region. We have multiple hands-on children museums, museums where you can learn about our native people, an amusement park that inspired the Disneys, a famous horticulturist, lighthouse keepers, a baseball team from a renowned religious colony and much more.

If your idea of fun is finding new fashions, handcrafted furniture and décor, delightful toys, stylish jewelry, European Christmas ornaments or hearty, made-from-scratch breads, you'll find it in our malls, downtown shops and resort town boutiques.

Bring your appetite to Southwestern Michigan! Pamper yourself with homemade fudge or fresh blueberry pie. Bite into a steaming Chicago-style hot dog. Savor a legendary northern Italian pasta entrée. Whatever foods please your palate, you'll find them in our restaurants, diners and cafes. Please leave room for our European pastries or slow-churned ice cream!

Our commitment to the community includes a commitment to its future. That's why our residents place such a strong value on educating the youth of Southwest Michigan.  From our award winning public school systems, to our quality private schools and our area continuing education institutions, Southwest Michigan offers a rich variety of educational opportunities.

This is home to several national and international corporate headquarters such as Whirlpool, IPC Communications, LECO, Lyons Industries, Georgie Boy Mfg., Kellogg, etc. We host many major annual events including the Tri-State Sailing Regatta, National Blueberry Festival, International Cherry Pit Spit Competition, The Krasl Art Fair, to name a few.

Our cultural and ethnic diversity rivals any that you'll find in a major city. People and families from around the world have moved here and call SW Michigan home. There are dozens of clubs and organizations that encourage membership which will help you learn about our area, its culture, activities, lifestyle and to develop friendships by sharing interest and hobbies.

We've got much for you to discover, whether you're a city dweller or true country, you'll find it here. You'll see that Southwest Michigan is a family place where young and old and everyone in between can enjoy the four seasons of our area. Along with our country charm in the area you'll find beautiful homes, personal service, great schools, customer friendly shops, galleries, museums, restaurants and more all at your doorstep.

*swmichigan.org, puremichigan.org, sjcity.com