Sand Trap Beach House

Whatever your urges - power shopping, quiet strolls, or country tours - South Haven has something for you. Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike enjoy shopping South Haven's scenic and historical downtown district.

Many of the buildings and some of the shops in the district date from the early 1900's. Scattered throughout the South Haven area you'll find unique shops and special places that make an hour, a day, or aweekend of shopping one of the South Haven's most popular past times

South Haven is located on the Lake Michigan coastline in the northern corner of Van Buren County. It is located at the mouth of the Black River, and is a major vacation spot for sightseers and boaters on Lake Michigan. It includes several marinas and docking facilities, along with many small resorts and restaurants. The downtown area is a favorite shopping spot, with its unique beachtown-like atmosphere, in well-preserved Victorian style architecture. A walk along the waterfront from atop the downtown hill to the old red lighthouse at the end of the pier is a great way to experience this town’s nautical flavor while getting your exercise.

South Haven was named for its location relative to the city of Grand Haven. It was first settled in 1831 by Jay R. Monroe. A sawmill was built here in 1850 by Joseph Sturgis, who a few years later sold it to A. S. Dyckman, who immediately began to promote the area, and is thus credited as the town father. It was incorporated as a village in 1869, and later as a city in 1902.