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While driving, be sure to listen to WLKM 95.9 FM Classic Hits for your favorites from the 60's, 70's & 80's!
RIVER COUNTRY BUS TOURS
For details call 248-459-0125
River Country features a Step On Guide who entertains your Motor Coach group for 5-7 hours about interesting topics including Arts, Amish and History; Underground Railroad; Wine and Wonderful Dining; Ghosts, Goblins and Gremlins.
For more information on guided motor coach tours, including hotel discounts, please call: 248-459-0125
RIVER COUNTRY SELF-GUIDED TOURS
To help with your planning, be sure to check out the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce and Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce. These are the people with their thumb on the pulse of the area and who can help you find those little known treasures of the area. This is also the best way to find out about the most up-to-date events and local driving maps to help you plan a successful visit. Click here to see a map showing where all River Country sponsors are located.
Sponsors are noted in bold. Those with a website are linked in blue bold.
AMISH TOUR
Discover
history and heritage, intriguing attractions, countryside and friendly
communities. Watch for horse drawn buggies clip clopping along country
roads – catch glimpses of Amish life – cars and electricity are not part
of Amish life. Visit Amish stores. Amish heritage is so special that it
is worth the experience.
See pages 6-7 of the 2010 River Country Visitor's Guide for all local
Amish businesses with descriptions and refer to the map on page 23 showing
their locations (call 800-447-2821 to get a copy of the guide.) The map
will detail the Amish Meander. See Amish buggies on M-60 and Nottawa Road
in Mendon and in Leonidas.
Drive through the Langley Covered Bridge, Michigan's longest remaining
covered bridge, located just three miles north of M-86, Centreville. From
there it is a short jog to Bubbling Brook Farm where
you can visit a CSA Farm where, if he has extra produce, you can pick
up some fresh-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables.
Miller's Discount Store in Centreville is a variety store
offering groceries, bulk spices, grains, specialty flours and a huge selection
of candy, cheeses, glassware and many unique items. Be sure to plan your
lunch at Yoder's Country Market in Centreville for homemade
barbeque and submarine sandwiches!
Crafters won't want to miss Dutch Kuntry Corner for a
unique stock of supplies and so much more.
ART TOUR
Our
small towns are home to many writers and artists who are no longer plugged
into the big cities. We boast of serious art and it is definitely worth
a “hey look me over”.
Scrapbookers will not want to miss Magic
Moments Scrapbooking in Sturgis. For some beautiful thread
art, drop by Fishsticks Creations. Open
Door Gallery is well worth the trip for very special art
by local artists and beyond.
BED AND BREAKFAST SIGHT-SEEING TOUR
Begin your day at T
& R "Inn" Between the Lakes with a sunrise
boating trip on peaceful Corey
Lake. Stop in at Corey Lake Orchards
for U-Pick fun then check out the historic Marantette House in Mendon.
Take a step back in time driving through Amish Country then finish up
with a relaxing dinner at River Lake Inn Restaurant
Gardens & Trails.
BIRDWATCHING
River
Country is an excellent place to birdwatch. Watch for various species
on our rivers and small towns.
Commonly sighted birds around River Country include: Great Blue Heron,
Green Heron, Sandhill Crane, Double-crested Cormorant, Mute Swan, Canada
Goose, Mallard, Wood Duck, Bald Eagle, Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper, Barred
Owl, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Phoebe, Tree Swallow,
Brown Creeper, Gray Catbird, Carolina Wren, Wood Thrush, Cedar Waxwing,
Prothonotary Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart,
Red-wing Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrow
and Cardinal.
Visit some of the Cass County Parks for some great bird
watching opportunities. For more information on local birds and what to
look for, contact Nottawa Wild Bird Seed at 269-659-8777.
GARDEN TOUR
Drive
or cycle to our “beauty spots”. Whatever the season Rawson's Mill offers
a tranquil and beautiful setting for a quiet moment amongst nature. See
one of the last working grist mills in the country and enjoy the beauty
of the millpond and weir.
From there you can make your way across to Simpson Road (across Nottawa
Rd Bridge) and take a drive past the garden of Sarah Stewart, author of
The Gardener, The Library and many other well know children’s books. From
there drive onto the Langley Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge
in Michigan.
Remember to come back in December to get your Christmas tree at Timberly
Tree Farm in Sturgis!
GIRLFRIENDS GETAWAY
Ladies. This is the place. Scrapbooking, art classes in Sturgis or Three Rivers, bar hopping, shopping, we have it all for you.
See the River Country Visitor's Guide for lodging facilities to book your trip. Tie your trip in with the antique market, fair, and other cool stuff at the St Joseph County Grange Fair. Take in some magic at FAB Magic .
If you and the girls like shopping for a little bling, be sure to stop in at Uniq for beautiful and unique jewelry options. Designs by Vogt's offers that perfect flower arrangement to take home.
See Rawson King's Mill and walk along the creek. Look for the stone marking the place where the alien landed -- one mile west of Leonidas on King Road. Dine at Fisher Lake Inn, Oasis Restaurant or Paisano's Bar & Grill, all in Three Rivers! If you time your dates right, you can finish your evening with a play by the Three Rivers Community Players, always an adventure!
GOLF WEEKEND
Set aside a weekend to enjoy a golf marathon! Explore all of the exceptional golf courses in the area Freedom Hills Golf Club, Pine View Golf Club, Sauganash Golf Club , Spruce Ridge Golf Club and St Joe Valley Golf Club each offers a wonderful break from your hectic life.
HISTORIC WATER TRAILS
For
your canoeing and kayaking adventure, be sure to check out
Doe-Wah Jack’s Canoe Rental, Liquid
Therapy or Trading
Post Canoe Rental. All have several trips of varying times
available for your water fun.
Much has been said over the years about River Country’s unique ecology,
its abundance of flora, fauna, fish and fowl, and its importance to local
history, commerce, trade and development of the area. But what is it really
about?
Contact the River Country Tourism Council, 800-447-2821, to get a copy
of the Canoeing & Kayaking Guide. This will offer you a variety of
planned canoe or kayak trips of varying skill levels. The guide also offers
tips on the individual trails, detailed maps and information on the historical
landmarks and sights you will pass.
For even more information see the following links: http://www.wmich.edu/glcms/watertrails/rivercountrysj-trips.html
http://www.wmich.edu/glcms/watertrails/rivercountrysj.html
HISTORICAL TOUR
Travel through time as you learn about how Notre Dame originally planned on St. Joe County as it’s location of choice and then moved, how the “Trail of Tears” affected Michigan Native Americans, and what made the Amish settle here.
Start your visit with the St Joseph Historical Society and from there branch out to visit those places that interest you the most. Choose from Marantette House, Memory Isle Park, Morse-Scoville House, Nottawa Stone School, Old New York Central Railroad Depot, St Joseph County Courthouse or Sue Silliman House, or create a plan that includes them all!
Don’t forget the historical bridges in the area:
Buckner Rd. / St. Joseph River, 1900;
Balk Rd. / Fawn River, 1910;
M-86 / Prairie River, 1923;
Big Hill Rd. / Fawn River,1905;
Covered Br. Rd. / St. Joseph River, 1887;
US-12 / St. Joseph River (Ped. Bridge), 1922;
M-86 / St. Joseph River, 1920.
Each of these is historically important and worth a visit!
LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING TOUR
Start
your day shopping in Three Rivers at Love
Your Mother, Uniq and Centsible
Treasures. Take a break and enjoy breakfast at Oasis Restaurant.
Head on over to the Langley Covered Bridge, Rawson's Mill and Abbott's
Magic Company.
Stop in at Tree
of Life for an eclectic selection of Earth conscious gifts,
teas, snacks, personal grooming and pet care products. Enjoy a relaxing
lunch at Kirby
& Lehman's Courtyard then head on over to the Old New
York Central Railroad Depot. Finish your day in Sturgis, walk the streets
and do some shopping and stay the night at Regency
Inn.
PEDDLE TOURS OF THE B&B'S
For the cycling enthusiast you can choose to cycle our Amish area instead as this is a very flat cycling area. You can bring your own bike or arrange for the hire of a bike through the Innkeeper. Fall colors or Spring Dogwoods offer scenic beauty next to none. Cycling Tours are offered to you where you can enjoy a unique “Bike Inn to Inn” tour taking in some of the most picturesque parts of Michigan.
This is for experienced cyclists who enjoy a challenge as well as the novice who wants to expand on their biking capabilities. Start at an Inn of your choice and bike leisurely to the next Inn. Participating Innkeepers will shuttle your luggage and car to the next Inn whilst you enjoy your tour. Bike maps are available from the Inns or you can choose your own tour. Pricing is based on Lodging at each Inn, length of stay, any equipment needed, meals etc. Be sure to stop in to Kickstand Schwinn Cyclery in Sturgis for any equipment needs or repairs.
SHOPAHOLICS TOUR
Calling all Shopaholics!! Have we got a weekend for you! There is so much
great stuff to do you will want to be sure to plan for at least two days!!
Start your weekend in Three Rivers and check out such unique shops as
Love Your Mother
for natural and holistic items,
Centsible Treasures for those antiques. Enjoy lunch at
Fisher Lake Inn. Enjoy an evening drink and maybe a show at the
beautiful Riviera Theater.
Give your second day a magical start at Abbott's
Magic Company in Colon then do some down home shopping at
Yoder’s Country Market in Centreville. Maybe enjoy one
of their special homemade barbeque or submarine sandwiches. While in Centreville
also check out Tree
of Life, a unique store featuring all organic goods from
coffees and teas to personal grooming and pet care products. Finish your
day with the wonderful shops in Sturgis, including Magic
Moments Scrapbooking to record your wonderful weekend and
enjoy a great dinner at either Fiesta Mexicana Restaurant
or DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant.
Don't forget to check the calendar and see if your visit coincides with
some of the great events going on in River Country like regular shows
at the Sturges-Young Auditorium
and Civic Center.
SPORTS TOUR
Get your heart rate going and build a day around the
sporting opportunities offered in the area. Begin your day with a light
breakfast at Oasis
Restaurant then get started with some skateboarding in a
local skate park in Three Rivers. Cool off with a swim at Sand Lake or
check out Pat’s Pontoon
Services.
Water enthusiasts be sure to visit the Colon Bait and
Tackle Shop on your way to Corey On-The-Lake Marina
in Three Rivers to rent a boat and enjoy a day on the water.
Enjoy lunch at Fisher Lake Inn then continue on to Cade Lake County
Park for some volleyball and hiking. Try your hand at Frisbee
Golf at Meyer Broadway Park. Finish your day with fabulous burgers and
drinks at Thunder Hog Saloon.
WINE TOURS
You can explore the southwest Michigan wine country starting at Petersen & Sons Winery just 15 minutes from the Inn, proceeding onto Paw Paw where you can visit St. Julian's as well as Warner Estates. From there take the time to go onto Coloma to Contessa Winery where you can also stop off and purchase delicious chocolate truffles to compliment your wine. For more information visit: Southwest Michigan Wine Trail, Pioneer Wine Trail or www.miwinetrail.com
WINTER WONDERLAND
St.
Joseph County has more to offer than just summer activities; there are
plenty of winter sites to keep you moving as well. So bundle up the family
and have a blast this winter with a Winter Wonderland Tour!
Head out to Corey Lake in Three Rivers and enjoy some great old-fashioned
ice fishing. After you catch enough fish, make your way to Swiss
Valley in Jones for some Down-Hill Skiing and check out their
Ski and Board Shop and Service Center. Hungry for lunch? Stop into Fisher
Lake Inn of Three Rivers where they have great daily lunch specials.
After you have filled your belly with great food, work some of it off
at Meyer Broadway Park in Three Rivers with some Cross-Country Skiing.
Looking to do some shopping? Timberly Tree Farm in Sturgis
has a wonderful Treasure Market, custom-made wreaths, live reindeer and
delicious hot cider. Stay the night at Voyager's Inn
in Three Rivers. Relax in peace and tranquility and take a load off...
you have had a very busy day!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ST JOSEPH COUNTY, MICHIGAN VISIT: http://www.stjosephcountymi.org/history/