Enjoy fall colors, events and activities in Southwest Michigan

Experience Fall Colors of Southwest Michigan's River Country
Just 2 1/2 hours from Detroit and Chicago

Fall is ablaze in Michigan’s Greater St. Joseph County amid Amish horse and buggies, farmland and quaint towns punctuated with stores and restaurants awaiting discovery.

Fall Color Tour. Three Rivers offers a Fall Color Tour October 17, 2010 that takes visitors on a beautiful drive to see all of the fall colors in the area, including Hidden Marsh Sanctuary. To find out more about the tour, visit www.trchamber.com for a downloadable tour map or call them at 269-278-8193. You can also call the County Parks office at 269-467-5519 for information.

Scarecrow Festival. An annual celebration to coincide with the Fall Color Tour. Enjoy the scarecrow contest, family activities, entertainment and other seasonal attractions. Held at the Meyer Broadway Park in Three Rivers.

Family-oriented lodging facilities to fit any budget. Many of our lodging facilities offer a free, hot breakfast. Remember to check at the desk to find out what special packages they offer for golf and skiing.
America’s Best Value Inn, Three Rivers is a pet-friendly facility with all the amenities of home and hot breakfast that includes hot off the griddle waffles.
Hampton Inn offers king study rooms, connecting rooms, indoor pool, spa and choice of hot breakfast in lounge or our On the Run Breakfast Bag for those in a hurry.
Holiday Inn offers an entirely renovated building, indoor pool along with spa and exercise room and a hot and cold breakfast selection that includes scrambled eggs and sausage.
Regency Inn offers continental breakfast, wireless internet, banquet facilities and an outdoor pool.
River Country Super 8 offers an indoor pool, guest laundry, handicapped rooms and a continental breakfast. Small pets (15-25 lbs) allowed for a small fee.

Dining in the midst of nature’s wonders. Check out the local fine dining with restaurants right on the water or in the middle of gardens and trails.
• Fisher Lake Inn is a delight to the palate specializing in steaks, seafood and prime rib. The view of the lake is always fantastic and even better when weather permits dining outside. 19984 East M-60, Three Rivers 269-279-7984
River Lake Inn Restaurant Gardens and Trails offers fine dining surrounded by nature trails and butterfly gardens. The perfect place for a fall dinner. 767 Ralston Rd, Colon 269-432-2626
Kirby & Lehman’s Courtyard is a charming coffeehouse with gourmet coffee and a beautiful view of the historic St Joseph County Courthouse. 140 W Main Street, Centreville 269-467-7100
• Oasis Restaurant is a family-style restaurant where breakfast is served all day. 656 S US-131, Three Rivers 269-273-4000
• Paisano’s Bar & Grill, a local, family owned eatery housed in four downtown historic buildings. Delicious homemade lasagna, thin crust pizzas with all fresh ingredients and so much more. 16 N Main St., Three Rivers 269-278-8525
• DaVinci’s Italian Restaurant offers classic Italian meals at reasonable prices with large portions. 1616 E Chicago Rd, Sturgis 269-651-1431
• Fiesta Mexicana has a variety-filled menu with great atmosphere and reasonable prices. 1040 S Centerville Rd, Sturgis 269-659-4747
• Thunder Hog Saloon is the place to go to expect the unexpected. The best biker bar around, but so much more. Offering a menu filled with delectable tidbits not found on your standard bar menu. 31011 M-60, Leonidas 269-496-5035

Experience the Amish lifestyle on the Amish Meander. Travel the back roads of River Country and stop at authentic Amish businesses along the way. Check out the craftsmanship and homemade cooking you won’t find anywhere else. Purchase rustic oak and pine furniture, hand-made quilts, saddles, leather goods and fresh baked breads and cookies.
• Bubbling Brook Farm is an organic CSA. Stop by and enjoy a tour of the farm and, if available, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. 25374 Wasepi Rd, Centreville 269-467-4661
• Dutch Kuntry Corner offers a wide variety of scrapbooking, stamping and craft supplies. Stop in for handmade crafts and cards along with many other gift items. 269-651-3777 ext 2
• Miller’s Discount Store is a variety store with groceries, bulk spices and a huge selection of candy at 24029 Truckenmiller Rd. Centreville 269-467-4935
• Yoder’s Country Market is a one of a kind, not to be missed store. Bulk foods, homemade salads and baked goods, not to mention the BBQ Chicken and smoked baby back ribs! Look for seasonal candies and bulk items this fall also. 375 Eleanor Dr, Centreville 269-467-4935

Enjoy the artistic side of River Country. Visit our many art galleries and pick up that special something to complete your home.
Open Door Gallery offers original artwork and unique gifts from regional artists. A community-minded art center with classes for all ages, student shows, guests artists and exhibits. 101 West Chicago Rd, Sturgis 269-659-9977 

The consensus is that fall is the best time for golf. River Country provides you with leisure level to professional quality golf courses designed by renowned architects.
• Freedom Hills Golf Club is a fun-filled 9-hole executive tree lined course with watered fairways and greens. Call for fall specials. 68162 County Farm Rd, Sturgis 269-651-8036
Pine View Golf Club has two courses to choose from. Specials through the fall include Tuesday’s “Honey-Do” Special, 18 holes with cart and lunch for $20.00. Friday’s pop in for $1/hole with cart golfing. 52065 Pulver Rd., Three Rivers 269-279-5131
Sauganash Golf Club is the “best kept secret” of River Country. Course designed by A.W. Tillinghast (architect of US Open). Call for fall specials. 61270 Lutz Rd., Three Rivers269-278-7825
Spruce Ridge Golf Club features 6,058 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. This beautiful public course has 18 holes and a resort faculty. 26831 Dutch Settlement St, Dowagiac 269-782-5827
• St. Joe Valley Golf Club offers excellent playing conditions on picturesque course. Plenty of challenge for golfers of all levels. Call for fall specials. 24953 M-86, Sturgis 269-467-6275

Explore the many historic sites. All surrounded by tall, mature oak and maple trees at their color peak mid-late October.
• Marantette House; which is on the Michigan Register of Historic Places, Simpson Rd, Mendon.
Memory Isle Park; the site of a historic battle between two Native American tribes.
• Nottawa Stone School; also on the Michigan Register of Historic Places, dates back to 1870. E. M-86, Nottawa 269-467-5400
• Old New York Central Railroad Depot; the home of the Sturgis Historical Society Museum. Main St., Sturgis 269-651-5758

Visit our many parks. Watch the children tumble around in the crisp leaves as they enjoy the playgrounds and you enjoy the natural beauty of the nearby rivers and historical sites.
• Scidmore Park; petting zoo, playground, picnic areas and beautiful paths for walking and riding. A big hit with families. Open through October, the zoo offers free educational programs every Saturday. 269-273-1845
• Hidden Marsh Sanctuary is a 38 acre park that includes a nature/walking trail with 12 stations described in a trail guide. 269-324-1600
Langley Covered Bridge and Park; historical site, longest covered bridge in Michigan, trails, fishing, picnicking, grills, playground and restrooms.
• Rawson’s King Mill Park; historical site, four acres with a mill, dam, two islands, restrooms, picnic tables and grills, perfect for a fishing or lunch break. 269-467-5519

Enjoy the outdoors and experience autumn like never before. Autumn is a great time to be outdoors in Southern Michigan, and River Country offers countless outdoor activities during a beautiful, colorful fall.
• Driving along the tree-lined country roads.
• Walking through paths that run along streams and rivers.
• Bicycling on any of the River Country’s many scenic cycling paths.
• Hunting and Fishing, remember hunting and fishing licenses are required in the State of Michigan and are available at many local retailers.
• Canoeing or Kayaking the Heritage Water Trails of St. Joseph County.

Unique shopping:
Abbott’s Magic Company; if the kids (of any age) are into magic, don’t forget to stop here. Known as the top supplier of magic paraphernalia in the world, magic accessories for magicians of all ages. Amaze your friends. 124 St. Joseph St. Colon 269-432-3235
• Centsible Treasures; antiques and resale, a unique quality consignment shop with treasures in every room. 58 N Main St., Three Rivers 269-279-1649
FAB Magic has all types of exclusive magic effects, books and DVD’s, may of which are FAB originals and cannot be found elsewhere. 111 E State Street, Colon 269-432-4017
Love Your Mother; Earth friendly, natural, organic and recycled goods. 39 N Main St., Three Rivers 269-278-1236
Magic Moments Scrapbooking offers the area’s largest scrapbook store! For all of your scrapbook supplies. Will custom order if you can’t find what you are looking for. 104 W. Chicago Rd., Sturgis 269-651-4300
• Nottawa Wild Bird Seed; wholesale bird seed and unique bird houses at great prices. Stop in to check out the new line of bird feeders and to stock up on fall and winter bird food. 60300 M-66, Nottawa 269-659-8777
Tree of Life; Centreville’s newest store is a true green store and café. Organic coffees, teas, personal and pet care products from fair trade organizations. 240 W. Main St. Centreville 269-467-4000
• UniQ – Jewelry to design, Gems to Astonish, Gifts to Cherish forever! 33 N Main Street, Three Rivers 269-278-UNIQ 


The River Country Tourism Council promotes travel to the greater St. Joseph County, Michigan, located halfway between Detroit and Chicago in Southwest Michigan and nestled between I-94 to the north and I-80/90 to the south. For more information, visit www.rivercountry.com or call 1-800-447-2821.
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My family (wife and three kids, sometimes the dog) and I have been RV campers since 2007. We own a 2000 Trail-Lite B22 Bantam hybrid, our tow vehicle is a 2006 Trailblazer LT EXT (5.3 V8 with 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio), and our setup includes the Equalizer sway controller. Looking to upgrade the camper in the near future, but until then we get out 2-3 times a month in season.