South Beach, located along the stunning Lake Michigan shoreline, is a perfect destination for families, beach lovers, and anyone looking to soak up the sun in a picturesque setting. This beautiful beach offers a quintessential beach experience, with soft, fine sand that stretches for miles, and crystal-clear waters that invite visitors to wade, swim, or just relax by the shore.
The real draw for families with young children is the range of kid-friendly amenities. The playground, featuring a swing set and plenty of open space for running and playing, is a great spot to keep little ones entertained. But the standout attraction is the pirate ship-themed splash pad. Kids can frolic in the water, climb aboard the "ship," and enjoy the interactive fountains. It’s an absolute hit, especially during the hot summer months when families gather to cool off and have fun. The splash pad is well-maintained, safe, and perfect for younger children looking for a splash of adventure in their day.
In the summer months, South Beach really comes alive. It’s a popular spot, with plenty of visitors basking in the sun, building sandcastles, and enjoying the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan. While it does get busy, the atmosphere is always fun and lively, and there's something wonderful about the community energy. You’ll also find the ice cream shop nearby, serving up cold treats that are perfect for cooling off after a day at the beach. The smell of fresh waffle cones wafts through the air, drawing in both kids and adults alike, making it an essential stop for any visit.
The beach itself offers plenty of space for picnicking, lounging, or playing beach volleyball, and there are well-kept facilities nearby to ensure a comfortable visit. With plenty of space for everyone, even on the busiest of days, it’s easy to find your own little slice of paradise.
Whether you're dipping your toes into the lake, enjoying a treat from the ice cream stand, or watching your kids explore the playground and splash pad, South Beach provides the perfect setting for a fun, family-friendly day...
Read moreBeautiful beach! Lots to do within walking distance. Kayak rentals, food stands, walking distance to downtown. Parking was something like $10.00 for the entire day, we thought it was a little expensive but took advantage of a localized parking place. Parking might have been a nightmare otherwise. There was lots of people but there was a festival going on so we weren't sure if it is always so busy. We we're right by the lighthouse so we took the short walk out to check it out. It was lovely, you cannot go in but worth checking out. Lots of staff around to take care of any issues. We strolled through the festival heading up to get lunch, there was so much to check out while enjoying the live music. Ended up at Kitchen 527. Awesome find!!! It was delicious. Prices were reasonable for the portions and so delicious. Some of the menu options were a bit odd (in a good adventurous kind of way). I decided in a burger with beets in it after a very knowledgeable server gave me a few suggestions. Took a walk down the beach and enjoyed the views all around. It was very busy but that is just how it goes at such a beautiful and...
Read moreI highly recommend coming here if you live anywhere close. This was a great time especially if you have young ones and little kids. The water is relatively shallow for a rather large area of play for little kids. Even as you venture out towards to the buoy. There was a nice little Sandbar before the drop off at the buoy. The beach had plenty of room and that was good because there were tons of people! Plenty of places for kids to play and playground equipment. I saw a pirate ship go in and out of the bay three times while I was there. The waves here are tremendous! It is the closest thing to the ocean Michigan has. And growing up here I couldn't believe we didn't go visit Lake Michigan every year. We went at the end of August in the water was so warm it felt like bath water. It was incredible , I didn't want to get out of the water. And the waves were so much fun. I highly recommend making the trip to this park if you...
Read more