2 Hours from Chicago—This Charming Town Has a Historic Trolley That Lets You Explore Shops, Museums, and the Shore for Free

If you’re planning a visit to Michigan by the end of summer , consider checking out the charming town of St. Joseph in Southwest Michigan, which is attracting attention with its free vintage trolley service. The Shop & Shore trolley is inspired by St. Joseph/Benton Harbor’s interurban trolley line that ran from 1892 to 1934. [According to Marcy Simpson](https://www.mlive.com/life/2025/07/this-lake-michigan-towns-new-beach-transit-is-a-throwback-to-its-pre-world-war-ii-trolley.html), executive director of Visit Southwest Michigan, bringing back this streetcar-style trolley is a “perfect fit” for this idyllic beach town. > The trolley has provided rides for more than 1,000 people in its first 19 days, including out-of-state visitors who are discovering the unique experience on social media. The vintage streetcar-style trolley provides a convenient transportation option for visitors to explore St. Joseph’s attractions at no cost. When does the Shop & Shore trolley run? --------------------------------------- It operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday through Monday, until Labor Day. The air-conditioned trolley operates on hourly loops with four stops near shopping, dining, beaches, and parking areas within St. Joseph. One of the downtown stops is located at the intersection of Lake Boulevard and Ship Street, providing easy access to the Curious Kids’ Museum, Krasl Art Center, winery tasting rooms, and various dining options. How many people can fit on the Shop & Shore trolley? ---------------------------------------------------- The trolley can accommodate up to 26 passengers per trip , and the service allows riders to hop on and off throughout the day, creating an easy way to experience the entire lakeside community. > Each one-hour loop will start at 211 Hilltop Road , and the final loop begins at 8 p.m. and returns to the Hilltop parking lot by 9 p.m. No reservations needed. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more [here](https://swmichigan.org/trolley). Source: https://secretchicago.com/shop-shore-trolley-st-joseph-michigan/