The Allegan metro area introduces you to the community of Fennville, Michigan. In 1853, E. A. Fenn migrated to Michigan from New York City. As did so many early settlers, he opened a sawmill, and the settlement was thus called “Fenn’s Mill”. Several years later the name was changed to Fennville. Birds Eye Foods is one of the largest employers in the city, so you know there are plenty of quality vegetables served in the excellent restaurants in the area. Check out the Blue Goose, or Su Casa. Did I hear the word “goose”? That brings up another topic: the annual Goose Festival held in October. Entertainment, vendors, parades—all add to the fun. Lake Michigan and the Allegan Forest both provide venues for all sorts of outdoor activities. There’s hiking, cycling, horseback riding, hunting, bird watching, golfing, kayaking, canoeing, and dune rides. Winter brings snowboarding, snowmobiling, and skiing. Top off your day with a visit to Crane’s Pie Pantry for some hot chocolate and a sweet treat! For a calmer day, let’s attend the Water Front Film Festival, and then tour the Fenn Valley Winery. We’ll meet you there!
Travel to Fennville’s bed and breakfasts for romantic getaways, wine tasting weekends, and outdoor fun. This little town in Southwest Michigan near the shores of Lake Michigan is ideal for all of the above.
Fennville is an hour northwest of Kalamazoo and an hour southwest of Grand Rapids, in the heart of the Southwest Michigan Wine Trail. There are over twenty wineries in this region, most of which dot the coast. Take advantage of our bed and breakfasts great location, and visit one Michigan winery after another. Tour the wineries and taste the wines, selecting favorites to bring back home to share with friends and family.
Indeed, Southeast Michigan is a fertile region, known for its rich farmland. Visit the Holland area, just northwest of Fennville, in the spring to walk among thousands of tulips. Stop by The Gary Crane Farm to pick blueberries, raspberries, apples and more. Or ask our bed and breakfast innkeepers about nearby farmers markets, and take home a basket of fresh produce.
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will enjoy downhill ski areas within 35 miles of Fennville. Ski the scenic Bittersweet Ski Area in the beautiful Kalamazoo River Valley, or the lovely wooded trails of Timber Ridge Ski Area. Cross-country skiers may enjoy the trails of nearby Saugatuck Dunes State Park or exploring the good dozen golf courses in the area that are open to nordic skiing in winter.
Downtown Fennville has a charming historic Main Street. The town comes alive at the beginning of October with The Fennville Goose Festival. Quirky and fun, complete with a parade, pet show, wild goose chase and gosling run, the festival is well worth a trip to a Fennville bed and breakfast.