You have great beaches on lake Michigan from Bridgman to St. Joseph, which are all easy commutes from Berrien Springs. The St. Joseph River flows through Berrien Springs and is widely know for the great fishery. You can expect to catch walleye, catfish, small mouth bass, pike, carp and maybe some late run suckers or steelhead. At the damn on the St. Joseph River in Berrien Springs is a fish ladder for steelhead and salmon to continue up the river all the way to South Bend and Mishawaka in Indiana, which is kind of neat to see if you don't have such things in your part of the country. There are many u-pick farms in the area which would be glad to help burn off some of that energy kids have, while providing some tasty fruit and vegetables. There is a nature center about 3 miles out of town on Huckleberry Road. (Yes, there is a real wild huckleberry marsh on that road, which is where I developed at a very early age my "apprehension" of snakes.) There is another nature center, Fernwood, along the St. Joseph River almost to Buchanan. Shopping, malls, miniture golf and other amusements are in St. Jospeh/Benton Harbor and Niles. Notre Dame is only 45 minutes away if you have never seen the Gold Dome and "Touchdown Mary". Also fantastic shopping east of Notre Dame/South Bend on Grape Road. The entire area is filled with fine dining, family dining and fast food. If you are inclined to indulge in spirits, different than those at Notre Dame, there are many places to quench your thirst. There are many historical sites in the area including an old court house and school right in Berrien Springs. Andrews University is also in Berrien Springs which is a large Seventh Day Adventist University. For those of you that are concerned, Niles has completly recovered from Bob Wendt growing up in that community, and the rumor that the town bought his train ticket out of town is still being investigated!
