|
St
Joseph County is filled with things to do. Here are a few
of your options while staying with us.
Summer fun, come canoe or kayak , take in golf at one of our 7 golf courses, bike trails in flat amishland, take in a canoe trip of fishing at Rawsons Mill Pond or on the river
.
| From the Following Points of Interest |
Hours |
| To Mendon Country Inn: |
|
|
Bennett'sBridge
easy stretch for beginners
|
2.5 |
| Ferrand Bridge*
- great for families or anyone
who wants a slightly longer trip |
3.5 |
| Colon/Sturgeon Lake*
this trip takes you across the lake so not recommended
for novices |
4 |
| Olney Park (Nottawa Creek to
St. Joe River) same
length as Bennett Bridge but gives you some nature on
the tributary before you flow into the river |
2.5 |
| Kings Mill (Nottawa Creek to
St Joe River) the
most scenic drop off point on the river. Enjoy a picnic
in the park before getting into your canoe or kakay.
This will take you down the tributary and flow into
the river. |
3 |
| From Mendon Country Inn: |
|
| Covered Bridge Park *
Not recommended for Youth Groups or young children -
deep in parts and can have lots of head wind |
4 |
Colon or Ferrand Bridge to
Covered Bridge Park*
Great all day trip for experienced
canoists
|
8 |
River
Trips- 10 a.m. 12 Noon and 2pm. and other hours
by arrangements
Prices start at $30 per canoe for 2
$5.00 per extra child in a canoe
$10 per extra adult iin a canoe
$25 per kayak (single kayaks)
Increases $5.00 per drop off point
Courting Canoe |
Court your loved one in the style of yesteryear on the beautiful St. Joseph River. Enjoy complimentary champagne and a country picnic amidst comfortable pillows in a specially designed canoe. We even provide the parasol.
(This special is for guests in addition to normal room rates.)
Package price $75 |
| |
|
|
CHURCH GROUPS
$10
per person from Bennett Bridge
$12.50
from Ferrand Bridge $15 from Colon Lake
This price valid for church groups only
Group Reservation required Mendon
Country Inn provides paddles, cushions, and life jackets.
Canoe rental is for 2 persons.
Extra person is $5 each over 6 years of age.
Group and package rates available.
River trips depart at 10 a.m., Noon, and 2 p.m.
Reservations preferred. 1-800-304-3366
|
|
|
Bird Lovers, here is a list of some 40 birds spotted on a 2 - 3 Hour trip on our pristine St Joseph River . The list was prepared by Peg and Dan Mohar who stayed here this month (June)
Osprey, Bluejay, Grackle, Mourning Dove, Titmous, Cardinal, Housefinch, Phoebe, Yellow Warbler, Downy Woodpecker, Red-Bellied Woodpecker, Flicker, Woodthrush, Warbling Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Heron, Red winged Blackbird, Goldfinch, Cowbird, Northern Rough Winged Swallow, Chicadee, Red-Tailed Hawk, Barn Swallow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, house, Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Peewee, Crow, Kingfisher, Catbird, Nuthatch, Robin, Rose-breasted Grosbeek, Common Yellow, thrush, Tohee (eastern) Balitmore Oriole, Ruby throated Hummingbird not to mention turtles, deer and other species. What a treat....
For more details watch this spot!!
River Country Heritage Water Trails
You can choose from a relaxing trip down the “Water Heritage River Trail” on one of our canoes or kayaks or relax in our famous “Courting Canoe” complete with French Country Picnic and Complimentary Champagne. Trips range from 2 ½ hours to all day.
Garden Tour
Drive or cycle to our “beauty spots”. Whatever the season Rawson's Mill offers a tranquil and beautiful setting for a quiet moment amongst nature. See one of the last working grist mills in the country and enjoy the beauty of the millpond and weir. From there you can make your way across to Simpson Road (across Nottawa Rd Bridge) and take a drive past the garden of Sarah Stewart, author of The Gardener, The Library and many other well know children’s books. From there drive onto the Langley Covered Bridge, the longest Covered Bridge in Michigan.
Amish Meander
Visit our local Amish stores, farms, fruit farms and craft and furniture stores. Begin at the Inn and drive over the Nottawa Bridge south into amish country. Stop off at Springcreek store where you can pick up some local made crafts or purchase a uniquely crafted piece of furniture. Make your way south to Millers Discount Store and Bakery and then into Centreville to Yoder's Cheese Store & Bulk Foods. Backtrack on the M86 to M66 and go south to Mark & Irene’s Apple Farm for some fresh apples and cider. Take Findlay to Chupp's Herb Shop where you can find any holistic herb as well as religious and medical books.
From there you can go onto visit some of the other craftsman in the area.
Peddle Tours of the B&B's of Southern Michigan
For the cycling enthusiast you can choose to cycle our amish area instead as this is a very flat cycling area. You can bring your own bike or arrange for the hire of a bike through the Innkeeper. Fall colors or Spring Dogwoods offer scenic beauty next to none.
Cycling Tours are offered to you where you can enjoy a unique “Bike Inn to Inn” tour taking in some of the most picturesque parts of Michigan. This is for experienced cyclists who enjoy a challenge as well as the novice who wants to expand on their biking capabilities. Start at an Inn of your choice and bike leisurely to the next Inn. Participating Innkeepers will shuttle your luggage and car to the next Inn whilst you enjoy your tour. Bike maps are available from the Inns or you can choose your own tour. Pricing is based on Lodging at each Inn, length of stay, any equipment needed, meals etc.
Golfing
Play golf at one of our 5 champion golf courses just 15
minutes or more away. Island
Hills, St Joseph Valley, Saugenash,
Pineview and
Angels Crossing
will give you diversity and challenges as well as scenic
beauty. ** Discounted golfing is offered to all
guests staying at the Inn.
Wine Tours
You can explore the southwest michigan wine country starting at Petersen & Sons Winery just 15 minutes from the Inn, proceeding onto Paw Paw where you can visit St. Julian's as well as Warner Estates. From there take the time to go onto Coloma to Contessa Winery where you can also stop off and purchase delicious chocolate truffles to compliment your wine. For more information visit: Southwest Michigan Wine Trail or Pioneer Wine Trail
Antique Triangle
Self drive our quaint district taking in the Antique mall in Mendon (Sentiments) as well as Serendipity before heading east to Three Rivers where you can take in a few more shops as well as the famous “Lowry’s Bookstore” and then go north on US131 to Schoolcraft and across to Vicksburg, both small well know antique towns. For those who wish to stray further a field you can spend the day at Allen, Michigan’s capital antique town.
Horse Back Riding
40 Minutes away offers horseback riding at Diamond D Ranch and return to a relaxing “
Skiing & Winter Sports
Downhill Skiing is available 40 minutes from the Inn. During winter we offer early ski breakfasts, hot chocolate and cookies for your return . Arrange a massage for your return. Cross Country skiing is available at Meyer Broadway Park in Three Rivers as well as tubing and snow shoeing. for more information please visit: Meyer Broadway park or Swiss Valley Ski area
Massage
.Satori Salon and Spa, specialising in whole health, open
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 7p.. Saturday 9 a.m. - 2p.m. Allow
1/2 hour from the Inn to get there in time - we recommend
you make an appointment when you reserve your room. www.satorisalonandspa.com
Fishing
The St. Joseph River is known by anglers as the best small mouth bass river in the state. Locally the area is renowned for bass fishing as stated by the National Bass Anglers Association. In River Country you are never more than 3 miles from a stocked body of water. If fishing interests you, let us know, we have the equipment available and you can purchase a license locally.
Kalamazoo Activities (30 minutes away)
Visit the Gilmore Car Museum
Visit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo
Kalamazoo Symphony
Battlecreek Activities (40 mins away)
Binder Park Zoo |
