Canoeing Map
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Canoeing Map 2
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Cycling Map
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Activities

River Country Heritage Water Trails
Garden Tour
Amish Meander
Peddle Tours of the B&B's of Southern Michigan
Golfing
Wine Tours

Antique Triangle
Horse Back Riding
Skiing and Winter Sports
Massage
Fishing
Area Attractions
 

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.

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
Practice a little on our very own "putting green" prior to being challenged 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 "in house massage".

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
Fancy just relaxing then arrange to have your very own masseuse visit your room and treat you and your loved one to a massage package of your choice.

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


For Area Information:

River Country Tourism Bureau
The Michiana Community Page
Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce
Sturgis Chamber of Commerce
Carnegie Center for the Arts, Three Rivers




From the Following Points of Interest Hours
To Mendon Country Inn:  
Bennett's Bridge 2.5
Ferrand Bridge* 3.5
Colon/Sturgeon Lake* 4
King's Mill (Nottawa Creek to St. Joe River) 2.5
   
From Mendon Country Inn:  
Covered Bridge Park* 4
Colon or Ferrand Bridge to Covered Bridge Park* 8
   

River Trips Available Price
All canoe trips (per 2 in canoe with all equipment and drop off)We have 10 single kayaks Trips start at $25.00 per canoe or kayak

Approximate time 2.5 - 3.5 hours - $5 discount for Inn Guests except for the trips marked with a "*"  
   
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
 
   
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
   




Using the Following Routes (see above left for map)
We also do cycling groups
Lodging / pedal & pedal packages


 
Select a Route  

Route 1: 28.5 miles - Mendon and Colon, beginner-intermediate.
Route 2: Loop A - 28 miles- Sturgis and Burr Oak, beginner-intermediate.
Route 2: Loop B - 20 miles- Sturgis and Burr Oak, beginner-intermediate.
Combined A and B - 40 miles- Sturgis and Burr Oak, beginner-intermediate.

Route 3: 23.5 miles - Mendon and Centreville, beginners-families.
Route 4: 22 miles - Nottawa and Colon, beginner-intermediate.
Route 5: 15 miles - Nottawa and Centreville, beginner.
Route 6: 26 miles - Centreville, intermediate.
Route 7: 20 miles - Centreville and Covered Bridge Park, beginner-intermediate.
Route 8: 28.5 miles - Constantine and White Pigeon, beginner-intermediate.
Route 9: 21 miles - Constantine and Mottville, beginner-intermediate.
Route 10: 19 miles - Constantine, intermediate.
Route 11: 20 miles - Three Rivers and Constantine, beginner-intermediate.
Route 12: 20 miles - Three Rivers, intermediate.



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