The Silver Beach Center

One of Southwest Michigan’s top entertainment venues is calling your name — the Silver Beach Center. Fun for all ages, learn local history, ride a carousel of hand-carved figures, let the kids explore curiosity, and take a spin on the dance floor! Read about each attraction below.

Carousel Figures

The Silver Beach Carousel

Stroll the boardwalk to the Silver Beach Carousel house. As soon as you enter you’ll feel a rush of happiness. Pick your favorite figure or chariot, and take a spin — then pick another and another. Make silly faces in the photo booth, and get your fortune from the Great Danzini. Then explore the free Silver Beach Amusement Park Museum. This wonder-filled place graced the shores of Lake Michigan from 1891-1971. It meant something special to every one of its millions of patrons over the years, and here you can experience its delightful past through interactive exhibits and memorabilia.

Shadowland Ballroom set up for a wedding reception

Shadowland on Silver Beach

Across the boardwalk from the Silver Beach Carousel is Shadowland on Silver Beach. This beautiful ballroom is the perfect place for an elegant wedding or another private event throughout the year. Rent out this community venue for your own unforgettable occasion — a romantic wedding, family or business celebration, prom or class reunion.

Kids and parents enjoying the Curious Kids

Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone

Next explore Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone by Curious Kids' Museum. For a family friendly admittance fee, kids ages 2 to 100 years old will have a blast for an hour or two interacting with 15 water activities, virtual reality fun, and traveling, hands-on educational exhibits. Be sure to see what the roof is made of when you leave!

Explore the town after

Making happy memories doesn’t stop here. Grab a bag of fresh popcorn or fluffy cotton candy from the carousel house, and head across the street to the free, interactive Whirlpool Compass Fountain. Its mist and jets are a treat on warm days! Or relax on Silver Beach, named one of the top ten family beaches in the U.S. by Parents Magazine. Stroll the pier to our historic lighthouse, go fishing or watch an angler reel in a big one.

children playing at the Whirlpool Compass fountain

Above the Bluff

There’s lots to do up on the bluff, too – shopping in quaint downtown St. Joseph, listening to outdoor concerts and getting an ice cream top the list. And don’t be in a hurry to go home. The sunsets on Lake Michigan are spectacular. We have so many great places to stay, from cottages along the beach to luxurious hotels, that you’ll want to turn a day of fun into a weekend or week of good times!

downtown shoppers in St. Joseph, MI
Volunteers at the Carousel.
Volunteer at the Silver Beach Carousel

We could always use more smiling faces to help out at the carousel so we can offer more hours! Learn more about volunteering opportunities on our volunteer page.

Join us!

Contact Us

To ask a question about the Carousel or provide feedback about your experience fill out the information on our contact page.

get in touch