Discover Paw Paw

Paw Paw brings together the Paw Paw River and Maple Lake, seasonal activities, festivals, and a self-guided tour of the historic downtown. When planning your trip, it’s worth starting with the timing: Some activities are seasonal, while others are annual events. This lets you tailor your search for a hotel in Paw Paw to the reason for your stay, rather than giving all the options equal weight.

River, Lake and Paddling Activities

Paw Paw is located on the Paw Paw River, which feeds Maple Lake in the heart of the community. Visitors can fish at Sunset Park on the north end of the lake. Fishing and paddling are available in different places: Fishing is possible at the park by the lake, while kayaking and canoeing take place on the river.

In spring and summer, you can kayak or canoe on the shaded Paw Paw River. During those same seasons, visitors can paddle around Maple Isle by kayak or canoe after a picnic. Keep seasonal conditions in mind when planning kayaking and canoeing trips, as they can vary.

Festivals on Different Dates

The Wine and Harvest Festival takes place every year on the weekend after Labor Day and lasts three days. The exact date varies from year to year. The annual Paw Paw Days in July feature a classic car show, a craft market, and a Kids Zone play area. Paw Paw Days program details may change. If your trip is tied to one of these festivals, check the dates and program in advance.

Summer Sundays: Market and Concert

In summer, the Paw Paw Farmers’ Market takes place on Sundays in downtown, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It regularly offers homemade baked goods, specialty crafts, and local produce. Market hours and offerings may change; if you’re traveling specifically for the market, check the latest information.

Concerts by the Lake also take place on summer Sundays, starting at 6:30 p.m. on the Maple Lake Amphitheater stage. The market is a daytime event, while the concert series begins in the evening. This helps you distinguish the two offerings by the time of day you prefer. Concert dates may also change, so take this into account when planning.

Local History and Historic Buildings

Downtown Paw Paw offers a self-guided tour of historic commercial and residential buildings. It is supported by the Village of Paw Paw Historical Commission. The route focuses on the buildings in the downtown area, offering a different focus from a visit centered on a festival or concert.

St. Julian has its own historical connection to wine tasting: The company opened Michigan’s first tasting room at its winery in Paw Paw. Together with the tour of commercial and residential buildings, this fact offers a look at two different aspects of local history. You can therefore choose when to stay based on whether a particular seasonal activity or exploring historic buildings is your priority.

Explore more destinations: Grand Junction, Gobles, Covert, South Haven

Return to the county travel guide: Van Buren County.