Fall Trip: 10 Wonderful Family Things to Do in Saugatuck, MI
- Updated: 04/11/2024
- Janice
For over ten years, living in Chicago, we have visited many different Michigan and Wisconsin coastal towns for mini-vacations and weekend getaways. And for nearly all of those years, we have returned to one town over and over again—Saugatuck, Michigan.
Why Saugatuck?
Less than a three-hour drive from Chicago, along Michigan’s western coast, Saugatuck is a family-friendly and welcoming small-town destination filled to the brim with exceeds-your-expectations restaurants, relaxed art galleries, appealing shops, and excellent lodging. The pretty town is also shaped on three sides by the water that surrounds it.
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The Kalamazoo River—which empties to Lake Michigan just to the northwest—encases the town’s western and northern borders. While Kalamazoo Lake—fed by the river—frames its southern edge.
With all of these protected, inland waterways, the town offers an excellent base for boating—both for experienced sailors eager to get out on a Great Lake and also for the novices, like myself, who are thrilled with the easy river-safe rental options. And Saugatuck’s crown jewel of appeal? Nearby Oval Beach.
A short-ten minute drive from town, Oval Beach will take the breath away of even the most jaded traveler. First-time visitors making their way along the curving wooded drive heading to the beach will be wowed by the view.
The lake’s deep blue expanse, bordered by a long crescent of sand begging to be explored—and framed by graceful grass-blanketed dunes is stunning. And even more so if seen in the golden afternoon light. Travelers around the world think so too. The beach routinely wins “best of” status among media outlets, such as Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, and MTV.
If you are looking to visit Oval Beach on your visit, check out this companion article, “Oval Beach in the Fall: Your Complete Guide.”
Saugatuck also provides a great base for exploring the region. Technically within walking distance (1 mile) of the neighboring lakeside town of Douglas—and a short drive away from the coastal towns of Holland (12 miles) and South Haven (19 miles)—a stay in Saugatuck packs a lot to do in a small geographic area.
Michigan’s western coast offers sweeping Lake Michigan views, charming towns, and noteworthy state parks. If you would like an overview of the coastline and the towns that dot it, check out the Shoreline Visitor’s Guide.
Why Go In The Fall?
We prefer to schedule our Saugatuck visits in the fall. Why? Because the weather can be beautiful—particularly during the earliest weeks of the season. And to take advantage of one of the region’s best fall features—apple picking.
By going in the fall, we also avoid the summer crowds. This allows us to enjoy greater lodging availability, skip week-long rental stay requirements, and pay lower prices for our accommodation. And even if the lake water temps can be—ahem, downright refreshing—at the turn of the season, the beaches are still open and gorgeous, the crowds are sparse, and rolled-up pants make the perfect gear for splashing. A crisp fall sunny day never stopped a northern kid (or their parents) from having fun on the beach.
Three Ways To Get To Saugatuck
Drive. Saugatuck is less than a 3-hour drive from Chicago and Detroit, and just under a 4-hour ride from Indianapolis. So, if you are a nearby Midwesterner, a visit to Saugatuck makes for an easy road trip—no flying required.
Fly. For those who live too far to make the drive, the closest commercial airport is the Gerald F. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which serves several domestic destinations both year-round and seasonally. The airport is about a 50-minute drive from Saugatuck.
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Train. If you would like to take the train, Amtrak’s Pere Marquette line, running from Chicago’s Union Station to Grand Rapids, will get you there. One-way fares typically begin under $40 per person from Chicago to the Holland station—the closest stop to Saugatuck, about a 20-minute drive away. The once-a-day train departs Chicago’s Union Station in the evenings, and barring any major delays—should get you there in about four hours.
10 Wonderful Family-Friendly Things To Do
As our kids enter their harder-to-please teenage years, they still fondly welcome much of what we have done since they were young—only now, they enjoy it differently. Regardless of how cool they play it, our children continue to enjoy all of the below—and so do we.
#1 Visiting Oval Beach
Do not miss a visit to Oval Beach, especially if this is your first trip to the area. There is little preparation for how pretty this inland lake beach with its gentle waves—in calm weather—will be. You can stay for an hour or an entire day. And if you can swing it, bring some refreshments and hang around for a gobsmacking gorgeous sunset over the lake.
How long you stay depends on the preferences and attention span of your travel crew. As well as the weather, and the amount of time you have to spare.
View my fall guide to Oval Beach, “Oval Beach In The Fall: Your Complete Guide” to better plan your visit.
Hands down one of our most beloved family favorite restaurants of all time and a definitive top ten Saugatuck favorite. We discovered The Southerner when it first opened and have been coming back for our own annual family food pilgrimage ever since.
Even though it does not make sense to travel north to get knock-your-socks-off southern food—one bite of their fried chicken sandwich on a homemade biscuit smothered with honey butter will banish any doubt of which direction anyone should drive for their next meal.
#3 Apple Picking
Another annual fall favorite is apple picking at Crane Orchards in Fennville, about a 15-minute drive southeast of Saugatuck. The operation is well-run, which allows it to easily accommodate a large number of visitors. From parking to paying, our visit to Crane’s typically takes an hour or two—depending on how much we want to pick or dawdle.
And most importantly, Crane’s apple varieties year after year, are delicious. On a typical visit, we bring home about 70 pounds of apples, happily eating and baking every last one.
No Dogs. Like most other u-pick farms, dogs are unfortunately not welcome to “help” their owners pick the apples. Plan to leave the pup back at your lodging.
#4 Raspberry Picking
Fall is also raspberry season. If you have never had a freshly picked sun-warmed raspberry, it is time to fix that because they are out-of-this-world delicious. Our go-to spot to pick fresh berries is Riverbend Farms, just outside South Haven. And about a 20-minute drive from Saugatuck.
If you happen to make your way up to Saugatuck from Chicago by car, as we do, raspberry picking is a great activity to do on the way to town or on the way back home, as you will drive right by Riverbend Farms on Interstate 196 (Exit 22). Otherwise, save the raspberries for an excellent side trip that you can pair with a visit to the lakeside town of South Haven.
No dogs. Similar to Crane’s, dogs are not allowed in the picking lanes at Riverbend Farms. Best to keep the pooch back at the vacation lodging—or cool in the car with an obliging family member.
#5 Strolling Saugatuck
A visit to Saugatuck is never complete without a walk down boutique-laden Butler Street to browse the shops, art galleries, and to stop at the restaurants. And while there, be sure to wander a block west to Water Street, where you can stroll along the lovely Kalamazoo River promenade and check out more shops and places to dine.
See a list of few of our favorite Saugatuck stops below:
Kilwins. Best for mouth-watering ice cream cones, chocolate treats, and creatively adorned caramel apples.
The Butler Pantry. Perfect for kitchen gadgets we did not know we needed, though now can not live without. And for gourmet snacks, roasted coffees, and unique tea blends. The Butler Pantry loves dogs—a bowl of water sits just outside the front of the shop, and a treat awaits the goodest boys (and girls) from the owner working the register.
James Brandess Studios & Gallery. Ideal for ogling art. Although we have not yet purchased a painting from this talented western Michigan artist who also happens to teach a community summer landscape class through the Oxbow school, we have come close. Instead, I have opted to pick up cards, mugs, or other products featuring his paintings. See his work in action in the YouTube video above.
Looking for more shopping ideas? Visit the Saugatuck/Douglas Visitor Bureau website to learn about more shops in and around the Saugatuck area.
#6 Going To Saugatuck Dunes State Park
The first few times we visited Saugatuck, we had no idea this gorgeous state park with over 13 miles of pretty wooded and sandy hiking trails—and 2.5 miles of dramatic shoreline existed—or that it was so close to town. A visit here is worth it. Visitors staying in Saugatuck can drive to the park in less than ten minutes, which makes it close enough even for a short hike to view its windswept, 200 foot high dune-framed beaches. Though once there, it is likely you will want to stay longer. Check out highlights from our fall visit in the short YouTube clip below.
Dog owners rejoice! The paths and beaches of Saugatuck Dunes State Park are incredibly, over-joyously, dog-friendly. Even if you opt not to bring your favorite Fido on this trip, it is a pleasure to watch happy dogs run up and down the beach, zip down the dunes, and splash in the waves.
For more information about visiting Saugatuck Dunes State Park, check out this guide, “Saugatuck Dunes State Park: What You Need To Know.”
This dog and family-friendly drinking and eating destination is a pleasure. It is a dream to go on an autumn day to be outdoors enjoying their eponymous cider and light bites on picnic tables with the pretty backdrop of their picture-book Tudor out-buildings on one side—and their fields on another.
Plus, a stop at Virtue Cider offers one of those rare and perfect family activities—one that is a balm for the parents, and a ball for the kids. Children get to eat snacks outside, move around—see happy dogs, and depending on which animals are out—visit pigs or oversize bunnies in pens. About a 15-minute drive from Saugatuck, visiting Virtue is a must-do for any fall trip. Though, this popular place is not a secret. So, be sure to make a reservation for a table before you go.
#8 Bike Riding
Bike riding around Saugatuck can be lovely. We have ridden many of the paths and have found biking to be one of the best ways to explore the area. See highlights from our ride on the Beach To Bayou Trail in the brief YouTube video below as a example.
As I found the information about area trails fragmented, here are two resources that might help you in your planning, the Friends of the Blue Star Trail website and this page on the Saugatuck Visitor’s Center website.
#9 Boating
Does being surround by so much water make you want to get on it? Then, when you visit Saugatuck—you are in luck. Though, if you visit in the fall, I recommend getting there during the earliest weeks in autumn before the weather gets rougher and the boat rental operations shut down for the season.
For inexperienced boaters like us, there are various rental options in town, including Retro Boat Rentals. Check out their list of rental options here. We rented their dog-friendly retro boat. Just be sure to book ahead.
Because the Kalamazoo River is a no-wake zone, traffic up and down is slow and easy to navigate. We spent a few of our most memorable hours during our last Saugatuck visit on a sunny 70-degree September day put-putting our rental up and down Kalamazoo River and around Kalamazoo Lake until we sadly had used up our time and had to return to dock.
#10 Exploring the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC)
This 160-acre park dedicated to outdoor education and preservation, just outside Holland, Michigan, and a 15-minute drive from Saugatuck, is an easy-to-overlook gem for families with kids visiting the Saugatuck area. Plus, it is a terrific place to walk a dog (for those without the kids).
The ODC offers 3+ miles of interpretive trails that wind through different habitats, a Birds Of Prey Center, and little kids and big kids play park that will impress even the most jaded tween. We spent a few hours here on our last visit with our kids and our dog, Duffy, and we all had a great time.
The park is free and open to the public and provides ample parking. Restrooms are available at the ODC Welcome Center. There are no concessions, so be sure to bring your refreshments and snacks if you think you will need them. View the map of the center here. And check out the video below showcasing the park. The information about visiting is just past the minute-long overhead drone footage.
Looking for more kid and dog-friendly places to roam? Pair a visit to the ODC with a stop at their nearby Degraaf Nature Center, about a 10-minute drive away. Consider making a day out of it with a stop for lunch, ice cream, or a walk around the nearby town of Holland.
6 Things On Our Want-To-Do Wishlist
Because we never have enough time to explore all that the Saugatuck area offers, I have a running list of the things we want to do. Here are our top six.
#1 Go On a Dune Ride
This activity typically ranks in the top three things to do in Saugatuck visitors guides. Somehow in all of our years, we have never carved out time to make it happen.
The company to book with is the popular Saugatuck Dune Rides. They run highly rated and entertaining open-air guided vehicle tours up and down Lake Michigan dunes. Visitors must book tickets in advance, and the demand for them is strong and can sell out the same day they go on sale (typically one week in advance of the ride date). Check out their website for closures, information updates, and end-of-season dates.
#2 Take A Class
Saugatuck is one of those distinctive small towns that offers a disproportionately generous amount of culture and culinary expertise for such a small population center. And residents and visitors, who can find a highly appealing selection of classes and tours to do in the area, are the beneficiaries.
For example, check out these cooking classes at Lulu Cadieux, these coffee tasting and roasting classes at Uncommon Roasters, or these Beer School classes at Guardian Brewery, just to name a few!
#3 Visit Holland
Not to be confused with the country of the same name, this Holland is only a 20-minute drive north from Saugatuck. A visit to Holland, Michigan, makes for an easy half-day excursion and one that I have always wanted to do.
More ambitious visitors can even bike to Holland from Saugatuck along the 8-mile paved Beeline Trail—which connects the towns. For more on biking, walking, beaches, and Dutch attractions in Holland, Michigan, visit the Michigan Visitors Bureau website for Holland here.
#4 Stop Off In Fennville
A smaller town than Saugatuck or Holland, this inland town—about 10 miles east of the lake—has a strong appeal of its own. Pair a visit to Cranes Orchard or Virtue Cider—both in the Fennville area—with a stop at these other Fennville favorites.
Visit the highly rated and much-recommended, Express Yourself Art Barn studio, the foodie-acclaimed Salt of the Earth eatery and bakery, or Evergreen Lane Farm & Creamery to check out their cheese selection.
#5 Go Antiquing
I have been saving a visit to the Saugatuck Antique Pavilion for a rainy day. Though in all of our fall years visiting Saugatuck, we have not had one. According to other travelers, prices here are not bargain-basement. However, they report interesting finds, including a great collection of vintage and estate jewelry, which I would love to check out.
Plus, the Pavilion is next door to Saugatuck Brewing Company, a perfect place for a post-shopping pint. Or before a before-shopping one—though, I am fairly certain you cannot hold the brewery accountable for your beer-influenced purchases.
#5 Get Out On The Lake
Despite all of our visits to Saugatuck, we have yet to get out on Lake Michigan. Options include the Star of Saugatuck, which visitors can book for daytime or sunset group cruises. The boat will venture onto Lake Michigan in the right conditions. Or it will travel up and down on the Kalamazoo River if weather is rough.
Or we could instead get on a sailboat with a company like Sailing Saugatuck or with Captain Bill on this Airbnb Experience. It is good to have goals.
Do you use Google Maps when you travel? Then check out our Fall Activity Map for Saugatuck on Google Maps. It includes all of our favorite activities in this post. For more detail on how to use Google Maps for trip planning, check out this article.
Related Reading
For families traveling to Saugatuck, Michigan, check out these related articles below to help you get the information you need to plan your best visit.
Or check out my Michigan book list, including guidebooks, biographies, histories, and fiction set in place—that covers the Mitten State on Bookshop.org.
Relatedly, check out this list of the other online resources I recommend using to help with Saugatuck trip planning.
- Saugautck.com. This is the official convention and tourism board website for Saugatuck and Douglas and it provides extensive and helpful trip-planning information.
- The Wickwood Inn. This inn has a well-done hyperlocal blog, The Cooks’ Notes, providing a great inside scoop on area highlights. Check out their Craft Drinks Tasting map, highlighting area beer, cider, and craft producers.
Additional Trip Planning Resources
To further help you with travel planning, I share my go-to resources for every trip below.
Google Flights. My first research stop for affordable flights for every trip. Learn why here.
Google Hotels. Use its “Where to stay” button to discover the best neighborhoods to base your visit.
Booking.com. For hotel and rental bookings, I appreciate its flexible cancellation, candid user reviews, discounts, loyalty program, and easy-to-use interface.
Viator, Get Your Guide, & Airbnb Experiences. Quickly find and book highly-rated tours and activities on these sites.
Google Travel Things to Do & Google Maps. Find more things to do in your destination on Google Travel, then record where you want to visit on a custom Google Maps list.
AllTrails. Love to hike? Me too. I religiously use AllTrails to discover hiking and biking trails and download its offline maps to manage my hikes.
Guide Along. 5-star self-guided audio tours that are GPS-compatible for US road trips and national parks. We loved the Glacier National Park tour.
Insure My Trip. I never travel internationally without trip insurance. Learn why here. My preferred place to shop and compare policies is InsureMyTrip.com.
Plus, check out the 15 travel apps I use on trips, my preferred guidebooks, and my free customizable travel itinerary template, downloadable in four file formats.
About the author: Janice Moskoff is a travel writer and blogger who loves hiking, exploring the world, and reading. She writes to inspire travel-loving families, adult friends, and couples on her blog, Gather and Go Travel. Check out her bio, learn how she became a blogger, and discover how to work with her. Sign up for her monthly Discovery Newsletter to get her latest travel recommendations and how-to’s.
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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies I use. And the income goes to keeping the site community-supported and ads minimal.
Welcome to Gather and Go Travel, a blog inspiring families, adult friends, and couples to explore US and international destinations and to get outdoors. I am Janice, an experienced traveler to over 50 countries and a travel writer, book lover, and blogger. Learn more about me, read our story, and how to work with me.
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2 Responses
Jean, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. We love Saugatuck so much too. And you are right—it is incredibly dog-friendly!
We love this town!!! The best part for us is his dog friendly it is!!!
Thanks for writing this!!!