Our Chicago-based family has been coming to the western Michigan town of Saugatuck for over ten years. We have mainly visited in the fall, but recently, we started staying in the summer, too. We have traveled all over the world, and this is one of the few places we have returned to again and again. The only thing I love more than this town is sharing about it with others. So, join me as I feature the absolute best summer and early autumn things to do on a Saugatuck visit, giving you a chance to fall in love with the area, too.
In this article, learn about Saugatuck, places to park in town on busy weekends, where to stay, and the best things to do, organized by category here, to make for your most memorable trip.
Families: Check out this top 10 Saugatuck fall activity list for families. It is full of our favorite things we have done over the years with our kids during annual fall visits.
About Saugatuck & where to find it.
Visiting Saugatuck combines small-town charm and breathtaking natural beauty. Come for the abundant coastlines, epicurean eats, and the boutique and gallery-laden main street. Sitting on the banks of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Kalamazoo, this welcoming town is a dune headland away from Lake Michigan.
To locate the town, look at a map of Michigan. Follow the curve of the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, one-third up Michigan’s west coast. North of South Haven and south of Holland, Saugatuck is nearly equidistant driving distance from Chicago and Detroit (two to three hours). Its close distance makes for an easy weekend trip. You can also get to Saugatuck via regional train lines and airport. I explain how in this related article.
Settled in the mid-19th century, Saugatuck began as a small village, evolving into the thriving hub of art, outdoor, and culinary experiences it is today. As the home of the Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency since 1910 and affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the town attracts a diverse community of painters, writers, and performers. All of whom appreciate the natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere of Saugatuck and the surrounding area.
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The history is rich here. Saugatuck is downriver from the vanished town of Singapore, a former logging town that aimed to rival Chicago and Milwaukee in its heyday in the mid-1850s. However, it turns out that logging trees en masse from natural dunes is a bad idea. By the 1870s, and without protective tree cover, the sand from Lake Michigan blew freely across the town, entirely burying it within four years. Learn more about the area’s history at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center.
Now that you know more about the town, let’s dig into all the excellent things you can do during your stay.
Where to park.
During summers and busy fall weekends, downtown Saugatuck can be extraordinarily busy with visitors. Because of this, finding a place to park can be difficult. Since most shops, restaurants, and galleries are within a 15-minute walk, grab the first available spot on congested days.
Here are some suggestions for where to search:
Water Street: The diagonal spots on Water Street, next to the Kalamazoo River, offer the best turnover because it has the most spaces.
Mary Street and the streets north: Search for spots along residential east-west avenues like Mary, Francis, Spear, and Lucy Street.
Griffith Street: Pay for a spot at the Griffith and Mason parking lot or the lot across the street from the First Congregational Church.
The town offers a free shuttle from the Saugatuck High School parking lot on busy summer weekends.
See the list & activity map.
This Google map provides an overview of the best activities in and around the Saugatuck area.
How to use this map: In the map header, click the square tab to the left of my logo or click the enlarge frame to the right to view detail. You can save the map to “Your Places” on Google Maps by clicking the star next to the map name. Or you can share it by clicking the share icon.
Or view the complete list, organized by category, below. Click for more information and links to additional resources.
Hiking & walking paths.
12. Peninsula: Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, Mount Baldhead & Tallmadge Woods
13. Saugatuck Dunes State Park
14. Lakeshore Drive
Fruit picking & farm visits.
Shopping: Boutiques & galleries.
Performance art & art classes.
Unique experiences.
25. Dune rides
26. Yoga on a lavender farm (or Oval Beach)
27. Wine and beer private tours
28. More classes
Visit Saugatuck’s beautiful beaches.
One of the many draws to Saugatuck is its beautiful beaches—some of them extraordinarily pretty, especially at sunset when the dune grass turns golden, the lake becomes indigo, and the clouds catch a painter’s palette of pinks and purples. Depending on the time of year and weather, you can swim, sunbathe, or relax at these top-area beaches.
1. Oval Beach
The crown jewel of Saugatuck’s beaches is undoubtedly Oval Beach, a crescent-shaped stretch of sand consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the United States. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, or taking in the breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dunes. Learn more about visiting this beach, including helpful planning information like how to avoid the crowds and alternative ways to get there in the fall here.
2. Saugatuck Dunes State Park
If you seek a less crowded and more nature-immersive experience, visit Saugatuck Dunes State Park for equally stunning—and happily for pup owners—dog-friendly beaches. The park offers a collection of trails that wind through its forested sand dunes, leading to expansive views and beaches. Visiting these stretches of sand, accessed through hiking trails, will help you savor some spectacular nature. Use this guide to help plan your visit.
3. Douglas Beach Park
We love visiting this small slip of a beach at the bottom of a bluff and just south of Oval Beach in the neighboring town of Douglas. We often come here in the morning to soak in the view, then walk the bluff top along Lakeshore Drive. Or at sunset to catch the changing colors over the lake. Plan your visit and get tips for alternative spots to park when its small lot is full, along with our favorite picks for picnic supplies—good for Oval Beach, too—in this helpful guide.
4. Three just out-of-town alternatives to avoid crowds.
Especially during busy summer and warm fall weekends, when crowds, limited parking, and snaking lines of cars (especially at Oval Beach) have the potential to spoil your fun, you will want some alternatives. To get time by the water without the competition and if you do not mind a short drive out of town, try visiting these three alternatives, all within a 15-minute trip:
Laketown Beach.
~15-minute drive north of Saugatuck. Get a workout descending 350 steps to visit this small and quiet beach, a favorite of locals.
Pier Cove Beach.
~10-minute drive south of Saugatuck. Park at one of 10 spots to explore this small beach and the creek that empties into it. It is a favorite for rock and sea glass hunters.
West Side County Park & Beach.
No parking at Pier Cove Beach? No problem. Drive one mile south to West Side County Park, where you get more room to park and spread out with 630 feet of beachfront. This park also offers covered picnic pavilions and playgrounds.
Enjoy Saugatuck’s lakes and rivers.
Saugatuck’s ample lakes and rivers offer a fantastic range of water activities. In the summers and early fall—typically through the third or fourth week in September, you can pilot a boat, rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, or join a scenic boat tour to explore the Kalamazoo River, Lake Michigan, and the surrounding waterways.
5. Chartered boating & tours.
Explore Lake Michigan, the Kalamazoo River, and Lake by kicking back and letting someone else do the work. Perfect for groups, charter a 55-foot Chris Craft yacht from Saugatuck-based Yacht Boat Charters, which offers farm-to-table catering options for up to 25 people. If you want something more affordable and low-key for a smaller group, book a spot on a pre-scheduled public group boat tour, or book a private and smaller charter with The Flying Dutchman Adventure Co. They even offer a Fall Color Tour starting at the end of September.
6. Sailing.
If you prefer exploring your waterways motor-free, join a two-hour daytime or sunset public cruise on a tall sailing ship with Sailing Saugatuck. For groups, you can book private charters with Sailing Saugatuck or on smaller craft with Sweetwater Sailing, docked behind The Southerner restaurant in Saugatuck. Or, with Sailing on Desire in next-door Douglas.
7. Do-it-yourself boating.
Feel comfortable navigating? Rent a variety of craft, from pontoon to donut boats to retro boats—all are happily dog-friendly—from Retro Boat Rentals in the Old Boathouse. We’ve rented their retro boats to slowly cruise up and down the Kalamazoo River a few times. Another option on the west side of the river is Unsalted Boat Rentals, which rents out various-sized pontoon boats for 2-hour+ or multi-day periods. Just be sure to book ahead during busy weekends.
8. Fishing.
Go with a guide to snag the best catches on Lake Michigan on a private fishing charter with local options, such as Best Chance Charter Fishing and Miryha Charters.
9. Kayaking & paddleboarding.
When the weather is warm enough to want to get wet, and the strong Michigan summer sun sets late, being close to the water on a self-propelled craft is a joy. Rent a kayak or paddleboard for the length of your visit from Big Lake Outfitters in Douglas, who will also deliver your rental.
Or head to Wade’s Bayou Park on the eastern edge of the town of Douglas, where you can rent a kayak and paddleboard to explore Kalamazoo River for an hour or more from the Third Coast Paddling hut just before the pier. Alternatively, head east toward Fennville and go guided or schedule a down-river trip with drop off and pick up with Water Trail Ventures.
10. Paddle steamer.
Go slow and old school by lining up for a ride on the Star of Saugatuck, a photogenic paddleboat that travels up and down the Kalamazoo River and, if the weather is fair, for a short distance along the Lake Michigan coastline. In the summer, join one of four cruises daily, including a sunset cruise. Cruise frequency drops to two times a day in the fall, with sunset cruises on Saturday only.
11. Ride the Chain Ferry.
Cross the Kalamazoo River via this historic hand-cranked chain ferry between Memorial and Labor Day. This passenger-only ferry runs every 15 minutes and will shut down in inclement weather. Learn more about it here. Check its Facebook page to confirm that it is operating.
Explore the walking and hiking trails around Saugatuck.
As if the Saugatuck area did not offer enough for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and walkers rejoice—there are plenty of trails for you to explore, too.
12. Peninsula: Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, Mount Baldhead & Tallmadge Woods.
Explore a network of adjacent and interconnecting trails just west of Saugatuck and on the other side of the Kalamazoo River. The most popular is one we did—the Mount Baldhead Trail. It is a one-mile out-and-back trail with 303 steps to the top of the Mount Baldhead lookout and down a sandy dune to Oval Beach.
Or, get more peninsula, river, and lake views on the Crow’s Nest Trail, a 2.6-mile loop through wooded trails, if you park in the Mt. Baldhead Park lot. Alternatively, park at Oval Beach and explore the lakeside dunes atop the approximately three miles of trails in the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.
13. Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
Get the best of all worlds with a visit to Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Explore over 13 miles of wooded, sandy hiking trails and 2.5 miles of stunning shoreline at this dog-friendly state park. Less than a 10-minute drive from Saugatuck, visiting here is easy and entirely worthwhile. Get all the information you need to plan your visit, like parking fees, restrooms, and trail information, in this helpful guide.
14. Lakeshore Drive.
It is not officially a path but a two-lane road—this is one of our favorite walks in the Saugatuck-Douglas area. We park at the small lot at Douglas Beach Park and stroll south along the minimally trafficked Lakeshore Drive roadway. We love this ~2.5-mile out-and-back walk high on the bluff with the infinite blue horizon of Lake Michigan to the right and stately homes with immaculate landscaping to the left, to its dead end at Old Owl Drive.
15. Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC).
Visit the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC), a free and easy-to-overlook gem a 15-minute drive from Saugatuck, just outside the town of Holland. Explore its more than three miles of interpretive and dog-friendly trails through different habitats, and stop at its impressive Birds of Prey Center (no dogs allowed). Families especially love its outdoor play parks and nature education focus.
Cycle around Saugatuck on these bike paths.
Cyclists have some fun options to explore in and around Saugatuck. Choose from local roads and dedicated paved paths shared below. If you do not plan to bring your bike, rent locally from In the Elements or Blue Star Barns and Bikes.
16. Blue Star Trail & Beach to Bayou Trail.
Although these short in-town Saugatuck-Douglas paved paths are not fully interconnected yet, bikers can enjoy a partial trail parallelling the Blue Star Highway. When it dead ends, heading south, and after a detour onto local streets, cyclists can catch it again on the bridge spanning the Kalamazoo River.
After the bridge and following this trail south, pick up the Beach to Bayou paved trail at Center Street. This trail begins at Wade’s Bayou in Douglas, running one mile west until it reaches Lake Michigan at a T-junction with Lakeshore Drive. If you want to continue your ride at this dead end, coast south along Lakeshore Drive to enjoy its beautiful blufftop views. Learn more about these bike paths on the Friends of the Blue Star Trail site or this Saugatuck Visitors’ page.
17. Beeline Trail.
Catch the start of this trail at the corner of North and Holland Street at the north end of Saugatuck to ride it 12 miles to the town of Holland for excellent exercise and a fun day trip. Once in town, grab lunch, go shopping, and enjoy Lake Macatawa views before heading back along the same route.
Along the way, consider two stops. Half a mile after starting on the Beeline trail, head across Holland Street for a cup of coffee at Blue Star Barns and Bikes, also a great local place for a bike rental. Then, heading north, detour west on 138th Street for beach and hiking time at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. See a map of this route and more Holland bike paths here.
Looking for more options? Check out the Kal-Haven Trail, a 33-mile-long rail trail connecting South Haven to Kalamazoo, a 20-minute drive south of town.
Dine around town with the best food & drink.
If not for its beaches and outdoor activities, we surely would have come to Saugatuck for its food and drink. Discover some of our favorite spots below.
18. Favorite restaurants
Since it opened in 2015, we have been returning annually to our all-time favorite restaurant, The Southerner, on the Kalamazoo River. One bite of their fried chicken sandwich on a homemade biscuit smothered with honey butter may inspire you to want to make an annual family pilgrimage here, too. We eat here at least twice on every visit.
Our second favorite restaurant for a farm-to-table brunch and worth the wait, especially for a table in their outside garden, is Pennyroyal Cafe & Provisions. After putting our name in for a table, we grab coffees from its to-go window and hang out in their back garden. There, we play cards while sometimes waiting an hour or more to choose from delectable and perfectly crafted pastries, skillets, and pancakes. Reservations are accepted for dinner only.
More favorite eateries.
A few more of our favorite eateries include:
Isabel’s Market & Eatery: For quick gourmet breakfast and picnic goods.
The BARge: For riverside rooftop drinks and appetizers.
Ida Red’s Cottage: For scrumptious baked muffins and diner-style breakfasts.
Saugatuck Brewing Co.: For ample seating and easy parking when we do not feel up to a long wait, and for great beer and burgers.
Pizza Mambo: for takeaway pies, salads, and homemade desserts. The slices here can compete with the best we’ve eaten anywhere, and we’ve lived above a pizza-by-the-slice joint in New York City.
19. Cideries & wineries.
Level up your Michigan experience with a quick 15-minute drive to nearby Fennville to visit Virtue Cider. Once there, sample its European-style cider flavors and light bites outside on picnic tables with the pretty backdrop of their picture-book Tudor outbuildings. Make a reservation for a table before you go.
Or just half a mile away, schedule a tour or drop in for a tasting at Fenn Valley Vineyards. A family operation since the 1970s, you can attend one of their consistently sold-out summer cookouts or schedule a gourmet picnic. Learn more on their events page.
If you are visiting with a group and want to check out Virtue, Fenn Valley, and other area drink spots, check out Coastal Tours to book a private tour and driver.
20. Fruit picking & farm visits.
One of my favorite things to do in the Saugatuck area is go fruit picking. During a recent July, we were lucky enough to be in town at the start of the peach-picking season. We came home with 50 lbs. of juicy and delicious fruit that did not last a week. Typically, we are in town annually for apple picking in the fall, which happens from September through October. Our favorite place to pick is Crane Orchards in Fennville, about a 15-minute drive southeast of Saugatuck.
The orchard is well-run, and the fruit is delicious. From parking to paying, our visit to Crane’s typically takes an hour or two—depending on how much we want to pick, which is usually a lot. If you plan to go to Crane’s, carve out time to eat at its Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery adjacent to the orchard if the wait is not too long. Crane’s also offers cherry picking early in summer.
For raspberries, we pick at no-frills Riverbend Farms on Interstate 196 (Exit 22) just outside South Haven. Check its Facebook page to ensure open times and crop readiness. Another option, south of Saugatuck, is Overhiser Orchards, which offers a variety of u-pick fruits, a petting zoo, and wagon ride farm tours.
21. Shopping: Boutiques & galleries.
A visit to Saugatuck is complete with a walk down boutique-laden Butler Street to browse the shops and galleries. Or wander west to Water Street to discover more shops, or stroll along the lovely Kalamazoo River promenade.
Since we are avid home cooks, our favorite spot to shop and buy more kitchen gadgets and pick up freshly baked cookies, roasted coffees, and loose teas is The Butler Pantry on Butler Street. Other spots we like to shop include the Landsharks outdoor store, which sells stylish outdoor apparel and footwear, Urban Found for trendy and affordable women’s clothing and accessories, and the Saugatuck Drug Store for a wide selection of souvenir gear.
Our favorite gallery to drop in is the James Brandess Studios & Gallery. Here, along with taking in his Lake Michigan-inspired paintings, we can shop for more affordable cards, mugs, or other products featuring his work.
Take a self-guided art tour! Stop by the self-serve Interurban kiosk in Jones Park at the corner of Butler and Culver Street to pick up a free Arts Guide & Map for a comprehensive listing of all area studios, galleries, sculptures, and murals.
Performance art & art classes.
Saugatuck’s reputation as an artistic haven is well-deserved, as the town boasts a thriving creative community. From painting and sculpture to music and theater, Saugatuck offers a wealth of opportunities for visitors to experience the local scene. Here are some of the best options:
22. Saugatuck Center for the Arts.
The SCA is a hub of cultural activity, hosting exhibitions, performances, and workshops throughout the year. Visitors can browse the work of local and regional artists, attend live music or theater performances, or take part in art classes and workshops. Additionally, on Fridays, the SCA lot is home to Saugatuck’s weekly farmers’ market. Learn more here.
23. Summer music series.
Catch free or affordable music throughout the town in the summers. For the most up-to-date schedule, check this page of the Saugatuck-Douglas Visitor’s Bureau website. For example, you might find live music on Wednesday evenings at the gazebo in Wicks Park. Additionally, check the schedule for summer concerts at The Felt Estate next to Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Also, look for performances at the Saugatuck Women’s Club and live music happening in bars and restaurants in town and just outside, like on the patio at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery in Fennville.
24. Art on the Meadow Workshops with the Ox-Bow School.
The Art on the Meadow workshops with the Ox-Bow School, available in summer and fall, offer affordable one to multi-day programs for all ages and skill levels for West Michigan residents and visitors. Workshops are held outdoors under open-air tents, allowing students to take in the school’s beautiful campus and natural setting. Learn about and register for summer, fall, and intensive programs here.
Unique experiences.
Here are a few more unconventional things to do that you might love to check out during your Saugatuck visit.
25. Dune rides.
A dune ride in Saugatuck, MI, offers an exciting way to explore towering dunes with fantastic views of Lake Michigan. Guided by experts with Saugatuck Dune Rides, you’ll learn about the area’s history, geology, and ecology while getting a thrill. This family-friendly activity combines excitement and education, making it a memorable way to connect with the area. Be sure to book your spots in advance; rides will sell out.
26. Yoga on a lavender farm (or Oval Beach).
Sign up with Satya Yoga for a Saturday morning class at Summerhouse Lavender Farm. Or, on other days, book a spot for yoga on Oval Beach. Check out Satya’s class schedule here.
27. Wine and beer private tours.
Perfect for friends, family, and celebratory groups. Go on a grand tour of the area’s best wineries, cideries, and breweries with Coastal Tours. Select the places you want to go on a private tour with groups sized two to 14+ and leave the driving to someone else.
28. More classes.
In addition to Ox-Bow workshops, adults can indulge in cooking classes at Lulu Cadieux, coffee brewing and roasting classes at Uncommon Roasters, or monthly cocktail classes with New Holland Brewing Co. in their Saugatuck Tasting Room—view private events on their website to see the schedule.
29. Events and festivals.
Before you visit, check out the calendar of events for your dates on the Saugatuck-Douglas Visitor’s Bureau website. That’s how we discovered about the sold-out summer cookouts at Fenn Valley Vineyards. Although we missed booking it, we now know to check in advance. Discover community events, festivals, and performances throughout the area.
Day trips.
Try out these two day trips when you are in Saugatuck for an extended stay.
30. Holland.
Twenty minutes north of Saugatuck, visit Holland, MI. Come here for a charming blend of Dutch heritage and natural beauty. Stroll through Windmill Island Gardens to see a 250-year-old working windmill. Or shop its impressive strip of downtown boutiques on East 8th Street—every member of my family happily found something to buy on our last visit. Then if you don’t grab a bite while you shop, go to the Boatwerks Waterfront restaurant for traditional American food with a fantastic view over Lake Macatawa. After lunch, head around the lake to Holland State Park to climb Mt. Pigsah for Lake Michigan views and walk on the picturesque Big Red Lighthouse pier.
31. South Haven.
If you are not already heading toward South Haven for fruit picking at Riverbend Farms or Overhiser Orchards, come here to enjoy its sandy beaches along Lake Michigan. Or it’s downtown, with shops, galleries, and restaurants. View the historic South Haven Lighthouse or stroll along the Black River, where you can watch boats pass by. For cyclists, the Kal-Haven Trail, which connects South Haven with Kalamazoo, offers excellent biking.
Where to stay.
The towns of Saugatuck and Douglas offer a range of accommodations, from bed and breakfasts to larger hotels, resorts, and private rentals. Recently, we loved our stay at the family-run Holiday Hill Resort. On the west bank of the Kalamazoo River, perched on a hill overlooking the town and the river, the property offers well-designed one to four-bedroom units with kitchens, a pool, communal grills, and unbeatable views.
Within the town, adults traveling without kids like the award-winning Wickwood Inn, a historic bed and breakfast. And families appreciate the Starlite Resort, a retro-style motel just off the Blue Star Highway with a pool, spacious rooms, and complimentary breakfast.
Need more ideas for places to stay in and around Saugatuck? Check out this helpful guide that identifies the best areas to search for lodging, especially when availability is scarce. For families, check out a list of my specific rental and property recommendations here.
Related reading.
If you plan to visit the Saugatuck area or like to take road trips around the US Midwest, check out my related articles below to help you get the information you need to plan your best visits.
- Where to Stay in Saugatuck: 8 Amazing Areas
- Meals to Love in Saugatuck, MI: 10 Best Restaurants
- The Best Places to Stay in Saugatuck for Families
- Saugatuck Dunes State Park: All You Need to Know
- Oval Beach in the Fall: Your Complete Guide
- Douglas Beach Park, MI: Everything You Need to Know
- Hiking Mt. Baldhead in Saugatuck, MI: What You Need to Know
- Saugatuck, MI Best Walks: Crow’s Nest Trail
- Fall Trip: 10 Wonderful Family Things to Do in Saugatuck
- Your Family Will Love These 30 Road Trips Near Chicago
Love to read? Check out the books about or set in Michigan I recommend.
Feedback & questions.
Did this article help? Do you have questions about an upcoming visit? Or updates to the information shared? Please post in the comments below, and I will respond.
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