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The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

Retro Boat

As the summer season winds down and the gorgeous sunsets over Lake Michigan happen a little earlier each day, it's not too late to enjoy time out on Saugatuck's waterways. A great place to rent a fun watercraft is Retro Boat Rentals on Water Street, about a mile from The Hotel Saugatuck. As the name suggests, these boats will take you back to a simpler time and slower pace – perfect for a relaxing late summer getaway in West Michigan.

Crane Orchards

Apples, peaches, pumpkin pie. Ready or not, fall harvest season is here! There's no better way to get a mouth-watering taste of nature's bounty than to pick tree-ripened fruit yourself. When you stay with us at The Hotel Saugatuck, head to Crane Orchards in nearby Fennville for a hands-on orchard experience. There's nothing quite as tasty as picking your favorite fresh fruit straight from the tree and immediately enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Art in the Park

Thousands of people will converge on downtown Holland on August 6 for Art in the Park – a day of fine art and crafts, live music, and food. In its 51-year history, this event has grown to draw one of the largest influxes of visitors to the city on a single day, second only to Tulip Time. Come see for yourself why this signature West Michigan event is well-known to art lovers throughout the area and beyond.

Big Lake Classic Fishing Tournament

Fact: Michigan touches four of the five Great Lakes and has more than 11,000 inland lakes, plus countless rivers and streams. It's no wonder the fishing is good here in Michigan! Whether you're a champion angler or a weekend enthusiast, you'll find unmatched freshwater fishing opportunities here in Saugatuck, where the Kalamazoo River empties into Lake Michigan.

Saugatuck Sand Dunes

Nestled between the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan you'll find one of West Michigan's natural treasures: rolling sand dunes for miles! The Saugatuck Dunes are part of the largest grouping of freshwater dunes in the world. They were formed by glaciers thousands of years ago and sculpted over time by wind, waves and native vegetation. During your next stay with us at The Hotel Saugatuck, we encourage you to explore the gorgeous dune beaches on foot, or take a ride in a dune buggy for an adventure you won't soon forget.

Farmer's Market

There's nothing like a farmers market in the summertime to connect a community with its local farmers and artisans. They're a great place to quite literally get a "taste" of the region with an incredible selection of farm-fresh products. During your summer getaway to western Michigan, we invite you to immerse yourself in our agricultural bounty with a visit to The Market at Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

Oval Beach

A sweeping shoreline, sugar-sand beach, sparkling water, towering sand dunes. If this describes your ideal beach, then make plans to visit Saugatuck this summer and spend a day at our world-renowned Oval Beach. This is Saugatuck's main beach on Lake Michigan and is a summertime favorite for residents and vacationers alike. Condé Nast Traveler has ranked Oval Beach one of the Top 25 beaches in the world. That's a pretty tall order, but Oval Beach lives up to the acclaim.

Antique Shops

With its rich history in agriculture, manufacturing, culture, and craftsmanship, it's no wonder Michigan is a gold mine when it comes to antiquing. Treasure hunters can peruse a multitude of antique shops throughout Allegan County along Michigan's western coast to uncover unique vintage finds. New-to-you pieces can invigorate your home space while carrying the memory of your antiquing adventure during your next West Michigan getaway.

Frederik Meijer Gardens

One of the most visited art museums in the world can be found in Grand Rapids, Michigan – a 40-minute drive from Saugatuck that's well worth the trip. The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park combines the experience of stunning gardens with fine art. The 158-acre grounds feature Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory, five indoor theme gardens, extensive outdoor gardens, nature trails, a sculpture park and a 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater. It's truly a Michigan must-see!

Tulip Time

You don't have to travel to the Netherlands to immerse yourself in tulips, windmills and Dutch culture. You'll find all that and more with a visit to Holland, Michigan. Spring is the perfect time to make the trip, when all the tulips are in bloom and the city is awash in glorious, vibrant color. Holland's annual Tulip Time Festival gives visitors eight days of events and activities where they can take in the floral sights and celebrate the community's Dutch roots.

Tulips

Forbes Magazine named Holland, Michigan, one of America's prettiest towns – and it's easy to see why. As the town's name suggests, Holland has a rich Dutch heritage that serves as its cultural identity and a theme for many of its popular attractions. Situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, Holland has much to offer – great beaches, a charming downtown, fascinating museums, active parks and welcoming Dutch hospitality.

Meyer May House

You may be familiar with Frank Lloyd Wright, considered the greatest American architect of all time. Over a creative period of 70 years, he designed more than 1,000 structures. His first major commission here in Michigan was the Meyer May House in Grand Rapids. And it makes a great side trip while you're visiting us in Saugatuck, with an easy 45-minute drive to see one of Wright's architectural masterpieces.

Snowshoeing

For winter outdoor enthusiasts, there's nothing more peaceful and tranquil than taking a hike on a bed of freshly fallen snow. Here in Saugatuck, the dunes that stretch along Lake Michigan's shoreline are the perfect spot for snowshoeing and exploring our winter wonderland on foot. Miles of spectacular trails wind through serene woods and along the lakeshore's edge. Don't miss out on this magical, snow-covered adventure that our summer visitors never get to see.