The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

The Saugatuck-Douglas area is known as the Art Coast of Michigan for its rich history of embracing visual and performing artists and encouraging a community with a deep appreciation of the arts. Many working painters, sculptors, and other artists call this area home. Musicians and actors hone their craft here on the stage and in the concert hall. Together they inspire the creative culture that's at the heart and soul of our community. That creativity shines year-round, so don't discount the winter as a great time to see our artists in action.

Any time of year, the Allegan State Game Area provides endless opportunities for outdoor adventures with more than 50,000 protected acres to explore. Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, bird watching, hunting, biking – if it's an outdoor adventure you want, you'll find it here! But when winter comes and snow blankets the ground, the Allegan State Game Area offers unmatched terrain for cross-country skiing. With trails for all skill levels, cross-country skiing is an extraordinary way to explore western Michigan's exceptionally beautiful winter landscapes.

Are you up for a hauntingly good time? Sure, autumn in West Michigan is the ideal retreat if you love to take in fall festivals, pumpkin patches, apple picking, and the colorful changing leaves. But for thrill-seekers who like to celebrate the scariest holiday of the year, Halloween is the perfect time to visit, with an array of frightening, ghostly events to celebrate the mystery of Halloween. Spooktacular fun is waiting for you in Saugatuck-Douglas with a season full of spooks, delights, and scares!

There’s nothing quite like sipping on a refreshing draft beer on a hot summer day. From wheat beer to IPAs, from stouts to seasonals, breweries here in West Michigan have a beer for every palate. Bottoms up! There are plenty of tasting opportunities within minutes of The Hotel Saugatuck, where you can find a style of beer that suits your mood and taste. Every day is a great day for a beer by the lake! Take a self-guided craft brew tour of the Saugatuck-Douglas area with a stop at these four breweries.

Though Saugatuck is known for its world-famous beaches and dunes and a thriving art scene, its dense culinary landscape should not be taken for granted. Summertime is the right time to grab dinner and drinks on a restaurant patio that overlooks Saugatuck's scenic waterways. This lakeside town is home to dozens of delicious, one-of-a-kind waterfront restaurants that make it the perfect destination for foodies from all over. Come for the food, stay for the view!

With all that Lake Michigan, its dazzling waters and impressive sand dunes have to offer, there is no shortage of opportunities for outdoor adventure. In the summertime, we love to stroll along the beach, splash in the lake's fresh water, and get our hearts pumping with a good hike. But on your next trip to Saugatuck-Douglas, why not try something a little out of the ordinary? Here are a few of our favorite one-of-a-kind adventures that you'll only find here in our little slice of heaven on earth.