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The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

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.

Virtue Cider Orchard

You've heard of wassail, the warm mulled cider drink enjoyed during the holiday season and the cold winter months that follow. But maybe you didn't know that wassailing is an old English custom of blessing fruit tree orchards with drinking and singing to ensure a good harvest in the coming year.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

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.

Downhill skiing

When temperatures fall below freezing and snow blankets the ground, it's time to embrace the spirit of winter by getting outside and enjoying all that Michigan's winter wonderland has to offer. Don't let a little chill keep you indoors! Michigan’s stunning landscape was made for snow sports, and you'll find some of the most exciting, diverse downhill skiing terrains not far from The Hotel Saugatuck. For a downhill adventure with pristine slopes and epic views, you'll find two great ski areas less than an hour drive from The Hotel Saugatuck.