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The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

cross country skiing

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.

Holiday Shopping

Have yourself a merry little Christmas by knocking out your holiday shopping at some of West Michigan's most unique shopping venues. Check out local artisans and specialty shops who display their wares at open-air holiday markets, offering some of the most fantastic products, treats, and handcrafted goods imaginable. From European-style marketplaces to shopping experiences that feature artisan cocktails and fine crafts, there’s something undeniably festive about these outdoor holiday bazaars.

Halloween

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!

Music in the Vineyard

Ahhh...fall is upon us in Western Michigan! Trees are exploding in autumn colors of reds, yellows and oranges. Pumpkins, apples, grapes and fall-harvest crops are abundant. And cooler temperatures mean sweater weather and the perfect climate for spending time outdoors exploring all that Lake Michigan's coastline has to offer.

Beer Flight

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.

Mount Baldhead Challenge

They call it the race that will change your life. The Mount Baldhead Challenge is the ultimate multi-terrain race that begins and ends at our famous Oval Beach here in Saugatuck. After a year off in 2020, the race is back again on Sept. 11, 2021 – bigger, badder and better than ever!

The Southerner fried chicken

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!

Sidewalk sale

Apparel, jewelry, accessories, art, antiques and home decor are just some of what bargain-hunters will find marked down during this year’s Saugatuck Sidewalk Sale. This much-anticipated annual event is slated for Thursday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Saugatuck along iconic Butler Street. During this one-day shopping extravaganza, local shopkeepers will line the streets with colorful canopies to display their amazing discounts and deals. Plus, catch live entertainment as you stroll from shop to shop.

Dune rides

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.

Art Fair

If you're coming to Saugatuck this summer to enjoy the beaches, trails and outdoor adventures, be sure to also carve out time to enjoy the rich cultural offerings of the Art Coast of Michigan. Its artistic roots were planted a century ago, when Ox-Bow began as a haven for artists and grew into the school of art and artists’ residency it is today.

Oval Beach

Did you know that when you stay with us at The Hotel Saugatuck you are visiting one of Michigan's premiere beach towns? It's true. With miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the Saugatuck-Douglas area has stretches of sand that will appeal to every type of beach-goer. Sugar-sand beaches and sparkling water that meet the horizon will have you wanting to soak in the summer sun and splash in the waves. Or maybe you'd prefer a peaceful walk along a tucked-away beach away from crowds of tourists. Whatever your ideal beach day is, it can begin right here!

Sailing on Desire

At The Hotel Saugatuck, we enjoy providing our guests with access to fun activities and unique adventures when they come to stay with us. We also are committed to supporting our fellow local businesses that take care of each other in this small community. That's why we're excited to enter a new partnership that is beneficial to us, our guests and the partnered business – a real win-win all around!

Farmers Market Produce

Farmers markets on Michigan's west coast are exciting places that bring together local farmers, artisans and communities. Shopping at these seasonal markets is one of the best ways to eat homegrown and homemade foods while supporting the regional economy. Here in Saugatuck, the Market at SCA is a true treasure for locavores, with a bustling, lively atmosphere.