{"id":7075189,"date":"2026-10-04T04:22:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T04:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7075189"},"modified":"2026-10-04T04:22:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T04:22:36","slug":"31-best-things-to-do-in-saugatuck-mi-you-will-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7075189","title":{"rendered":"31 Best Things to Do in Saugatuck, MI You Will Love"},"content":{"rendered":"


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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<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In this article, learn about Saugatuck<\/a>, places to park<\/a> in town on busy weekends, where to stay<\/a>, and the best things to do<\/a>, organized by category<\/a>, to make for your most memorable trip.<\/p>\n

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Families: Check out this top 10 Saugatuck fall activity list for families<\/a>. It is full of our favorite things we have done over the years with our kids during annual fall visits.<\/em><\/p>\n


About Saugatuck & where to find it.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Visiting Saugatuck combines small-town charm and breathtaking natural beauty. Come for the abundant coastlines, epicurean eats<\/a>, and the boutique and gallery-laden main street<\/a>. This welcoming town is a dune headland away from Lake Michigan on the banks of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Kalamazoo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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At the Saugatuck mural, next to the Kalamazoo River, on a summer visit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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The sentiment for Saugatuck runs strong! A t-shirt for sale at the Saugatuck Drug Store.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

To locate the town, look at a map of Michigan. Follow the curve of the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, one-third up Michigan\u2019s 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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Get to Saugatuck from Chicago or Detroit in ~3 hours. Or fly into nearby Grand Rapids.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

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Exploring the trails in the Saugatuck Natural Harbor Area next to Oval Beach in the fall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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A stormy sunset on Oval Beach during an October visit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u2019s history at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center on the west bank of the Kalamazoo River.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now that you know more about the town, let\u2019s dig into all the excellent things you can do during your stay.<\/p>\n

Where to park.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Here are some suggestions for where to search:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Water Street:<\/strong> The diagonal spots on Water Street, next to the Kalamazoo River, offer the best turnover because it has the most spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mary Street and the streets north: <\/strong>Search for spots along residential east-west avenues like Mary, Francis, Spear, and Lucy Street.<\/p>\n

Griffith Street:<\/strong> Pay for a spot at the Griffith and Mason parking lot or the lot across the street from the First Congregational Church.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We usually find parking along Water Street.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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On busy summer weekends, follow the signs, park at the high school, and catch the free shuttle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The town offers a free shuttle from the Saugatuck High School parking lot on busy summer weekends.<\/em><\/p>\n

See the list & activity map.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

This Google map provides an overview of the best activities in and around the Saugatuck area.\u00a0<\/p>\n