A Perfect 3-Day Summer Itinerary in Saugatuck

With summertime in full swing, we have curated a three-day itinerary for your Saugatuck getaway. Take advantage of the warm weather for outdoorsy fun on the Kalamazoo River, attend free Saugatuck events celebrating our vibrant arts and music scene, explore the scenic countryside just outside town, and enjoy farm-to-table dining at local restaurants. It’s all just a short walk, bike ride, or drive from our Saugatuck hotel, so plan now for your summer escape of recreation, relaxation, and revelry along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.

Day 1 - Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Boutique Shopping, Riding the Chain Ferry, and Paddling on the River

Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) – conveniently located just a half-mile from our location – is a year-round celebration of our tight-knit community. In the summer, it truly shines, hosting renowned theatrical performances, live music, exhibits, and a bustling Friday market.

If you are arriving on the weekend, then the summer farmers market should be your first stop for the day. It is one of the most popular Saugatuck events from late May to late September, held every Friday from 9 am until 3 pm. Here, local farms and producers gather in their open-air courtyard, offering a variety of treats from the family farms surrounding Saugatuck. The market is not just about food but also where local artists display their creations, from intricately handcrafted glass and wearable leather pieces to woodworking and watercolors.

During the weekdays, there is still much to see at this lakeshore events center. The theater season opens on June 22nd, 2024, with the award-winning musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, an inspiring true story of Carole King's journey from her teens to the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame. The ongoing exhibits offer a glimpse into the talents of many local artists – past exhibits have included artists such as Frank Warren, photographer Cam McLeaod, and West Michigan native Lisa Walcott.

After you visit the Center for the Arts, head into downtown Saugatuck, where you can browse the charming boutiques on Water and Butler St, including ones like Lucia’s World Emporium, with unique items for everyone in the family.

Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants, such as Phil's Bar and Grill, a local favorite, or Crane's Pie Pantry and Winery, where you can enjoy several salads, sandwiches, and their famous pies, all with a flight of local wines.

For a slower afternoon, take a ride across the Kalamazoo River on the Saugatuck River Ferry, a summer rite of passage, bringing passengers across the water using the same hand-cranked chain method for nearly 180 years (interesting historical fact: the ferry even predates Saugatuck’s founding as a city by a decade). Stroll along the walking trail to Oval Beach before returning downtown via the ferry.

If you want more physical activity, seize the afternoon sunshine by getting out on the river on paddleboards or kayaks. Both are available to rent all summer at Third Coast Paddling, just across the water from us at the end of Center St in Douglas. Kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent by the hour. Enjoy the pristine scenery along the stretch of the river known as Kalamazoo Lake, one of the best places for outings on the Kalamazoo due to its calm waters and beginner-friendly paddling.

Finish the day nearby with dinner on the water at the Butler – start with apps like queso dip and move on to their selection of ten burgers or five pizzas, and enjoy the views of the river from their two-story outdoor deck overlooking the harbor.

Day 2 -  Douglas – Art Gallery-Hopping, Biking, A Beach Sunset, and Dinner and Drinks Downtown

Start your second day in Douglas, our lovely, laidback sister city across the Kalamazoo River. Grab a table on the patio at Respite Cappucino Court and enjoy a lavender honey or sea salt latte, chai, or smoothie while eating a granola bowl, a smoked salmon bagel, or avocado toast. Check out their springtime art installation and continue delving into the wide-ranging and inspiring Saugatuck art community by checking out the various galleries as you stroll down Center St. Since 2017, the second Saturday of every month during the summer is “Art in Douglas,” when hip art purveyors like Button Gallery invite artists to hold in-person exhibits from 11 am - 5 pm, a unique opportunity to mingle with some of our area’s many esteemed painters, sculptors, and visual artists. Upcoming Art in Douglas days in 2024 will happen on June 8th, July 13th, and August 10th.

Later in the afternoon, jump on bikes (see our recent blog about the best bike shops for rentals and trails nearby and cruise down to Douglas Beach Park. With the clean shoreline, a sandbar ideal for wading in and cooling off, and fewer crowds, this little “neighborhood beach” in Douglas is a local favorite. After enjoying a spectacular sunset over the breathtaking expanse of Lake Michigan, pedal back up Center St for locally sourced entrees and creative cocktails at Everyday People Cafe, one of the hotspots of the downtown Douglas Arts District.

Day 3 – Gorgeous Scenery, Exploring the Countryside, and an Evening Picnic at Oval Beach

With the waters of Lake Michigan commanding the views to our west, the east of Saugatuck is all rolling farmland and rural landscapes, perfect for spending a summer afternoon in the country. Have brunch on the patio at Pennyroyal Cafe, run by a chef-and-farmer team who source their menu from their family farm. Choose from classic breakfast plates, souffle pancakes (served with Michigan maple syrup, a must-try), and salads made from veggies grown on their property.

Head south out of town on the Blue Star Highway and east to Fennville, just 8 miles outside downtown Saugatuck. Visit the picturesque 200 acres of farmland at Crane Orchards, where their family-run team has been growing and harvesting dozens of fruit varieties for 150 years. Enjoy the stunning scenery while picking buckets of fresh fruit, a cherished pastime. Early summer starts with their sweet cherries, and midsummer features ten peach varieties, a dream for fruit lovers. If you’re into wine, afterward, head a couple of miles away to Fenn Valley Vineyards, one of several award-winning wineries near Saugatuck – cool off from the summer heat by sipping on a sparkling riesling while taking in the Bordeaux-like vineyard views.

Bring a bottle of your favorite wine back with you and wrap up the weekend with an evening picnic at Oval Beach, one of the local coastline's most popular and recognizable stretches. Snag one of the picnic tables on the dunes and toast to a memorable summer escape to Saugatuck, framed by the soft light of the sun descending over Lake Michigan.

Book your Sauguatuck escape for three fun days of adventure and experience the endless Saugatuck warm-weather activities!