Summer Romance: Sunset Cruises & Couples' Retreats

Summer is the perfect time to rekindle the romance in your relationship, and there’s no better way to do it than a visit to Saugatuck - the jewel of Michigan’s Art Coast.

Thanks to its thriving culinary scene, robust arts culture, and natural beauty that rivals any vacation spot in the country, Saugatuck has served as a romantic getaway destination for generations, dating back to the Roaring ’20s.

When romance is in the air there’s no better destination in the region than our Saugatuck hotel. With decades of experience entertaining guests from across the Midwest and beyond, romantic getaways are our specialty.

Book a stay at our lakefront hotel and take advantage of our romance packages designed to take your summer getaway to the next level.

Sunset Cruises on the Star of Saugatuck

The reason that Saugatuck is a charming, romantic getaway today goes all the way back to the 1830s and the geography of the region.

Sitting on the edge of Lake Kalamazoo which is connected to the mighty Lake Michigan via the Kalamazoo River. Initially, the water access made the area attractive to lumberjacks and for a time that’s how the region thrived. By the late 1800s, the region got caught up in the national Arts and Crafts Movement, becoming a haven for artists and their patrons and making the way for the Big Pavillion, a large dance hall that was like a beacon for bands and visitors from across the Midwest for half a century.

Today, the same waterways that made Saugatuck an attractive destination for lumberjacks serve as the hub of everything that makes Saugatuck great. You can adventure on the water, dine at the best restaurants on the water, or even find a beach to soak up the sun and do a little swimming. But the main attraction on the lake is a Sunset Cruise on the Star of Saugatuck, a gentle sternwheeler paddleboat that takes guests up the Kalamazoo River to the Great Lake and back.

The beauty of Saugatuck Boat cruises is that you get a unique perspective of the picturesque village, the undeveloped wilds along the river and the coast of Lake Michigan where the sunsets look like something sold in the art galleries. They’re almost too beautiful to be real.

The Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises offers a variety of options throughout the day, but it’s the sunset cruises that create the perfect mood for a romantic summer getaway.

With an upper deck that’s open to the evening air and a climate-controlled lower deck, the Star II offers a sunset cruise nightly unless weather conditions, or a private event, prevent that evening’s cruise. Each cruise is about 90 minutes on a set route. There are snacks and beverages, including alcohol available.

Things to Do in Saugatuck for Couples

There are more romantic options in Saugatuck than boat cruises. From live music to annual festivals like the Venetian Fest, to exquisite dining and enjoying our parks, waterfront, and art galleries, Saugatuck is all about romance. Downtown Saugatuck is a short walk from our hotel with its wide variety of dining options – al fresco and otherwise.

If your idea of a romantic night includes live music, consider The Butler – a Saugatuck institution with a history dating back more than 60 years. Serving seafood and classic American fare, The Butler offers amazing views of the harbor and boardwalk.

If you’d prefer something a little more intimate, consider Bowdie’s Chophouse, a traditional chophouse with outdoor, table and bar seating. It’s elegant and perfect for an evening in which you put the phones away and focus on each other while enjoying a delicious meal.

On the other end of fine dining is Coast 236, a place designed by and for those with a passion for evolving menus where the food is king. This is modern, and in its way, elegant fine dining with a lighter, brighter atmosphere than that of a classic steakhouse.

Of course, for those of us who know romance isn’t always about elegance and expense, the local dining scene has a lot of options. In fact, there are few things that say summer romance is better than enjoying a classic ice cream cone while strolling through the beautiful and artistic downtown area as you head down to the water. Places like Kilwins, the Saugatuck Drugstore Soda Fountain, or Charlie’s Round the Corner offer sweet treats perfect for a romantic evening stroll.

Of course, ultimately, romance is about the couple and what sparks their passions. Saugatuck offers scenic parks perfect for long talks and soaking in the beauty of the bay. The nearby beaches are ideal for hand-in-hand walks along the water’s edge. There are options for bicycling and more, as about our bike rentals, free to all guests. The many shops and art galleries are perfect for couples to explore as they soak in all the atmosphere that Saugatuck has to offer. For such a small village, Saugatuck has nearly unlimited options for a romantic summer getaway.

Romance, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder and so when choosing a destination for your romantic summer getaway, it’s important to consider that you might need more than a fancy restaurant or even a pretty sunset. Ultimately, romance is about the things that bring us together and keep us together, reminding us how and why we found each other. There’s no wrong way to be romantic, as long as it works for both of you.

If you’re looking for the best romantic getaway in Saugatuck, on the Art Coast, or near the shores of the Great Lakes, that search starts and ends with our lakefront getaway.