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The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

Fenn Valleys Vineyards

There are dozens of ways to make date night special, but one of the best ways to make a night unforgettable during your stay is at one of the Winemaker’s Dinners at Fenn Valley Vineyard.

The Winemaker’s Dinner starts with a sparkling wine and cheese reception followed by a coursed dinner. Each course includes a Fenn Valley wine carefully selected by the chef and winemaker. If curiosity peaks your interest, Fenn Valley staff will be available to answer questions about the wine selections and the theories behind the pairings.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Starting October 18th and running until December 20th, the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) will be displaying interactive works from artists Simon Alexander-Adams, Patrick Ethe, and Cuppeteli & Mendoza daily in tandem with an outdoor, building-spanning installation, Playful Spaces, by Jeremy Barnett and Jason Maracani. The displays, called Luminescence, all use light as their main component with the help of some ingenious electrical engineering, creative design, and expert application of physics.

Fall Foliage in Michigan

all in Southwest Michigan is so much more than leaf-peeping views and cozy fireplaces (although those are two of our favorites). Here, fall is the season of great food, freshly harvested from nearby, local farms and farmers; the season of exploring Southwest Michigan’s many vineyards and wineries; the season of jazz music sounds and intimate evenings; the season of getting lost in labyrinthine mazes of corn.

Two Hands Toasting with Beer Glasses

Saugatuck may be most famous for its beaches but it’s Saugatuck’s spirits and craft breweries that have also made our town a beloved vacation destination. Beer lovers and IPA-enthusiasts will feel right at home in Saugatuck and with so many craft breweries to pick from, there’s always something new to see—and taste. Follow our insider’s guide below for a Southwest Michigan craft brewery tour that will be unforgettable.

J Petter Bowman and Kara

While the warmer months are a busy time in Saugatuck as residents and visitors hit the beaches and the sand dunes to soak up the sun, it happens every now and then that the weather doesn’t permit sun-soaked tans and long walks on the beach. So if you find yourself staying with us on a rainy weekend or you’re just looking to do something interesting in town during an afternoon downpour, here are a few things to do indoors in and around Saugatuck.

It’s true. In Saugatuck, there are few things we love more than the water of Lake Michigan. But it’s more than just our award-winning beaches that have given us such a sentimentality. To truly enjoy the open water our town sits next to, book a fishing charter, cast a line, and see what you catch. Maybe you’re more interested in paddling a canoe through the winding Kalamazoo, exercising on a stand-up paddleboard, or taking a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Michigan.

Michigan’s largest antique show, the Allegan Antiques Market, draws visitors from across the region and country to one of the finest shows in America. Antiques Magazine rates it in the Top 10 antique markets to visit in the United States. The show, located at the Allegan County Fairgrounds in downtown Allegan is held the last Sunday of the month, April through September.

For 30 days straight, the Saugatuck Expo transforms June into a month-long celebration of the Art Coast of Michigan’s artistic communities. With a longstanding reputation for creativity, talent, and collaboration (and by longstanding we mean over 150 years), the Saugatuck and Douglas region has captivated tourists and visitors with its diverse art that displays itself in so many forms.

In Saugatuck, warmer weather means water--and lots of it. Whether it’s at the beaches or taking in the view from atop the dunes, the water of Lake Michigan is a breathtaking spectacle. One of the best ways to truly experience it is to set sail with one of our fishing charters.

One of the region’s best names in craft brewing calls our neighbor, Holland, home. With a reputation for unique and bold flavors and a dedication to quality and excellent service, the distillery and restaurants of New Holland Brewing are a can’t-miss attraction during your visit to The Hotel Saugatuck.

Now maintained as a park and recreation area, the Van Raalte Farm is deeply rooted in the heritage of Saugatuck’s neighbor, Holland. Built by Benjamin, the son of the City of Holland’s founding father, Albertus Van Raalte, in 1872, the property remained in the Van Raalte Family until the 1980s when it was purchased by the city for $350,000 from Albertus’s granddaughter.

Landsharks is your premiere winter season outfitter with all the gear you need to explore the outdoors in Saugatuck this winter. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are great in Saugatuck during the winter months and you get to know the surrounding area in a different light--literally--from our busy, summer months. Stop in at Landsharks to rent top-of-the-line skis and snowshoes from Fischer Tubbs and Redfeather. Rentals include skis, boots, and poles, or snowshoes and poles if you’re just snowshoeing.

Travel the scenic Blue Star Highway and back roads that connect South Haven and Saugatuck if you’re interested in discovering one of the state’s hidden (but one of its most treasured) gems. The artistic communities located in these quaint coastal towns make up the Blue Coast Artists Driving Tour, a behind-the-scenes look into the studios of some of the most talented working artisans in the region. Along the way, you’ll also find world-class wineries, agritourism farms, wildlife habitats, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.