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The Hotel Saugatuck Blog

Two Hands Toasting with Beer Glasses
Come along on a Southwest Michigan Brewery Tour

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
Things to do on a Rainy Day in Saugatuck

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.

Summer Water Adventures in 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.

Shop 400 Dealers at Michigan's Largest Antique Show

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.

Saugatuck Expo

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.

Book a Lake Michigan Fishing Charter

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.

Tour the Pub on 8th of New Holland Brewing

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.

Visit the 19th Century Farmhouse of Holland's Founding Father

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.

Explore Saugatuck's Dunes on Snowshoes

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.

Blue Coast Artists Driving Tour

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.

Ox-tober at the Ox-Bow School of Art

It wasn’t always called the Art Coast of Michigan, but the communities of creatives in and around Saugatuck trace their roots to a small group that sought refuge here from Chicago’s industrialization more than 100 years ago. Nestled in a bend along the Kalamazoo, the Ox-Bow School was once the Riverside Hotel, a 20-room inn for traveling tradesmen. But when the Kalamazoo was straightened to empty directly into Lake Michigan, traffic was diverted and the inn faced an uncertain future.

Hungry Village Tours in Saugatuck, MI

Hungry Village Tours is a great way to get that authentic, behind-the-scenes glimpse into what makes Saugatuck “tick,” so to speak. Local culture, food, wine, and customs will all have some of their secrets revealed. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling like a local. Hungry Village Tours offers two options: walking or riding.

Saugatuck Boat Cruises

Situated on Lake Michigan (and named one of America’s Top 10 Lake Towns!), Saugatuck has been defined by water since its first days. From the layout of the streets to recreational activities, exploring the waterways and freshwater beaches of Saugatuck will allow you to get to truly know our town. If you’ve already discovered the world-famous sugar sand of Oval Beach, then it’s time to hit the Kalamazoo.