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The Saugatuck/Douglas area has become a top tourist destination in the Midwest, located along the scenic Lake Michigan shoreline. Originally a lumber town and port, Saugatuck, and neighboring Douglas, have evolved into popular lakeside communities renowned for their art galleries, historic bed and breakfast inns, quaint boutiques and restaurants, which populate each town’s main streets.
Saugatuck and Douglas are prime second home and summer getaway destinations for residents of Chicago (approximately 140 miles), Detroit (approximately 200 miles) and Grand Rapids (approximately 30 miles). The Saugatuck/Douglas area neighbors other popular second home markets and summer rental towns, including Ganges, Grand Haven, Glenn, Holland and South Haven. Lining the shore of both towns are outstanding public beaches. Oval Beach has been recognized by publications around the U.S. as one of the nation’s top freshwater beaches, including Condé Nast, National Geographic Traveler and Chicago Tribune Magazine. This celebrated beach offers visitors access to Lake Michigan and immaculate sand dunes, which hug the southwestern coast of Michigan. From Oval Beach, many visitors hike to the top of Mt. Baldhead (or ‘Mt. Baldy’ as locals refer to it), which provides visitors with a spectacular 360-degree bird’s-eye view of Lake Michigan to the east and Kalamazoo River to the west.  Douglas Beach, the smaller neighbor to the south of Oval Beach, also offers unmatched views of the Lake and can be accessed from surrounding bluffs and dunes. Both pristine beaches offer opportunities for hiking, swimming and quality time with family and friends. Named one of the eight most popular art destinations in the U.S., it’s no wonder the Saugatuck/Douglas area is referred to as the ‘Art Coast of Michigan.’ The towns are home to an array of talented local artists and art galleries; in fact, there are more art galleries per capita in Saugatuck than any small town in the Midwest. The area also hosts the Ox-Bow School, a 95-year old school of art and artists’ residency housed on more than 115 acres surrounded by dunes, Lake Michigan and wooded forest. Set along Michigan’s ‘Sunset Coast’, tourists and residents, both permanent and seasonal, flock to Saugatuck/Douglas for the wealth of activities and prime shopping the towns offer. With a number of grand Victorian homes, which have been converted to delightful bed and breakfast inns, these communities provide visitors with an abundance of lodging options. Among the lush scenery, find restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, coffee shops, and ice cream parlors, all within easy walking distance. The Saugatuck Chain Ferry, in operation since 1938, is one of the oldest (and few remaining) hand-cranked chain ferries in the U.S. The ferry shuttles visitors across the Kalamazoo River by an operator hand-cranking it along a chain and is in operation only during the summer months. The Star of Saugatuck, a large paddlewheel boat provides daily tours of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan, is also located near the Chain Ferry in the town center. There are several art, music and film festivals held throughout the year. Mason Street Warehouse, “AN UPTOWN THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN SAUGATUCK” is housed inside THE SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS (SCA). Both plays and musicals are produced seasonally from June to September. Also, there are live performances held in THE SAUGATUCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS year round. Boating and sailing enthusiasts throughout the Midwest flock to the local waterways around Saugatuck/Douglas, including Lake Michigan, Kalamazoo River, Goshorn Lake and Hutchins Lake, to enjoy yachting, sailing, water skiing, fishing and other water sports. The annual Venetian Night celebration (held at the end of July) is one the most popular local festivals, where boaters decorate their vessels and parade them through the Kalamazoo River on the edge of Saugatuck’s town center. Those without yachts can also get out on the water aboard one of the many local boat charters available for visitors. In the winter months, downhill and cross-country skiing are popular activities in the area. ----------------- Patrick Murphy Homes is a local builder who specializes in new construction throughout Saugatuck, Douglas and neighboring second home market communities. Pat and Pam Murphy are realtors and part of the Shoreline Realty team based in Douglas. The Murphys are waterfront specialists who focus on the development and resale of quality properties for those looking for resort living on the pristine coast of southwest Michigan. |
