Things to do in Saugatuck, MI

Things to do in Saugatuck, MI

When it comes to Michigan, there is beauty to be found everywhere, but my favorite part of the state is the west side along Lake Michigan. If you are looking for sand, water, and beautiful sunsets, this is the place to be!

For me, one particular town keeps bringing me back! That’s because I’ve found my home away from home at Hop & Vine Inn in Fennville. When it comes to staying at a bed and breakfast, I want to feel comfortable, relaxed, and at ease. Lucky for me, I found all these feelings at Hop & Vine Inn! 

Hop & Vine Inn in Fennville is located just 5 miles south of Saugatuck. This bed and breakfast is unique because it is family friendly. There are 18 units available that range from romantic Jacuzzi and fireplace suites, standard rooms and family units, to townhouses with full kitchens and living rooms. Hop & Vine also features an indoor heated pool, volleyball court, playscape, and campfire pit. To find out more about Hop & Vine, please click here to read a previous post.

Activities:

• Shop – One of my favorite things to do in Saugatuck is shop!! Downtown Saugatuck has so many unique stores featuring clothing, collectables, art, antiques, jewelry, gifts, and more. I enjoy walking into some stores and window shopping others. Just strolling down the street with friends is enjoyable in downtown Saugatuck. 
• Wine Tasting – There are many places in downtown Saugatuck that offer wine tasting. My favorite place is Fenn Valley Vineyards and Winery located in Fennville. In addition to wine tasting, you can take a tour of the winery, stroll through the vineyards, enjoy a small plate on the patio, and even listen to live music (Thursdays and Saturdays). If you stay at Hop & Vine, ask for a coupon for free wine tastings and be sure to try my favorite – the peach honey! 
• Beach – Oval Beach in Saugatuck has been named one of the world’s best beaches. With a large sandy shoreline, clear freshwater, easy parking, concessions, and a picnic area, it’s well worth the $10 entrance fee. Sunsets are breathtaking on the beach. 
• Kayaking – I highly recommend taking a 2 or 3 hour kayaking trip on the Kalamazoo River. For me, a novice kayaker, 2 hours was the perfect amount of time. My friends and I rented kayaks through Running Rivers and we were completely pleased with the experience. The Kalamazoo river is a slow-moving river, so it’s great for those who want to take in the sights and sounds of the nature. During our trip we saw various birds (including herons), turtles, and lots of natural vegetation. Visitors also sight Bald Eagles, deer, and fox. 

• Boating – There are many different types of boating excursions on the beautiful waterways of Saugatuck and the neighboring cities. My friends and I chose to rent a boat from Retro Boats in Saugatuck. Retro Boats has rare classic runabout boats, many reflective of the jet-age era in which they were born (1958-1963). These electronic boats cruise at about 5-6 miles per hour, so they are prefect for those wanting to relax and take in the sights along the way. We really enjoyed our 1.5 hour cruise on our boat named “Flo”. 

Restaurants:

• Saugatuck Brewing Company – I’m going to be honest, when I visited this restaurant, I went for the live music. I wasn’t very hungry, but was looking for some entertainment. My friend, Crystal, and I sat at the bar and shared an appetizer and a couple of drinks while listening to some really good live music. Although we didn’t have a meal during our stay, we had a great time listening to the music and people watching. 
• Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery – I’ve been to Crane’s twice and each time I’ve walked away full and satisfied. Crane’s is well-known for their homemade pies, which you can buy by the slice, in a flight, or a whole pie. The pie flight allows you a generous sample of 4 different pie flavors. I choose a pie flight during my first visit and decided the blueberry pie was my favorite. So during my second visit, I had a full slice of blueberry pie served with ice cream. I’ve also been satisfied by their “Hard Cider” Cheese & Pretzel Chips, Baked Spinach Dip, and pulled pork sandwich. If you like hard cider, this is a good place for trying a cider flight or a glass of cider.  
• The Southerner – This restaurant on the water is known for traditional southern food and their fried chicken is some of the best! Their smallest chicken meal is a 1/2 of chicken and two sides. Too much for this gal! Of course, I could share a meal with a friend (if I found a dark meat lover). You can choose original chicken or Nashville Hot (WARNING it’s really spicy). My favorite side was the flakey biscuit with honey butter. If you want to try the Southerner, I suggest getting there when they open at 5 p.m. It’s my understanding this small place can get really busy.

• Wicks Park Bar & Grill – My friends and I visited Wicks just for happy hour ($3 drinks) from 3-6 p.m. I ordered a drink called the Trainwreck and it was just my type of drink. It was a mix of rum punch, pineapple juice, and vodka. So sweet and delicious! We also ordered a piece of key lime pie to share. It was a very big slice and definitely enough for two (possibly three). I really liked the atmosphere of this place and the food looked so tasty. Next time I’m in Saugatuck, Wicks is on my list for a meal! 

If you’ve visited the Fennville/Saugatuck area, please comment below with your favorites. I would love some new suggestions for my next visit!