Saugatuck, MI | Marisa Wigley | @whyyoushouldgoto

Saugatuck, MI

I'm lucky enough to call Saugatuck home sweet home! Take some of my insider tips and have a great time in the Mitten ✋🏻 If you're looking for the nitty gritty details and itinerary recommendations, upgrade to my paid guide!

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Where To Stay:

The Saugatuck area is actually comprised of two great towns, Saugatuck and Douglas! They are very close and both worth exploring, but here are my thoughts based on your vibes:

Saugatuck:

The larger of the two towns, Saugatuck offers a lot of great shopping, food, and drinks within their walkable downtown. With options does come the crowds, but if your focus is food and shopping, this is your spot. Check out the amazing Bed & Breakfast spots in town!

Serendipity Bed and Breakfast and Cottage

@whyyoushouldgoto

Probably the top-rated B&B in the area and its a wonder escape!

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Douglas:

While the town itself is smaller, Douglas offers the best of both worlds imo. They still have great food and shopping, but with quieter vibes great for relaxing. But if you do like a party, don't worry because you'll find the best LGBTQ+ parties on this side of the lake!

Blue Star Motel

@whyyoushouldgoto

Along Blue Star Highway in walking distance from downtown Douglas

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Check out my full guide below for all the recommended places!

What To Do:

Beach, please!

If you're planning a summer trip, head to Oval Beach (Saugatuck - $10) and spread out on the sand! A good free alternative is Douglas Beach, which is smaller but has the same great views.

Wine O'Clock

Did I mention the amazing wineries nearby? Turns out, lakeshore soil makes for some tasty grapes. Fenn Valley, Modales, and Wyncroft are some great places to start, but don't forget to check out the smaller spots! There are also tours you can book if you don't have a DD.

Other Libations

If wine isn't your thing, you won't be left out! The Mitten and Guardian both have great brews. If you're more of a hard liquor/cocktails kind of person, check out Coppercraft or Costal Society.

Shop Till You Drop

Butler and Water Streets in Saugatuck have a lot of great boutiques where you can find clothing, jewelry, antiques, art, and more! Pop over to Douglas for a couple other great boutiques, including my personal favorite Endora for some truly unique and ✨ vibey ✨ items.

Get Out on the Lake

Plenty of boat rentals in Saugatuck! But don't worry, if you don't want to shell out for a private rental, there are still plenty of great options. Jump on the Star of Saugatuck paddlewheel cruise, or for a more intimate vibe, check out Sailing Saugatuck.

Check Out the Art

Saugatuck and Douglas are know for their amazing art galleries! I personally like Peter Galleries (because who doesn't like an art gallery/wine bar combo?), but there are other great spots to wander into in both downtown Douglas and Saugatuck.

Get my full Saugatuck guide!

A Weekend in Saugatuck - From a Local! | Marisa

www.thatch.co

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marisa Wigley | @whyyoushouldgoto

Available for hire

Take your travel advice from someone who has lived there 👀 When I started traveling full-time, I learned very quickly that travel burnout is real and changing destinations every couple of days or even weeks was really not for me. I quickly pivoted to slow travel and now spend 1-3 months in each destination I visit. Spending more time in fewer locations means I am able to truly immerse myself into local culture and connect with the community on a deeper level... And it also means I can provide the best travel recommendations! Through my own in-depth experience and tapping into knowledge of the locals I meet along the way, I'm able to provide high quality travel tips to help you make the best out of your trip! I specialize in USA Travel, where I've explored 46/50 states extensively (with plans to reach all 50 by the end of 2025). I am a proud Michigan native and will never pass up the opportunity to introduce more people to it's beauty! My work has been featured on tourism boards such as UP Travel (MI), Saugautck/Douglas (MI), TN Vacation (TN), Visit Kentucky (KY), and more. While I specialize in USA Travel, I also love sharing my international adventures. Most recently, I spent one month chasing the Northern Lights in Norway and have also traveled extensively through Europe and Central America. Check out my guides for all the insider tips you need to top destinations, or contact me to help craft your perfect trip!

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