Final weekend we had been invited, and Kelly, Shaheen and our workers, Saugatuck, MI Fall household trip! (Discuss a dream collaboration!) This little spot in Michigan (typically known as the Arts Coast) is one in all our favourite locations and we liked the chance to go to a few of the most stunning locations in Michigan with our greatest associates fall!
Right this moment I am sharing my evaluate of issues to not miss (I am certain by the top, if you have not deliberate a visit but, you may need to plan one ASAP!) Whereas you will have seen a few of these sights I’ve talked about earlier than, this That is our first household journey to the world, in order that’s what I’ll be specializing in on this put up!
If you have not heard of Saugatuck, it is solely a 2.5-hour drive from Chicago, but it surely appears like an entire different world away. I believe Kelly described it nicely when she stated “Saugatuck Half Stars Hole, half Nantucket, proper in the midst of the Midwest. ”
Surrounded by stunning countryside, farms and wine nation, an unlimited arts and meals scene, probably the most superb foliage, and naturally the seashores and Lake Michigan! The city itself has tons of cute outlets, nice eating places, superb seashores, and mountain climbing trails. Climate allowing, that is the right vacation spot for crusing, rowing, paddling, and extra!
It’s additionally a really welcoming and LGBTQ-friendly group, and actually, you wouldn’t all the time You’ll discover out when you get out of city 😬. (The delight flags flying in all places make us completely happy. ♥️)
Thus far I have been capable of go to in the summertime, fall, and winter, and every time of yr has one thing totally different and distinctive to supply. (So even if you cannot depart for a number of months, it is undoubtedly price planning a go to.) Each time somebody asks what they need to go to for a weekend getaway in Chicago, that is one in all my high solutions!
We’re a household of three with two 6-year-olds, a 4-year-old, and a 3-year-old, and June is the youngest member of the workforce at solely 2 years outdated. I can confidently say this can be a child pleasant vacation spot having been on my earlier {couples} and women journeys. If you happen to’re planning a household journey, learn on for all the pieces we did and my suggestions!
Attending to Saugatuck:
Solely 2.5 hours from Chicago, 3 hours from Detroit, and fewer than 4 hours from Indianapolis! If you happen to’re flying, you possibly can fly into Grand Rapids, MI (which can be a cute little city price spending a while in, when you have any!) and from there you may be in Saugatuck in lower than an hour !
First, issues to notice when planning your itinerary: Saugatuck/Douglas have Probably the most complete and useful web site No city I’ve ever seen. It has tons of guides that can assist you know what to do/the place to remain/the way to plan your journey based mostly on the expertise you’re searching for! So after all, whereas I’ve my very own recommendations under, make sure to discuss with their web site while you plan on getting a extra in-depth information!
Greatest place to remain Saugatuck For giant teams and households?
Saugatuck, Douglas or Fennville space They’re all very appropriate locations to remain. This was my second time staying in Fernvale and it is an ideal alternative in order for you somewhat extra space and quiet and do not thoughts driving a brief distance into city. One of the best factor about this space is that it is solely about 5 sq. miles, so in all places you need to go is barely a brief drive away!
Our rental home It is unbelievable And extremely advocate to any group of associates or household! It is proper throughout the highway from the water and has its personal personal staircase, seaside and a small deck with chairs on the seaside – what a deal with. We now have all the time stated we would love to come back again and hire the identical home in the summertime! (The pool is about up extremely nicely and is totally fenced off in a separate space so dad and mom can loosen up with the children!) They even have arise paddle boards out there, in addition to chairs and a fireplace pit Come benefit from the sundown!
I all the time advocate selecting a home when touring with children (it’s simpler!), you possibly can Discover many different trip leases right here. (A number of good content material is not on VRBO/AirBnB, so make sure to verify these websites for the most effective choice!)
If you happen to favor a lodge or hostel, the charming Maplewood Resort Come to advocate, and There are additionally tons of different charming motels Select from.
What number of nights do you have to spend?
We each agreed we wished we might have stayed a minimum of another evening! I believe staying a minimum of 3 nights is perfect so you possibly can loosen up and never really feel like you need to cram in so much daily.
go this fashion for It is a helpful place to discover a home or lodge to your journey!
Don’t miss Saugatuck’s pleasant occasions:
Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant and Bakery:
I believe this was most likely my favourite spotlight of the weekend. It was chilly and wet Saturday morning so we pulled up a boombox and determined to attend out the rain for some time and it was a lot enjoyable! It is a tremendous charming nation restaurant with a bar (the place you possibly can sip and style scrumptious ciders and wines), a bakery (for pie and you may’t miss the donuts!) and an out of doors patio with reside music and somewhat Order some music. There you possibly can order fashionable dishes like fried hen tenders and sizzling canines – so we stayed right here for a number of hours, consuming lunch and having fun with reside music whereas the children danced and performed within the puddles of their wellies.
Cider Tasting Tour at Crane’s Pie Pantry
Above: Crane’s Pie Pantry has a extremely enjoyable outside patio with heaters, a walk-up window to order meals and drinks, and reside music (it simply rained, so there’s nonetheless a lot for the ladies to splash round in Enjoyable puddle!)
Crane’s Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch:
The rain stopped and we drove throughout the road again to the apple orchard to select apples and pumpkins! June has been speaking about pumpkins all month and was ecstatic when she noticed their enormous show of gorgeous pumpkins!
Advantage Cider:
The adults will take pleasure in a pint of cider (or a cider flight!) and the children will love all of the house to run and play.
Modeles and different wineries!
There’s additionally loads of house for outside working and taking part in in Modales subsequent door. We love this place (we joined their wine membership!), run by the friendliest individuals, and have some nice Michigan wines. (Sure, such a factor does exist!) There are another nice wineries within the space!you will discover one The total checklist is right here!
Climbing trails:
I extremely advocate a visit to Saugatuck State Park. It has some stunning trails, an ideal mix of forests and seashores.
If you wish to problem your self, there’s additionally Mt. Bald Head on the town! The views from the highest are price it and you may take the brief hike to the seaside. (Strolling again can be an ideal train!)
Additionally on my checklist: Goat trekking you are able to do close by Evergreen Lane Farm!
Seashore!
In fact, there are many stunning seashores to select from (we’ve got our personal superb personal seaside as a part of our rental!) however oval seaside It’s a very fashionable public seaside and is definitely rated one of many high seashores on this planet by Condé Nast! (Grey Malin even options Oval Seashore graphics! ! )
Dune rides:
If you happen to plan to journey within the hotter seasons and are touring with youngsters over 3 years outdated (we needed to do that, however June is so uncommon!) Dune driving It was enjoyable to analyze! (Please notice, it closes October fifteenth for the season and reopens within the spring.)
Boating or crusing:
If you happen to plan on touring when the climate is heat sufficient, you possibly can hire a sailboat or motorboat and hang around on the water for some time!You possibly can even experience Saugatuck Star Paddle Steamer——Cherished by youngsters!
Root Beer Keg:
The enduring little hut formed like a root beer barrel is a should. (It was additionally a success at my good friend Kate’s bachelorette get together in 2021 🤣) root beer keg An awesome pit cease for warm canines and floats. You will cross this in your option to Oval Seashore!
Above: Saugatuck Antiques Gallery
Go vintage:
Okay, this isn’t probably the most kid-friendly recommendation, however I couldn’t assist however checklist it right here in case you may have some kid-free time and love antiques! There may be some nice buying within the space. (Take a look at their checklist right here! ) I can’t not checklist Saugatuck Antiques Right here as a result of it is GEM. Sadly we walked in after they had been closing so we solely had time for a fast lap, however this place is gold. I undoubtedly need to come again right here when I’ve time to spend a minimum of an hour! It is filled with nice stalls and superb stuff. It is proper subsequent to the Saugatuck Brewery, so even when it is busy, you possibly can enter your title and hang around right here!
Discover downtown Saugatuck:
Saugatuck has probably the most superb downtown that you just undoubtedly want a minimum of a day to discover. Listed below are some not-to-be-missed sights:
Neil and I did not spend a lot time on the town on this journey as a result of by the point we completed on the apple orchards, June was over and it was time for a nap, however the remainder of the crew went to city and stayed inside A very long time. This beautiful bookstore!
The smallest, most charming toy retailer you’ve got ever seen. They make up for the shortage of house with a stunning choice of merchandise.
My favourite factor concerning the cute Saugatuck gear!
Ndola bohemian model: (Downtown Douglas!)
Downtown Douglas is definitely an entire separate space that I haven’t been to but! (Sadly we didn’t have time on this journey!) However my good friend Erin (who has unbelievable style) and I stated that is one in all her favourite shops on earth, so when you have time cease by When staying in Douglas, put Endora in your checklist!
Saugatuck/Douglas Meals Choices:
Isabel:
The market in Isabel is so cute we stopped there twice! They’re half market, half bar, half espresso store, half deli – so charming, their meals is scrumptious they usually’re run by the friendliest individuals. Cease alongside the way in which to select up some scrumptious snacks, wine, gourmand meals, dips, and extra to take pleasure in on the go.
You possibly can have a sandwich in your picnic on the seaside or on a hike, and in your approach out of city, come residence with a pie, some soup, and scrumptious contemporary bread for dinner.
Again alley pizza: (Nice for takeout)
Since all of us arrived on a Friday evening, everybody was too drained to exit, so we grabbed some pizza from Again Alley Pizza which was only a brief drive from our home and it was probably the most scrumptious pizzas I’ve ever had . (Cheese with jalapenos and onions is the place it’s at 🙌🏼) Nobody can cease consuming it. 😂
Saugatuck Brewing:
Whenever you’re with a giant group, guide this restaurant as a result of it is 6pm and you may’t discover wherever else to accommodate you. It is arduous to discover a place that may accommodate 11 individuals without delay. (Nevertheless, when touring with 5 children, planning forward for reservations could be tough.) Fortunately, Saugatuck Brewery was capable of accommodate us with a big sales space no drawback, they usually even had reside music ! In addition they have a room with arcade video games (it was rented for a non-public occasion so we could not use it, however know it could be a success with the older children!) It was additionally positioned at our home in Fernvale On the road, this can be a handy location if you happen to reside outdoors the town!
It is a excellent place to seize a Bloody Mary and benefit from the water view! This was my second time right here (my first was for a bachelorette get together in the summertime, and consuming on the deck over the water was such a enjoyable ambiance!) This time we went for lunch (after all, we did not plan forward, however They had been capable of accommodate our giant group with out discover!) Our server Pocket was incredible. Once more, this can be a nice choice if you happen to’re touring with a big group!
Southerners:
Thought of probably the greatest eating places in Saugatuck! Southern delicacies by chef Matt Millar (a James Beard finalist).
Penny’s Royal Cafe:
This cozy, charming place has been on my bucket checklist and comes extremely beneficial by associates and readers. They concentrate on sourcing native Michigan substances to make their very own breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Salt of the Earth:
Effectively, we did not make it this journey, however through the years this has been a favourite place of ours at any time when we’re within the space. Certainly, that is one in all our favourite eating places. If you happen to can, you undoubtedly can’t miss this place! (This time, nevertheless, we had a whole lot of drained and cranky children and we weren’t going to strive a civilized dinner in an enthralling bistro, haha.) I might undoubtedly say that when you have a smaller (or much less drained) 😂), then it is appropriate for youths teams. In addition they have reside music on Saturdays!
cooperate with Saugatuck/Douglas. Thanks a lot for internet hosting us for probably the most superb fall weekend! ♥️
