11 Best Things to Do in Saugatuck, Michigan + 1-Day Itinerary
Saugatuck, Michigan, is a small town on Lake Michigan that makes for an easy day trip or weekend getaway if you’re in the Midwest.
I drove from the Indianapolis area, which took about 3.5 hours, so it was easy for a short trip. I went with my parents and my twin sister, and it ended up being a really fun family vacation.
I visited over Labor Day and only had one day, but I was still able to see and do a lot.
If you are planning your own trip, here are the best things to do in Saugatuck and how I spent my day.
11 Best Things to Do in Saugatuck, Michigan
In this post, I will share everything I did during my one day in Saugatuck, plus some other popular things to do that we didn’t have time for if you have extra time.
Below is a Google Map with all the locations mentioned in this post pinned.
1. Grab Coffee from Uncommon Coffee Roasters
I started my day at Uncommon Coffee Roasters in downtown Saugatuck.
It is one of the most popular coffee shops in Saugatuck and a great place to grab a latte before starting your day. It really gave me that lake town feel!
I had the Caramel Silk Latte, which was caramel and vanilla, and it was really good!
There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and it is right in the middle of downtown so it is easy to get to.
When we arrived, the line was out the door, but it only took about 20 minutes to get our coffee.
They also have some breakfast food options if you want something more than just coffee.
2. Walk Along the Harbor
Walking along the harbor is an easy way to spend some time in Saugatuck and was one of my favorite parts of the day.
It was fun to see all the boats docked along the water and take in the views of the trees and houses nearby.
You can follow the riverfront from Water Street and see everything from small sailboats to larger yachts. The boats were impressive!
It is a fun way to enjoy the water, check out the boats, and get a feel for the town.
3. Shopping at Local Stores
Saugatuck has a very walkable downtown area around Butler Street and Water Street.
The town has a charming small-town feel and really gives off those lake town vibes. Fun fact, Emily Henry’s book “Beach Read” was inspired by this town, and I could definitely see why!
Butler Street has most of the shops, restaurants, and galleries. Water Street runs along the Kalamazoo River and also has shops and a few places to eat.
I spent some time walking around both streets and stopping in different stores that caught my eye.
Some of my favorite shops were:
- It Is What It Is: A gift shop with unique items
- The Book Nook: New and used books (I will never skip out on browsing a book store!)
- Glik’s: Men’s and women’s clothing
4. Get Out on the Water (Rent a Boat!)
One of the most fun things to do in Saugatuck is renting a boat from Retro Boat Rentals.
They have restored vintage boats you can drive yourself on the Kalamazoo River.
It is a fun way to see Saugatuck from the water, and you don’t need a boating license.
Rentals are available in 1.5 or 3 hour increments and can work for both small and larger groups. Some boats are even suitable for swimming.
I recommend booking ahead, especially on weekends or holidays, because they can sell out.
Looking for a Hotel?
Explore Booking.com for your hotel needs – they offer budget-friendly prices and a variety of room types!
Need a Rental Car?
For all your rental car needs, head over to Expedia! It’s user-friendly and offers plenty of affordable options!
Guided Tours/Activities
When it comes to booking guided tours and excursions, my top pick is Get Your Guide!
5. Take the Saugatuck Chain Ferry to Mt. Baldhead & Oval Beach
The Saugatuck Chain Ferry is a hand-cranked boat that takes you across the river.
It’s been in operation since the 1800s and only runs in the summer.
Once you cross, you can climb the 300 stairs up Mt. Baldhead. The climb is steep but not too long, and the view from the top overlooks downtown, the river, and Lake Michigan. It is worth the extra effort!
From there, you can follow the sandy path down to Oval Beach. I recommend packing sandals so your shoes don’t get sandy, or you can just go barefoot.
Oval Beach can also be reached by car, and it has a parking lot, restrooms, and concessions during the summer.
The ferry costs $3 per person one-way and is cash only. Children ages 3-10 are $1, and kids 2 and under ride free. Pets and bicycles are allowed for free as well.
6. Grab Hot Dogs & Rootbeer from Douglas Root Beer Barrel
After exploring downtown Saugatuck, we grabbed a late lunch at Douglas Root Beer Barrel.
It is a large wooden barrel that serves hot dogs, root beer, and a few other items. There is no indoor seating, but they have several picnic tables outside.
When we visited, there were a lot of bees around the tables (probably from the sweetness of the root beer and ice cream floats) so we ended up eating our hot dogs standing outside our car with the trunk open.
I tried the Chicago Dog, Coney Dog, and a root beer, and everything was really good! I was pretty hungry but couldn’t finish both hot dogs. The root beer is also quite filling, so keep that in mind.
Across the street is Outside Coffee Co, which is a nice spot if you want coffee or a place to relax outside. They have a large outdoor seating area, which is great if you’re traveling with kids.
I recommend visiting this area after you’re done exploring downtown Saugatuck for the day, since parking can be hard to find if you return later, especially on weekends or holidays.
7. Rent Bikes
Biking is a great way to explore Saugatuck if you don’t want to bother with trying to find parking!
Here are some of the main rental bike options in Saugatuck:
- Blue Star Barns Coffee & Bikes: This spot combines a coffee shop with bike rentals. They offer standard bikes and e-bikes. You can grab coffee or a snack before heading out, and bikes are available daily from 10 AM to 6 PM.
- In The Elements Rental & Bike Repair: This shop has a wide range of bikes! Rentals are available hourly, daily, or weekly.
8. Enjoy the Local Restaurants
Saugatuck has a lot of good restaurants to choose from.
Here are some of the most popular ones that came up again and again when I was planning my trip:
- The Southerner: Southern comfort food like fried chicken and shrimp and grits. It’s one of the most popular restaurants in town so be ready for a wait, especially on weekends. The Chicken Biscuit Sandwich is a favorite!
- Pennyroyal Café & Provisions: Great brunch & breakfast spot! Closed on Tuesdays. The blueberry pancakes are popular here!
- Isabel’s Market & Eatery: A market and a deli – a perfect place to grab food to go!
- The BARge: Waterfront restaurant with casual food options, including seafood. A good place to eat outside while watching the boats!
- Ida Red’s Cottage: Classic breakfast spot with pancakes, omelets, and waffles. When we passed around 10:30 AM on Sunday over Labor Day weekend, there was a line out the door!
- Pizza Mambo: Casual pizza place!
- Phil’s Bar & Grille: Local favorite for American food
- Lady Bird: Modern American food with a seasonal menu.
- Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar: Higher-end restaurant with fine dining. Good if you are celebrating something!
- Bowdie’s Chophouse: Steakhouse that is one of the nicest spots for dinner in town. On the pricey side.
- The Butler: Right on the water with a large outdoor patio. Serves American food and is a solid choice for lunch or dinner.
9. Saugatuck Dunes State Park
If you have extra time, Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a short drive from downtown.
It has several hiking trails that go through the dunes and lead to the beach.
The walk to the water is about a mile from the parking lot, and the beach is quieter than Oval Beach, making it a good choice if you want something less crowded.
Here are some popular hiking trails in Saugatuck Dunes State Park:
- Saugatuck Dunes North Outer Loop: 2.3 Miles & 1 Hour
- Livingston Trail Loop: 2.2 Miles & 1 Hour
10. Take a Saugatuck Dune Ride
The Saugatuck Dune Rides are 40-minute tours on an open-air dune buggy that take you through the sand dunes just outside of town.
The drivers share history about the area and make it fun for kids and adults.
Tickets can sell out on busy weekends, so booking ahead is recommended.
The rides operate seasonally from May through October.
11. Ride a Sailboat
Another way to get out on the water is by booking a sail with Sailing Saugatuck.
They run two-hour trips on the Schooner Serenity, a tall ship that departs from Douglas. There are both daytime and sunset cruises.
The trip starts on the Kalamazoo River before heading out into Lake Michigan, so you get to see both the calm river views and open water.
Tickets can be reserved online in advance, and prices are around $56 for daytime sails and $68 for sunset sails.
The season runs from May through October.
My One-Day Saugatuck Itinerary
Here is how we spent our one day in Saugatuck:
- Grabbed coffee at Uncommon Coffee Roasters
- Walked along the harbor and looked at the boats
- Did some shopping along Butler and Water Street
- Took the Saugatuck Chain Ferry over to Mt. Baldhead and climbed the 300 stairs to the top
- Enjoyed a late lunch at Douglas Root Beer Barrel
Where to Park in Saugatuck
There is plenty of street parking in Saugatuck, but spots can fill up quickly, especially on weekends or holidays.
We arrived around 10:30 AM on a Sunday over Labor Day weekend and found one of the last few spots in the area we were in.
Here is the address I used to get us to the public parking area.
Where to Stay in Saugatuck
Saugatuck has many small boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and Airbnbs. There aren’t many chain hotels in town.
We stayed at the Springhill Suites Marriott in Holland, about 20 minutes away, because my parents are Marriott loyalty members.
Next time, we plan to stay in Saugatuck at one of the cute bed & breakfast inns to be in the heart of downtown.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Saugatuck depending on what you’re looking for:
- Twin Oaks Inn: A charming bed and breakfast in a convenient location
- Luckystone Inn: A cozy and quaint bed and breakfast
- Old Pike Cottages: A family-friendly choice, perfect if you’re traveling with kids
Check out this interactive map below for more options on where to stay in Saugatuck and the surrounding area!
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Saugatuck
Even though we only had one day, we were able to check off most of the popular things to do in Saugatuck.
Between exploring the charming downtown, walking along the river, climbing the 300 stairs to the top of Mt. Baldhead, we were able to do a lot in just one day!
If you have more than a day, you could also spend time at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, go on a dune ride, take a sailboat cruise, or check out more local restaurants.
Saugatuck is an easy and fun trip if you are looking for a small-town getaway on Lake Michigan.
Be sure to check out my other Michigan blog posts!
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