She Magazine

Take five in Saugatuck, Mich.

Published:
Story and photos by Mary Bergin

Water stretches far beyond the horizon. Sandy beaches sweep and soften the shore.

Think “beach vacation,” and images of the Caribbean or Florida emerge. But there’s no need to venture that far from home — especially at this time of year.

Almost directly across Lake Michigan from Kenosha sits Saugatuck, Mich., whose population barely exceeds 1,000. Don’t let that fact fool you: Tourism and creativity thrive in Michigan’s Art Coast city.

Visitors meander into dozens of downtown art galleries and clothing boutiques, nibble fudge and sample wine. Add a Great Lakes coastline that is more pristine and dramatic than much of what we see on the Wisconsin side.

The destination has all the makings for a fulfilling vacation that is merely 200 miles from Kenosha. So let’s take five, as in five ways to

Enjoy the water

-- Board the Harbor Duck, a sturdy land/water vehicle with a World War II history. Déjà vu: It may remind Wisconsin Dells’ fans of a Wisconsin Duck ride.

-- Cruise the Lake Michigan shoreline on the Star of Saugatuck, a paddlewheeler, especially fine at sunset.

-- Cross the Kalamazoo River on the creaky and charming Saugatuck Chain Ferry, the only such hand-cranked device left in North America.

-- Board a dune schooner for a rough-and-tumble shoreline tour.

-- Spread a blanket on sandy Oval Beach and watch the world float by. Conde Nast magazine considers this among the world’s best shorelines.

Amuse yourself

-- Climb the 282 wooden steps that lead to the top of Mount Baldhead — nicknamed Mount Baldy by the locals — for a panoramic view of the harbor.

-- Book seats at the Red Barn Theater or Mason Street Warehouse (for concerts to plays) or enjoy free music at Wicks Park Gazebo on Wednesday nights until Labor Day.

-- Pursue your love of painting to papermaking with a one- or two-week class at Ox-Bow, a 115-acre and century-old retreat affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

-- Find one-of-a-kind treasures at the Blue Star Antique Pavilion, where 175 dealers from Detroit to Chicago do business.

-- Seek fresh fruits by the peck or pint at nearby orchards or the Saugatuck-Douglas Greenmarket on Fridays and Mondays.

Satisfy your appetite

-- Savor a slice at Crane’s Pie Pantry, which since 1916 has served meals and treats made with local ingredients. Add cider and apple cinnamon rolls.

-- Split the Pub Platter (meats, cheeses, bread, olives, fruits and elephant garlic) while imbibing at Saugatuck Brewing Co. Learn to brew beer in four hours (but you’ll need to return two weeks later to sample and bottle it).

-- Turn back the clock and order a lemon phosphate or chocolate soda at the old-time soda fountain of Saugatuck Drugstore.

-- Pair the Grilled Greek Panini with a glass of Kouros wine at the Coral Gables, where patio dining and live music on weekends make a lively match.

-- Head to the outskirts of town for leisurely, four-course dining at the Belvedere Inn and Restaurant, conveniently adjacent to Red Barn Theater.

Western Michigan is home to several national food festivals, including the National Blueberry Festival (www.blueberryfestival.com), Aug. 12 to 15 in and near South Haven, 20 minutes south of Saugatuck on Interstate 196. And if you’re making plans for next year, remember that the state also hosts national festivals for morel mushrooms (Boyne City, in May), strawberries (Belleville, in June), asparagus (Oceana County, in June) and cherries (Traverse City, in July).

For more about Saugatuck: www.saugatuck.com, 269-857-1701. Remember the one-hour time zone difference when making plans between the two states. Lodging options (B&Bs to vacation home rentals) are plentiful.

Drive around the southern tip of Lake Michigan to get to Saugatuck, or use the Lake Express carferry (www.lake-express.com) between Milwaukee and Muskegon, Mich., for a 2.5-hour ride across the lake, then drive one hour south.