Take a Dry Trip for Sober October
Considering a break from alcohol? As the seasons and leaves change, October is a great time to slow down, practice mindfulness, and focus on your health. The good news is that avoiding a glass of wine in the evenings doesn’t have to be a drag. In fact, why not make a weekend of it with a dry trip to the Art Coast®? From the daytime to the evening, Saugatuck/Douglas is teeming with alcohol-free activities to help you stay on track.
Celebrate the Season
Love a good ghost story? Saugatuck/Douglas has plenty of spooky activities for you. Get tickets for “Unveiling the Unseen: A Paranormal Experience” at the Felt Estate, October 25-27. You’ll hear from renowned paranormal investigators and explore haunts in the historic mansion and carriage house. If you’re in town on Halloween, check out Hauntings and History Night at the Felt Mansion and uncover the truth behind chilling legends.
After your haunted tour of the Felt Mansion, head over to the annual Douglas Halloween Parade For Adults on October 26. One of the biggest events of the year, thousands of people attend to see the Pumpkin King rise from the ashes and lead the parade. You don’t need a drink in hand to join the fun as a spectator. Or, better yet, wear your most creative costume and get into the lineup!
Visiting Crane Orchard is a must for apple cider and hayride enthusiasts. Fill a bushel with your favorite apple variety, pick out a pumpkin for carving, and see if you can master the corn maze. When you’re done, head over to Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant for soup, salad, or a sandwich and, of course, a slice of their famous pie. Every Saturday in the month, you can also enjoy music from local artists on the Crane’s patio!
If a fall festival is more your speed, check out the 40th Annual Goose Festival in Fennville, October 11-13. This weekend of goose-themed fun includes concerts, a carnival, a car show, parades, food trucks, and more.
Look to the Sky
Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? The best time to view them along the Art Coast is between 10 pm and 1 am during September, October, and November. We recommend heading to the more rural areas around Saugatuck/Douglas/Fennville, where light pollution is minimal. Even if you miss the Aurora Borealis, look for constellations, including Cygnus, Pegasus, and Pisces, and meteor showers like the Draconids and Orionids.
Enjoy the Arts
Saugatuck Center for the Arts offers plenty of opportunities for distraction, including live performances and films, such as The Letter League, a documentary about artist Heather Spooner, founder of an adult pen pal program during the pandemic. Get tickets for the exclusive screening on October 17.
If you’re in the mood for a stroll, consider a walking tour of the many galleries in Saugatuck/Douglas. You’ll see creations from various local artists working with glass, ceramics, paints, and more. On October 12-13, you won’t want to miss our Annual Fall Gallery Stroll. An Art Coast tradition 48 years and counting, each participating gallery offers something unique, including artist demonstrations, live music, snacks, and more.
Eat, Shop, Repeat
Two activities that require very little planning in Saugatuck/Douglas are dining out and shopping. In a single afternoon, you could stop by Pennyroyal Café & Provisions for a delicious brunch (try the Cranberry Ginger Sling mocktail!), spend the day exploring eclectic boutiques in the area, and then end the day down in Fennville for dinner and live music at Salt of the Earth (their must-have mocktail is a Pomegranate Fizz). This month, the restaurant is hosting Annie Capps, Annie Bacon, and “The Voice” runner-up Addison Agen for a special, not-to-be-missed concert on October 20.
A refreshing array of restaurants offer mocktails in the area, and you can check out more of our favorites here.
Interested in some friendly culinary competition? Plan to attend the Cow Hill Yacht Club Chili Cook-Off at Saugatuck’s Wicks Park on October 13. Enjoy the fall weather as you sample chili from area restaurants and businesses, or enter your own recipe. Prizes will be awarded, and all proceeds go to the yacht club, a non-profit supporting neighbors in need.
