Top Ten Ways to Enjoy Winter on the Art Coast®
Don't mistake the quiet season for a lack of things to do. When temperatures drop, the Art Coast of Michigan takes on a whole new vibe, with plenty of reasons to bundle up, get out, and make the most of the season. From unexpected discoveries to familiar favorites that take on a whole new appeal this time of year, Saugatuck/Douglas knows how to make winter worth the trip. Need a little inspiration? We've rounded up ten great ways to enjoy it.
Just a short road trip from Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis, Saugatuck/Douglas offers a welcome change of scenery and more winter fun than you might expect.
1. Put Your Best Foot Forward
Bundle up and slap on some snowshoes for a trek through Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, or Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve, where miles of scenic trails offer a refreshing escape from everyday life. Prefer cross-country skiing? Hit the trails at Saugatuck Dunes State Park or venture 25 minutes east to the Allegan State Game Area, where more than 20 miles of trails wind through the Kalamazoo River watershed. Just be sure to wait until January 1, when the area opens for skiing after hunting season. Need equipment? Landsharks in downtown Saugatuck rents snowshoes, cross-country skis, boots, and poles to get you on your way.
2. Step Right Up
They say that challenges are what make life interesting. Take on the 303-step climb to the top of Mt. Baldy (as Mount Baldhead is affectionately known to locals). It’s a great way to get your heart pumping and work off some of those winter indulgences. Once at the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Kalamazoo River valley and glimpses of Lake Michigan. And with the leaves off the trees, winter offers a whole new perspective on the surrounding landscape.
3. Never Too Cold for a Cold One
Bring your designated driver and embark on a winter craft beer tour. Saugatuck Brewing Company, Noble Twist Taphouse, Panoramic Beverage Company, and Mitten Brewing Company are only a short drive apart, yet offer distinctly different flavor profiles that are sure to treat your taste buds. From crisp lagers and saisons to hoppy IPAs, there’s plenty to explore no matter what your preference.
4. Feast Your Eyes
Who says you need an official Gallery Stroll to go gallery hopping? Create your own art-filled afternoon exploring the impressive collection of galleries and studios that make Saugatuck/Douglas the Art Coast of Michigan. Discover everything from paintings and sculpture to photography, ceramics, glass, and more by local and nationally recognized artists. Start in downtown Saugatuck with visits to Amazwi Contemporary Art, Capizzo Studio Gallery, and Jeff Blandford Gallery, to name a few. Be sure to check out the latest exhibitions at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, too. On your way to Douglas, stop by J. Petter Galleries along Blue Star Highway before continuing to downtown Douglas to explore LaFontsee Galleries, LebenArt Studios & Gallery, Ruth Crowe Artist Studio, and the Button Gallery. You might leave with a newfound appreciation for art—or a new addition to your collection.
5. Good Things In Store
There’s something especially charming about shopping in Saugatuck/Douglas during the winter. With storefronts dressed for the season and a little snow adding to the small-town magic, even a simple afternoon of browsing feels like a special outing. Pop into independently owned boutiques like Urban Found and Oak + Leather Men’s Mercantile for clothing and accessories, explore the distinctive home décor at Brackett & Co. and Lost and Found Lakeshore, discover unexpected treasures at The Owl House and Cellar Door Trades, or unearth some playful surprises at Big Monkey, Tuck’s of Saugatuck or It Is What It Is. Take a break for a warm drink at Respite Cappuccino Court or Uncommon Coffee Roasters before heading out to see what else catches your eye. And if you’re looking for a little shopping inspiration, check out our guide to the must-hit stores for serious shoppers to help plan your outing.
6. Time To Wine Down
Winter is a wonderful time to explore the Art Coast wine scene, where welcoming tasting rooms offer a delicious escape from the cold. Make an afternoon of sampling locally crafted wines at Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery, Modales, Michigan Wine Co., and Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery, each bringing something different to the region’s wine scene. And if you’re here in December, don’t miss Fenn Valley’s Nouveau Wine Festival, an annual celebration of the first wine of a new vintage. No matter when you choose to visit, raise a glass to the season and discover why Southwest Michigan has earned its reputation as a wine destination.
7. Eat Your Heart Out
Now’s the time to enjoy that restaurant you’ve been dying to try. With fewer crowds and shorter waits than the busy summer months, winter is a great time to explore the Art Coast’s exceptional culinary scene. Settle in for a delicious farm-to-table meal, or make an evening of it with a walkable progressive dinner through downtown Saugatuck, enjoying a different course at each stop. For a little inspiration, check out our walkable progressive dinner itinerary and discover how to turn dinner into a delicious tour of town.
8. Get Schooled
Why not use a little of your winter downtime to learn something new? Roll up your sleeves for a cooking class at Lulu Cadieux, where you can explore everything from Moroccan cuisine and French classics to Asian fusion and the flavors of Mexico. Or head to Puddingstone for its Cocktails, Clay, and Kokedama class, where you’ll learn the Japanese-inspired art of creating living sculptures with moss and greenery, try your hand at a clay craft project, and discover a few tricks of the mixology trade. Who knows? You might just head home with a new favorite hobby.
9. O’er The Fields You’ll Go
Take a one-horse open sleigh ride through snow-covered woods for a winter experience straight out of a holiday song or movie. Weather permitting, Wild West Ranch offers private 40-minute horse-drawn sleigh rides that make for a memorable outing with someone special. Looking for something a little more unexpected? Saddle up at Rise and Ride Ranch for a 45-minute Glow in the Dark nighttime horseback adventure. With custom-made illuminated tack adorning the horses, you’ll travel along moonlit trails as colorful lights reflect off the surrounding trees and blanket of snow. It’s a whole new way to experience a winter wonderland.
10. Encounter the Extraordinary
Of course, the weather conditions need to be just right, but you could bear witness to some unusual phenomena like ice volcanoes and ice balls along the shoreline at Oval Beach. Ice balls are formed when cold temperatures in the teens and single digits cause a layer of floating slush on the lake to be sculpted into ice spheres by the waves. “Erupting” ice volcanoes happen where waves hit accumulated ice on the shoreline with enough force to spout water upwards, resembling volcanic activity. Should you be fortunate enough to catch these weather-related occurrences, we ask that you please enjoy the beauty of the ice from the safety of the shore.
