Turn a Winter Family Getaway Into a Learning Adventure
One of the best things about traveling as a family is how much kids can learn simply by experiencing someplace new. Because who says learning has to happen in a classroom? A winter getaway to Art Coast® gives families plenty of opportunities to explore, discover, and learn along the way. Think of it as a field trip where everyone gets to come along and join the fun.
Research from NYU shows that people feel happier when they add variety and new experiences to their daily routines. So, go ahead and make Saugatuck/Douglas your new happy place this winter. With off-season rates, fewer crowds, beautiful winter scenery, and plenty to experience both indoors and out, this is a great time of year to plan a getaway that mixes fun adventures with real-life lessons in history, science, art, and more.
If you’re looking for an escape from your current digs but want all the creature comforts of home, explore a cozy cottage or luxury lakefront rental from the following rental properties. Once you’re settled in, it’s time to take learning beyond the classroom with a few lessons you won’t find in a textbook.
History
Travel back in time with a visit to the Felt Estate. Completed in 1928, the historic estate includes the 25-room Felt Mansion, Carriage House, Chapel, and expansive grounds. Built by inventor and businessman Dorr E. Felt, creator of the Comptometer—widely considered the first successful key-driven calculating machine—the grand mansion was designed as a summer retreat along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Over the decades, the property has served as a Catholic seminary, where Pope Leo XIV attended and graduated, as well as a state-owned correctional facility and police post. Thanks to a community-led preservation effort, today’s visitors can tour the historic estate and explore its evolving story. During the holiday season, the mansion gets an extra dose of history and holiday magic when it is decorated from top to bottom.
For a deeper dive into local history, visit the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center, where exhibits and collections tell the stories of the people, places, and events that have defined the area over time. Housed in the Douglas Union School, a beautifully preserved Civil War-era schoolhouse, it’s an easy way to add a little historical context to the places you’ll see and explore throughout your stay.
Physical Education
Bundle up and get moving. Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are some of the best ways to explore Saugatuck Dunes State Park in winter, when snow-covered dunes and forest create an entirely different experience from the warmer months. With 13 miles of trails to choose from, you can make your outing as easygoing or ambitious as your family wants. Don’t worry about bringing your own gear. Rent snowshoes and cross-country skis from Landsharks.
For an even more challenging workout, climb the 303 steps to the top of Mount Baldhead for a bird’s-eye view of Saugatuck, Douglas, the Kalamazoo River, and the surrounding winter landscape.
Science
Winter turns the Art Coast into one big outdoor laboratory. Explore the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area while looking for deer, fox, bird, and squirrel tracks in the snow. Head to Oval Beach to see how ice transforms the Lake Michigan shoreline and, when conditions are just right, watch for unusual natural phenomena like ice balls and ice volcanoes from the safety of shore.
When night falls, keep looking up. Clear winter skies and longer nights create opportunities to identify constellations and visible planets away from the brighter lights of the city. Check out our Night Sky Moments guide for tips on what to look for and how to make the most of the experience.
Art
Learn to appreciate art in all its forms with a visit to our many galleries and studios, including Amwazi Contemporary Art, Jeff Blandford Gallery, James Brandess Studios & Gallery, J. Petter Galleries, Button Gallery, Ruth Crowe Artist Studio, LaFontsee Galleries, Capizzo Studio Gallery, Fernwood 1891, and Ox-Bow House, just to name a few. Spend some time exploring painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, and more by local and nationally recognized artists. Be sure to swing by the Saugatuck Center for the Arts to see their latest exhibitions.
Then take the lesson outside. Hone your photography skills by snapping some pics of the public art around town, like Cynthia McKean’s Family of Man IV sculpture in Coghlin Park and Big Temptation by Romero Britto in Village Square Park. For a ready-made route, check out our self-guided tour here. See how many murals, sculptures, and unexpected works your family can find, and let everyone choose a favorite before heading back inside to warm up.
Time for Recess
Every good lesson plan leaves room for recreation. Head to Alley’s at Lakeview Lanes for a few games of bowling, where you can challenge the family to some friendly competition, celebrate a few strikes, and refuel with pizza afterward.
Become Head of the Class
The best family getaways give you more than a change of scenery. And the best lessons aren’t always the ones kids realize they’re learning. Spend a few winter days exploring the Art Coast together, and you might be surprised by how much you all discover along the way.
