Scavenger hunts aren’t just for kids. Recapture the childhood magic of deciphering clues and hunting for treasure by planning a scavenger hunt in Saugatuck/Douglas! It’s the perfect activity for your next corporate retreat, destination wedding, or family reunion and a great way to explore all the gems hidden along our beautiful Art Coast. 

Plan the Perfect Hunt

Coordinating scavenger hunts can be easy and fun, especially with the ideas we’ve curated. All you’ll need to do is make a list of tasks for your participants to complete, buy prizes for the winners (we’ll help with ideas for that, too!), and split your group into teams. Equip everyone with guides of the area, and make sure they bring their phones to snap pictures as they complete each task. Create a unique hashtag for your hunt, so your crew can share photos of all the fun they’ve had on social media. And when you’re ready to start planning challenges for the scavenger hunt, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Scavenger Hunt Tasks 

Take an Outdoor Gallery Tour
As you stroll through downtown Saugatuck, you’ll encounter several striking sculptures and murals thoughtfully integrated into the scenery. Ask your teams to snap pics of their top three installations, or, for more of a challenge, create a riddle that will lead them to one of the town’s more iconic pieces. “Cyclists” in the Rose Garden on Mason Street is a local favorite sculpture, along with “Sunning Bear” and the “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” mural in Wicks Park. 

Visit a Ghost Town
Saugatuck is a town with a secret history buried beneath the sands of time. In the late 1800s, the lumber town of Singapore provided timber to the Great Lakes region. Eventually, over-foresting led to an environmental disaster, and destabilized dunes gradually buried the town in sand. Challenge your teams to find evidence of the ghost town by looking for a historical marker at the Saugatuck Village Hall, stopping by the Saugatuck-Douglas History Museum, going on the Saugatuck Dune Rides, or even looking for signs with the “Singapore” name.

Reach the Summit
If you have an active crew, make one of their assignments a hike up Mt. Baldhead, just across the Kalamazoo River from downtown Saugatuck. Starting at Wicks Park in downtown Saugatuck, hop on the historic Chain Ferry and cross the Kalamazoo River (be sure to have cash on hand--$3.00 per person). Once you’ve made it across the river, walk a few blocks down to Mount Baldhead Park, where you can hike the stairs to the summit (and great views!). Have teams take pics of the iconic Mt. Baldhead Radar Tower and the view from the top as proof of their accomplishment. When you’re done, take the Chain Ferry back to town to continue your adventure. 

Go on a Booze Cruise
On foot, of course. At this point in the scavenger hunt, your guests might feel parched, so ask them to stop at a tasting room and snap a pic of their favorite libation. For beer lovers, check out the Mitten Brewing Company and try a flight of handcrafted microbrews (they have gourmet pizza, too). If spirits are your jam, check out Coppercraft Distillery Tasting Room, where you can sample rum, gin, bourbon, and more. And for the wine enthusiasts in the group, Fenn Valley Winery has a tasting room with award-winning wines and ciders from local orchards.

Scream for Ice Cream

This walking tour of Saugatuck will no doubt leave your teams feeling a little peckish, so ask them to find an ice cream shop and try a few Michigan-themed scoops. From Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream to Charlie’s Round the Corner Ice Cream, there are plenty of spots to stop for Moose Tracks or Mackinaw Island Fudge. 

Join the Yacht Club
For this final task, ask your teams to walk along the docks by Sergeant Marina, just at the end of Butler St. along the Kalamazoo River. Their job to is to snap a pic of a boat with a “punny” name. Bonus points for the team to find the most hilarious one. 

Celebrate Your Winners!

When all your scavengers are finished hunting, treat them to dinner at one of the many fantastic restaurants in the Saugatuck/Douglas area. And if prizes are in order, shop downtown Saugatuck or Douglas to find your awards. Fun novelty gifts, t-shirts, and souvenirs can be found at I Am Saugatuck, Grins of Saugatuck, and Big Monkey.