Take a Coolcation on Michigan’s Art Coast®
Fall is coming, and that means one thing: It’s coolcation season, that magical time of year in Saugatuck/Douglas when it’s still warm enough to take a dip in Lake Michigan but cool enough to throw on a flannel for evening autumn festivities. Savvy travelers know shoulder season is prime time to trade extreme temps and high humidity for sunny skies and comfortable conditions.
Intrigued by a coolcation? Enjoy a reprieve from summer’s swelter with some of our favorite cool weather experiences in Saugatuck/Douglas:
It’s not too late to enjoy the water. Try the 1.2-mile Beach Trail at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which offers direct access to 2.5 miles of secluded sandy Lake Michigan shoreline. The water will still be warm enough for a quick swim—without the peak-summer heat on the sand. Or take in the views by boat with a cruise on the Star of Saugatuck.
Cozy up with a craft beer at Saugatuck Brewing Company (try the Peanut Butter Porter!), Noble Twist Taphouse, or The Mitten Brewing Co., or indulge in a glass of wine from Modales, Michigan Wine Co., or Fenn Valley Vineyards against a backdrop of grape vines and colorful foliage.
An early morning chill is the perfect excuse to sip a hot cocoa and munch on a chocolate croissant at Uncommon Coffee Roasters or Respite Cappuccino Court. And when the afternoon sun starts shining in full force, it will be high time to grab a root beer float from the Root Beer Barrel (open weekends only September 1 through October 31).
Cooler temps mean more time for exploring without having to retreat indoors during the peak heat of the day. Take advantage by booking a guided horseback ride through the woods with Wild West Ranch or Rise & Ride Ranch.
Enjoy a trip to the local apple orchard. Saugatuck/Douglas and neighboring Fennville sit along a 30-mile stretch affectionately dubbed Michigan’s “Fruit Belt,” where apples and pumpkins are plentiful in the fall. Try an apple cider donut at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery or fill a basket with fresh apples at Bella Vista Farm.
Taste the best of the season with a farm-to-table dining experience at Pennyroyal Cafe & Provisions, the Farmhouse Deli & Pantry, or Salt of the Earth.
Take a hike–minus the sweat. Trek up the 303 steps to the top of Mt. Baldhead for a bird’s-eye view of the Kalamazoo River and of Lake Michigan in its fall splendor.
Even though summer is winding down, your vacation plans don’t have to.
