The Art Coast Sustainable Travel Guide

Eco-Friendly Accommodations

If you’re looking for a green place to stay, the Luckystone Inn offers all-natural, environmentally-friendly shampoos, conditioners, and body wash. Each suite features large, reusable containers rather than small, single-use plastic containers. Each guest room also has a recycling container to encourage and make recycling easy for guests. All food is sourced locally, when possible, to help keep their environmental footprint as small as possible, and they compost all food scraps.

For guests with electric vehicles, convenient EV charging stations are available at the Starlite Resort, Wickwood Inn, Judson Heath Colonial Inn, Holiday Hill Resort, and Best Western.

Green Transportation

Getting around Saugatuck/Douglas in an eco-friendly way is a breeze. The Interurban is a convenient demand-response public bus system that features four propane-powered buses, with more being added to its fleet. Providing transportation throughout Saugatuck and Douglas, the Interurban also allows you to avoid the hassles of finding parking.

Consider renting a bike to explore our scenic trails and charming streets under your own power. You can find bike rentals at In the Elements Rental, Big Lake Outfitters, or Blue Star Barns Coffee and Bikes and enjoy a leisurely ride along the lakeshore. For shorter distances, walking is a wonderful way to soak in the sights and sounds of our lovely towns. If you’re bringing your electric vehicle, there are also EV charging stations available for public use so that you can keep your car—and your trip—green. Find out where they’re located here.

If you’re traveling by boat, Safe Harbor Tower Marina has been part of Michigan’s “Clean Marina” program for years. Participants in the Michigan Clean Marina Program voluntarily pledge to maintain and improve Michigan’s waterways by reducing or eliminating releases of harmful substances and phasing out practices that can damage aquatic environments.

Food That’s Good For You and The Planet

Our culinary scene is as delicious as it is sustainable. Many restaurants, like Salt of the Earth, Borrowed Time, Duck Alley, The Southerner, Pennyroyal Café & Provisions, The Farmhouse Deli & Pantry, J. Paul’s Restaurant, and Root Café feature locally sourced, sustainable, and organic ingredients. At Coast 236, their commitment to responsible food sourcing is exemplified through their involvement with a sustainable fish purchasing program. Chef Rick Bower was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a Smart Catch Leader in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and now holds the title of Smart Catch Ambassador in 2024, the program’s highest recognition highlighting the restaurant’s dedication to sustainability and responsible cuisine.

You’ll also find eateries committed to reducing waste, such as SaugaTaco, a fun, chef-driven, fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant that partners with My Green Michigan in their composting program. In addition to featuring locally sourced ingredients, Root Café has rain barrel water collection, uses compostable take-out ware, recycles all cardboard, and utilizes the composted soil from its farm in the raised bed gardens on the back patio.

While visiting our agriculturally diverse area, why not pick up some fresh produce and support local farmers? Visit the Farmers Market hosted by the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, or stop by Barden’s Farm Market or Conner Farms U-Pick to discover a variety of fruits and vegetables and other Michigan-made goodies. You can also pick your own fruit at our many local U-Pick orchards and farms. Find out more about U-Pick farms here.

Environmentally-Friendly Activities

There’s so much natural beauty to explore in Saugatuck/Douglas. Spend a day hiking the miles of sandy trails at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park or the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. Or go kayaking on the Kalamazoo River. Both experiences offer stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. Kayaks can be rented from In The Elements Rental or Big Lake Outfitters. For a more secluded excursion along protected wetlands and forested shorelines, try a guided or self-guided trip through a lower section of the Kalamazoo River with Water Trail Ventures in Fennville. 

For a unique green boating experience, check out Retro Boat Rentals. Their vintage boats are retrofitted with electric motors, making them quiet and environmentally friendly. Another fun, environmental option is Lilypad Solar Boat Rentals, available at the Red Dock. These solar-powered boats are made from sustainable materials and are easy to navigate along the water. 

Explore the grandeur of a historic estate that seamlessly integrates modern sustainability practices. Visit the Felt Estate, which features picturesque grounds and a lavish 12,000+ square foot mansion built in 1925. The mansion is a certified LEED-EB Gold recipient, a prestigious designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. The estate also hosts the Laketown Community Solar Garden, providing enough electricity to power the estate. This 100 kW solar array powers the mansion with clean energy, equating to the environmental benefit of preserving 71 acres of forest.

When it comes time to quench your thirst and experience the Art Coast’s craft beverage scene, check out Modales Winery, which incorporates sustainable practices in its vineyard and has the goal of organic certification by 2024. Also, plan a visit to Virtue Cider, whose farm has been recognized and awarded by the state of Michigan for its sustainability and environmental practices in water use, pollinator habitat, soil erosion, and animal welfare. Their farm features 200 solar panels that provide 61% of their electrical usage, and their cider houses use very little water or energy.

Sustainability-Focused Artisans and Businesses

Wander through our unique shops and boutiques, like Lucia’s World Emporium, a Fair Trade Marketplace offering clothing, jewelry, and accessories that celebrate the artistry and culture of global artisans. Committed to sustainability, Lucia’s ensures all products are thoughtfully selected with Mother Nature in mind, incorporating organic fibers, upcycled materials, natural dyes, and recycled packaging. Sea Bags offers a unique range of tote bags and accessories crafted from upcycled ship sails that would otherwise end up in landfills. Each Sea Bag starts its journey as a sail and is beautifully transformed into nautically inspired products by skilled artisans. Every item is a one-of-a-kind creation featuring eco-friendly inks and innovative solutions to minimize waste. Specializing in vintage furniture and home furnishings, Kim Neuens Design & Interiors in Douglas saves old furniture and décor from landfills, uses eco-friendly paints, soy-based strippers, eco-friendly packaging, and minimizes waste.

For the ultimate in sustainable inspiration, visit Khnemu Studio, located on the 30-acre sustainable Fernwood Farm, which uses green energy for its studio and kilns fueled by a 17.94 kWh solar array. The studio, built in 1891, has been lovingly restored and currently houses resident artist Dawn Soltysiak, who specializes in one-of-a-kind art pottery. 

Some Tips for Sustainable Travel

Traveling sustainably can be simple and rewarding. Pack light to reduce your carbon footprint, and bring reusable water bottles and bags to cut down on waste. Be mindful of recycling and dispose of trash properly. When exploring, stick to marked trails to protect local wildlife and habitats. These small actions can make a big difference in keeping Saugatuck/Douglas beautiful and pristine.