Ways To Get Around the Art Coast®
One of the best things about visiting Saugatuck/Douglas? The area is compact, scenic, and made for wandering. Between the walkable downtowns, bike-friendly streets, easy-to-navigate waterways, and a surprisingly handy local transit system, getting around here is refreshingly simple. In fact, many visitors park once and spend the rest of their trip exploring on foot, by bike, or with someone else manning the wheel.
Take It One Step at a Time
Downtown Saugatuck and downtown Douglas are both wonderfully walkable, with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants nestled together for easy strolling. And if you feel like stretching your legs a bit farther, the two towns are connected by a pleasant walk of about 30 minutes, with water views along much of the way. The route is clearly marked, handicap-accessible, and pedestrian-friendly on both sides. You may just find that a pair of comfortable shoes is the only transportation you’ll need.
Spin Your Wheels (In a Good Way)
If you’re looking for a slightly faster (but still leisurely) way to explore, bikes are one of the best options around here. The area is incredibly bike-friendly, and a quick ride can take you from town to the beach, along scenic routes, or even onto nearby trails.
There are plenty of places in the area to rent bikes if you didn’t bring your own. In the Elements in downtown Saugatuck offers everything from hybrid bikes and tandems to tricycles and e-bikes. Big Lake Outfitters can deliver bikes right to your lodging so you can start riding the moment you’re ready. Or stop by Blue Star Barns Coffee and Bikes, where you can grab a coffee and a pastry before heading out for a ride.
A River Runs Through It
Of course, some of the most memorable ways to get around here happen on the water. For those arriving by boat, Saugatuck and Douglas are also very welcoming to boaters. The Kalamazoo River runs right through town, and there are several transient boat slips available for visitors who want to dock and explore the area. (You can find more information about those here.) There is also a Shoppers’ Dock on the
Kalamazoo River at Coghlin Park, a free, grassy riverfront area providing easy, short-term boat access to downtown Saugatuck shopping and dining.
During the summer months, the Saugatuck Chain Ferry provides one of the most charming ways to cross the Kalamazoo River. Today, it’s the only remaining hand-cranked chain ferry of its kind in the United States and still carries passengers back and forth between downtown Saugatuck and the path leading toward Oval Beach and Mt. Baldhead. Depending on the weather, the Chain Ferry typically departs every 10–15 minutes based on demand, so you’re rarely waiting long. It costs $3 for passengers ages 11 and older, $1 for children ages 10 and under, and is free for kids under 2. Dogs, bikes, and strollers are welcome on board as well. The ride itself takes only a few minutes, but it’s one of those truly one-of-a-kind experiences that gives the Art Coast its unmistakable charm.
Let Someone Else Do the Driving
While walking and biking are often the easiest ways to get around, there are plenty of other transportation options if you need them. The Interurban is a demand-response bus system that runs throughout Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville. Instead of a fixed route or schedule, you simply call to request a pickup anywhere within the service area. It’s wheelchair accessible, very affordable, and especially handy during busy summer weekends when parking fills up quickly. Typical rides cost about $1 per person ($0.50 for seniors 62+, children under 12, or persons with disabilities). Hours vary by season and can be found here. Call 269.857.1418 to schedule a ride.
If you simply need a ride across town after dinner or back to your lodging at the end of the night, services like Uber make it easy to hail a ride with just a few taps on your smartphone. Other convenient transportation options include Old Harbor Shuttle, Saugatuck Douglas Car Service, Cyndi’s Moonlight Express, CTR Transportation, and Moveportz Private Car and Shuttle Service.
When it comes to our local wineries and breweries, leaving the driving to someone else can turn a good afternoon into a great one. The Fennville countryside, just a 20-minute drive from Saugatuck/Douglas, is dotted with award-winning wineries and cideries, and several local tour companies make it easy to sample them safely. Coastal Tours, The Bottle Run, Lakeshore Rides, and Untapped Sights & Tours will take you from tasting room to tasting room, so you can relax, enjoy the scenery, and try a few local pours without worrying about who’s driving back. The Interurban also offers rides to the Fennville wineries, with fares at just $5.
When it comes to getting around the Art Coast, the best thing to know is that everything’s close together, so you can spend less time getting from place to place and more time enjoying where you are.
