Your Galentine’s Day Getaway Guide
It’s time to take your Galentine’s Day festivities to the next level. Instead of planning a night out with the ladies on February 13, why not make it a weekend affair? A short car ride from Chicago or Detroit—and with ample great restaurants, shops, and spas to explore—Saugatuck/Douglas is the ideal location to celebrate with your closest friends.
What’s Galentine’s Day?
If you’re new to this holiday, Galentine’s Day is like Valentine’s Day, but instead of sending your sweetheart flowers or chocolates, you show the important women in your life how much they mean to you. And it’s not just an anti-Valentine’s Day tradition for single people. Galentine’s Day includes everyone, whether you are married, dating, or figuring things out. It’s all about empowering one another and celebrating female friendship.
Where to Dine
Saugatuck/Douglas is known for its big-city culture and small-town charm. This means there are amazing restaurants to try. If you and your friends like to get dressed up and go out on the town, check out Bowdie’s Chop House, an intimate steakhouse ideal for special occasions and late-night cocktails (be sure to make reservations!). For modern American seasonal fare in a gorgeous setting, try Lady Bird. And if high-end Asian cuisine sounds appealing, the Singapore Room is a must.
Where to Shop & Sip
When it’s time to indulge in retail therapy, you’ll want to visit the downtowns of Saugatuck and Douglas. Saugatuck’s Butler St. is packed with boutiques like Articles, which sells clothing, leather handbags, shoes, and candles. You’ll also love Urban Found, with hand-selected styles, jewelry, and industrial home décor, and Lee & Birch, which offers high-quality clothing and a personalized shopping experience.
When you’re in Douglas, be sure to stop by Now & Then, where you’ll find art, accessories, vintage jewelry, and furnishings. If you’re on the hunt for vintage, mid-century modern, and one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories, check out Upscale Mercantile on Blue Star Highway in Douglas.
Nothing goes better with shopping than a champagne brunch, so when you are ready for a break, visit Pennyroyal Café & Provisions on Blue Star Highway in Saugatuck. Their daytime menu includes a mix of breakfast and lunch options, mimosas, spritzes, bloody marys, and more. Another great choice is happystance, a hip dinette in downtown Douglas that serves chef-driven breakfast and lunch daily, including gluten-free options.
Where to Unwind
After all the celebrating, your crew will need some downtime to focus on wellness. Stay at Bella Vita Spa & Suites in one of their six modern suites overlooking downtown Saugatuck. It’s just down the hall from the Bella Vita Day Spa, where treatment options include facials, massage, nails, hair styling, and more. If the ladies are up for a fitness class, check out Satya Yoga, with breath-centered classes for beginners, or Encompass Wellness, offering personal training, yoga, bootcamps, and total body classes.
Where to Stay
One reason Saugatuck/Douglas is fantastic for group getaways is the variety of accommodations available. If you’re seeking a place where you and the girls can enjoy some sleepover fun, there are plenty of vacation rentals to consider. There are also many options for Bed & Breakfasts or hotels with private rooms. If you’re worried about driving around town, don’t be. For a small town, Saugatuck has numerous car and shuttle services, along with the Interurban, a convenient, low-cost, on-demand transportation service.
