Your Next Chapter of Family Travel Starts Here
If your kids are all grown up and time together isn’t as automatic as it once was, it might be time to plan a vacation together. More families are embracing “2.0 trips”—traveling with adult children as a new way to reconnect—and for good reason. Traveling with your adult children isn’t about managing nap times or finding kid-friendly menus—it’s about reconnecting as people. And the best part? It doesn’t have to involve complicated flights or far-off destinations. A road trip to Michigan’s Art Coast® keeps things simple, giving you more time to focus on what matters most: being together.
Hit the Road
Since Saugatuck/Douglas is just a few hours’ drive from major cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis, you can skip the airport stress and opt for a relaxing drive. A road trip naturally creates space to ease into your time together—music playlists, spontaneous stops, and conversations that don’t feel rushed.
Once you arrive, everything is close. Walkable downtowns, easy beach access, and scenic drives mean you can move at your own pace without overplanning.
Share Time, Give Space
One of the underrated perks of traveling with adult kids? Everyone enjoys time together—but also appreciates a little personal space. Look for boutique inns, vacation rentals, or hotels with multi-room suites that give you both shared gathering areas and places to recharge separately.
During the planning phase, be sure to have a quick conversation about what kind of experience everyone wants—whether it’s a private property where you can cook meals together and enjoy coffee on the porch, or a lakefront resort where you can swim, kayak, and fish together. Saugatuck/Douglas offers a variety of options, from retro motor lodges to adults-only accommodations.
Go Agenda-Free
A trip with your grown-up kids is less about a jam-packed itinerary and more about quality time. Known for its slow pace, natural beauty, and big city cultural offerings, the Art Coast is the perfect place to enjoy an agenda-free day together.
Spend the morning browsing local shops and galleries and savor a leisurely latte at Uncommon Coffee Roasters in Saugatuck or Woosah Art + Coffee in Douglas. Then soak up the sun at Oval Beach before grabbing a sweet treat and a hot dog at the retro Root Beer Barrel.
Even something as simple as a walk or leisurely bike ride around town can shift the pace and help everyone feel more present and connected.
Elevate Your Experiences
Everyone’s an adult now, so why not invest in experiences that everyone will appreciate and remember for years to come?
Book a sailing excursion with Sailing with Julie or SeaSun Sailing. Plan a luxury yacht cruise with Yacht Boat Charters, or try sportfishing with Best Chance Too Charters. Prefer to explore at your own pace? Rent kayaks and paddle boards from Third Coast Paddling or Big Lake Outfitters and explore the many waterways surrounding Saugatuck and Douglas.
Have a crew that loves a little wine and cheese? Head south to rural Fennville. Here, you can enjoy winetasting at Fenn Valley Vineyards and try a selection of artisan cheeses at Evergreen Lane Farm & Creamery. Then cap off the day with an unrushed dinner at Salt of the Earth.
Take in the Night Life
One of the best things about traveling with your adult kids is getting to know them as adults. And that means laughing together, being a little spontaneous, and stepping outside of your comfort zone.
For a truly unique experience, spend an evening at The Dunes Resort, one of the Midwest’s most iconic LGBTQ+ destinations. Their drag shows are high-energy, hilarious, and credibly well-produced, drawing talent from across the region.
Many bars in Saugatuck/Douglas offer live music in the evenings, including Wally’s Bar & Grill, and waterfront spots including The Butler, The BARge, and Red Dock Café.
You can also take in live theatre and concerts at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. Plan your evening around it—arrive early, then head to dinner at Bowdie’s Chophouse, Coast 236, or the Singapore Room—places you may not have visited when your kids were younger but will love experiencing together now.
