Best of Midwest Living
  

Saugatuck-Douglas Ranked as #5 Small Town Getaway by Midwest Living Magazine

The Saugatuck-Douglas Area is proud to be ranked #5 in the list of the 100 Best Small Town Getaways published in this month's Special Issue of Midwest Living Magazine. Come and see why the editors of this prestigious magazine recognize our area as a "perfect place to escape for a little shopping, sightseeing and relaxing." In their ranking, the editors noted the area's beaches, harbors, shops and galleries and specifically mentioned Saugatuck's Oval Beach.

The Saugatuck-Douglas Convention and Visitors Bureau announced today that the Best of the Midwest issue of Midwest Living Magazine has ranked Saugatuck-Douglas among the Top 10 Best Small Town Getaways in the Midwest.

The writers and editors of Midwest Living Magazine began the process of selecting the top 100 best small-town getaways many years ago beginning with the first issue of Midwest Living in 1987. They set up criteria from a visitor's perspective highlighting what makes a small town great. The twelve categories they selected included: attractions, vibe, scenery, walk ability, shopping, dining, lodging, arts scene, outdoor activities, proximity to major cities, multi-day potential and "wildcard" (for special events such as festivals). Suburbs were excluded as well as livability factors, education and employment. It took them years to compile the list of the top 100 towns hewn down from 8,500 communities whose population did not exceed 20,000.

According to Felicia Fairchild, Executive Director of the Saugatuck-Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau, "Our Bureau has worked with the writers and editors of Midwest Living for the past 18 years. Their publication has incredible influence among Midwestern travelers and we are extremely fortunate that they have ranked us among their top five places to visit." She added, "Given the magnitude of this publicity it will be more important than ever to not just live-up-to but to exceed the expectations of their readers who pay us a visit this season."

 
Midwest Living 100 Best  

 

The Top Ten

1. Ephraim/Fish Creek, WI
2. Petoskey/Charlevoix, MI
3. Galena, IL
4. Madison, IN
5. Saugatuck, MI
6. Nashville, IN
7. Bayfield, WI
8. Put-in-Bay, OH
9. Stillwater, MN
10. Mackinac Island area, MI

Of the top one hundred finalists selected, eleven towns were from the State of Michigan.

 
       

For further information contact Felicia Fairchild, Executive Director
Saugatuck-Douglas Convention & Visitors Bureau at (269) 857-1701 or (269) 857-5895