Experience the Enchantment of Summer

Ease into miles of award-winning sugar sand beaches. Glide leisurely along our waterways. Splash in the waves and soak in the sun. And if boat rides, beach walks, and sunsets aren’t all you want to experience during your summer escape, we’ve got galleries to stroll through, outdoor concerts to enjoy, a thriving craft beverage scene to savor, and a host of other adventures waiting for you. Discover why the Art Coast of Michigan is one of the premier summertime destinations in the country.

Take It Outside

Our stunning coastal landscape is perfect for hiking trails or setting sails. Whether you want to take a paddle along the river or simply dig your toes in the sand, it’s all here waiting for you.

Learn More
  • Article

First-Timer’s Guide To Summer in Saugatuck/Douglas

Here’s everything you need to know about experiencing the Art Coast for the first time dur…
  • Article

Four Days of Summer

Experience this 4-day summer itinerary that will leave you wanting to extend your stay….
  • Experience

Retro Boat Rentals

  • starts at $129
  • timelapse1.5–3 hours
  • Experience

Ride the Sand Dunes of Lake Michigan

  • $25
  • timelapse40 minutes
  • Experience

Half Day Charter Boat Fishing

  • from $700
  • timelapse5 hours
  • Article

Letterboxing Along the Lakeshore

Discover this fun “treasure hunt” outdoor activity that combines art, orienteering, and pu…

Explore Our Area

All Along the Art Coast: Sandscapes & Shorelines

Dive in and discover what makes our sugar sand beaches and freshwater dunes so captivating. 

A Stellar Shopping Scene

Cozy downtown neighborhoods are brimming with carefully curated retail experiences for every person and every price range. Spend an afternoon exploring our one-of-a-kind boutiques— there are unique discoveries behind every door.

Learn More
  • Article

Antiquing In The Art Coast

Reconnect with the past and hunt for vintage treasures in the Art Coast of Michigan….
  • Article

Bring Home a Piece of Saugatuck

Remember your stay with special souvenirs from our area….
  • Article

Fabulous Finds: Boutique Shopping on the Art Coast of Michigan

Treat yourself to a little retail therapy with our eclectic blend of boutiques and shops….
  • Article

A Shop Full of Stories

Local spotlight on woman business owner, Layne Postilion, who has mastered the art of tell…
  • Article

Get the Girls Together

Plan the perfect Girls Getaway with these recommended places to go….
  • Article

Laffing It Up With Leslie Fitzell

Local spotlight on artist and LGBTQ woman business owner, Leslie Fitzell, who adds levity …

Trip Ideas

A group of girlfriends enjoying a luxury picnic on the shores of Oval Beach.
Girls Getaway
A group of people riding in a dune buggy with their hands in the air.
Family Getaway
Four friends in swimsuits relaxing on top of a sail boat.
Friends Getaway
A couple holding hands and walking on the shore of Oval Beach.
Romantic Getaway

Unforgettable Family Fun

Go barreling down the sand in an open-roof dune ride. Climb aboard a tall ship or giant paddlewheel boat and explore the Big Lake. Whether you and your family come for a weekend or stay for a week, good times and good memories happen here.

Learn More
  • Experience

Daytime Vintage Paddlewheel Boat Cruise

  • from $34
  • timelapse90 minutes
  • Article

LGBTQ Family Fun Along the Art Coast

LGBTQ families can plan a fun and worry-free vacation in the Art Coast of Michigan….
  • Experience

Donut Boat Rentals

  • starts at $269
  • timelapse2–4 hours
  • Experience

Sunset Sailing on the Schooner

  • $59
  • timelapse2 hours
  • Article

On The Hunt For Fun

Plan an Art Coast scavenger hunt for a fun way to engage both your body and mind….
An aerial view showing downtown Saugatuck and the Kalamazoo River.
Lodging & Accommodations
A woman in sunglasses holding a hula hoop and dancing at the Saugatuck Pride Festival.
Summer Events & Happenings