Saugatuck Douglas – Michigan’s Hidden Gem

With the warm summer air and the desire to relax outside, many are already looking to book a trip to somewhere magical. While many well known places might come to mind, a hidden gem located on the shores of Lake Michigan might just take the cake.

The Saugatuck-Douglas area of Michigan might not be an area that people think of when planning summer vacations, but after hearing of the countless joys of the location, it becomes a place one won’t soon forget. From friendly faces, breathtaking natural landscapes, and delicious food and wine, to rainbow crosswalks and festivals, the area is packed with memory making adventures.

Lisa Mize is one of the lucky individuals who can call Saugatuck-Douglas home. After moving away from the neighboring city she grew up in, she found herself making her way back to the area. And, when her niece recommended she apply for the interim executive director position for the Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, she put in her resume. Five years later, Mize is still “tickled”, as she puts it, to share the delights of her home community.

When asked about recommendations, one of the first things Mize spoke of was the area’s beautiful nature.

“There are a lot of natural areas that the town, both Saugatuck and Douglas, have made it a priority to keep natural, and I think that’s part of what keeps this place special. When people come here they feel like there’s a lot of nature and there’s a lot of places to explore,” Mize said.

In addition to Lake Michigan, the area houses the Kalamazoo River, a river that allows boaters and paddle boarders to follow it up stream or into the lake. They have beaches, sand dunes, the Saugatuck Dunes State Park, forests, and plenty of neat hiking locations such as Mt. Baldhead, a 302 step walk up that overlooks the downtown area.

In addition to the nature-rich scene, the area has a captivating history the community is more than proud to share. Mize spoke of the early artists that settled into the small-town destination to escape the big city of Chicago and work on their craft. After ditching the big city in 1905, the Chicago Institute of Art students focused on plein air painting to depict the local scenery. Since then, the city has grown into an artistic haven. Multiple studios and galleries, as well as Ox-Bow School of Arts, keep the art community thriving.

“Ox-Bow School of the Arts is now an artist and residence type program where you can take classes there, and they have different buildings where people can actually stay and live in the summer, only in the summer, but yes, Ox-Bow has made it very much an art coast, but we also have a ton of art galleries because of the art influence here,” Mize said.

And, Mize isn’t the only one who loves to talk about the area’s history. The many different recreational activities the area hosts such as the Saugatuck dune buggy rides and the Star of Saugatuck paddle boat offer fun experiences backed with interesting history lessons.

“Do the Saugatuck dune buggy rides. It’s a kind of a cool, fun, wild ride that takes you through the sand dunes, but the drivers all have a fabulous sense of humor, and they’ll tell you a little bit about the history of the area, they’ll tell you about the lost city of Singapore that’s buried beneath the sand, they’ll take you up high on one of the dunes so you can actually see Lake Michigan, you’ll be able to get out and take pictures, it’s just a fun thing to do,” Mize said.

Not only does the area have plentiful activities and beautiful spaces, but the community is also welcoming of everyone. Saugatuck-Douglas is proud to represent and host the LGBTQ+ community. Since the 1950s, the area has been known as a safe retreat for the LGBTQ+ community to bask in the sun, swim in the beaches, and just have a wonderful time. Not only does the community host Pride Fest and run many different LGBTQ+ friendly and operated businesses, but they also celebrate pride with their rainbow sidewalk and multiple rainbow crosswalks.

Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan may be an area unfamiliar to you, but after learning a bit about the small town area community, it is a place worth a visit. For more information about the location, visit their website. There, you can learn more about the area’s fascinating history, sweet nature spots, and how to plan the perfect visit. On the website, you can also learn more about their upcoming events, some of which include:

• Jazz in the Vines | June 29 | Michigan Wine Company | Fennville MI
• 4th of July Parade | Butler St. Saugatuck, MI
• 5th of July Fireworks | Anywhere along the Kalamazoo River | Saugatuck-Douglas, MI
• Venetian Festival | July 26-27 | Saugatuck, MI

While Saugatuck-Douglas is sure to make a summer special, Mize reminds everyone not to forget to come for the other seasons.

“I would come for the beaches but don’t forget to come for the fall when it’s still beautiful and they can do color tour. Winter is also a really peaceful time to come. The towns are lit up with those little white lights everywhere, it’s magical in the winter,” Mize said.

The hidden gem of Saugatuck-Douglas, Michigan can give you something to look forward to year round.

www.saugatuck.com