Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WINE TRAIL
A dozen wineries cluster between New Buffalo and Saugatuck. The
Lake Michigan
vineyards and tasting rooms. Most are signposted off the highway.
Saugatuck & Douglas
Saugatuck is one of the Gold Coast's most popular resort areas, known for its strong arts
community, numerous B&Bs and gay-friendly vibe. Douglas is its twin city a mile or so
south, and they've pretty much sprawled into one. The
Saugatuck/Douglas CVB
(
www.saugatuck.com
)
provides maps and more.
The best thing to do in Saugatuck is also the most affordable. Jump aboard the clack-
ety
Saugatuck Chain Ferry
(foot of Mary St; one way $1; 9am-9pm late May-early Sep)
and
the operator will pull you across the Kalamazoo River. On the other side, walk to the
dock's right and soon you'll come to
Mt Baldhead
, a 200ft-high sand dune. Huff up the
stairs to see the grand view, and then race down the other side to beautiful
Oval Beach
.
Galleries and shops proliferate downtown on Water and Butler Sts. Antiquing prevails
on the Blue Star Hwy running south for 20 miles. Blueberry U-pick farms share this
stretch of road and make a juicy stop, too.
Several frilly B&Bs are tucked into the Saugatuck's century-old Victorian homes, with
most ranging from $125 to $300 per night. Try the
Bayside Inn
( 269-857-4321;
www.baysideinn.net
; 618 Water St; r incl breakfast $150-280; )
, a 10-room former boathouse
on Saugatuck's waterfront, or the retro-cool
Pines Motorlodge
(
269-857-5211;
www.thepinesmotorlodge.com
;
56 Blue Star Hwy; r incl breakfast $139-199;
)
, with rooms amid
the firs in Douglas.
mains $11-25; 11:30am-9pm)
, by the chain ferry, gets props for its lake perch and live
music. Locals like to hang out and sip the house-made suds at
Saugatuck Brewing
Company
(
www.saugatuckbrewing.com
;
2948 Blue Star Hwy; 11am-10pm Sun-Thu, to 11pm Fri
& Sat)
. For dessert, buy a bulging slice at
Crane's Pie Pantry
( 269-561-2297;
www.cranespiepantry.com
; 6054 124th Ave; pie slices $4; 9am-8pm Mon-Sat, from 11am Sun
May-Oct, reduced hours Nov-Apr)
, or pick apples and peaches in the surrounding orchards.
Crane's is in Fennville, 3 miles south on the Blue Star Hwy, then 4 miles inland on Hwy
89.
