With July 4 on the horizon, many of us are packing it up and getting out of town. I've got my sights set on Saugatuck, Mich., by far my favorite place to get out on the water in the Midwest. Thanks to some wonderful family friends, I have had the opportunity to spend many a summer day in the Saugatuck/Douglas area and countless hours on Lake Michigan and the Kalamazoo River. This 'tag-a-long' has loved every minute of it!
What makes Saugatuck such a hot spot? Well, it's conveniently located 2.5 hours from Chicago and Detroit (by car) on the Kalamazoo River (which leads out to Lake Michigan), it's widely recognized as an artists' community, easily accessible for boaters and frequently draws comparisons to Cape Cod.
It's such a picturesque town with plenty of places for boaters to dock and dine (or stay overnight). The quaint downtown (one block off the docks) is filled with boutiques, galleries and fantastic restaurants. I'm a big fan of the new Wicks Park Bar & Grille, across Water St. from the Chain Ferry, with its homemade strawberry lemonade, delicious fish tacos and stellar views of the park and passing boats.
Which reminds me, those without a boat of their own can hit Oval Beach (frequently named one of America's top beaches) or get on the water via the Chain Ferry and Star of Saugatuck -- two unique attractions to this wonderfully small waterside town.
Read what others have to say about this special place: New York Times, Chicago Tribune
Have a great weekend on the water!