For us Chicagoans, Saugatuck is the perfect weekend getaway from the city. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive which makes it totally doable for a long weekend with the kids. It’s also a great getaway from anywhere else in the Midwest!Saugatuck is located in southwest Michigan. We also like spending time in Union Pier, Sawyer, and New Buffalo.

Where to stay:

We’ve rented Airbnbs all around southwest Michigan. As long as you’re near Lake Michigan, all of these beach towns are fun for the family.

Our Airbnb this year was the Sugar Shack on a small inland lake , Goshorn lake. We loved it. There are tons of cabins in this neighborhood that rent for smaller or larger groups. There was a grill, hot tub, fire pit, all the essentials for a good lake weekend!

Airbnb Sugar Shack - Saugatuck

What to do:

As I mentioned, Saugatuck is perfect for the whole family! Here are some things we like to do:

• Rent a boat or go to the beach on Lake Michigan

• Find a smaller lake and post up with the littles

• Saugatuck Dunes Ride https://www.saugatuckduneride.com/

• Shopping downtown (see my fave spots below!)

• Visit wineries and breweries (recs below!)

• Family bike ride

• Stop for ice cream

Wineries / Breweries:

Virtue Cider

Modales Wines

Saugatuck Brewery

Fenn Valley Winery

The Mitten Brewing Co.

Where to eat:

Salty Dog Cafe - on the drive up to Saugatuck, located in New Buffalo

The Southerner

Mermaid

The Butler

Wicks Park

Scooters Pizza

My favorite shops:

There are so many shops if you walk down Butler Street - take a few hours and just wander into the shops, stop and get ice cream, be a tourist!

Sojourn - on the drive up to Saugatuck, located in Sawyer

Urban Found

Article

The Brass Anchor

Kindel & Co

Antique shops along Red Arrow Highway

And that’s all for now! There is truly so much to do on the drive up and once you’re in town. I hope you make a visit to Saugatuck!

Happy planning!