This weekend, I traveled to Saugatuck, Michigan, with some amazing ladies from my neighborhood for a girls’ weekend. We were gone just over 48 hours, but it was a wonderful break. We had a blast and wanted to share our tips for a fun girls’ weekend in Saugatuck, Michigan.
First, why Saugatuck? It was a perfect destination. It is just far enough that it felt like we were really “away” but not so far that we spent a ton of time or money getting there and back. The coastal location really felt like a vacation.
What To Do
Lake Michigan impresses all year round, not just in the summer. There’s a reason Conde’ Nast Traveler named Oval Beach one of its top 25 beaches in the world. It’s stunning. Our day at the beach was a little blustery, but that meant that the surf was up and it both felt and sounded like the ocean.
We walked on the beach and the dunes and it felt like we almost had the beach to ourselves. The lake air was so great. And yes, I got sand in my shoes, but that made it really feel like vacation.
Mt. Baldhead
Depending on which source you consult, there are either 282 or 302 steps to the top of Mt. Baldhead. I should have counted, but alas, I forgot. I was more focused on getting to the top to take in the beautiful views of Saugatuck and Douglas.
It was a fun trip up and I have to say that we admitted to feeling it in our legs a bit the next day, but we used it as justification for an ice cream later in the day. Totally worth it!
Wander the Shops in Saugatuck
Whether you’re looking for a funny t-shirt, jewelry, a kitchen gadget, or a piece of art, you can find it in the shops in Saugatuck. Our group bought each of those and more. Leave lots of time to just wander through them all.
Good to Know
The chain ferry is a popular summer attraction that gets you across the river, but it does not operate after Labor Day. You’ll have to drive over to the Beach and Mt. Baldhead.
Where To Eat
We had a good brunch at Pumpernickel’s. It was still warm enough that we could eat outside – head upstairs for additional seating both inside and out. You order individually at the counter and then sit. The cinnamon rolls are very tasty. The people behind us in line hyped the potato casserole. It was fine, but it didn’t knock my socks off.
We wanted to do a nice dinner and headed to Bowdie’s Chop House. I’d definitely recommend calling ahead for a reservation. The food was delicious and service was great. The ladies loves the steak and bronzini entrees. As for sides, the brussle sprouts with bacon and the potatoes au gratin earned rave reviews
If you’re feeling like something more casual for dinner, check out The Butler, which has been there more than 50 years and is known for the burgers. We enjoyed the burgers, but were there too late to enjoy the view. You may want to do an earlier dinner or lunch there to really get the full effect.
We had brunch here and were charmed by the quaint atmosphere. It reminded several of us of our grandmothers’ homes back in the day. We got an order of donuts for the table and enjoyed brunch items. (The egg serving here were much more generous than they were at Pumpernickel’s.) I had a apple bread french toast with hot cider – the perfect autumn brunch for me.
Several ladies loaded up on lots of pies to take home. They are $17/each and amazing. There’s also wine and hard cider to try there, too.
Next time we’ll likely check out The Southerner and Uncommon Coffee Roasters.
Where to Stay
There area many bed and breakfasts in and around Saugatuck, but we opted to rent a house. We loved it. It was on Lucy Street, within easy walking distance to all the restaurants and shops in downtown. The five of us each had our own bedroom, which was great. Especially in the off season, see what’s available on sites like VRBO and Airbnb.
It was so great to have a living room to just hang out together in. We shared a lot of laughs there, which was probably the highlight of the weekend for me.
Saugatuck is great because there’s certainly enough to do there but not so much that you feel like you are always on the go. It’s a slower pace of life than our every day, and the chance to relax and enjoy with friends was truly a treat.
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