Beaches and Peaches in the Art Coast of Michigan - Your vacation in Saugatuck - Douglas, Michigan

By Bill Malcolm*

West Michigan's beautiful art communities of Saugatuck and Douglas have been welcoming LGBTQ vacationers for decades and 2024 is no exception. Beautiful beaches, great restaurants, and more along the southwest shore of Lake Michigan just 90 miles from Chicago make this a perfect destination. I have been coming here for years.

Do/See

Douglas has also started a new farmers market every Tuesday. Enjoy Michigan blueberries, apples, and peaches and have a "pasty" pocket sandwich for lunch.

Rent a bike at In the Elements Rental in Saugatuck and ride along the Lake Michigan Lakeshore. They also rent kayaks and canoes. Details at inthelementsrental.com. You will find them at 439 Butler Street in Saugatuck.

Work out at the Blue Star Gym. Day passes are $15.

Take the chain ferry in Saugatuck across the Kalamazoo River and hike up Mt. Baldy and down to Oval Beach. Catch the Interurban shuttle home.

Enjoy the beach at Van Buren State Park south of South Haven.

Go blue berry picking at Blue Star or DeGrandchamp Farms.

Catch a show at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. I saw the Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Fabulous!

Saugatuck sunset from Oval Beach (MI)

Catch the sunset at Oval Beach. They stop charging $10 a half hour before sunset. Other beaches include Saugatuck Dunes State Park ($11 for out of staters-a rip off), the Lakeshore Beach, and the beaches in nearby Holland and South Haven. The Wa Ke-Nah Nature Preserve features a great beach which requires a short ½ mile hike. You will find them at 120th and Lakeshore.

Check the LGBTQ+ history exhibit in Douglas at the History Museum. Check out the open air ship wreck museum and gardens behind the building. Across the street is a park dedicated to The Dunes Resort who helped turn Douglas into the fun village of shops and restaurants that it is.

Where To Stay

DJ Keller at Douglas Dunes Resort

I love the Douglas Dunes Resort. It's walkable to Douglas, the Farmhouse Deli, Isabella's Italian Eatery, the Lakeshore Store (with great sandwiches and pizza) and more. Enjoy Bobbie on the piano, a drag show, a Sunday T Dance, or the fabulous pool scene. Don't miss the Venetian Weekend July 26-28 where there is a boat parade in town. DJ Keller Shaw does an excellent job spinning the tunes. Details at thedunesresort.com or call 269-857-1401.

Campit is another resort complete with affordable camping and lodging options (around 7 miles south of Saugatuck/Douglas).

The Blue Star Motel is right next to the Dunes.

The AmericInn by Wyndham is south of the Dunes Resort and is another option.

Where To Eat

Besides the places mentioned above, try the new Happystance Diner in Douglas for lunch or dinner.

The Farmhouse features locally sourced products including great salads and fresh squeezed juices.

I had lunch at the new Saugataco next to the Star of Saugatuck office in Saugatuck. Try the chips with 3 delicious sauces.

The LakeVista SuperValu in Douglas has hot and cold food to take out including salads and chicken. Pick something up for a beach picnic.

Try the salmon or roast beef at Isabella's Italian Market and Eatery across from the Dunes Resort. The make your own salad is a healthy option.

The homemade pizza and sandwiches at the Lakeshore Party Store are excellent. You will find them just north of the Dunes at 155 Blue Star Highway.

Getting There

It's a 3 hour or so drive from Detroit or Indy and just 2 hours or less from Chicago. The Grand Rapids Airport is north about 60 miles. You won't need a car if you stay in Douglas or Saugatuck as the Interurban Bus picks you up (think a shared Uber costing $1).

Nightlife

The Dunes Resort has a great bar and outdoor dance floor. It's hopping every night of the week with Drag Bingo, piano bar, drag shows, a Sunday T Dance and more. Don't miss the pool scene. Each weekend has a theme as does each weekend at the Campit Resort.

Insider Travel Tips for More Information What's New

Visit Saugatuck.com to plan your trip. Thanks to Eve for her helpful tips.

The Commercial Record is the weekly Saugatuck Douglas paper.

The Review is the Grand Rapids weekly.

Metra Magazine and Between the Lines are Michigan's LGBTQ publications and are available at the Dunes Resort and on line.

I visit Saugatuck Douglas every summer and always drive home with a load of blueberries or peaches. The sandy Lake Michigan beaches are amazing including the sunsets. Plus it's the P'Town of the Midwest, albeit with fresh water sans sharks. Check it out!

*Bill Malcolm is a syndicated LGBTQ travel writer whose columns have appeared on the travel blog of IGLTA and published in LGBTQ publications in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, South Florida, Toronto, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and other cities.

About the Author

Bill Malcolm Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated travel columnist. He focuses on value and pays his own way. He takes local transit and seeks to go where the locals go. He has appeared 100 times in LGBTQ publications and on websites including the IGLTA travel blog. You can find his work in GRAB Chicago, Erie Gay News, Seattle Gay News, and other places. He does this as a volunteer and does not charge for his work. He boycotts hotels and hotel chains with resort fees, amenity fees, destination fees, and other made up junk charges. He resides in Indianapolis. Follow him on Facebook.