West Michigan Attractions, Activities, and Experiences
Saugatuck-Douglas and surrounding area
Saugatuck | Restaurants | Attractions | Area FAQs | Home
Nearby Attractions
There is an abundance of things to do during your visit in the local West Michigan area.
|
Attraction |
Distance From Tangled Root Lodge |
Distance from Nordic Trail House |
|
Blue Star Trail |
0.2 miles |
1.3 miles |
|
Saugatuck Dune Rides |
0.3 miles |
4.0 miles |
|
Saugatuck Dunes State Park |
2.9 miles |
6.5 miles |
|
Downtown Saugatuck |
2.0 miles |
2.5 miles |
|
Chain Ferry |
2.0 miles |
0.3 miles |
|
Downtown Douglas |
2.8 miles |
1.5 miles |
|
Mount Baldhead |
2.8 miles |
0.5 miles |
|
Oval Beach |
2.8 miles |
1.0 miles |
|
Douglas Beach Park |
3.9 miles |
1.5 miles |
|
Saugatuck Mini Golf |
0.7 miles |
3.5 miles |
|
Clearbrook Golf Club |
0.3 miles |
3.7 miles |
|
Ravines Golf Club |
2.7 miles |
6.5 miles |
|
Retro Boat Rentals |
1.7 miles |
3.0 miles |
|
Star of Saugatuck |
1.7 miles |
3.0 miles |
|
The Flying Dutchman (TFD) |
2.7 miles |
1.7 miles |
|
The Felt Estate |
3.0 miles |
6.8 miles |
|
Saugatuck Center for the Arts |
2.3 miles |
2.5 miles |
|
Water Street Gallery |
2.9 miles |
1.5 miles |
|
Outdoor Discovery Center |
6.8 miles |
11 miles |
|
WaterTrail Ventures Kayak Rental |
9 miles |
9.5 miles |
|
Crane’s Orchard and Pie Pantry |
10 miles |
8 miles |
|
Wild West Ranch Horseback Riding |
16 miles |
16 miles |
Fun Group Activities
Sand Dune Rides
Take a dune ride with Saugatuck Sand Dunes for 40 minutes of entertainment, fun and excitement. You'll learn about some history including the long-lost city of Singapore. Advance reservations recommended.
The Flying Dutchman
Grab up to 24 people of your choice and enjoy The Flying Dutchman all to yourself with a private boat charter. In addition to private charters, TFD offers sunset cruises, wine Wednesdays, Michigan Craft Beer takeover, and full moon cruises.
Star of Saugatuck
Enjoy a 90 minutes relaxing cruise and tour on the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan on an authentic sternwheeler paddleboat. Appropriate for all generations and ages.
Retro Boat Rentals
Retro Boat Rentals offers rare classic fiberglass runabout boats from 1958-1963. These boats have retro cool colors and chrome details that make for a unique experience. They also offer pontoon boats, donut boats, and duffy boats.
WaterTrail Ventures Kayak Rental
Each member of your group can jump in a kayak and paddle down the Kalamazoo River. They offer a variety of river trips, starting from 2 hours in duration.
Sailing Saugatuck
Sailing Saugatuck offers sailing tours of Saugatuck's tall ships, with most cruises 2 hours in duration.
If you have members of your group who enjoy golfing, you have some great options nearby! Clearbook Golf Club is walkable from Tangled Root Lodge. Additionally, Ravines Golf Club is 2.7 miles away.
Charter Fishing, Boating, Jet Skis, and SUP
If you are looking for a Lake Michigan charter fishing experience, consider a trip aboard one of the Best Chance boats. Call (616) 292 4812 or find them at www.bestchancetoo.com. Big Lake Outfitters also offers charter fishing on Lake Michigan, along with pontoon, bike, kayak, and SUP rentals. Making Waves Boat and Jet Ski Rentals is another great option to get on the water.
Blue Star Barns rents bicycles and is conveniently located around the corner from the property at 3483 Blue Star Hwy. They can be reached at (269) 906-1265. In the Elements Bike Rental is another rental spot which can be reached at (269) 355-3669. Big Lake Outfitters is another one-stop-shop that offers bike rentals.
Hiking - Mount Baldhead
The Mount Baldhead hike is family friendly with plenty of resting spots. You will walk through trails in the forest and eventually to the sand dunes at Oval Beach. It’s not a long hike (less than 20 minutes each way).
Satya Yoga
Satya Yoga offers private and group sessions along with yoga on the beach and paddleboard yoga in the summer.
Breweries
Saugatuck/Douglas is home to many craft breweries and cideries and also features a number of bars, pubs, and tasting rooms where you can raise a glass, make a toast, and quench your thirst.
|
Brewery |
Michigan Town |
|
Mitten Brewing |
Saugatuck/Douglas |
|
Saugatuck Brewing |
Saugatuck/Douglas |
|
Crane’s Wine and Cider |
Fennville |
|
Virtue Cider |
Fennville |
|
Hopcat |
Holland |
|
New Holland Brewing |
Holland |
|
Big Lake Brewing |
Holland |
|
Our Brewing Company |
Holland |
|
Three Blondes Brewing |
South Haven |
|
Harbor Light Brewery |
South Haven |
|
South Haven Brewpub |
South Haven |
|
Tantric Brewing Co. |
Allegan |
|
Schaendorf Brewing Co. |
Allegan |
|
Rusty Rocket Brewing |
Pullman |
|
Known as Beer City USA, Grand Rapids has 80+ breweries along the Beer City Ale Trail! |
Grand Rapids |
Wineries
Sample an array of locally grown varietals at the local wineries that produce award-winning wines from estate-grown and locally-harvested grapes that flourish in the Southwest Michigan climate. Take the Interurban to select wineries in Fennville for $5 per person, or arrange transportation through Untapped Sights and Tours, Coastal Tours Saugatuck, and Harbor Country Adventure.
|
Winery or Tasting Room |
Michigan Town |
|
Michigan Wine Company |
Fennville |
|
Crane's Winery and Cider |
Fennville |
|
Fenn Valley Vineyards |
Fennville |
|
Modales Wines |
Fennville |
|
Virtue Cider |
Fennville |
|
Cogdal Vineyards |
South Haven |
|
McIntosh Cellars |
South Haven |
|
Gravity Tasting Room |
South Haven |
Kid Friendly Activities
The downtown area is very kid friendly, with fun places such as Kilwin’s, Saugatuck Drugstore Soda Fountain, Boardwalk, The Grilled Cheese Shack, Round the Corner Ice Cream, and a playground. In addition to Oval Beach and roaming around downtown Saugatuck, check out some additional kid friendly activities listed below.
- Orchards - There are plenty of u-pick orchards in the area with options to pick your own blueberries, strawberries, apples, and other fruits.
- Saugatuck Dune Rides (Saugatuck)
- Saugatuck Mini Golf (Saugatuck)
- Root Beer Barrell (Saugatuck)
- Retro Boat Rentals - can't go wrong with a donut boat (Saugatuck)
- Star of Saugatuck is a relaxing 90 minute tour down the river and Lake Michigan
- Outdoor Discovery Center (Holland)
- Wild West Ranch for horseback riding (Fennville)
- Dutch Village (Holland)
- Arvesta Sports Complex (South Haven)
- Curious Kids Museum and Discovery Zone (St. Joseph)
- Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park (Muskegon)
Seasonal Activities
Music in the Park - Gather around the gazebo across from Wicks in downtown Saugatuck and enjoy outdoor music 7-9pm on most Wednesdays during the summer.
Felt Mansion - The Felt Mansion has outdoor music with food and beverages from 6-11pm during select Thursdays.
Venetian Festival - Venetian festival is late July and includes music along with a lighted boat parade and fireworks.
Theme Cruises – The Star of Saugatuck teams up with local wineries and breweries to offer themed cruises such as “Beer on the Boat” and “Wine on the Water” on select dates during Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Fall – In October, there is Glow in the Park in downtown Saugatuck. Enjoy some German music, food, and beverages at Octoberfest in Douglas in October. There is also the famous Halloween parade for adults in Douglas during October.
Nearby Michigan Towns
While there is a lot to explore in the local Saugatuck/Douglas area, see below for some other Michigan towns you may want to consider visiting during your stay.
Michigan Town | Distance From Tangled Root |
| Fennville | 10 miles |
Holland | 10 miles |
South Haven | 20 miles |
Grand Haven | 31 miles |
Grand Rapids (also known as beer city) | 38 miles |
| Muskegon (home of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp) | 45 miles |
St. Joseph | 47 miles |
Kalamazoo | 50 miles |
