Guidebook for Douglas
Food Scene
A short walk from Golden Getaway, delicious specialty coffees and teas and a friendly small town atmosphere
25 locals recommend
Respite Cappuccino Court
48 W Center StA short walk from Golden Getaway, delicious specialty coffees and teas and a friendly small town atmosphere
Step into a fun, nostalgic atmosphere-- whether you're ordering soft serve on the outside, or going in for a heart breakfast or lunch. The quality of the food and the overall value can't be beat. We highly recommend!
12 locals recommend
Blue Star Cafe & Ice Cream Treats
141 Blue Star HwyStep into a fun, nostalgic atmosphere-- whether you're ordering soft serve on the outside, or going in for a heart breakfast or lunch. The quality of the food and the overall value can't be beat. We highly recommend!
We have a special history with Chris and her team of amazing food creators- she catered our wedding and afterglow brunch! Now instead of weddings, she is focused on giving her special kind of culinary delights to everyone. Drop in for a picnic carry out for the beach or hike, or dine in. Everything delicacy is made in small batches-- from her Kale Caesar salads to bacon wrapped meatloaf, and everything in between, this place is the BOMB!
52 locals recommend
The Farmhouse Deli & Pantry
100 Blue Star HwyWe have a special history with Chris and her team of amazing food creators- she catered our wedding and afterglow brunch! Now instead of weddings, she is focused on giving her special kind of culinary delights to everyone. Drop in for a picnic carry out for the beach or hike, or dine in. Everything delicacy is made in small batches-- from her Kale Caesar salads to bacon wrapped meatloaf, and everything in between, this place is the BOMB!
This is the see and be seen scene-- in the most fun way possible. Old friends gather (Fridays are a big night) not just because it's habit, but also because the food is consistently delicious. My favorite? Order their side salad with dinner with Creamy Gorgonzola and Sweet Balsamic dressings on the side. The combo on your salad is amazing! Favorite entrees are Ahi Tuna and the Parmesan Encrusted Pork Chop. Yum!
60 locals recommend
Everyday People Cafe
11 W Center StThis is the see and be seen scene-- in the most fun way possible. Old friends gather (Fridays are a big night) not just because it's habit, but also because the food is consistently delicious. My favorite? Order their side salad with dinner with Creamy Gorgonzola and Sweet Balsamic dressings on the side. The combo on your salad is amazing! Favorite entrees are Ahi Tuna and the Parmesan Encrusted Pork Chop. Yum!
We love Wilde Dog for Bloodies and Burgers on the terrace on weekends, but their main dining room is also lovely. Food is consistently good and the service is impeccable.
35 locals recommend
Wild Dog Grille
24 Center StWe love Wilde Dog for Bloodies and Burgers on the terrace on weekends, but their main dining room is also lovely. Food is consistently good and the service is impeccable.
Call (well) ahead for reservations! If you are looking for amazing steak presented big-city style, look no further. Intimate setting (with big city prices to boot), we still love this place. Try the truffle fries with your steak. Heaven!
50 locals recommend
Bowdies Chophouse
230 Culver StCall (well) ahead for reservations! If you are looking for amazing steak presented big-city style, look no further. Intimate setting (with big city prices to boot), we still love this place. Try the truffle fries with your steak. Heaven!
We love Pumpernickels -- going with the little ones especially. The no fuss in-line ordering, with table delivery-- makes for an easy brunch experience. Kids will love the live music on the weekends-- a guitarist plays requests (our nieces and nephews always ask for "Puff the Magic Dragon"). Food is good too-- kids love the cinnamon buns and French Toast.
26 locals recommend
Pumpernickels
202 Butler StWe love Pumpernickels -- going with the little ones especially. The no fuss in-line ordering, with table delivery-- makes for an easy brunch experience. Kids will love the live music on the weekends-- a guitarist plays requests (our nieces and nephews always ask for "Puff the Magic Dragon"). Food is good too-- kids love the cinnamon buns and French Toast.
This place is so good, we dedicated a Blog post to it. Is it the homemade jam and honey to go with their fresh made biscuits? The fried chicken entrees? Or is it the beautiful views of the river traffic -- boats going out on Lake Michigan, or returning. This place combines it all-- phenomenal southern food with a fun atmosphere. Highly recommended!
69 locals recommend
The Southerner
880 Holland StThis place is so good, we dedicated a Blog post to it. Is it the homemade jam and honey to go with their fresh made biscuits? The fried chicken entrees? Or is it the beautiful views of the river traffic -- boats going out on Lake Michigan, or returning. This place combines it all-- phenomenal southern food with a fun atmosphere. Highly recommended!
Entertainment & Activities
If you're up for a night of bowling with a full bar and delicious "bar food", including homemade pizza, this is your place! A clean, downright trendy atmosphere makes hours here so enjoyable.
15 locals recommend
Alley's Classic American Diner and Bowl
229 W Center StIf you're up for a night of bowling with a full bar and delicious "bar food", including homemade pizza, this is your place! A clean, downright trendy atmosphere makes hours here so enjoyable.
This chain link ferry goes back and forth on the Kalamazoo river-- from the main area of Saugatuck to the road to Oval Beach and/or the steps to My Baldhead. To save yourself a buck, offer to crank the ferry across yourself and time it with the best in class! It is a workout ;)
30 locals recommend
Saugatuck Chain Ferry Platform
528 Water StThis chain link ferry goes back and forth on the Kalamazoo river-- from the main area of Saugatuck to the road to Oval Beach and/or the steps to My Baldhead. To save yourself a buck, offer to crank the ferry across yourself and time it with the best in class! It is a workout ;)
The Dune Rides are our answer to Cedar Point/Disney World. A family has owned this property-- 350+ acres of Lake Michigan adjacent dunes- for generations. They preserve and protect this spectacular land by running vintage open air Jimmys through the twisty paths leading to the lake. Corny jokes? Check. Hands in the air going down the steep hills? Check. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan? Check. Learn a few things about the history and ecology of the area? Double check. I personally have been on this tour 5+ times and the "Dune times" never get old!
106 locals recommend
Saugatuck Dune Rides
6495 Blue Star HwyThe Dune Rides are our answer to Cedar Point/Disney World. A family has owned this property-- 350+ acres of Lake Michigan adjacent dunes- for generations. They preserve and protect this spectacular land by running vintage open air Jimmys through the twisty paths leading to the lake. Corny jokes? Check. Hands in the air going down the steep hills? Check. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan? Check. Learn a few things about the history and ecology of the area? Double check. I personally have been on this tour 5+ times and the "Dune times" never get old!
The cultural heart of the Saugatuck-Douglas area, SCA caters to the public. Offering concerts, events, plays and musicals, this venue is modern and expansive. Summer performances are "New York" quality because often, Broadway performers are spending their summers in the area, and sharing their talents with us. So- for instance- if you are seeing Mamma Mia! the musical (e.g. playing Summer 2018 through 7.15)-- this is not your high school/local troupe performance. It is a professionally executed, amazing performance.
45 locals recommend
Saugatuck Center for the Arts
400 Culver StThe cultural heart of the Saugatuck-Douglas area, SCA caters to the public. Offering concerts, events, plays and musicals, this venue is modern and expansive. Summer performances are "New York" quality because often, Broadway performers are spending their summers in the area, and sharing their talents with us. So- for instance- if you are seeing Mamma Mia! the musical (e.g. playing Summer 2018 through 7.15)-- this is not your high school/local troupe performance. It is a professionally executed, amazing performance.
Great for the "wee" little ones, the jewel of this visit is the petting zoo. Kids go nuts for the animals-- which include goats, sheep, and chickens. There is also a tiny Ferris wheel and few other rides that anyone under 6 will appreciate.
54 locals recommend
Nelis' Dutch Village
12350 James StGreat for the "wee" little ones, the jewel of this visit is the petting zoo. Kids go nuts for the animals-- which include goats, sheep, and chickens. There is also a tiny Ferris wheel and few other rides that anyone under 6 will appreciate.
A short walk out the door, this place is super fun for Paddle-Boarding (core workout, anyone?) or kayaking. Although a small operation, they are super organized. If you choose to kayak, they load you and your kayak onto a truck and drop you off so you can take a leisurely (or challenging) paddle down the river.
16 locals recommend
Running Rivers
120 E Center StA short walk out the door, this place is super fun for Paddle-Boarding (core workout, anyone?) or kayaking. Although a small operation, they are super organized. If you choose to kayak, they load you and your kayak onto a truck and drop you off so you can take a leisurely (or challenging) paddle down the river.
Sightseeing
Quite the hike up about 1/4 of a mile-- but the end is worth the effort: stunning views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding Douglas Saugatuck area reward you!
53 locals recommend
Mount Baldhead
Quite the hike up about 1/4 of a mile-- but the end is worth the effort: stunning views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding Douglas Saugatuck area reward you!
Arts & Culture
If SCA is the cultural heart of the area, Ox-Bow is the soul. It is why we refer to the area as the "Art Coast of Michigan." From their own web site, " Since 1910 (and part of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago)..Students from schools across the country visit Ox-Bow to study and make art on the school’s 115-acre campus in Saugatuck, Michigan, 150 miles northeast of Chicago." Although focused on artists, Ox-Bow does offer public access- including 1 and 2 week intensive courses in various disciplines such as glass blowing, paper making and ceramics. "As much as Ox-Bow is a place, it is also an experience"- the campus looks and feels like camp-- with stunning surroundings.
10 locals recommend
Ox Bow, School of Art and Artists' Residency
3435 Rupprect WayIf SCA is the cultural heart of the area, Ox-Bow is the soul. It is why we refer to the area as the "Art Coast of Michigan." From their own web site, " Since 1910 (and part of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago)..Students from schools across the country visit Ox-Bow to study and make art on the school’s 115-acre campus in Saugatuck, Michigan, 150 miles northeast of Chicago." Although focused on artists, Ox-Bow does offer public access- including 1 and 2 week intensive courses in various disciplines such as glass blowing, paper making and ceramics. "As much as Ox-Bow is a place, it is also an experience"- the campus looks and feels like camp-- with stunning surroundings.
Drinks & Nightlife
Catering to the LGTBQ community, the Dunes is an expansive resort with the center attraction being the "gargantuan" outdoor dance floor. The most epic weekend "tea dances"-- the DJs are always on-point. This scene is definitely (open-minded) adults only, and for them-- a very fun time!
26 locals recommend
The Dunes Resort
333 Blue Star HwyCatering to the LGTBQ community, the Dunes is an expansive resort with the center attraction being the "gargantuan" outdoor dance floor. The most epic weekend "tea dances"-- the DJs are always on-point. This scene is definitely (open-minded) adults only, and for them-- a very fun time!
A friend from Ohio just tagged us because she was enjoying a "Blueberry Lemonade Shandy from Douglas, MI at my local Hy-Vee". On investigation, indeed it came from Saugatuck Brewing Co. This was one of the first area micro brews, and they only get better with the variety and quality of their brews. They also have a bit a local fame in that the Stanley Cup came here 2 summers ago. A very fun experience-- combined with a good lunch on their big outdoor patio.
71 locals recommend
Saugatuck Brewing Company
2948 Blue Star HwyA friend from Ohio just tagged us because she was enjoying a "Blueberry Lemonade Shandy from Douglas, MI at my local Hy-Vee". On investigation, indeed it came from Saugatuck Brewing Co. This was one of the first area micro brews, and they only get better with the variety and quality of their brews. They also have a bit a local fame in that the Stanley Cup came here 2 summers ago. A very fun experience-- combined with a good lunch on their big outdoor patio.
Shopping
Let's start with the fact that upstairs from this well-edited mid century antique market --is an expansive art gallery and wine bar. What a great combination. We always have fun seeing what fun, "new" items they have displayed. These folks are experts at staging-- the visit alone is worth a tour.
6 locals recommend
Upscale Mercantile
161 Blue Star HwyLet's start with the fact that upstairs from this well-edited mid century antique market --is an expansive art gallery and wine bar. What a great combination. We always have fun seeing what fun, "new" items they have displayed. These folks are experts at staging-- the visit alone is worth a tour.
Parks & Nature
So iconic, Oval Beach is typically the first aspect one hears about the Saugatuck - Douglas area. And it is that way for a reason. Aside from the Pacific West Coast, it is one of the few places you can watch the sunset over nothing but a horizon of blue water. That, after a day soaking up the rays on the sandy beach (SPF, people!), playing Kadima, and swimming in the clear water!
115 locals recommend
Oval Beach
690 Perryman StSo iconic, Oval Beach is typically the first aspect one hears about the Saugatuck - Douglas area. And it is that way for a reason. Aside from the Pacific West Coast, it is one of the few places you can watch the sunset over nothing but a horizon of blue water. That, after a day soaking up the rays on the sandy beach (SPF, people!), playing Kadima, and swimming in the clear water!