Steal My Itinerary for an Amazing Fall Weekend in Saugatuck/Douglas
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Visiting Michigan’s Art CoastTM is the best way to celebrate the fall season! We planned a girls’ trip and explored nature, wineries, boutiques, art galleries, and so many stellar restaurants in just three days. Plus, Saugatuck/Douglas is a lively, walkable area, with plenty of attractions all within walking distance from centrally located inns and hotels.
The Art Coast of Michigan offers everything you need for the perfect fall weekend getaway, from apple picking and wine tasting to top-notch dining and sunsets on the beach. This just might become your favorite Michigan destination!
Thank you to the Saugatuck/Douglas Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for hosting Awesome Mitten for an incredible fall weekend!
My Saugatuck/Douglas Fall Weekend Itinerary
What We Did
- Hiked at Saugatuck Dunes State Park
- Watched the sunset at Oval Beach
- Shopped at boutiques & galleries in downtown Saugatuck/Douglas
- Went apple picking at Crane Orchards
- Enjoyed wine tasting at Modales
Where We Ate
- The Southerner
- The BARge
- Pennyroyal Cafe & Provisions
- Lady Bird
- happystance
- Crane’s Pie Pantry
Where We Stayed
- Porches on Mason
Homey Comforts at The Southerner
The Southerner is a fabulous taste of the south without making a trek down there! Like many of the restaurants in Saugatuck, you walk into the space and feel at home. The restaurant has kitchen table-style seating, mismatched dining chairs, and an incredibly scenic view of boats on the water.
The Southern comfort food is a hearty way to kick off your trip. My friend and I both tried the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and fries—we loved it—especially the biscuits. I was in the mood for a pick-me-up and tried the “Don’t Talk to Me (Yet)” made with Cold Brew Coffee, Reposado, and Eastern Kille Coffee Liqueur. This drink was excellent, and I will absolutely order it again!
Drinks with a View at The BARge
The BARge is a popular restaurant in Saugatuck, and for good reason. You get an unbeatable view of the river to enjoy while grabbing a bite to eat and a drink. There can be a wait during peak times in the summer, but luckily for us, the upstairs section was designated for drinks only, and was first come, first serve. We made our way up and were greeted with great service, tasty cocktails, and a gorgeous view.
I would highly recommend coming here to watch the sunset.
A Lovely Stay at Porches on Mason
Porches on Mason is a lovely inn with 8 separate suites cozily tucked away in downtown Saugatuck. With so many incredible restaurants and shops within walking distance, you can explore the area in a short amount of time.
Upstairs, you’ll find a room stocked full of fun board and card games for guests to use during their stay, which we definitely took advantage of! The porch swings are perfect to come back to after a long day of seeing the city. You can feel the cool fall breeze, enjoy a locally-made snack, and relax!
For more fabulous lodging options, check out the full Saugatuck/Douglas lodging guide.
Locally-Sourced Breakfast at Pennyroyal Cafe & Provisions
Pennyroyal is the cutest cafe located just minutes from downtown Saugatuck. Their menu is stacked with delicious options, from pastries to breakfast sandwiches, morning favorites like eggs, meats, and toast, and popular items like matcha!
I would recommend the Sausage, Egg, and cheese on Brioche Bun for morning people who like something more savory. The Maple Mayo is an amazing addition to this sandwich. I ordered mine with a side of breakfast potatoes, and they were cooked to crispy perfection.
Outside the cafe, there’s a shop with locally-made provisions, pumpkins, and more!
Scenic Trails at Saugatuck Dunes State Park
If you’re in Saugatuck, you must add time with nature to your itinerary, and Saugatuck Dunes State Park is the perfect place to go. There are plenty of trails to walk, ranging from 1.5 miles to 5.2 miles. We embarked on the 1.5-mile Beach Trail to see the beauty of Lake Michigan at the end of our hike!
The walk through the woods was peaceful and the lake view was well worth the hike.
The Best Sandwiches at The Farmhouse Deli and Pantry
I had the BEST sandwich of my life here! The Farmhouse Deli and Pantry is a unique shop located in Douglas. When you walk in, you see locally sourced food and drinks before going to the sandwich shop.
We ordered the Belly Buster and Pork Banh Mi, and I was completely blown away. One bite into the Belly Buster, and I was hooked. I would make the 45-minute drive to have this sandwich again.
In addition to the food, they also make their own organic juices. I tried one with beets, ginger, and lemon—it was the perfect addition to my Belly Buster!
The Art Coast of Michigan
Saugatuck/Douglas isn’t called the Art Coast of Michigan for nothing! We visited the Button Gallery in Douglas to see some incredible paintings and sculptures. This gallery carries various artists’ work and often holds events for the community as well!
On the weekend we visited, we enjoyed the Art in Douglas event. There were drinks, a charcuterie board, and plenty of mingling at the gallery when we went. This was a great stop on our afternoon art adventures.
Dreamy Boutiques in Saugatuck/Douglas
Shopping in the downtown areas of Saugatuck/Douglas is a locally-made lover’s dream! We strolled past homemade jam shops, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and so much more.
When you walk into these places, you’ll likely meet the owner, learn about their business, and want to check out what they have to offer—this experience makes Saugatuck/Douglas feel like a close-knit community, even to tourists. We loved it!
Low-Key Upscale Dining at Lady Bird
If you’re looking for an upscale vibe with high-quality food in a low-pressure environment, Lady Bird is it. We specifically stopped to eat dinner at Lady Bird to try out their incredible menu and have a fancier girls’ night out. I ordered the Gulf Main Scallops and was not disappointed!
Everything tasted fresh, and the cocktails were great as well. I sipped on Espresso Martini with my meal. The servers and bartenders were very down-to-earth and made us feel comfortable. The stunning environment makes it a great spot to unwind in the evening with a glass of wine. I would definitely recommend Lady Bird to a friend.
Sunset at Oval Beach
Spending an evening at the beach watching the sunset over Lake Michigan is a must on a weekend getaway in Saugatuck/Douglas!
We made our way over to Oval Beach and were blown away by the views. It’s easy to see why this beach is an award winner! Between the stunning shoreline and rolling sand dunes, Oval Beach was the perfect spot to unwind and wrap up our night.
happystance’s Cozy Breakfast Cafe
happystance is a classic and cozy breakfast cafe in downtown Douglas. This is a great place to start your day with coffee and a delicious meal. I kept it light and snacked on some veggies with a delicious green goddess dressing. My friend Emma ordered grilled cheese for breakfast and some OJ to go.
If you’re looking to start your day with friendly servers and yummy food, happystance is the place to go.
Fall Fun at Crane Orchards
Apple picking is a must for the fall season, and Crane Orchards is a beautiful spot to pick your favorite types! They had nine different kinds of apples ripe for picking when we went. There’s also a corn maze you can go through after you munch on a delicious Honeycrisp.
Country Vibes at Crane’s Pie Pantry
Make sure you come to Crane’s Pie Pantry hungry because there’s a lot to enjoy! We ordered Sloppy Joe’s and a pie flight with ice cream. Everything tasted incredible, and we loved the country vibe of the restaurant itself.
Outside, you can sit on the patio and enjoy live music and a bite to eat with a view of their orchards. After eating and checking out the rest of the pantry, we headed into their market for homemade baked goods and so many more yummy things to take to go!
Organic Wine Tasting at Modales
The perfect way to wrap up a weekend on the Art Coast of Michigan is at a winery! To cap off our trip, we stopped by Modales for wine flights. We tried the dry white and red flights, sipping on each pour while exploring the property. Modales has a stunning inside area and the outside seating offers a lovely view of their vineyards.
Modales is one of the few Michigan wineries that is entirely organic. They grow around 70% of their grapes right here in Saugatuck, sourcing the rest from northern Michigan vineyards.
You can also build your charcuterie board while there! We were too full from Crane’s Pie Pantry for food, but next time, I can’t wait to add meat and cheese to my wine flight at Modales!
Save This Itinerary For Your Next Art Coast Adventure
Saugatuck/Douglas is the perfect area of the mitten to explore during summer’s final days and into the fall months. Save this itinerary to plan your next Art Coast visit full of amazing dining experiences and unforgettable adventures!