The Run Down
Day one of your Saugatuck trip focused on enjoying locally farmed cider and exploring the bustling town by water. On day two, you’ll explore by sand and indulge in some culinary delights by local chefs and distillers.
The adventure continues on day two of your trip with a favorite attraction among tourists and locals alike, Saugatuck Dune Rides. If you’re traveling with kids, this is a must-do. Just don’t be surprised if you also find yourself letting out a high-pitched scream as you barrel down one of the steep dunes.
Tickets must be purchased in advance online or by phone and are likely to sell out quickly during their busy season from July through August. Start by driving to the outpost, which sits right off of Blue Star Highway and is marked by a large sign reading “DUNE RIDES” in bold red font.
The property of trails spans the western edge of inland Lake Goshorn, separated from the larger Lake Michigan by — you guessed it — sand dunes. Once you’ve checked in and signed a waiver, load into a large dune buggy made up of five benches and one long seat belt across each bench.
You’ll meet your driver, who might make a joke about signing over your life or how not everyone on the last tour made it back alive. Lean into the shtick, and the experience becomes all the more entertaining and enjoyable.
Throughout the thrilling ride, the driver will stop and share some history and folklore of the area and let passengers get out and explore the dunes and beautiful views.
Perhaps most interesting is the story of the town of Singapore, the land which the dune park now sits on, which was buried by sand in the 1870s after the area was deforested and the trees were sent to Chicago to help with the rebuilding effort after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The ride lasts 40 minutes and is a great way to spend an afternoon exploring and learning more about the natural environment that makes Saugatuck so special. Don’t forget to tip the buggy driver and head back to the car to continue your day in charming downtown Saugatuck.
Before grabbing dinner, get some steps in by walking the main street of downtown Saugatuck and enjoying the beautiful water views, storefronts and street art as you pass by. There is a charming little rose garden along Butler Street known as the Mize Memorial Garden. The garden, enclosed by a wrought-iron fence, is home to many beautiful flowers as well as interesting sculptures like “Cyclists” by William Tye and “Fountainhead” by Clyde Ball, a former Saugatuck resident.
After strolling, head to the relaxed riverside restaurant The Southerner, which specializes in southern Lowcountry cuisine. When you enter, you’ll instantly feel at home in the space filled with antique wooden tables and a sprawling screened-in porch overlooking the marina on the Kalamazoo River.
Executive chef and owner Matt Millar calls the restaurant “a love letter to Appalachia,” as his family moved from East Tennessee to Michigan in search of economic opportunities back in the 1950s and brought their favorite Apachalian recipes along with them. A two-time regional James Beard Award finalist with experience in fine dining, Millar put together a homey yet refined food and cocktail menu that has garnered the restaurant a cult following since its opening in 2015.
People come from near and far for The Southerner’s fried chicken. The affectionately named “Nana’s Fried Chicken Dinner” comes with a fried half chicken, a biscuit and two sides. Another dish that will have you coming back again is the Blue Crab and Langostino Calas, described as “savory Carolina gold rice fritters served with creole remoulade.” Wash down your meal with a memorable cocktail like a Maple Old Fashioned or a Pickle Spritz — pickle juice, Carpano Bianco, lime, soda and Les Allies brut.
Round out your last day in Saugatuck with a crisp, refreshing cocktail at the Coppercraft Distillery Tasting Room on bustling Water Street, a 12-minute walk from The Southerner. The Tasting Room is one of the multiple businesses occupying the historic warehouse-like structure that dons a sign reading “Antique Shoppes and Food.”
Coppercraft was founded in 2012 in the neighboring town of Holland. The company was born out of a respect for the American craftsman and specifically the auto manufacturers, furniture craftsmen, farmers and entrepreneurs of Michigan. Over the years, Coppercraft has expanded its spirit offerings from whiskey to gin, vodka and rum. They were the first Michigan distiller to offer canned cocktails, and their small-batch spirits consistently win national awards.
The tasting room is an inviting space, with tall ceilings, lots of natural light, an area for tasting flights and a bar where cocktails are on draft or crafted by ara skilled bartender. Opt for a Michigan take on a classic with the Cherry Bourbon Smash, a draft cocktail with a blend of straight bourbon whiskies, dark cherry syrup, mint and orange bitters. If not, lean into summer with a boozy slushie like the Chupacabra, which features Coppercraft rum and cola simple syrup with lime.
The Coppercraft Tasting Room is part of Saugatuck’s designated Social District, a program that allows merchants to sell alcohol to patrons in a marked container which they can then leave with and carry around within the social district area. Soak in the rest of the evening like a local would, by the waterfront with your drink in hand.
