Saugatuck blends waterfront living with a vibrant arts culture
With its river walks, marinas and beaches, Saugatuck is the definition of a water town. It’s also right next to Douglas, just south of where the Kalamazoo River meets Lake Michigan. Together, the two cities help make up “The Art Coast of Michigan,” an area known for its galleries, art-themed events and local businesses in the creative sphere. “You get a lot of people from Chicago and Indianapolis who take trips here for the art scene,” says Bradley Wisk, a Realtor with Keller Williams Harbortown who sells homes in the region.
A creative downtown scene with local businesses and galleries
Saugatuck’s downtown riverfront features local shops, restaurants and art galleries on tree-lined streets. Several restaurants offer outdoor dining next to the river, including The Butler, which serves American fare. Coral Gables, another waterfront option, features a piano bar and hosts live music and comedy shows. Many more establishments are in town, including Phil’s Bar & Grille, known for its seafood, and Pumpernickels, a chic spot for brunch. Locals enjoy making their rounds at the dozens of unique shops, whether shopping for international products at Lucia’s World Emporium or trying on new clothes at one of the many boutiques. Downtown has a few gourmet produce stores, such as American Spoon, which sells homemade preserves, and The Olive Mill, known for its balsamic and olive oil products. For everyday grocery shopping, there’s Supervalu in Douglas.
Saugatuck Center for the Arts is home to one of many galleries in town. It also serves as a performing arts center that puts on plays, music productions and lectures, plus art programming for adults and children.
Leafy streets and lakefront dunes offer a range of home styles
The median home sale price in Saugatuck is about $680,000 compared to $550,000 in Douglas. Single-family homes and condos line the leafy streets in the suburban grid just outside of downtown. Home styles range from small ranch-style homes to upscale million-dollar properties. More multimillion-dollar estates are located in Dunegrass, a gated development on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Oval Beach and Mt. Baldhead are top spots for outdoor fun
Beachgoers head to Oval Beach to swim and relax on the shores of Lake Michigan. A trail from the beach leads about 200 feet to the top of Mount Baldhead, which offers views of Lake Michigan and the Kalamazoo River. “Locals call it Mount Baldy, and it’s one of the most popular dunes in the area,” Wisk says. “People like to climb the stairs for exercise or just to see the views.” Boaters can keep their boats at a marina on the river and take them out to Lake Michigan. Between the lake and the river, the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area features nearly 3 miles of trails through the dunes. Coughlin Park has a grassy field and a walkway along the river.
Highly rated schools with an award-winning art program
Students attend Douglas Elementary School and Saugatuck Middle School, both rated A by Niche. Saugatuck High School, rated B-plus, is connected to the middle school building. Like the community itself, the high school is centered on the arts. In 2025, it won four awards in a regional high school art competition across West Michigan.
Art Coast Gallery Stroll, Venetian Festival and other annual events
Saugatuck has several events throughout the year. The city partners with Douglas for the Art Coast Gallery Stroll in winter, spring and fall, when locals and visitors explore art galleries in both cities. The Venetian Festival, one of Saugatuck’s biggest events, is held during a July weekend to celebrate summer with live music, a lighted boat parade and other festivities. The Mount Baldhead Challenge is held every September, with racers running through dunes to the top of Mount Baldhead. The day after Thanksgiving, the community welcomes the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony and the lighting of the Mount Baldhead star. Every new year is rung in with a fireworks show over the Kalamazoo River.
A 40-minute drive to Grand Rapids via I-196
Interstate 196 passes by Saugatuck, leading a little over 10 miles to Holland and the closest hospital. The highway also runs about 40 miles to Grand Rapids and Gerald R. Ford International Airport, about a 40-minute drive.
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Written By
Nicolas Stuart
