MICHIGAN

A diary of some of my favorite to-do’s

The beauty of Michigan manifests in many ways: cool weather, a slow pace of life, darling downtowns & calming lake views. But as a traveler who can’t sit still for long, my favorite thing about this sleepy vacation was actually the ease of traveling to each little town.


One after another, darling townships like Saugatuck, Douglas and Holland are strung along the Lake Michigan coast with plenty of breweries, orchards, art galleries and more just waiting to be discovered.

SAUGATUCK/DOUGLAS

  • Happystance Dinette

    A woman-owned diner with farm fresh breakfast plates and happy vibes. Don’t miss the rhubarb Aperol spritz!

    8 Center St, Douglas

  • Red Dock

    A dockside dive bar perfect for enjoying the breeze and watching the boats go by. Next door at Retro Boat Rentals, you can take out a variety of boats onto the Kalamazoo River which feeds into Lake Michigan.

    219 N Union St, Douglas

  • Root Beer Barrel

    The icon of the Saugatuck/Douglas townships, this giant barrel has been selling hot dogs and rootbeer floats all summer long since most residents can remember.

    455 W. Center St, Douglas

  • Farm House Deli

    Forever my first and last stop in and out of town: the best sandwiches, premade salads, dips, and pastries. I dream of loading up on the fare here all year. Don’t miss the cakes, baked to perfection with local summer flavors like chocolate cherry.

    100 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas

  • Pennyroyal Cafe & Provisions

    Relax in the garden and enjoy seasonal, fresh fare prepared with skill– a relaxed atmosphere with exceptional culinary creations.

    3319 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck

  • The Mitten Brewing Co.

    Beer flights paired with pizza flights- what more could one want on vacation? 

    527 Leonard St NW, Saugatuck

  • The Southerner

    Hot fried chicken, towers of flaky biscuits and boozy frozen cocktails make this the perfect spot to kick off a night on the town. The vintage feel in their cozy harborside shack offers great views and plenty of seating to bring a crew. 

    880 Holland St, Saugatuck

  • Pumpernickel's

    Upscale and small town all at once, this is the place to go for a long lunch with a craft cocktail and a lobster roll. 

    202 Butler St, Saugatuck

FENVILLE

  • Lyons Fruit Market

    The best selection of local produce, baked goods, jams, wines and more– you’re sure to find the best of what’s in season here! Pro tip: pack a cooler and bring some goods home. Nothing beats Michigan berries.

    6821 124th Ave

  • Virtue Cider

    You’ll turn the corner to Virtue Cider and think you stumbled into the German village from Beauty & the Beast: quaint architecture, extensive farm grounds where sheep and chickens roam, and European style dry sparkling ciders.

    2170 62nd St

  • Crane's Pie Pantry

    The famous apple pie is worth the scenic drive past the orchards, and walking into the shop dripping with Americana is like going back in time. 

    6054 124th Ave

HOLLAND

  • Holland Farmers Market

    You’ll find Michigan classics–cherries, berries and asparagus– in abundance here, but you’ll also encounter neat local fare like beer cheese spread, blueberry salsa, and cherry chicken jerky. 

  • Cherry Republic

    The spot to go for all cherry everything. Seriously: dried cherries, chocolate covered cherries, cherry salsa, cherry mustard, cherry BBQ sauce, cherry white chocolate peanut butter… you get it. 

  • Bowerman Blueberry Market

    Enjoy picking blueberries during the late summer months, or pop in year round for their infamous fresh blueberry donuts. Get a sack full– they disappear fast. 

    15793 James St

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