A Fall Weekend in Saugatuck | How to Spend it | LGBTQ Friendly Travels

Visiting in summer? Check out our summer Saugatuck itinerary!

We spent a weekend in Saugatuck, Michigan, for Hannah’s birthday, and we fell in love with its welcoming charm the moment we arrived. We’re both big fans of fall, so we went in mid-October, when the foliage is at its absolute best.

Saugatuck is a busy lake town in the summer, but October is shoulder season: quieter streets, cozy cafés, Main Street lit up with lights, and a town that’s very LGBTQ+ friendly. We brought our pups, too, and they were welcome in most of the shops.

Here’s how to spend a fall weekend in Saugatuck: where to stay, how to get around, what to do, and where to eat and drink.

Where to Stay in Saugatuck

We stayed in a vacation rental that was literally across the street from Main Street. We crossed the road, went down a set of stairs, and were right on the well-lit street with all the shops.

• Want to walk everywhere? Book a rental near downtown. Browse Saugatuck stays on VRBO here.
• Want to mingle? There are bed-and-breakfasts all through town that give you that community feeling.
• Want somewhere even quieter? Saugatuck’s sister town, Douglas, is right across the lake and just as cute.

Getting around

The best way to get around Saugatuck is to walk. Everything you need is right there. If you want to explore beyond Saugatuck and Douglas, you’ll need a car or rideshare, since the next towns are about 20 minutes away.

We drove up and only used the car once, to get to a breakfast spot just outside town because it was raining. Otherwise, we would have walked.

Things to Do in Saugatuck in the Fall

• Ride the dunes. At Saugatuck Dune Rides, you hop into a big jeep-style ride and tour the sand dunes. They run seasonally, so check their schedule before you go, especially late in October. If the rides are closed, you can still visit the dunes, which are so neat. The lake is beautiful any time of year.
• Wander the art galleries. Saugatuck has the most beautiful art galleries and shops. We spent hours just walking around and looking. PS: one of the shops is a Ralph Lauren store, and the smell alone consumed us.
• See Main Street lit up. In the fall, the town strings lights along Main Street, and it’s especially cozy at night.
• Check the events calendar. Saugatuck and Douglas host some of the neatest town events, like a New Year’s bash and Roaring ’20s parties, and the local breweries always have something going on.

Watch our weekend

Where to Eat and Drink in Saugatuck

• Uncommon Coffee Roasters (127 Hoffman St). Our coffee stop, and very LGBTQ+ friendly.
• Pennyroyal Café & Provisions (3319 Blue Star Hwy, just outside downtown). We would give them 150 stars out of 5 if we could.
• The Butler (40 Butler St). A waterfront spot right on the channel.
• Coast 236 (236 Culver St). Super nice, so save it for a special dinner. It isn’t open every night, so check their hours before you go.

Map of Our Saugatuck Spots

Everything from this post in one place. Tap a spot to see it on the map and get directions.

Tips for a Fall Weekend in Saugatuck

• Go in mid-October. That’s when the foliage is at its best, and the summer crowds are gone.
• Pack layers and a raincoat. It gets cool in October, so bring sweaters and jackets. We got rained on, so the raincoat is a must.
• Bring the dogs. Our pups were welcome in most shops. Just ask at the door before you walk in.
• Stay walkable. A rental or B&B near Main Street means you can leave the car parked all weekend.
• Check what’s open. Fall is shoulder season, so some spots have shorter hours, and the dune rides wind down late in the month.
• Celebrate something. We went for Hannah’s birthday, and the cozy, slower pace made it feel special. It’d be perfect for an anniversary, too.

We’ll Be Back

We loved our time in Saugatuck and will definitely be going back. Fall colors, cozy cafés, dogs welcome, and a town where we felt completely at home: it’s hard to beat.

Coming in summer instead? Here’s our summer weekend in Saugatuck itinerary. Looking for more fall day trips? See our day at Eckert’s Farm.

Watch our whole weekend on YouTube, and pin this post for your fall getaway!

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