Category: Saugatuck Blog

As you may know, Michigan is affectionately known as the “Great Lakes State.” But there are many more things than majestic natural resources that make Michigan great. For example, Michigan is one of the top 10 states with the most places to play pickleball. There’s a reason pickleball has become so popular over the past few years, says Brandon Mackie of Pickleheads, a site dedicated to all things pickleball.

“Pickleball is accessible to everyone,” says Mackie. “The equipment is basic, with plastic paddles and balls, so there are fewer dynamics than with a stringed tennis racquet. The courts are smaller, and you’re playing up at the net, so you don’t have to do a lot of running around. And you can learn it in a single session—you don’t have to take a bunch of lessons.”

Get Started

Interested in playing but aren’t quite sure how to get started? Check out Pickleheads. The site offers how-to videos and equipment recommendations and can even connect you with local pros who provide lessons. Mackie recommends checking out a feature called “vacation mode.” This allows you to see all the courts and open plays in the area so that you can work on your game during your trip. 

Gear Up
If you’re on the hunt for new equipment, check out Revolin Sports for the latest paddles and accessories. This Holland, Michigan-based company locally designs and manufactures high-performing paddles for pickleball-obsessed using planet-friendly and game-enhancing materials. They have a variety of paddle models for all levels of players, with patterns and colors that will help you stand out on the court. Check out their address, hours, and offerings at www.revolinsports.com. 

Hit the Courts

The Saugatuck/Douglas area offers several great outdoor and indoor pickleball court options where you can perfect your game. Be sure to check out Pickleheads before you go so you can confirm court availability. 

Schultz Park
300 Riverview Dr., Douglas, MI 49406

The crown jewel of pickleball courts along the lakeshore is Schultz Park. Nestled in the village of Douglas, this facility has eight gorgeous outdoor hard courts with permanent pickleball lines and nets—a fact Mackie says is pretty rare. 

According to his database, over 75% of pickleball courts in the US are still temporary, and you have to draw your own lines or bring a net. So you’ll definitely want to take advantage of these dedicated pickleball courts when you’re in town. If you’d like to join open play, sign up for a $45 yearly membership with the Douglas Pickleball Club. The club also leaves one court open for non-members.

Village Square Park
499 Butler St., Saugatuck, MI 49423

Conveniently located in downtown Saugatuck, Village Square Park offers one outdoor concrete court. The lines are overlaid on a tennis court, so be aware that the net is taller than a pickleball net. This free court does have nearby restrooms and access to water.

Community Athletic Center – Fennville
515 N. Maple St. M 89, Fennville, MI 49408

If the weather looks grim, head south to Fennville and play at the Community Athletic Center. Here, you’ll find three indoor wood courts with permanent lines and portable nets. The facility also offers a track and weight room and pick-up basketball and volleyball, so if you’re looking for a full day of action on a rainy day, this is the place to go. Guest passes are available for just five dollars.

Play to Win

If you’re in the mood for a little competition during your trip, West Michigan hosts a variety of fantastic tournaments for all levels of players, all year around. Check out PickleballBrackets.com and filter by state to see a plethora of tournaments, big and small. Some of the most popular tournaments include the Beer City Open, Meijer State Games, and Revolin’s Earth Day Open.  

Why choose just one thing when you can try it all? Embark on a mini-culinary journey or craft beverage adventure by sampling a flight that lets you explore a variety of flavors in just one sitting.

When we think of tasting flights, our minds automatically think of beverages. But aside from all the fabulous drink flights that can be experienced at the wineries, cideries, and craft breweries in the Art Coast, there are some other incredible tasting flights waiting for you to discover.

The best way to sample all the goodness available at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery is to try one (or more) of their flights. Select tastings of four different wines or their hard ciders and then indulge in a one-of-a-kind Pie Flight. Made with only the best fruit from their Michigan orchards, this renowned flight features four of their delectable pies, so you can fully indulge with a little less guilt. During the colder months, Crane’s also offers a Soup Flight that is comfort food at its best. Featuring two delicious soups and their famous chili, this flight is accompanied by a side of sourdough grilled cheese dippers for the ultimate satisfying experience.

Pizza lovers rejoice! Along with their beer flights, the Mitten Brewing Company offers a tantalizing Pizza Flight for those who can’t settle on just one. Featuring slices of any four of their specialty pizzas, including the weekly special, this option ensures a foolproof way to discover your new favorite flavor combination.

For an interesting activity that includes a flight, sign up for a Coffee Flight and Warehouse Tour with Uncommon Coffee Roasters. Sample a variety of coffee that’s freshly roasted and brewed for you, chat with knowledgeable staff on the coffee beans’ origins, and tour the facility to see everything from roasting to cold brew to packaging. 

To experience the traditional craft beverage flights, try the cider flight at Virtue Cider or a craft beer flight from Saugatuck Brewing Company and Waypost Brewing Co. Our wineries, such as Modales, Fenn Valley Winery, and Michigan Wine Co., also have wine-tasting flights for you to sample. And, for something a little harder, visit the Coppercraft Distillery Tasting Room or the New Holland Brewing Tasting Room, where you can sample a flight of their exceptional, handcrafted spirits.

Live your best life with a mini-vacation that focuses on putting your health and well-being first. By indulging in a bit of self-care during your getaway and a little digital detox, you’ll return feeling refreshed and in a better frame of mind to take on whatever comes your way.

The more dreary days of winter are notoriously connected with feelings of melancholy. Add on the stress of the holiday season, and a getaway focused on wellness seems like the perfect antidote. Often, when we find ourselves getting busy or facing challenging situations, taking care of ourselves tends to be the first thing to go. However, engaging in regular self-care has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve energy and concentration, increase happiness, and more.

A long weekend focused on wellness does not necessarily mean a jam-packed agenda full of exercise routines. Nor does it only have to include back-to-back spa treatments. Remember that wellness is a holistic journey, integrating a number of dimensions, including physical, intellectual, emotional, environmental, and spiritual health. What one person needs to feel rebalanced and recharged may involve completely different activities than another. The key is to design a trip with enriching activities based on your personal needs.

Here are some of our suggestions to address your various dimensions of wellness while visiting the Saugatuck/Douglas area: 

Spiritual 

Be mindful and in the moment by enjoying your surroundings and putting away your smartphone. A digital detox provides an opportunity to be more present, allowing you to experience a greater appreciation for the world around you. Soothe your soul through meditation, prayer, or self-reflection. Practice yoga with a private one-on-one class at Satya Yoga, where a 60-minute session will be created for your specific needs. Private yoga sessions are also available through Encompass Wellness Yoga & Fitness Center.

Emotional

Spend some time journaling, see a stand-up comedy routine at Coral Gables, or experience some live music by attending a concert at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts or Salt of the Earth. Feeling a little stuck? Get inspired by perusing original artwork featured at our many local art galleries, including Amazwi Contemporary Art, The Ox-Bow House, Jeff Blandford Gallery, J. Petter Galleries, Water Street Gallery, and The Button Gallery, just to name a few. Engaging with art can lead to self-reflection, helping individuals gain insights into their own thoughts and feelings.

Environmental

Go for a leisurely walk along Oval Beach and listen to the sounds of the waves, or take an easy hike through the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and just breathe in the fresh air. Feeling adventurous? Climb up the steps of Mt. Baldhead to take in a panoramic view of the Kalamazoo River and bask in the sun. During the evening, look up at the sky and count the stars.

Intellectual

Read a book or work on a puzzle. Forgot to bring one? Stop by The Book Nook, an independent book store in Saugatuck that sells new and used books, as well as puzzles, and give your brain a mental challenge. Learn something new by taking a private ballroom dance class at Dance Asylum School of Music & Dance or a private French cooking class at Lulu Cadieux. Or learn the science and process of roasting coffee beans by becoming a Roaster for the Day through Uncommon Coffee Roasters’ unique learning experience.

Physical

Need to fit in that conventional workout? Pick up a day pass to Blue Star Gym. Want to flush some toxins out of your body? Make an appointment for the sauna at Encompass Wellness Yoga & Fitness Center. If the traditional spa experience is more your style, enjoy a hydrating facial combined with the benefits of minerals from the Dead Sea at SPAlia Saugatuck, or take it to the next level with a 100-minute deluxe customized facial from Susan Amidon Esthetics. Treat yourself to a deep tissue massage from Redefine Med Spa or Thrive Massage and Wellness, or indulge in a Stress-Fix body wrap from Bella Vita Spa. 

What you put into your body is just as important, so nosh on some healthy food while you’re here with farm-to-table fare from Pennyroyal Café + Provisions, Root Café, and Farmhouse Deli & Pantry. Make a point to stop by the Tree of Life Juice Bar for some cold-pressed juices and smoothies. Want to learn more about the healing power of food? Consider signing up for a consultation with LadyHawk Nutrition to get ideas on taking control of your health by transforming the way you eat. They also offer counseling on dietary supplements such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and homeopathic remedies that will work best for your specific needs.

You don’t need to book a flight to the Caribbean to have your wedding on a sandy white beach or travel clear across the country to find a dreamy destination where people will accept you for the wonderful person you are. Saugatuck/Douglas is a hidden gem of inclusivity, tucked along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. Our coastal towns have been a sanctuary for members of the LGBTQ+ community for decades, welcoming all people to a place where art, nature, and community take center stage. 

If a destination wedding sounds like the ideal way to tie the knot with your partner, let us share why the Art Coast of Michigan is the perfect place to make it happen.

A Convenient, Beautiful Destination

Located just a 45 minute drive from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, two and a half hours from Chicago, three hours from Detroit, and less than four hours from Indianapolis, Saugatuck/Douglas has everything you need for the perfect destination wedding along with the convenience of being centrally located. If you’re planning on having family in town for the big day, charming and comfortable hotels, bed and breakfasts, and rental properties abound. We also have award-winning restaurants featuring fresh, locally sourced fare. Many of these venues also specialize in rehearsal dinners, offering intimate settings where family and friends can bond and celebrate before the big event. 

People That Put You at Ease

Planning an LGBTQ wedding shouldn’t be more stressful than planning any other type of wedding. That’s why it’s so important to work with people who are accepting and understand your unique needs. A wedding planner such as Dream Day Weddings has vast experience working with LGBTQ+ couples. They also have a large network of gay-friendly and gay-owned vendors and venues, so you can be confident that the people you’re working with will put your needs first. Holden Michael Events is another fantastic local option with an experienced and creative team of event coordinators who can transform your wedding day wishes into a romantic reality. 

Diverse Venues that Express Your Personality

Are you enthusiastic about the outdoors? Or would you prefer an intimate indoor chapel for your wedding day? Look for a location that’s a reflection of all the things you love and that will be easily accessible to your guests. From beautiful gardens to rustic locations to historical sites, there are plenty of wedding venues in Saugatuck/Douglas to choose from. Planning a beach wedding? Our friends at My Barefoot Wedding are experts, with over 1,000 beach and outdoor weddings planned along the lakeshore since 2008. 

You’ll Feel the Love Here

Acceptance—not exclusivity—is the name of the game here. Saugatuck/Douglas is widely recognized as one of the best LGBTQ+ destinations for travel, with mentions in blogs on Thrillist, GayCities, and Pride Source. For decades, our residents have welcomed LGBTQ visitors with open arms, taking great pride in our reputation as a place where people from all walks of life can come together, be themselves, and feel free to love and be loved. Here, you can feel confident that your vows will be taking place alongside advocates who celebrate authenticity and cherish all expressions of love. We would be honored to host your destination wedding in the Art Coast!

When you step inside the Laffing Glass, a Saugatuck shop owned by Leslie Fitzell, it’s like crossing the threshold into Oz. A vibrant garden of glass flowers and dragonflies greets you, as does Leslie herself, ready with a smile and an endearing sense of humor. Her sunny spirit is even evident on the exterior of the shop, with punny signs displaying phrases such as “The artist is in (sane)” and, “Get your glass in here!”

 It’s no surprise that people from all over the country are patrons of Leslie’s glass art, commissioning custom designs or simply making her shop a must stop on their tour of the Art Coast. Leslie treats these customers like family, taking time out of her day to share hugs, coffee, and dinner with them. This sense of love and acceptance is one of the reasons she likes being a part of both the artistic and LGBTQ+ community in Saugatuck. And it’s why she never hesitates to encourage people to visit and live here.

How did you get your start working with glass?

I have an art background with graphics and museum installations and started doing stained glass to unwind. In 2010, when the museum company I was working for decided to close its doors, I got back into glass art heavily. I knew there was more to the glass world than stained glass, so I started exploring. My wife bought me some equipment for my birthday, and I put a little studio in our basement.

A lot of the work I do is called kiln-formed glass, where glass is heated and formed in kilns. Another technique I use is casting, where I take crushed glass and put it into molds. I also do a small amount of lampwork and blowing of glass elements and embellishments.

Why did you decide to open a shop in Saugatuck?

I was making a lot of pieces for myself, but I had friends who would come over and tell me that people needed to see what I was doing. I started going to galleries up and down the coast to sell my work. When my wife and I decided to move to Saugatuck, I thought about opening a shop. It seemed like a pipe dream—like winning the lottery. But while we were walking around town, looking at all the buildings and loving the sense of art and culture here, my wife encouraged me to open my own place. The price was right, and I took a chance on figuring out all the ins and outs of starting a business.

What inspires your work?

 I love nature and animals. Trees especially are my jam. You’ll see a lot of pieces that are organic in style. I do a lot of flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies. And in Saugatuck, it’s easy to find inspiration everywhere. I love Oval Beach, and I absolutely love the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. I’m easily fascinated by the nature all around me, too. I could just sit here, and I would probably find a bumble bee to play with or a tree to watch. And for me, working with glass is a way to preserve these kinds of memories.

The coolest thing about my medium is that it’s never gone. I’ve had people come and say that they’ve broken one of my pieces that they bought, and I tell them that glass is never really broken. Bring it back to me, and I’ll make it into something else. You can reform and reinvent it. It will become a story with interesting scars.

Why is Saugatuck such a great place for the LGBTQ+ community to visit and live?

Saugatuck is an anomaly. It’s a true walking town, and there is a feeling of safety feeling here. You can walk down the street holding your partner’s hand and not be afraid. There is a real sense of community here, too.  People know that they can find family here and that they won’t be treated differently from anyone else. I hear so many people say that they want to move here or retire here. I say, “The more the merrier!”

Saugatuck is also a good place for families to visit. People come here from Chicago, Detroit, and Kalamazoo and bring their kids. When we have people visiting, we tell them about our favorite restaurants like Wally’s and Phil’s Bar & Grille. We tell them to grab their pickle juice and water and climb the steps at Mt. Baldy. It’s just a great place to be!