Activity Overview
This lake feels like an ocean, with giant sand dunes, and art everywhere, and as a result, this stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline is a classic summer-vacation destination. When you’re not sunbathing in Saugatuck, you easily lose yourself in unique shops and galleries and watch the sunset from upscale restaurants.
Things to See & Do
In the summer - The weather is fabulous, you can swim, enjoy the good weather, lie on the beach, boat, fish, hike in the nature and observe the beauty of this unusual environment. Water temps are generally in the mid-60s during the summer - not particularly warm, but definitely invigorating!
- If Lake Michigan is still too chilly for your taste, head to the warmer inland waters of Hamlin, Silver, and Manistee Lakes. Since they're smaller, they tend to warm more quickly than Lake Michigan.
In the winter, if you enjoy the cold weather, snowy landscapes and winter sports, you’ll really appreciate the atmosphere of Lake Michigan. If you like hiking you won’t be disappointed because there are a lot of trails through the woods and everything is well indicated so you won’t get lost.
If you like adventure you can also rent a snowmobile and go for a ride on the little tracks or even on the frozen lake if you’re brave! There are a lot of activities that you can do like fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking…
Take a long walk along the water at the popular Oval Beach, then stretch out on the sand and relax. The waves are sometimes big enough for bodysurfing or boogie boarding.
Dune Buggy - Nearby, where the dunes soar to 200 feet, you can take a dune buggy ride.
Sunsets - view a glorious sunset from the dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Lake Michigan Insider Tips
- In nearby Fennville, don’t miss the chance to eat fresh-fruit pie at Crane Orchards & Cider Mill or fuse glass in a 19th-century barn at Express Yourself Art Barn.
- Return to retro - The opening of some cool, revamped 1920s and ‘30s motels and auto courts feature the newest trend in Saugatuck. Saugatuck is an artsy community of with fun shops.
- Grand Haven is a beautful city worth exploring for its shops, restaurants, and lakefront area.
- Take a little side trip to Pentwater, a lovely town filled with fun shops and good eats.
- Ludington has a fantastic state park that offers camping, biking, swimming, fishing, kayaking and lots of relaxation.
- Stop through Manistee to walk the established boardwalk.
- Stop for a picnic while gazing at Arcadia Bluffs along the roadside.
- Inland lakes along here are clear and very blue-green in color.
- At Frankfort visit Point Betsie Lighthouse and then head on up to Sleeping Bear Dunes for some spectacular scenery and dune climbing.
- Leland is a quaint fishing town worth strolling through.
