![]() Let the guides of Mac Wood's Dune Rides take the wheel over the 2,000-acre dunes of Silver Lake State Park in a 40-minute tour exploring the dune habitat and delivering open-air thrills (May-October). Nearby, stroll the Monet Garden, a mini replica of painter Claude Monet's famous garden in Giverny, France, and restock your picnic cooler at the Cheese Lady downtown. Take it about 20 miles north to the beach at Grand Haven or the town's 2.5-mile harborside boardwalk, where you can snap photos of its 1839-vintage lighthouse (this is also a great place to rent a bike from Sun Sports Rentals and cycle some of the 20-mile paved Lakeshore Trail that connects Holland and Grand Haven).įifteen miles north in Muskegon, drive by the Victorian-era Hackley and Hume historic houses to get a look at the wealth generated a century ago by lumber barons (May-October). Pick up picnic fare at DeBoer's Bakery, including Dutch brown bread and double-fried chicken sandwiches. The Dutch-settled town has a popular tulip festival (in May) and a working windmill in Windmill Island Gardens (you can buy the flour it grinds in the gift shop), as well as an 1870-vintage lighthouse known as Big Red at Holland State Park. Take a sunrise hike through the dunes at Saugatuck from Mount Baldhead Park to Oval Beach before hitting the highway (196 to 131) for Holland, 12 miles north. There are also some chain hotels in the area.ĭay 2: Saugatuck to Glen Arbor (185 miles) If that’s a bit rich, check out Airbnb or other short-term rental sites, though try to book early (summer is a busy time in these parts). Rooms range from about $300 to more than $400 per night, depending on the size. ![]() Where to stay: For a worthy splurge, overnight at charming Wickwood Inn for pedestrian access to downtown Saugatuck and farm-to-table breakfasts (currently under renovation, the inn reopens in May). For a picnic dinner of charcuterie and local cheese, drive 9 miles southeast to Virtue Cider, which produces cider on a working farm in Fennville. Twenty miles on, sophisticated Saugatuck and its neighbor Douglas comprise Michigan's “Art Coast,” filled with galleries (don't miss local Impressionist James Brandess’ studio and gallery in Saugatuck). ![]() If that's too busy, head north 10 miles to Grand Mere State Park, with undulating trails through the dune system as well as access to a mile-long beach.Ĭontinue along the Red Arrow to the Blue Star Highway or hop on Interstate 96 roughly 35 miles to South Haven, home of DeGrandchamp Farms, famous for its u-pick blueberry fields in July and August and a good place to get a sense of the fruit-growing bounty of southwest Michigan. In Sawyer, climb the 260-foot sand dunes at Warren Dunes State Park and run back down them to the beach. ![]()
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