“Spring is when you feel like whistling.”
~ Doug Larsen
Spring Splurge:
The Perfect Spring Guide For Your Saugatuck, Michigan Getaway
The sun is shining and your spring getaway to Wickwood’s bed and breakfast is finally here! Warm sweet strawberries atop shortcake greet our Inn’s guests at breakfast after their first beach walk of the season. It’s a time when you want to skip down cobblestones and see a Judy Collins Concert at the SCA.
Go antiquing at Swell Times, Saugatuck Antique Pavilion, Olde House, Sunset Junque Shop or the Allegan Antique Market. Shop for quirky home decor at both Upscale Mercantile or Kindel & Company Mercantile. Shops and galleries spruce up for spring on the Art Coast of Michigan. Enjoy a massage before dinner at Bowdies, The Southerner, Everyday People Cafe, Phil’s, Salt of the Earth or Butch’s. Spring’s first Farmers’ Market is a welcome sight. Go for a bike ride followed by a picnic at Oval Beach. And then, play eighteen holes of golf at Clearbrook, Ravines, or Hawkshead. Maybe you float along the Kalamazoo River on a vintage Retro Boat through glorious downtown Saugatuck.
This is the perfect Spring Getaway Guide For Saugatuck with some local favorites, suggested stops and insider secrets to help you love life like a local. Use our special tips as you will, but let your imagination be your guide!
“In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather within 24 hours.”
~ Mark Twain
From the quote one might think Mark Twain was a native of Michigan! It’s true that our spring weather is changeable. But, there is so much to do in Saugatuck that you find something to do rain or shine.
Wickwood Inn’s Spring Guide | Local Favorites & Insider Tips
We locals love our village of Saugatuck. And especially in spring, as it’s the season in Saugatuck when all things feel possible. Crocus, daffodils and tulips fill our gardens with spring color. Farmers’ Markets begin to bustle. The snow is gone from our country roads for your bike ride. Our award winning, sandy beaches are wide open and ready to stroll. Area artists explode back on to the scene. Our golf courses are expertly groomed. Musicians play in the pubs and parks. Our energetic villages are ready to march in a parade and host a giant party. Wickwood Inn warmly welcomes you to the vibrancy of Spring in Saugatuck 
Friday
12:00 p.m.
1. Sip Your First Taste of Spring | The Best Hard Ciders From Michigan Apples
Before your Saugatuck arrival, turn into Virtue Cider. Taste their latest local craft cider creations. With fresh, ripe heirloom apples and careful fermentation, these ciders rival the finest wines and craft brews. Taste your way through the daily offerings and pick a pint of your favorite. Afterward, take the short, scenic drive to Cranes and compare the taste of their latest ciders crafted fresh from their own orchards!
1:15 p.m.
2. Lunch Al Fresco | Outdoor Dining In Saugatuck Restaurants
Ah, you’re already in vacation mode! Head to Saugatuck and further unwind over an al fresco lunch at Ida Red’s, Phil’s, or Mitten Brewing. At Ida Red’s everything is made from scratch! Phil’s is where the locals hangout and home to a great simple pub burger. At Mitten Brewing Company we love their pizza flights!
2:15 p.m.
3. Stretch Your Legs & Shop | Find Your Favorite Paintings, Pottery & Sculptures
There’s still a little time before checking in, so why not explore a few of the galleries nearby? Amazwi Contemporary Art gives voice to a diverse array of emerging and established African artists. Make sure you pop into Jeff Blandford Gallery. The pottery and glass gallery of artist, Jeff Blandford, is a favorite with the locals.
You find no chain stores or restaurants in downtown Saugatuck. Visit Kindel & Company Home Décor for exciting ideas in home decor. Discover why Saugatuck-Douglas is known as the Art Coast. Good Goods, James Brandess, and Armstrong DeGraff are a few of over 30 art galleries and studios that intrigue. For your fashion fix, explore Renuar, Chantal, Chantal for Men and more. Plenty of great clothing boutiques run along the Saugatuck avenues. Taste your way through American Spoon, Spice Merchants and Tabor Hill. The impressive collection of kitchen gadgets and accessories at The Butler Pantry inspires the foodie in you. Enjoy the expertise of Mike, Saugatuck’s Sommelier, at Wine Sellers. Buy a bottle for your room or a sunset beach picnic. Meander along the boardwalk and take in the beauty of the Saugatuck waterfront.
5:00 p.m.
4. A Warm Welcome At Wickwood Inn | Check-in To Our Saugatuck Bed And Breakfast
As soon as you enter Wickwood, let the enchantment begin! As your eyes dance around, you discover fine art, antiques, sculpture, board games, books, and fresh bouquets. An aroma arises from the kitchen. It’s our freshly baked Signature Chocolate Chips Cookies, Sables and Molasses Cookies. Of course, you can’t resist a taste. Experience the recipes that Silver Palate Cookbook author Julee Rosso created. At last, you’re at Wickwood. Relax and refresh with a cup of single origin coffee, fresh juice or organic tea. Cozy up in a wingback chair or wander outdoors to our gazebo before Sips & Small Plates Hour At Six.
6:00 p.m.
5. The Best Happy Hour In Saugatuck | Sips & Small Plates At Wickwood Inn
There’s nothing like when food lovers gather together around good food. Start off with a complimentary taste of wine or, open one of the bottles you just bought. Try the Minty Spring Pea Soup and Asparagus wrapped with Prosciutto, a green taste of spring. Enjoy the impressive array on our American Artisanal Cheese Board: cheeses, roasted olives, homemade chutneys and charcuterie. If you’re leery of Brussels Sprouts, you must try ours . . . the Roasted Maple Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts convert many! And, savor the Jambon with Parsley and Gruyere atop Crostini for a classic combination.
7:30 p.m.
7. Great Food & Friendly Atmospheres | Tonight’s Top Saugatuck Restaurants Picks
Enjoy the rural scenery on the quick drive to Salt of the Earth in downtown Fennville. Salt proudly partners with area farmers, turning the best raw ingredients into tasty appetizers, small plates and entrees. And they may have live music! Don’t feel like driving to dinner? No problem! Stroll through downtown Saugatuck to Grow, Coast 236 or Mitten Brewing for a delicious casual meal. At Grow and Coast 236, thoroughly enjoy modern authentic farm to table experiences. At Mitten Brewing you eat the Pizza Flight!
9:30 p.m.
8. Return to the Inn | Experience Wickwood Inn’s Delicious Evening Sweets
By now, your “To Do” lists at home are a faraway memory and stress from daily life is no more. Now, it’s time to sink completely into your vacation. Let the wonders of Wickwood sweep you away. Grab a book. Open a bottle of wine. Enjoy your late-night Evening Sweets. Relax and savor every morsel. 
Saturday
8:00 a.m.
9. Walk Along Our Iconic Award Winning Oval Beach | The Best Beachcombing In Saugatuck
It’s not often that you have an undeveloped coastline and an award winning sandy singing beach all to yourself. Odds are, the splendor of Lake Michigan will be yours alone. It’s perfect for finding the best nugget of beach glass, or a handful of Lucky Stones, to take home as keepsakes. Stay along the water or venture onto the marked trail in the dunes. Keep your eyes open for soaring bald eagles and other wildlife.
9:00 a.m.
10. The Best Breakfast In Saugatuck | Wickwood’s Farm To Table Breakfast Awaits You
This is not your typical complimentary breakfast. This is pure farm to table pampering. Begin with Wickwood’s refreshing & juicy Four Berry Bowl. Choose Asparagus Frittata with Roasted Tomatoes and Parmesan Shards topped with truffled greens. It’s the perfect combination for Spring. The warm Cinnamon Sugar Popovers melt in your mouth. The Rhubarb Cake with Streusel is truly something special. All this and more with a glass of champagne? Delightful!
10:15 a.m.
11. Market Saturday | The Markets Near Saugatuck
Spring is one of the best times to see our Michigan farmers’ markets in West Michigan. Our county’s farmers help make Michigan the 2nd most diverse agricultural state in the U.S., only after California. Make your way through our markets and find farm eggs, fresh bouquets, herbs, vegetables, fruits, plants, baked goods, honey, meats, cheeses, and more! Local families, tourists, and chefs all mix and mingle with the real rockstars in our community . . . our farmers.
12:00
12. Golfing In Saugatuck | Clearbrook, The Ravines & Hawkshead Golf Courses
Golfing in spring is the best! The golf courses are fresh and tee-times plentiful. The Ravines, an Arnold Palmer Signature course, is a nice 18 hole challenge. Clearbrook and Hawkshead both have stunning views and amazing food.
1:00 p.m.
13. Drive Along the Blue Star | Saugatuck’s Best Hidden Gems Are Everywhere
There’s a good reason that when people from Chicago visit this area, they head up along the Blue Star Memorial Highway. It’s dotted with antiques, art galleries, farm stands, pottery studios, nurseries and more creative people than you can imagine. And in Spring, you get lost in the magic, not in the crowds. Perfect in a car or on 2 wheels, ask any of our Innkeepers for maps and recommendations. You can’t miss! But, be sure and see Dawn Stafford’s PeachBelt Studio, The Brazilian Shack, and Fernwood 1891. And, J. Petter Galleries is the perfect place for both fine art AND a glass of fine wine.
5:00 p.m.
14. It’s Spa Time! | Return To Wickwood For The Ultimate Massage
It seems impossible that you could be any more relaxed. Trust us, your custom massage will take you to a whole new level. Whatever spa treatment you choose, the expert clinicians at Wickwood’s Spa have just the right touch. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
6:00 p.m.
16. Sips & Small Plates | The Best Appetizers In Town Are For Wickwood Guests
Asparagus Soup, of course! Next is Salmon Mousse With Spring Asparagus. This has you hungry for more. The Spicy Sausage Pinwheels are perfect, and the Spring Chèvres Tarte taste so good. It’s obvious that this staff cares about every detail. You can taste the delicious difference in each bite.
7:45 p.m.
17. Saturday Night Dinner Hotspots | 3 Of Our Many Great Restaurants In Saugatuck
A local favorite is Everyday People Café. Typically, we love whatever fish or special entree they offer, and the Wasabi Tuna remains a favorite. Another great restaurant to try is the best steakhouse in Saugatuck. One taste of the perfectly prepared Tomahawk Steak, Truffle Fries and Grilled Asparagus at Bowdies Chophouse tells you why it’s the best. Or, enjoy river views and a creative take on Southern Classics by the James Beard nominated chef, Matt Millar at The Southerner. If you love Southern Fried Chicken or Southern Slow-Cooked Favorites, Southerner is where you eat in Saugatuck. See even more places to eat in our Best Saugatuck Restaurants guide.
9:30 p.m.
18. Live Concerts & Dancing | Eclectic Saugatuck Has The Most Fun Live Music
There are plenty of options for live music and dancing around town. Try Saugatuck Brewing, Wicks Bar or What Not Inn for some music and a nightcap. Make sure and have your dancing shoes on! Be sure and find out what’s happening at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. You never know who’s in Saugatuck performing: Keb Mo, Joan Baez, Cowboy Junkies, Chris Bruebeck, Aaron Neville, Second City, Jeff Daniels. . . all have taken the stage. This small town really does sizzle.
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
20. Breakfast At The Inn | Savor The Best Farm To Table Flavors At Wickwood
Today, you’re more in the mood for Asparagus Eggs in the Hole Topped with Parmesan and Drizzled with Truffle Oil. The bowl of Papaya, Mango, Pineapple, and Cantaloupe with Ginger Fruit Sauce looks gorgeous with its sprinkling of Pomegranate Seeds. The Glazed Lemon Cake and Link Sausage are perfect alongside. And, of course, you must devour a slice of Wickwood’s Sour Cream Coffee Cake.
10:15 a.m.
21. Bike or Hike Saugatuck’s Countryside | The Best Lake Michigan Views In West Michigan
Sunday morning is the perfect time to bike along our country roads and see the trees in bloom. Maybe, hike the trails at our State Park and take in the vistas with their breathtaking views. It’s so easy here to escape into Nature. Just minutes from our door, and you’ll feel another world away. Whether you climb Mt. Baldhead, ascend to Crow’s Nest, do the South Trail Loop, or wind your way through the fields and orchards on the way to Glenn, we have what you’re looking for. Just ask. We’ll send you on an adventure.
12:00 p.m.
22. Check-Out Time | Begin Planning Your Next Wickwood Inn Getaway!
Everything about this trip exceeded your expectation. Yes, you read the reviews of Wickwood where people seemed to be a bit effusive. But now, you understand the enthusiasm! The New York Times and Travel & Leisure have it right. This IS “the best place to stay in Saugatuck,” and certainly it must be “One of the World’s Most Romantic Inns.” Time to make your reservation for your next visit to Wickwood Inn.
12:15 p.m.
23. The Best of Farm To Table To Go In Saugatuck, Michigan | Farmhouse Pantry and Pennyroyal Provisions
At Farmhouse Deli & Pantry, you find everything you need for a tasty snack on the road or dinner at home tonight. The Vegan Bahn Mi with Hawaiian tofu, roast garlic spread and sriracha on a Dutch crunch roll is a sure bet. And, we love their Kale Salad! Pennyroyal Café & Provisions, open for breakfast and lunch also sells fresh foods and cups of Mad Cap Coffee to go in their shop. Treat yourself to a Croissant Sandwich with Brie & Jam or a Duck Confit Sandwich with Cherry Mustard, Arugula and Chevres. Plus, mouthwatering pastries and cookies baked fresh daily.
2:00 p.m.
24. Visit A Vineyard | The Top Winery Tours In West Michigan Are At Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wyncroft Winery
No matter how you spend your time at Fenn Valley, your visit is fun. Take the tour. Enjoy the idyllic landscape as you taste your way through the vineyard on the winery’s wagon. The young shoots on the grape vines are such a great sign of Spring! Wyncroft Winery is another option for a wonderful wine education, tasting and estate tour. Arrange an appointment and owner, Jim Lester, will escort you around their stunning gated winery property.
3:30 p.m.
25. The Last Stop | Don’t Miss A Visit To Evergreen Lane
Seriously, there’s nothing cuter on this earth than the baby goats at Evergreen Lane Farm and Creamery. Look for the Purple Creamery Cottage Shop on the farm path. Their road sign attached to a big tree simply says, “Cheese.” Some of our favorites are LaMancha Moo, Tribute and Poet’s Tomme. And, their original Chèvres is in the Spring Onion Tarte at Wickwood ! Although we crave Evergreen Lane’s cheeses, honestly, we visit again and again in Spring to frolic with the baby goats.
You are finally on your way home from Spring in Saugatuck. If you did not already, make your reservation at Wickwood Inn now for summer for a whole different experience!