Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. And, here’s what to do if you want to surprise your favorite food lover in the world with a getaway they won’t soon forget. Simply follow our guide to the perfect romantic Saugatuck vacation for foodie couples.
Winter Farmers Market in Holland
Take a trip to our neighboring town of Holland on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month for one of the best Winter Farmers Markets in the state. Peruse the vendors and keep an eye out for fresh produce from MI farmers, organic and locally made products, and unique gifts. Bring an appetite and dine at the specialty food vendors. Grab a couple of authentic empanadas, enjoy a healthy bowl, and finish off your day with a homemade pastry from one of our local bakers.
Virtue Cider Sleigh Rides and Tastings
Just inland from Saugatuck in the quaint farming community of Fennville lies Virtue Cider, known for their picturesque orchards and incredible ciders. Spend the afternoon tasting their ciders before embarking on a romantic sleigh ride through the forests or set out on foot to explore the scenic countryside with snowshoes. Warm up afterward with a cider donut around the warm fire. This might be the highlight of any perfect romantic Saugatuck vacation.
Guardian Brewing
Breweries are popping up all over the US, but among the best in the country is Guardian Brewing in Saugatuck. Sign up for their beer school and you’ll learn about the beer making process, how to pick up different notes and flavors in the brew, or how to pair beer to your favorite appetizers. After a class or two you’ll be a cicerone for sure.
Bowdie’s Chophouse
Locals and visitors alike know Bowdie’s as the perfect date-night, birthday, or anniversary restaurant. Bowdies is the perfect balance between a classic steakhouse and a posh urban eatery as the chefs create delicious entrees out of familiar dishes. You’ll find savory bone-in filets paired with succulent lobster mac-n-cheese and truffle fries. Make sure to hit Bowdie’s at least once during your trip to Saugatuck, you won’t regret it.
Crane’s Pie Pantry & Restaurant
During the summertime, Crane’s is busy with families and friends harvesting the sweetest Michigan berries you’ll ever taste. During the wintertime, the restaurant turns into a warm and welcoming retreat from the cold. No matter what time of year, you can grab a slice of tree-to-table apple pie and a glass of homemade cider. If you don’t have time to make it all the way to the farm, you can stop into their downtown tasting bar and grab a flight of their deliciously crisp ciders.
Ida Reds
As much as you would love to dine on pie and cheese forever, sometimes you need a hearty satisfying lunch. Ida Reds is one of the best hidden gems in Saugatuck. Everything is made from scratch and you’ll be treated like family from the moment you step inside. You’ll have dreams about their marinara sauce for months to come but it will all be worth it for a chance to dine at one of Saugatuck’s best kept secrets.
Evergreen Creamery Cheese
If you love goat cheese, you must plan a trip to the Evergreen Lane Farm & Creamery in neighboring Fennville. If you don’t love goat cheese, that may change when you taste the artisan cheeses out of this charming farm. Head to their tasting room to sample every one of their goat and cow milk cheeses. Pick up a couple of your favorites and bring them back home to impress your friends at your next gathering. Or, do as the locals do. Nibble on them as you watch the sunset on Oval Beach.
On Your Perfect Romantic Saugatuck Vacation, Stay At Wickwood Inn
When planning your trip to Saugatuck, reserve your stay at the Wickwood Inn. Enjoy the most luxurious rooms in the heart of downtown. Plus, the innkeepers treat you to some of the best bites of your trip right at the inn. Check in to your room and come to the lobby for an Afternoon Sweet. Be sure to not miss Wickwood’s appetizer hour, Evening Sips & Small Plates At Six. Taste an incredible display of charcuterie, artisan cheese, housemade Crostinis, and some of Julee’s famed chutneys all paired with a glass of wine. The next morning, there’s a gourmet homemade breakfast fit for a king waiting for you.
Saugatuck is the perfect destination for a foodie couple. Award winning restaurants, wineries, breweries and cideries, and the incredible Wickwood Inn make your vacation delicious and memorable. Surprise your loved one with a special Valentine’s getaway. Celebrate an anniversary. Or, simply treat yourselves to a much-needed romantic vacation. Saugatuck is the perfect place to escape.
Start Your Romantic Foodie Vacation With One Easy Call
Of course, this perfect romantic Saugatuck vacation is just the beginning of what’s possible during your getaway to Wickwood Inn. Our innkeepers are experts on what’s happening all over town and happily assist you in any way. Take time to truly connect with the one you love the most and explore the flavors of Saugatuck. Reserve your stay at Wickwood Inn online today. Or, phone our Inn at 269-857-1465 to book directly with our friendly innkeepers.
“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.”
~ George Bernard Shaw