“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,
a beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine; could you be mine?”
~Fred Rogers
Chicagoans have enjoyed getting away Saugatuck, Michigan for at least 150 years!
Yes.
Chicago is an exciting and exhilarating and vibrant city to live in.
But, there are times when anyone who lives in an urban environment needs to escape to the country to regroup, relax, refresh and reconnect. Thank goodness it’s easy to venture up the lakeshore to our quiet little village of Saugatuck. Saugatuck is one of the most popular weekend getaways near Chicago because here you can catch your breath, walk our beaches, hike the dunes, wander, meander, bike, run, snow shoe, cross country ski, or simply stroll. In Saugatuck, you don’t need to worry about traffic nor a reservation for dinner.
When you reserve a room at Wickwood Inn, your Chicago weekend getaway gets even better.
Welcome, Chicago, to your nearby neighbor … explore all that’s happening at Wickwood Inn in the village of Saugatuck, Michigan.
Let’s begin with the obvious reason why Saugatuck makes for the perfect getaway: you can jump in your car and be here in approximately 2 hours.
Although, if time permits, you may not want to rush things. Just getting to Saugatuck can be a lot of fun!
Stop first at LOCAL in New Buffalo and get everything you need for your picnic basket: great organic vegetables and farm raised meats and poultry, homemade sausages, pot pies, pickles, chutneys.
If you’re feeling a bit parched along the way, take a quick turn into Sawyer, Michigan for a pint at Greenbush Brewing.
Or, try a handcrafted cocktail at Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks.
While in Three Oaks, you may want to also visit
Drier’s: a century old smoke house for bacon, country hams, whole pigs and their own Liverbest (instead of liverwurst)
Poppy Hill: an interesting American antique store with unique treasures you haven’t seen in years. Antique store signs, old fashioned noisemakers, a brass hundred year calendar, ironstone soup tureens, everything tickles your imagination and calls out to you to find a place for it in your eclectic home.
Frolich’s: with the best blueberry or raspberry muffins, chicken pot pies, homemade breads, macaroni and cheese, stews and soups to go.
Just a little further up the road in Coloma is Vineyard Chocolate: our very favorite chocolate these days … dark chocolate covered espresso beans, toffee and sea salt dark chocolate bark, and dark chocolate covered hazelnut toffee squares.
If you have even more time to ease your way into vacation mode, you may want to get off the expressway and jump onto Blue Star Highway. The antique stores, artist studios, and farm stands that dot this lovely road set the tone for all the goodness coming your way.
No matter the number of stops during your Chicago weekend getaway, when you ease into Saugatuck, we suspect you’ll feel tension dissipating and an extra level of relaxation settling into place.
Wickwood Inn is superbly located in the historic district and the heart of downtown, just one block from the water and minutes from Oval Beach.
You have arrived in the perfect place.
If this is the first time you’ve heard of Wickwood Inn or Saugatuck, Michigan, no worries! There’s a reason we’re one of the favorite weekend getaways near Chicago, and before the end of this blog, you’ll be in the know and loving life like a local.
To get you started, here are a few of our favorite things to do in Saugatuck:
- Losing track of time amidst the stunning Saugatuck Dunes and inspiring Lake Michigan shore. Chicago’s preservation of its lakeshore for public use is brilliant. Saugatuck shares your stroke of genius … just with a little different look. Here, you can run, hike, snow shoe, or ski your way through breathtaking trails amidst towering dunes. Then, stroll along the beach for miles. You’ll definitely see more birds than you will people. It’s magnificent. For starters, try the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and the Oval Beach & Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.
Learn more about the adventures in our great outdoors.
Explore our page dedicated to the Outdoor Enthusiast
- Finding inspiration in the more than 40 artist studios and galleries. It’s true. We do not have the amazing museums that draw us back to Chicago time and time again. But, our little village is no stranger to the fine arts. Starting with Ox-Bow School Of Art & Artists’ Residency and its more than century old connection to the Art Institute of Chicago and building from there. The Saugatuck Center For The Arts hosts theater, art exhibitions, documentary film, concerts, and more. Water Street, La Fontsee, and J. Petter Galleries are amongst our favorites, but don’t miss out on other gems: Jeff Blandford’s pottery and glass and James Brandess’ oils are definitely worth a visit.
Be inspired by the art scene in, and around, Saugatuck.
Visit our page all about Arts, Music, and More
- Tasting our way through town! Life here does feel simpler, and that means there’s even more time to taste all there is of the good life. Reserve your table for the best steak at the award-winning Bowdies, or pull up a chair for some Nana’s Chicken by James Beard nominated chef, Matt Millar at The Southerner. Stop in for drink at Phil’s and be welcomed amongst the locals, or find a cozy chair for a cocktail or glass of fine wine at Borrowed Time.
Saugatuck is in the land of abundance.
Further whet your appetite (and figure out how to wet your whistle!)
by visiting our page for Food Lovers.
You can also view our Insider’s Guide to Saugatuck Restaurants.
No matter the season or your mood, Saugatuck has something just for you. Life in our little village is vibrant and relaxed. Adventurous and tranquil. Festive and soothing.
So why not get away from it all?
We want to welcome you to the neighborhood!
Wickwood Inn in Saugatuck is just a phone call or click away.
Call 269.857.1465 or click here to experience the difference of life at Wickwood.