The Midwest Coast
Our move from Atlanta to the Midwest in 2020 introduced me to a lot of new things: dry air, brutal winters, flat topography, vibrant prairie flowers, and the beauty of Lake Michigan. I had never given Lake Michigan a lot of thought. I was used to smaller manmade lakes set in the valleys of mountains: Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, Lake Lanier, and the one I grew up frequenting as a child, Jackson Lake (though it’s not in the mountains). For those that grew up near the shores of one of the Great Lakes know that they are a natural wonder not to be taken for granted.
We soon discovered what thousands of people know: the eastern shores of Lake Michigan are much fairer than the western shores here in Illinois. Wide flat beaches, quaint lakeside towns, and acres of fruit orchards and vineyards spread across southwest Michigan like a patchwork quilt, and quite frankly, more accessible beaches. Our first summer in Illinois, we made the short drive to Michigan to enjoy what regulars call an “unsalted” vacation. And we visited this charming town set at the intersection of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan: Saugatuck.
We were enthralled immediately. The walkable downtown is filled with art galleries, local shops, fantastic restaurants, a twice-weekly farmer’s market, and a general store. The town is bisected by the Kalamazoo River. You can take the only operating chain ferry in the country across the river and hike up to the top of Mount Baldhead for views of the surrounding area and Lake Michigan. Or you can head over to Oval Beach, one of Condé Nast’s most beautiful beaches in the world. Yes, a Lake Michigan beach is considered one of the top 25 beaches in the world.
Saugatuck is a haven for artists, dog-lovers, families, and the LGBTQ+ community. It oozes Americana charm in the summer and is the perfect girls’ getaway in the spring and fall with its numerous nearby wineries. Winter is quieter with some shops reducing their hours, but if you’re looking for a quiet romantic escape in the dead of winter, don’t overlook Saugatuck. Most of the restaurants stay open all year and you can enjoy outdoor activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There are outdoor holiday markets and specialty cocktails at every haunt. This region also produces a lot of apples, hence the plethora of cider on many of the menus.
I highly recommend a visit to Saugatuck where I can help you find the perfect place to stay, whether it’s in a private rental home, a waterfront condo, a cute cottage, or a sophisticated bed and breakfast. Don’t discount the Midwest coast. It will fill you with nostalgia as you dodge its bicycles, treat yourself to its ice cream shops, dine with your dog on an outdoor patio, take a ride on a river boat, and watch the cattails waving in the breeze. Contact me if you’re ready to make a visit to the Midwest coast.
