Saugatuck Douglas - Gay and Lesbian Vacations on Michigan's West Coast

Tucked between soaring sand dunes and the glorious Kalamazoo River, the gay friendly cities of Saugatuck-Douglas shower the spoils of resort-life on locals and visitors alike. With its beautiful beaches and eclectic cuisine and nightlife, the area's relaxed atmosphere has fostered gay and lesbian vacations for nearly a century. Whether hosting the club kids or the over 70 crowd, Saugatuck-Douglas proudly offers something for everyone.

A History of GLBT Pride

Once a thriving lumber town, Saugatuck-Douglas became a popular tourist destination in the early 1800s. By 1870, Chicago and St. Louis natives commonly traveled to the Saugatuck-Douglas lakeshore to escape the summer heat, but the area's true turning point came in 1910, when artists from the Chicago Art Institute established the Summer School of Painting on the Ox-Bow Lagoon. Ox-Bow encouraged a gay presence in Saugatuck and Douglas, which flourished as gay friendly small towns and they are now popular gay travel destinations. In fact, tourists have warmly nicknamed Saugatuck the "Fire Island of the Midwest" for its GLBT pride.

After forging their reputations as gay-friendly cities, Saugatuck-Douglas emerged as pillars of GLBT pride in the greater Midwest gay community. Many who once called Saugatuck-Douglas a home away from home became full-time investors in the town's success. As they fell deeper in love with their surroundings, the weekend warriors purchased and renovated homes and businesses. What were once abandoned storefronts and dilapidated cottages gradually became quaint bed and breakfast establishments and storefronts. Saugatuck-Douglas is now known, amoungst other names as "The Art Coast of Michigan" with its plenitful art galleries and local calendar loaded with music, art and film festivals. Reflecting the area's GLBT pride, 30 percent of Saugatuck-Douglas' impressive restaurants, hotels and shops are gay owned and/or operated.

The Charm of Gay Friendly Small Towns

The dining circuit in the gay friendly small towns of Saugatuck-Douglas bridges the gap between top-shelf taste and low-brow attitude. American, French, English and Italian delicacies are available in abundance, as are the prerequisite burgers and ice cream demanded by most travelers. Wander dockside for Mermaid Bar and Grille's (269-857-8208) famous salads and pastas, or discover the Continental cuisine in a classic golf setting with beautiful views of their fairway at Clearbrook's Grill Room (269-857-2000), Wick's Park Bar & Grille (269-857-2888) is the place where friends love to gather and is close to the waterfront. And Everyday People Cafe (269-857-4240) serves a creative menu of "eclectic comfort food" with suggested wine pairings. Reliable home cooking is on the order at Kalico Kitchen (269-857-2678), best known as the morning solace of the after-hours set.

Saugatuck-Douglas' clothing, gift and antique shops run the gamut from classic to contemporary. Circa (c.) (269-857-7676) offers antiques, art and accessories spanning the scope of time, and Thomas Greene (269-857-4063) provides the latest in gifts and decorative home accessories. Continue on to Landsharks (269-857-8831) in Saugatuck - is the areas finest show and clothing store for men and women. Good Goods (269-857-1557) is a fine art and American craft gallery that shouldn't be missed.

Unforgettable Gay and Lesbian Vacations

Tourists also enjoy many options when it comes time to rest their weary heads. Saugatuck-Douglas motels, resorts, cottages, suites and bed & breakfast inns are suited to every taste and budget. The Dunes Resort (269-857-1401) is one of the largest gay and lesbian vacations resorts in the Midwest, providing comfortable accommodations, a diverse entertainment complex, and one of the most popular gay bars in Michigan. The Pines Motorlodge (269-857-5211) brings retro flair to a kitschy cottage atmosphere, and visitors banking on a quiet bed and breakfast setting will find The Kirby House (269-857-2904) an elegant respite. A more rustic retreat is found at Campit (269-543-4335), an outdoor resort for gays, lesbians and friends.

Although business and tourism thrive year-round in Saugatuck-Douglas, gay and lesbian vacations really heat up between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and the cities in the summer become the Midwest's finest gay travel destinations. Swimmers and sunbathers soak up the scene on infamous Oval Beach in Saugatuck. MTV once touted O.B. as one of the nation's five best beaches, and Conde Nast Traveler rated it one of the world's 25 best shorelines and National Geographic Traveler named it as one of the top two in the USA.

The gay friendly cities of Saugatuck-Douglas have plenty of physical, outdoor diversions for the young and restless as well. Canoeing, jet-skiing and horseback riding can be arranged from several locales, and premier hiking awaits at Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Allegan State Park and picturesque Fenn Valley vineyard (269-561-2396).

Feeling really motivated? Brave the newly resotred heart-pounding 282 steps up the Mt. Baldhead sand dune for a stunning bird's eye view of the harbor. Free-wheelers will likely elect to jump a dune-schooner - a converted pick-up truck transporting adventurers to the highest dunes. When travelers tire of the sand in their suit, romantic Lake Michigan is on hand to conjure another stunning sunset each and every night.

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