Grand Rapids Nesties
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Saugatuck, MI
Hi!
Has anyone been to Saugatuck Michigan? My husband and I live in Chicago and are thinking of going there for a long weekend. I'm looking up places online, but I have no clue where we should stay. I'm wondering if there are things to do within walking distance of places to stay (preferrably wineries/restaurants/etc....). We are on a strict budget right now as we are traveling to Mexico this winter so are trying to find a town within driving distance from us that we can explore for a weekend without having to spend to much $$$$.
If you have been and can tell me about your experience that would be much appreciated. Thanks!!
Re: Saugatuck, MI
Saugatuck is a great town, however when are you thinking of going? It for sure is a seasonal town, so after probably next week (with the peak of colors over) you may find some shops already closed for the season. There will still be plenty to go to though. Now, with it being off season, you will find better rates for lodging.
We have stayed at the Park House Inn B&B and I really liked it. I didn't think it was over the top flowery, although my husband did because it had floral wall paper in the bathroon.
We stayed in the Maudie Room http://www.saugatuck.com/lodging/NEW_Lodging_Pages/lodging_details.asp?type=bb&id=20 which has a private hot tub.
I don't know much about the hotels in the area, but Saugatuck is really a nice area and caters to the higher end tourist, so I can't imagine you could go wrong with any of the hotels or B&B.
My recommendation would be to go to Holland for Saturday and look around there. They have a really nice dowtown area and nice resturants that you go to for lunch. We just went to 84 West for lunch and spent around $25 for lunch. There are a bunch of sandwich shops too for a bit cheaper.
For dinner on Saturday, I like Everyday People Cafe in Douglas (which is on the other side of the river from Saugutuck).
On Sunday, look around the shops in Sagutuck or go to Fenn Valley Winery. http://www.fennvalley.com/General/directionstofenn.html
It sounds like my kids just woke up from their naps, so I will try to pop on later and give some more suggestions.
I agree with the above. Saugatuck feels very different in the fall & winter than it does in the summer. The B&Bs are all over the place and I think many would be nice to stay at. A lot of the shops start to close up by now. You might have better luck in South Haven, or coming up to Holland for part of your trip. We don't shut down quite as much here ( just don't expect to do much after 5pm except eating).
Otherwise, if you want more stuff to DO and see, you might be better off in Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids. But then you lose the beach town feel.
Our house isn't that far from Saugatuck, and we spend a lot of time there. Some of the shops/restaurants are closed. However, most of my favorite restaurants and bars (Everyday People, Phils, Wallys) are still open. It's definitely quieter this time of year.
I'm not sure if the tasting rooms are open in downtown Saug this time of year. Honestly, Saugatuck is on the fringe of our wine regions-- although I've heard good things about Fenn Valley. If you want to focus on wine tasting-- stay further south near St. Joe/Benton Harbor, or go north towards Traverse City.
If you wanted the winery/farm experience in Saugatuck-- I'd try Fenn Valley, swing by Crane's Orchards, and have lunch or dinner at either Su Casa or Salt of the Earth.
Look into Holland as well. Holland's downtown stays open year-round, and there are a couple decent hotels (CityVue and the Haworth Center).