Nettie

We are a family of four, myself, husband and kids 19 and 15 and are looking to spend a week in either Douglas or Saugatuk Mi in end of July - beginning of August this year. We are going to rent a house / cottage, but wonder which is the best place to stay for the beaches or shopping, restaurants etc. Is there much difference between the two or do they blend into one. We will also be renting a car. Kids love the beach! Any advice please?

boom_boom

The sand dunes are the area's claim to fame. There is a nice little harbor in Saugatuk with a boardwalk. Douglas is home to a marine museum housed in a old lake-going freighter. Just visited on day trips from Kalamazoo.

Ohiotigger

Our family rented a home in Douglas last summer. The two towns basically blend together so it is easy to travel between the two. Saugatuck has more to do. Shopping, sand dune rides, Star of Saugatuck boat ride, etc. I can't comment on dining as we cooked at our rental home. There was a very nice beach in Douglas not far from the rental home but be aware there was an entrance charge. We had a great vacation. Our family ranged from 9-60 yrs. of age.

Nettie

The beaches look great - we have found a lake lodging not far from Saugatuck, so it will give us the best of both worlds. Thanks for your advice!

gardendiva

You will have a great time in either place. Both have walkable downtown areas. Dining options can be limited but there is something for everyone. One place that I did not get a chance to go into was Phil's Bar on the main street in Saugatuck. Everyone that has been there raves about the food.

tomboy

BoomBoom-if the marine museum you referred to is the SS Kewadin, it's being towed to Canada this spring.

BittenByTheTBug

...and for a day trip, head a little North to Grand Haven and walk the long walk from downtown out to the end of the pier. Its tradition!

Also, the dancing fountains run at Grand Haven most evenings in the summer - its a freebie and may be worth an hour of your time if you and the kids have never seen dancing fountains before. Not everyone's cup of tea though, and I wouldn't make a special trip for it. Downtown Grand Haven is nice too. GH is our favorite one day get away.

Holland is nice too, but much more touristy and not so much small town feel anymore. Watch out for Tulip Festival season - everything gets crowded, not just in Holland but at all points around. Likewise for Grand Haven Coast Guard festival.

BittenByTheTBug

...oh and boom boom is right - have to spend some time at the sand dunes! Fun, fun, fun for kids. Make sure you have lots of water!

tomboy

No need to worry about Tulip Time; it's May 5-12

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, 7/27/2012 - 8/5/2012

Douglas has 2 or 3 restaurants, Saugatuck has about 15

parisinspring

I've been going to Saugatuck for many years - I would recommend Saugatuck over Douglas, just because its a little bigger and there are more things to do. There are some great rental properties located in the city. We've stayed here many times.
http://www.millpondrealty.com/rentals/Enticement.htm

The house is located at the top of the hill by the high school. The tennis courts back up to the backyard. You can easily walk into town. We park our car and never drive the whole weekend!

annesherrod

I would also suggest Saugatuck - simply becasus the age of your kids. They can walk for icecream, the old drugstore, restaurants and shops.
We stayed in Douglas w children the same age. They met other kids on the beach and had bon fires etc.. there was a little ferry thing that they could take with bikes etc to get to Saugatuck.
They thought next time they would rather go to Saugatuck.

Have fun!

ninabika

Saugatuck for sure. Best Chance is a boat rental place where you can go charter fishing. The dune rides are a must. Breakfast at IdaReds. Mt. Baldy is a quick hike to the top of a dune. Ox Bow has some summer art classes that are very well done. Make sure to take a trip to Holland. Great shops, galleries and Farmers Market. Lots to do there in the summer! Enjoy!