beers & the beach

Looking for a quick getaway from Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago or other nearby cities or towns. You should try a corner of Michigan! The southwest parts of Michigan are full of good stuff and good fun. In Kalamazoo a bit of that fun comes in the "hops" variety. Here you can grab a passport for the "Give a Craft" Beer Trail, hit the breweries and stamp it up! There is no time limit so don't hurt yourself trying to fill up your passport. The best way to start earning your stamps is joining a walking tour, offered every Saturday in the summer. The tours are $19 and get you close ups with the brews and breweries, as well as, samples and a complimentary pint glass. When you are drinking beer, you should probably be eating burgers or pizza to absorb some of the alcohol (wink, wink). Studio Grill has an interestingly different twist on burgers with many stuffed to choose from and Erbelli's Gourmet Pizza offers a plethora of pizza options.

Four of the Great Lakes surround Michigan and it has more miles of coastline than any other state, except Alaska. This area of the state, on Lake Michigan, boasts great beaches and small towns and you can cross off both if you visit the town of Saugatuck. Oval Beach, in Saugatuck, consistently ranks as one of the best beaches and is a great place to relax the day away. Before you lay out your towel and get into your beach read, head down Mt. Baldhead Trail and take the 300 stairs up to the old radar station and take in the view.

Saugatuck is not just a beach but is also known for shopping and art. In fact, Saugatuck and it's neighboring town, Douglas, are known as the "Art Coast of Michigan" and it is often said to be one of the top destinations for art in the U.S. There are, at least, 14 galleries in these 2 towns and more in the surrounding area. An abundance of shops, offering a wide variety of goods, line Butler St. in Saugatuck and more can be found along the boardwalk on Kalamazoo River. Douglas also offers great shopping and specializes in things for the home. Before you get your shop on or check out the galleries, start with a leisurely cup of coffee at Uncommon Coffee Roasters and end it with a delicious chocolate chunk cookie at Cookies on Call, in Douglas.

Saugatuck offers one more awesome adventure, while you are there. You must plan to ride the dunes! Saugatuck Dune Rides is a rite of passage when you are in town.

There are many more towns, beaches, breweries, shops, tours, restaurants, wineries, things to do and places to see in this corner of Michigan state. If you are interested in more detailed and customized plans for any kind of trip in Michigan or beyond, please let me know at stowawaywithme@gmail.com