Artists have been drawn to Saugatuck's jewel-like setting for years and today there is a profusion of art galleries and craft boutiques. There are over thirty galleries, many of which are artist's studios, where you can observe them working in every imaginable medium. Cultural activities continue with The Chamber Music Series, The Art Club's annual July 4th juried Art Show and weekly exhibitions at Ox-Bow Summer School of Art, the Midwest's oldest art colony and a part of the Chicago Institute of Art.

The Red Barn Repertory Theater adds to the unfolding, full calendar of events which features music festivals, boating, art and craft shows, jazz concerts at Wick's Park Band Shell, Saugatuck's Historical Museum Tours, Garden Club Flower Shows and Home Tours.

Yachts strut their stuff along the docks and down the Kalamazoo River to Lake Michigan like confident beauty contestants and dazzle in a night time parade of boats at Saugatuck's own Venetian Night. Streets are bedecked with hostas, day lilies, rhodies, azaleas, hollyhocks and hydrangeas. New and historic cottages are inhabited by lucky residents who “discovered” the summer oasis decades ago. Its picturesque location plus an abundance of water sports, boating and charter fishing, add to the fascination of Saugatuck. Year-round hiking and bike riding in the Saugatuck Dunes Park is available, along with horseback riding, nature trail walks and cross-country skiing. If golf is your passion, there's the West Shore Golf Club, Clearbrook Golf Club, The Ravines, the new Arnold Palmer Signature golf course and Hawkshead, a classic links course.

If shopping's your thing, check out American Spoon Foods for its lip-smacking free samples. Ralph's Garden has a wonderfully inexpensive selection of beautiful and unusual plants and flowers, and Of Title & Tinkers has the just right accent for your home or garden. Hoopdee Scootee has to be seen to be believed (let's leave it at that) and Earthly Expressions, in the nearby village of Douglas is a treat in itself. When its owner isn't singing opera along with the CD player, he's singing the praises of Douglas.

If you're ready to relax, head to the beaches on Lake Michigan or picnic in the dunes. The sand is sugar white and the view is spectacular, perfect for swimming, sunset watching and long beach walks. Or take a paddle boat cruise on the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan, go ballooning or visit the local wineries and microbreweries

Saugatuck is a village that appeals to every member of a family in all seasons of the year, and one that beckons you to return to it, time and time again.