Day 5: Saugatuck
Downtown Saugatuck
I started Friday morning, October 16, 2020 by walking to the Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise to secure a ticket for the 3pm boat ride. Not sure how crowded the boat might be, I figured it would be better to buy the ticket sooner than later.
Next, I enjoyed a delightful breakfast at Uncommon Roasters, a charming coffee shop right by Maplewood Hotel.
Fenn Valley Winery
I then retrieved the car to drive the 15 minutes to Fenn Valley Winery in Fennville for a wine tasting. This family-owned and operated estate spans 240 acres, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Virtue Cider
After spending about an hour at Fenn Valley Winery, I drove the 2-minute drive to Virtue Cider, where I spent 2 hours, trying some of their ciders, reading a bit, and walking the trails on the 48-acre farm.
Star of Saugatuck
At 2:30pm, I returned to the hotel to drop off the car and walk back to the Star of Saugatuck for the 3pm 90-minute boat tour. I had brought my winter coat and gloves on the trip, but hadn’t needed them at all thus far. Knowing it’s always colder by the lake in Chicago, I figured there was a chance that it would be quite cold on the boat, especially with it being October, so I made sure to grab those before walking there. I’m so grateful I did, as it was cold. It was worth it for all of the photos, though!
Downtown Saugatuck
After the boat ride, I walked to The Mitten for a beer and to relax on their patio for a bit. I then made my way to The Southerner, a restaurant that serves Southern-style dishes and cocktails in an adorable cottage, for dinner. They don’t accept reservations and are a first-come, first-served restaurant. I put my name down at 5:45pm and was seated at 6:30pm.
Following a delightful meal, I capped off the evening with a nightcap at Pumpernickels before retiring to the hotel for the night.
