Saugatuck, Michigan
Summer is the perfect time to visit this lakeside town, located just under two and a half hours from Chicago. It is famous for the pristine Oval Beach which is cited by the Tribune as the Midwest's best beach, where you can rent kayaks, cruise on sailboats, and kick back along 10 miles of prime Lake Michigan real estate.
At this Hampton-style resort, sand dunes and paddle boat rides compete for your attention, but Saugatuck's arts scene is what really sets it apart from the area's numerous beach towns. The towns of Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville, collectively referred to as "the art coast of Michigan," are home to numerous art galleries and distinctive stores ideal for a leisurely meander through the downtown area lined with galleries.
Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, the open-minded community is also extremely accommodating to all lifestyles, with more than 140 LGBTQ-owned and gay-friendly businesses making it one of the most queer-friendly small resort towns in America. Rest your head in one of the charming inns or bed-and-breakfasts in the area after a day spent admiring Lake Michigan's most pristine beaches.
- Distance from Chicago: 139 miles northeast, 2.5-hour drive
- Stay: The Dunes Resort, The Hotel Saugatuck, Wickwood Inn
