Saugatuck, Michigan
Driving time from Chicago: 2.5 Hours
Nicknamed the Art Coast of the state, this trendy resort town that’s a mere two-and-a-half-hour drive away from Chicago is chock-full of boutiques, galleries, incredible dining options, and beaches.
Grab a seat at the counter of the 100-year-old Saugatuck Drug Store, and you’ll get a feel of the town’s more traditional side that’s served up through a classic ice cream soda or malt.
You’ll be in for another nostalgia trip when you hop aboard the chain ferry: Operating since 1838, it proclaims to be the only remaining chain-driven ferry in our country, ferrying passengers across the Kalamazoo River between downtown and Oval Beach.
After dismounting on Oval Beach, beachgoers climb the 300-plus steps to the top of Mount Baldhead and get a bird’s eye view of the location.
