A charming lakeside town has been dubbed “the Cape Cod of the Midwest” after winning over tourists with its abundance of award-winning beaches, spas and galleries.
Located in Saugatuck, right on the shores of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck is home to less More than 900 people.
But its picturesque harbours and quaint centre have now earned it comparisons to the iconic Massachusetts city that attracts thousands of visitors each year.
This spring alone, the city’s charm secured it a prominent place in USA Today’s Top 10 Small Coastal Towns in the U.S. – losing to only one community in Florida.
Located in Michigan, Saugatuck has earned the title of “the Cape Cod of the Midwest” thanks to its local lifestyle.
More of a town than a city, the community of less than 900 residents can be found right on the shores of Lake Michigan.
“This lakeside destination is home to award-winning beaches, spas, breweries, art galleries and more,” the website wrote of the runner-up, which is widely regarded as a four-season city.
Locals and visitors alike say Saugatuck, which is both traditional and modern, has even more to offer, including secluded and quiet stretches of coastline.
State parks, thriving art exhibits and galleries also add to the appeal, as does an equally impressive culinary scene.
With seafood stands and lighthouses, Saugatuck is more reminiscent of an East Coast fishing town, except this Midwestern city is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago and four hours from Milwaukee.
The city boasts a number of award-winning spas and art galleries.
The comparison with the Massachusetts city is due to the picturesque harbours and quaint town centre. Here you can see the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
While it serves as a romantic destination for couples in Michigan, it is also popular with families thanks to its Coghlin Park sculptures and active waterfront area, which includes the Ox-Bow School of Art on the shores of Grand Lake.
Founded in 1908 by a pair of artists from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, this artists’ haven is part of the city’s rich history as an open-minded arts scene that has galleries, studios and festivals regularly lining its streets.
In addition to the annual Village Square Art Fair and the Waterfront Invitational Art Fair, visitors can also enjoy watercolors, pottery and jewelry while strolling through town.
For those interested in permanently relocating to the city on Michigan’s ‘Art Coast,’ Currently, Zillow has approximately 50 lakeside properties for sale at affordable prices.
The town offers a unique charm more akin to Cape Cod than the nearby communities of Milwaukee and Chicago across the lake.
Despite all this, it is clear that Saugatuck is, at its core, a quiet fishing village, not unlike those that populate the East Coast.
While some of the more palatial residences are priced in the millions, a three- or four-bedroom home will likely cost between $150,000 and $300,000.
However, there was a significant increase in home prices in 2024: The average three-bedroom home sold for $605,000 in August, a 6.6 percent increase from the same period last year.