Category: Saugatuck Blog

Why choose just one thing when you can try it all? Embark on a mini-culinary journey or craft beverage adventure by sampling a flight that lets you explore a variety of flavors in just one sitting.

When we think of tasting flights, our minds automatically think of beverages. But aside from all the fabulous drink flights that can be experienced at the wineries, cideries, and craft breweries in the Art Coast, there are some other incredible tasting flights waiting for you to discover.

The best way to sample all the goodness available at Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery is to try one (or more) of their flights. Select tastings of four different wines or their hard ciders and then indulge in a one-of-a-kind Pie Flight. Made with only the best fruit from their Michigan orchards, this renowned flight features four of their delectable pies, so you can fully indulge with a little less guilt. During the colder months, Crane’s also offers a Soup Flight that is comfort food at its best. Featuring two delicious soups and their famous chili, this flight is accompanied by a side of sourdough grilled cheese dippers for the ultimate satisfying experience.

Pizza lovers rejoice! Along with their beer flights, the Mitten Brewing Company offers a tantalizing Pizza Flight for those who can’t settle on just one. Featuring slices of any four of their specialty pizzas, including the weekly special, this option ensures a foolproof way to discover your new favorite flavor combination.

For an interesting activity that includes a flight, sign up for a Coffee Flight and Warehouse Tour with Uncommon Coffee Roasters. Sample a variety of coffee that’s freshly roasted and brewed for you, chat with knowledgeable staff on the coffee beans’ origins, and tour the facility to see everything from roasting to cold brew to packaging. 

To experience the traditional craft beverage flights, try the cider flight at Virtue Cider or a craft beer flight from Saugatuck Brewing Company and Waypost Brewing Co. Our wineries, such as Modales, Fenn Valley Winery, and Michigan Wine Co., also have wine-tasting flights for you to sample. And, for something a little harder, visit the Coppercraft Distillery Tasting Room or the New Holland Brewing Tasting Room, where you can sample a flight of their exceptional, handcrafted spirits.

Live your best life with a mini-vacation that focuses on putting your health and well-being first. By indulging in a bit of self-care during your getaway and a little digital detox, you’ll return feeling refreshed and in a better frame of mind to take on whatever comes your way.

The more dreary days of winter are notoriously connected with feelings of melancholy. Add on the stress of the holiday season, and a getaway focused on wellness seems like the perfect antidote. Often, when we find ourselves getting busy or facing challenging situations, taking care of ourselves tends to be the first thing to go. However, engaging in regular self-care has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, improve energy and concentration, increase happiness, and more.

A long weekend focused on wellness does not necessarily mean a jam-packed agenda full of exercise routines. Nor does it only have to include back-to-back spa treatments. Remember that wellness is a holistic journey, integrating a number of dimensions, including physical, intellectual, emotional, environmental, and spiritual health. What one person needs to feel rebalanced and recharged may involve completely different activities than another. The key is to design a trip with enriching activities based on your personal needs.

Here are some of our suggestions to address your various dimensions of wellness while visiting the Saugatuck/Douglas area: 

Spiritual 

Be mindful and in the moment by enjoying your surroundings and putting away your smartphone. A digital detox provides an opportunity to be more present, allowing you to experience a greater appreciation for the world around you. Soothe your soul through meditation, prayer, or self-reflection. Practice yoga with a private one-on-one class at Satya Yoga, where a 60-minute session will be created for your specific needs. Private yoga sessions are also available through Encompass Wellness Yoga & Fitness Center.

Emotional

Spend some time journaling, see a stand-up comedy routine at Coral Gables, or experience some live music by attending a concert at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts or Salt of the Earth. Feeling a little stuck? Get inspired by perusing original artwork featured at our many local art galleries, including Amazwi Contemporary Art, The Ox-Bow House, Jeff Blandford Gallery, J. Petter Galleries, Water Street Gallery, and The Button Gallery, just to name a few. Engaging with art can lead to self-reflection, helping individuals gain insights into their own thoughts and feelings.

Environmental

Go for a leisurely walk along Oval Beach and listen to the sounds of the waves, or take an easy hike through the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and just breathe in the fresh air. Feeling adventurous? Climb up the steps of Mt. Baldhead to take in a panoramic view of the Kalamazoo River and bask in the sun. During the evening, look up at the sky and count the stars.

Intellectual

Read a book or work on a puzzle. Forgot to bring one? Stop by The Book Nook, an independent book store in Saugatuck that sells new and used books, as well as puzzles, and give your brain a mental challenge. Learn something new by taking a private ballroom dance class at Dance Asylum School of Music & Dance or a private French cooking class at Lulu Cadieux. Or learn the science and process of roasting coffee beans by becoming a Roaster for the Day through Uncommon Coffee Roasters’ unique learning experience.

Physical

Need to fit in that conventional workout? Pick up a day pass to Blue Star Gym. Want to flush some toxins out of your body? Make an appointment for the sauna at Encompass Wellness Yoga & Fitness Center. If the traditional spa experience is more your style, enjoy a hydrating facial combined with the benefits of minerals from the Dead Sea at SPAlia Saugatuck, or take it to the next level with a 100-minute deluxe customized facial from Susan Amidon Esthetics. Treat yourself to a deep tissue massage from Redefine Med Spa or Thrive Massage and Wellness, or indulge in a Stress-Fix body wrap from Bella Vita Spa. 

What you put into your body is just as important, so nosh on some healthy food while you’re here with farm-to-table fare from Pennyroyal Café + Provisions, Root Café, and Farmhouse Deli & Pantry. Make a point to stop by the Tree of Life Juice Bar for some cold-pressed juices and smoothies. Want to learn more about the healing power of food? Consider signing up for a consultation with LadyHawk Nutrition to get ideas on taking control of your health by transforming the way you eat. They also offer counseling on dietary supplements such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and homeopathic remedies that will work best for your specific needs.

You don’t need to book a flight to the Caribbean to have your wedding on a sandy white beach or travel clear across the country to find a dreamy destination where people will accept you for the wonderful person you are. Saugatuck/Douglas is a hidden gem of inclusivity, tucked along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. Our coastal towns have been a sanctuary for members of the LGBTQ+ community for decades, welcoming all people to a place where art, nature, and community take center stage. 

If a destination wedding sounds like the ideal way to tie the knot with your partner, let us share why the Art Coast of Michigan is the perfect place to make it happen.

A Convenient, Beautiful Destination

Located just a 45 minute drive from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, two and a half hours from Chicago, three hours from Detroit, and less than four hours from Indianapolis, Saugatuck/Douglas has everything you need for the perfect destination wedding along with the convenience of being centrally located. If you’re planning on having family in town for the big day, charming and comfortable hotels, bed and breakfasts, and rental properties abound. We also have award-winning restaurants featuring fresh, locally sourced fare. Many of these venues also specialize in rehearsal dinners, offering intimate settings where family and friends can bond and celebrate before the big event. 

People That Put You at Ease

Planning an LGBTQ wedding shouldn’t be more stressful than planning any other type of wedding. That’s why it’s so important to work with people who are accepting and understand your unique needs. A wedding planner such as Dream Day Weddings has vast experience working with LGBTQ+ couples. They also have a large network of gay-friendly and gay-owned vendors and venues, so you can be confident that the people you’re working with will put your needs first. Holden Michael Events is another fantastic local option with an experienced and creative team of event coordinators who can transform your wedding day wishes into a romantic reality. 

Diverse Venues that Express Your Personality

Are you enthusiastic about the outdoors? Or would you prefer an intimate indoor chapel for your wedding day? Look for a location that’s a reflection of all the things you love and that will be easily accessible to your guests. From beautiful gardens to rustic locations to historical sites, there are plenty of wedding venues in Saugatuck/Douglas to choose from. Planning a beach wedding? Our friends at My Barefoot Wedding are experts, with over 1,000 beach and outdoor weddings planned along the lakeshore since 2008. 

You’ll Feel the Love Here

Acceptance—not exclusivity—is the name of the game here. Saugatuck/Douglas is widely recognized as one of the best LGBTQ+ destinations for travel, with mentions in blogs on Thrillist, GayCities, and Pride Source. For decades, our residents have welcomed LGBTQ visitors with open arms, taking great pride in our reputation as a place where people from all walks of life can come together, be themselves, and feel free to love and be loved. Here, you can feel confident that your vows will be taking place alongside advocates who celebrate authenticity and cherish all expressions of love. We would be honored to host your destination wedding in the Art Coast!

When you step inside the Laffing Glass, a Saugatuck shop owned by Leslie Fitzell, it’s like crossing the threshold into Oz. A vibrant garden of glass flowers and dragonflies greets you, as does Leslie herself, ready with a smile and an endearing sense of humor. Her sunny spirit is even evident on the exterior of the shop, with punny signs displaying phrases such as “The artist is in (sane)” and, “Get your glass in here!”

 It’s no surprise that people from all over the country are patrons of Leslie’s glass art, commissioning custom designs or simply making her shop a must stop on their tour of the Art Coast. Leslie treats these customers like family, taking time out of her day to share hugs, coffee, and dinner with them. This sense of love and acceptance is one of the reasons she likes being a part of both the artistic and LGBTQ+ community in Saugatuck. And it’s why she never hesitates to encourage people to visit and live here.

How did you get your start working with glass?

I have an art background with graphics and museum installations and started doing stained glass to unwind. In 2010, when the museum company I was working for decided to close its doors, I got back into glass art heavily. I knew there was more to the glass world than stained glass, so I started exploring. My wife bought me some equipment for my birthday, and I put a little studio in our basement.

A lot of the work I do is called kiln-formed glass, where glass is heated and formed in kilns. Another technique I use is casting, where I take crushed glass and put it into molds. I also do a small amount of lampwork and blowing of glass elements and embellishments.

Why did you decide to open a shop in Saugatuck?

I was making a lot of pieces for myself, but I had friends who would come over and tell me that people needed to see what I was doing. I started going to galleries up and down the coast to sell my work. When my wife and I decided to move to Saugatuck, I thought about opening a shop. It seemed like a pipe dream—like winning the lottery. But while we were walking around town, looking at all the buildings and loving the sense of art and culture here, my wife encouraged me to open my own place. The price was right, and I took a chance on figuring out all the ins and outs of starting a business.

What inspires your work?

 I love nature and animals. Trees especially are my jam. You’ll see a lot of pieces that are organic in style. I do a lot of flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies. And in Saugatuck, it’s easy to find inspiration everywhere. I love Oval Beach, and I absolutely love the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. I’m easily fascinated by the nature all around me, too. I could just sit here, and I would probably find a bumble bee to play with or a tree to watch. And for me, working with glass is a way to preserve these kinds of memories.

The coolest thing about my medium is that it’s never gone. I’ve had people come and say that they’ve broken one of my pieces that they bought, and I tell them that glass is never really broken. Bring it back to me, and I’ll make it into something else. You can reform and reinvent it. It will become a story with interesting scars.

Why is Saugatuck such a great place for the LGBTQ+ community to visit and live?

Saugatuck is an anomaly. It’s a true walking town, and there is a feeling of safety feeling here. You can walk down the street holding your partner’s hand and not be afraid. There is a real sense of community here, too.  People know that they can find family here and that they won’t be treated differently from anyone else. I hear so many people say that they want to move here or retire here. I say, “The more the merrier!”

Saugatuck is also a good place for families to visit. People come here from Chicago, Detroit, and Kalamazoo and bring their kids. When we have people visiting, we tell them about our favorite restaurants like Wally’s and Phil’s Bar & Grille. We tell them to grab their pickle juice and water and climb the steps at Mt. Baldy. It’s just a great place to be!

Stunning lakeshore views, exhilarating outdoor experiences, a thriving arts scene, and a renowned culinary and craft beverage scene—it’s no wonder why so many visitors flock to the Art Coast of Michigan each summer. If you’re visiting for the first time, it can be overwhelming when deciding on how to spend your time here. Save yourself hours of planning by checking out our recommended first-timer must-dos, along with our helpful pro tips. Visit us just once, and we’ll have you eager to come back and explore more.

Experience The Iconic Art Coast Attractions

While there’s no shortage of fun and interesting activities to do in the Saugatuck/Douglas area, there are a few that are part of the quintessential Art Coast summer experience. Our favorite, hiking “The Ball And Chain,” involves several iconic attractions rolled into one unforgettable (and challenging) activity. Begin by riding the last remaining hand-cranked Chain Ferry in the US across the Kalamazoo River. From there, climb the 302 steps up Mt. Baldhead, a giant sand dune that offers incredible views of Saugatuck, Douglas, and Lake Michigan. During your ascent, you’ll also get a close-up view of the “Ball”—the historic Mt. Baldhead Radar Tower, a Cold War relic dating back to the 1950s. After your climb (and maybe a short respite), relive your childhood by running down the sandy dune on the west side of the mountain. This will bring you to Oval Beach, recognized as one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top 25 Beaches in the World.” 

Other iconic summer must-dos include an excursion on the 51-ton Star of Saugatuck paddlewheel boat that traverses the Kalamazoo River out to Lake Michigan and an open-roof Saugatuck Dune Ride which will take you on a thrilling 40-minute jaunt over private sand dunes.

Pro-Tip: Make sure to bring cash. The Chain Ferry costs $3 per person to ride one-way but only accepts cash. There are also other local bars and restaurants worth visiting that only take cash, including Ida Red’s, Root Beer Barrel and the Sand Bar.

Explore The Outdoors

With miles of Lake Michigan shoreline to explore, you’d be remiss if you didn’t spend some time digging your toes in the sand. Pick from six pristine beaches to soak up the sun, splash in the unsalted waves, or watch the sunset. Each beach has its own personality, and you can learn more about each here. 

Other ways to commune with nature in the Art Coast include taking a hike along the forested paths of the Saugatuck Dunes State Park or on the gently rolling dunes of the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. And for an entirely different view of the stunning local scenery, plan for a kayak excursion along the Kalamazoo Lake or River.

Pro-Tip: No need to bring your own kayak or SUP. Rent them from Big Lake Outfitters, Third Coast Paddling, or In the Elements Rental.

Scout Out All The Art

We’re known as the Art Coast of Michigan for good reason. Home to numerous galleries, studios, exhibitions, and public art installations, you’ll find much art to appreciate here, whether you’re an aficionado or just a casual admirer. Stroll through our many downtown galleries to discover fine art in every medium as well as finely crafted goods from a mix of local and national artists. A few of our favorites include Good Goods, Button Gallery, J. Petter Galleries, Amazwi Contemporary Art, and Water Street Gallery. You’ll also encounter lots of public art throughout our towns, such as Instagram-worthy murals and sculptures. For a chance to see an artist in action, make a point to visit a studio and discover a work in progress. For a complete listing of artful experiences and locations, check out our Arts Guide & Map here.

Pro-Tip: Plan your visit around one of our summer Gallery Strolls or during one of our juried outdoor art fairs for an even more exciting way to experience art. Event dates can be found here.

Listen To Live Music

Live music is part of the Art Coast experience, and there are many indoor and outdoor venues that feature live musical performances all summer long, including The Butler, Wally’s Bar & Grill, Red Dock Café, The BARge, Wick’s Park Bar & Grille, The Annex Piano Bar, Borrowed Time, and Coastal Society. Just take a walk throughout the downtown areas of Saugatuck/Douglas, and you’ll hear music coming from every corner. With different featured artists and a variety of genres represented, we promise to keep your toes tapping throughout your time with us.

Pro-Tip: Plan a mid-week stay for the best access to free outdoor music. During the summer, there are a number of free outdoor concerts held each week, including Music in the Park every Wednesday at 7:00 pm in Wicks Park starting in late June, Music in the Vineyard held every Thursday at 5:30 pm at Fenn Valley Vineyards starting late May, and Music at the Felt happening every Thursday in July at 7:00 pm at the Felt Mansion estate.

Go On A Beverage Tour

Whether you prefer the fruit of the vine or lean more towards hops, we’ve got the craft beverage experience for you. Home to a number of craft breweries, cideries, and wineries, Saugatuck/Douglas is a must-visit destination for adult beverage connoisseurs to raise a glass, make a toast, and quench their thirst. Sample a host of flavorful craft beers with a visit to Saugatuck Brewing Company, Guardian Brewing Company, Waypost Brewing Co., and the Mitten Brewing Company. Or spend an entire day sampling different red, white, sparkling, and fruit wines unique to our region at Michigan Wine Co., Crane’s Winery, Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery, and Modales Wines.

Pro-Tip: Charter a beverage tour through Coastal Tours, Untapped Sights & Tours, or Singapore Shuttles for worry-free transportation between breweries. 

Come Hungry 

With such a dynamic food scene found here, one of the best ways to get to know the Art Coast is through our cuisine. Not only is Saugatuck/Douglas/Fennville fortunate enough to be located in the country’s second most agriculturally diverse state, but we are also situated within Michigan’s Fruit Belt region. With bushels of produce ripe for the picking within a 10-mile radius, farm-to-table fare here becomes elevated by the bounty of what’s locally harvested. Along with a wide variety of restaurants that feature innovative small plates to those that serve inspired casual homestyle cooking, there are produce stands and U-Pick farms where you can purchase local fruit and vegetables at the peak of freshness. 

Also worth visiting while you’re here is the Outdoor Summer Market hosted by the Saugatuck Center for the Arts on Tuesdays from 10:00 am–2:00 pm and Fridays from 9:00 am–3:00 pm. This bustling seasonal market features freshly picked local freshly-picked produce, artisan baked goods, all-natural honey, maple syrup, small-batch coffees, and more. There will also be talented crafters, woodworkers, and artists showcasing their wares.

Pro-Tip: Mealtimes can get ultra-busy during the summer. We welcome you to join us in the Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville social districts while waiting for a table. Visitors can purchase alcoholic beverages from participating bars and restaurants and then enjoy them throughout each district’s common areas. Or plan ahead and make a reservation at one of the following restaurants that accept them: Belvedere Inn & Restaurant, Borrowed Time, Bowdie’s Chophouse, The Grill Room at Clearbrook, Coast 236, Coastal Society, Coral Gables, J. Paul’s Dining Room at the Kirby, Pennyroyal Café and Provisions, Pumpernickels, Salt of the Earth, and Taverna Rossa.

More To Know Before You Go

Like other small coastal getaways, parking can be scarce during the busier summer months. Leave your car wherever you’re staying and just use the convenient Interurban to get around. This demand response public bus system provides transportation for Saugatuck and Douglas, offering curb-to-curb service. 

Call 269-857-1418 to schedule your ride as early as 15 minutes in advance or make a reservation for a specific time. Fares are $1.00 for adults and children 12 and over and $.50 for senior citizens, children under 12, and persons with disabilities. Please have exact change in cash to ride.

If you’ve ever tried geocaching—using GPS coordinates to hunt for secret containers hidden all over the world—you might want to try the pastime’s analog cousin, letterboxing. Letterboxes are concealed all over the Art Coast. You only need a compass, curiosity, and a little determination to track down these hidden gems while visiting the Saugatuck/Douglas area.

When it comes to activities like geocaching and letterboxing, the thrill is all in the hunt. With letterboxing specifically, you use clues found in printed catalogs, on websites, and from fellow participants to decipher the location of hidden boxes. If you’re lucky enough to uncover a letterbox, you’ll find that it contains a notebook and a hand-carved stamp, which you use to make a mark in your own letterboxing notebook. You then leave an impression of your personalized stamp in the letterbox visitor’s book, which contains a log of all who’ve found the box.

A Very British Pastime

This charming pastime started in England in 1854 when a Dartmoor National Park guide left a bottle by Cranmere Pool with his calling card and an invitation for travelers to add their cards to the bottle. Some park visitors left self-addressed postcards or notes in the jar, hoping the next visitor would return them by mail. Smithsonian Magazine wrote an article about this British hobby in 1994, and since then, letterboxing has become increasingly popular in the US. Today, there are approximately 50,000 letterboxes hidden in North America, with many more located worldwide.

Letterboxing 101

If you are wondering what you need to get started, it’s pretty simple. First, develop a unique Trail Name for you and your letterboxing team. This is similar to a username and can be your name or something with a special meaning. Next, you’ll want to find an ink pad and rubber stamp with an image that’s personal to you. You’ll use the stamp to make an imprint in the logbook contained in each letterbox that you find. You’ll also need a pen to sign your trail name and date beneath your stamp in the logbook. Be sure to bring your notebook or sketchbook, where you’ll make an imprint with the stamp enclosed in the letterbox. Finally, get a compass, just in case the clues you are following include compass bearings.

Getting Started in Saugatuck

If you want to try letterboxing, Saugatuck/Douglas is a great place to start. In Saugatuck and its surrounding counties alone, there are 115 documented letterboxes, with many more that may be undiscovered. You can hunt for these boxes while traipsing miles of beautiful trails at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park or while strolling through downtown Saugatuck. Here are a few sets of clues to help you get started! And for more information on letterboxing in Saugatuck/Douglas, check out this helpful website. 

The Stolen Peach
The popular video game, Super Mario Brothers, is the inspiration for these two boxes hidden in the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. 

Name That Dog #4
You’ll have to solve a riddle about a dog to find this letterbox hidden at Saugatuck Dunes State Park!

Stop to Smell the Roses
As part of this letterboxing scavenger hunt, you’ll need a compass as you tour downtown Saugatuck. 

Spring Wreath
Located at a museum in Saugatuck, this letterbox requires a little stealth on your part (so no one sees you!).

Tread Lightly and Be Discreet

When you search for and find a letterbox, please do so discreetly. Certain areas have high tourist traffic, and you want to ensure each location stays hidden so future letterboxers can enjoy it. Also, be especially careful not to disturb the natural surroundings. For example, if you find a letterbox in the woods or a park, leave the area surrounding it exactly as you found it. Happy letterboxing!

Looking for a family-friendly vacation spot in a safe, inclusive environment? Look no further than the Art Coast of Michigan. With stunning outdoor scenery and fun activities for every age, Saugatuck/Douglas provides a warm welcome to all families looking for their ultimate escape.

A long-standing history of inclusivity, a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and a plethora of kid-friendly activities make Saugatuck/Douglas the perfect location for LGBTQ families looking for their ideal vacation getaway. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Many publications have featured this area as a welcoming and fun travel destination, including Thrillist (6 LGBTQIA-Friendly Small Towns You Need to Visit and This Tiny Michigan Town is One of America’s Best LGBTQ+ Destinations), Vacationer (22 Small LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.), GayCities (This Small Midwest Town Should Be Your Next Weekend Getaway), and PrideSource (Have You Been to These Surprisingly Queer Michigan Road Trip Destinations?).

Here are our top recommended kid-friendly activities and attractions for a memorable summer family getaway.

Mt. Baldhead

To burn off some of that youthful energy, climb up the 302 steps to the top of Mt. Baldhead and get a bird’s eye view of the Kalamazoo River, downtown area, and Lake Michigan. You’ll also catch a close-up glimpse of the Mount Baldhead Radar Tower, a Cold War relic dating back to the 1950s and one of the most iconic sights along the Saugatuck shore. Kids will love running down the sandy dune on the west side of the mountain, which will bring you to Oval Beach.

Oval Beach

Considered one of the best beaches in the country according to Condé Nast Traveler, Oval Beach features soft white sand and stunning Lake Michigan views. It’s a great place for kids to spend the day swimming in salt-free water, soaking up the sun, and building a few sandcastles.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Spend the day wandering through the sandy forest paths of Saugatuck Dunes State Park, where all trails lead to the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. This beautiful patch of the Art Coast features 13 miles of trails with coastal dunes and forested areas that attract rare birds and endangered species.

Saugatuck Dune Rides

Take a thrilling 40-minute off-road, open-roof dune ride through the rolling hills of sand overlooking Lake Michigan on the Saugatuck Dune Rides. You and your family will enjoy discovering all the natural beauty of the area and experiencing tales from the local lore delivered by highly engaging and comedic tour guides.

Star of Saugatuck 

For the quintessential Saugatuck water experience that family members, young and old, will enjoy, take a ride on the Star of Saugatuck. This 51-ton double-decker paddlewheel boat traverses the Kalamazoo River into Lake Michigan, giving you a relaxing view of the town, harbor, and scenic natural areas. Refreshments are served onboard, and the tour narrations are both fun and informative.

Donut Boats 

Rent a donut boat from Retro Boat Rentals and take the entire family (including Fido) for a spin around the Kalamazoo River. Shaped just like its name, donut boats feature a round table in the middle perfect for enjoying food and beverages with a group. These boats can also be anchored or beached in a special designated “cove” area to allow for swimming or just hanging out.