Yeppers, Wild Dog it was...must not have been seeing as clearly when I left. Great service there too. They kept a later dinner with two small children from turning disasterous.

Hi,
Looking for a place in MI to go with our two kids who are under 10 years old. The Wild Dog sounds great. I want to check out Saugatuck as we have not been there in years.
GERing - I see you are quite knowledgable about this area. Where would you, and others who know the place, suggest we stay? It would just be for a weekend.
Can we go to the Wild Dog on the way home - is that feasible or are they too far apart?

Coveted, The Wild Dog is right across the street from Saugatuck (literally) in Douglas, you can't miss it. The Everyday People cafe looked great for families too. That is across the street from Wild Dog.

Because it was Labor Day weekend, we stayed in Holland, MI (7 min North) at the Doubltree hotel. Great pool for the little kiddies and got away from the crowds at night. Crowds shouldn't be too big of an issue this time of year though.

quote:

GERing - I see you are quite knowledgable about this area.

Hey CLE...yes, my partner and I have owned a home in Saugatuck for almost 4-years now. Love it. If you want to be downtown Saugatuck, I'd suggest checking out the Ship N' Shore motel. Ship N' Shore It is the only motel/hotel lodging right downtown and is right on the water with a very nice pool. We know the owners and have sent people there when our house is filled. Very clean, etc...

I'm going to the Wild Dog on Friday night for a rehearsal dinner for a commitment ceremony I'll be standing up in. It is owned/run by the previous owner of the Stray Dog in New Buffalo. We love it. Everyday People across the street is also great, but is more 'family friendly' for breakfast/lunch than for dinner. If you go for breakfast, get at least one order of the corn cakes for the table. Excellent and it's rumored that Chris O'Donnell goes here just to order them.

Check out Wally's in downtown Saugatuck for great Lake Michigan Yellow Perch...best we have ever had. Phil's downtown is also very good higher-end bar food <excellent lobster cobb salad that isn't too expensive>.

There is a good place to rent bikes near the Ship N' Shore, and the chain ferry is very close so you can go across the river to climb Mt. Baldhead, or walk/ride to Oval Beach.

HAVE FUN!

Hi,
GERing and Herbold...those were great recommendations. Thank you! The Wild Dog is an excellent restaurant. While we waited for our table, I did a little shopping at the stores on either side. Great selection of interesting gift items and stuff for the home. Now why can't WE have stores like that right here in Glen Ellyn!

Saugatuck /Douglas is a treasure. Feels a bit like Cape Cod, don't you think? BTW - we were lucky, this weekend happened to be the Salmon & Wine tasting festival in Grand Haven. Made a side trip and enjoyed that as well. Heard about a chili & blues music event in April. Sounds like a good time.

So much to do, with or without kids. Can't remember the last time we turned off the cell phones and just went hiking in the Dunes.