Artsy idyll dubbed the ‘Cape Cod of the Midwest’ is a hidden gem ranked among the best waterfront towns in America

A charming lakeshore city 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 fewer than 900 people. 

But its picturesque harbors and quaint downtown has now seen it compared to the iconic Massachusetts town that attracts thousands of visitors every year. 

Just this spring, the city’s charm secured it a top spot on USA Today’s 10 best US coastal small towns list – losing out to just one community in Florida.

More of a town than a city, the community of less than 900 can be found right on the shores of Lake Michigan

‘This lakeside destination is home to award-winning beaches, spas, breweries, art galleries, and so much more,’ the website wrote of its runner-up, which is widely considered a four-season town.

Locals and visitors alike say that Saugatuck, which is both traditional and trendy, has even more to offer, including secluded, tranquil stretches of coast.

State parks, booming art exhibitions and galleries add to the allure as well, as does an equally impressive culinary scene.

With seafood shacks, and lighthouses, Saugatuck is more reminiscent of an East Coast seaside fishing village, except this Midwest town is just two-and-half hours away by car from Chicago and four hours from Milwaukee. 

The town boasts abundance of award-winning spas and art galleries

The comparison to the Massachusetts town comes from the city’s picturesque harbors and quaint downtown. The town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is seen here

While serving as a romantic Michigan getaway for couples, it is also popular among families thanks to its Coghlin Park’s sculptures and an active waterfront, which includes the Ox-Bow School of Art, on the shores of the Great Lake.

Founded in 1908 by a pair of artists from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the artist’s haven is part of the town’s rich history as an open-minded art scene that has galleries, studios, and festivals regularly lining its streets. 

In addition to the annual Village Square Art Fair and Waterfront Invitational Art Fair, visitors can also enjoy watercolors, pottery, and jewelry as they stroll through town.

For those who interested in moving permanently to the city on the ‘Art Coast’ of Michigan, Zillow currently lists roughly 50 lakeside properties for sale at affordable prices.

The town offers a unique charm more akin to Cape Cod than communities near Milwaukee and Chicago on the other side of the lake

Despite all this, it’s clear Saugatuck, at its heart, is a quiet fishing village – not so different from the ones littering the East Coast

While some of the more palatial residences boast price tags in the millions, a three- or four-bedroom there will likely run you between $150,000 and $300,000.

However, there’s been a major uptick in housing prices in 2024; the median three-bedroom home sold for $605,000 in August, a 6.6 percent increase from the same time last year.