First Time at The Dunes? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Plan your first visit to The Dunes with these insider tips on what to expect, where to go, and how to make the most of your stay.
So you’re planning your first summer trip to The Dunes. First of all, excellent decision. Second, you probably have questions. Like: What’s the best way to get around? What do I do about leg day? When can I start drinking? (Important.)
Sure, you could just show up without a game plan and have an amazing time. But if you want to skip the “figuring it out as you go” phase, we’ve got you. Think of this as your inside scoop, so you can show up feeling like you’re already a regular.
Oval Beach
Location, Location, Location
The Dunes Resort is tucked just about a mile from Lake Michigan, right between Douglas and Saugatuck, which means you’re close to everything. You can hit the beaches, check out the wineries, explore the shops in town, and still feel like you’ve got your own little world once you’re back on our property.
Douglas Beach is about 1.3 miles away, and Oval Beach is about 2.5, so if you’re used to getting around on foot in the city, this will feel like an easy stroll. Both are well worth the trip.
If you’re feeling outdoorsy, there are also plenty of dune trails nearby at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park for hiking. If not, our pool is always right here waiting for you
Getting Around (In a Good Way)
You’ve got options, and all of them are easy.
The Interurban is a local, on-demand ride service that’s basically a $1 shuttle around Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville—which, honestly, feels like a steal. It now has its own app, available for both iPhone and Android, where you can request and pay for rides in advance. Check out their website here to download or see more details on routes and fares. One thing to note—the Interurban is super convenient during the day, but does stop running fairly early at night when you may just be hitting your stride.
For later hours, most people rely on local taxi services like Cyndi’s Moonlight Express (call (269) 910-3222). Uber and Lyft exist, but they’re not always as available here as they are in bigger cities.
If you like spending the day pedaling under your own power, bike rentals are easy to find in town. Nearby, there’s In The Elements Rental and Blue Star Barns Coffee & Bikes. There are biking trails throughout the area, including some great scenic routes along the lake.
First Things First: Coffee
If you can’t function until you’ve had your morning brew, Woosah Outfitters & Outside Coffee is our go-to and just a short 13-minute walk away. Part retail shop, part coffee spot, and part beach gear rental place, it’s the perfect stop if you’re heading to Oval Beach. And, as an added bonus, right across the street, you’ll find the kitschy and iconic Root Beer Barrel—a must for hot dogs and root beer during your beach day.
We should also mention that Respite Cappuccino Court, just a 3-minute drive or about a 15-minute walk away, is another solid option for your morning caffeine fix. If you’re exploring downtown Saugatuck, Uncommon Coffee Roasters is a local staple known for some of the best coffee in the area and for being proudly LGBTQ-friendly.
Before You Get Hangry
The Dunes kitchen is open Thursday through Monday, Memorial Day through Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., which is perfect for lunch or a late afternoon bite. For dinner, though, you’ll want to head into town—and earlier than you might expect. Waiting until after 8 p.m. can be risky, since many places start winding down for the night.
The good news is this area is known for its standout culinary scene, but if you want our personal restaurant recs, we’ve got you here. If you’re not in the mood to leave (and we wouldn’t blame you), DoorDash and Uber Eats are both popular and will usually deliver right to your room.
Now For The Important Stuff: Drinks
Into day drinking? We won’t judge. In the summer, you can start drinking as early as 9 a.m. We’re open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., so you might want to pace yourself—or not. It’s totally up to you.
Here are a few more things you should know:
- Pool slushies are an absolute must. We have three flavors: margarita, blueberry lemonade, and strawberry daiquiri—and people absolutely mix all three
- Martini Monday at the Main Bar gets you $2 off martinis
- Getting a Long Island Iced Tea at the Tea Dance is basically a rite of passage
- Sunday Happy Hour runs from 4–6 p.m. during Tea Dance, with half-off beer and well liquor
What Happens Here (Spoiler: A Lot)
In the summer, there’s something going on at The Dunes every single day of the week.
Monday is Trivia, Tuesday brings our Amateur Drag Show, Wednesday is Drag Queen Bingo, and Thursday is Karaoke. Friday turns it up with DJs and go-go dancers, while Saturday is a full pool party followed by a DJ and a Cabaret show at night. Sunday keeps the energy going with a pool party, followed by our iconic Tea Dance and a Drag Show. In July and August, the Drag Show is free—and always a fan favorite that gets a little wild.
In other words, you don’t have to plan out your nights—just know what day it is.
Let’s Talk Cover Charges
Here’s how it works, all in one place:
- The Main Bar has a cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights
- The Pool has a cover charge on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Tea Dance only has a cover during holiday weekends
- The Tuesday Amateur Drag Show also has a cover
In general, if you’re staying at The Dunes, you don’t need to pay a cover except for special non-Dunes events, like HoeDown Weekend, Go-Girl Weekend, Loose Ends Weekend, and Mr. Michigan Leather.
Pool Scene 101
The pool is THE place to be during the summer, especially on weekends. We already mentioned the cover charges, but if you want to skip that cost (and, honestly, upgrade your entire day), cabanas are the right move. Not only does renting a cabana give you the ultimate poolside setup, but you’ll also get a dedicated server and the ability to run a tab—something regular pool bar guests don’t have.
There’s also a midweek cabana deal: rent for at least two days during the week, and you’ll get a third day free.
Forgot Something? We’ve Got You.
You forgot something, didn’t pack enough, or suddenly need something you didn’t plan for. It happens.
Our gift shop tends to surprise people since it’s more stocked than you think. Swimsuits, towels, clothes, toiletries, mints, cigarettes—there are plenty of essentials you can get here without ever leaving the property. And if we don’t carry it, the Lake Vista Supervalu grocery store is close by and perfect for snacks, drinks, and other things you might need to have on hand.
What to Do About Leg Day
If you’re the type who actually sticks to a workout routine on vacation, we respect it. Blue Star Gym is nearby and offers day passes if you want to keep your routine going while you’re in town. What you do with this information is entirely up to you.
Pro Move: Midweek Stay
If you’ve got a flexible schedule, a midweek stay is a bit of a hidden gem. Our Standard Room special lets you check in Monday and check out Thursday, bringing the nightly rate down to about $145—so you’ve got a little extra in your pocket for more pool slushies and cocktails.
One Last Thing
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you get here. So don’t overthink it. Just show up, settle in, and let the weekend do its thing.
