But the area's ability to act as a natural tranquilizer is especially important in relieving the high anxiety caused by today's maddening traffic jams and hectic work schedules. Visitors to the neighboring resort towns can leave their tension and stressful schedule behind. They can mellow out in surroundings reminiscent of vintage, small-town America, whose hallmarks are scenic beauty and a unique collection of shops, restaurants and art galleries. The two towns, nestled among towering sand dunes, are bordered by the winding Kalamazoo River on its way to Lake Michigan.
Activities abound on the two waterways.
Saugatuck maintains Oval Beach on Lake Michigan for swimmers and sunbathers. The beach has been rated by Conde Naste's Traveler Magazine as one of the 25 best shorelines in the world. MTV has ranked the Oval as one of the top five beaches in the country. They are unhurried spots where you can spend the day reading a book while relaxing in the sun and watching the sailboats slip by. Their water-bound excursions are punctuated by cottages, extravagant homes, forests, wetlands, and a panorama of dunes.