In the early 20th century, Saugatuck was home to the famous Big Pavilion, a large dance hall that attracted bands and visitors from across the Midwest.

[4] Today, tourists are drawn to the art galleries, harbor, marinas, scenery, unusual stores, the view from atop Mount Baldhead, and tourist attractions as well as Oval Beach on Lake Michigan, which enjoys a worldwide reputation.

Saugatuck is known as a popular vacation destination for the LGBT+ community with similar cultural attributes as Fire Island Pines and Provincetown, Massachusetts.

In 2010, Saugatuck came in fourth in Budget Travel magazine's ten coolest towns in America.

[11] In town, attractions include the many art galleries (over a dozen), small, independent shops, and several restaurants.

The Star of Saugatuck, a large paddle-wheel boat, gives daily tours of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan.

The Saugatuck Chain Ferry, a hand-cranked vessel, departs from Wick's Park and takes tourists from the town side of the river to the other shore for a walk to the beach, the historical museum or to climb the stairs at Mt.

Other attractions include the nearby town of Douglas, Saugatuck's sister city.

Saugatuck's historic churches contribute to a vibrant community while preserving some of the oldest buildings in town.

Douglas was home to the SS Keewatin, a coal-fired steamship formerly of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The 105-year-old ship was a floating museum and a fixture in the harbor until it was recently purchased and moved back to Canada.

Since the 1970s, Saugatuck and neighboring Douglas have been popular as a tourist destination for gay and lesbian tourists from the Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids areas, as well as other Midwestern urban areas.