Douglas

Douglas is on the coast of Lake Michigan, in Southwest Michigan. It sits across the Kalamazoo Lake from Saugatuck, its sister city. What started out as a lumber town became a summer destination for residents of Chicago and St. Louis seeking respite from the heat. There is often a cool breeze coming off the lake, making Douglas’s bed and breakfasts pleasant places to spend the summer.

Douglas and Saugatuck are known as the Art Coast of Michigan, thanks in part to the Art Institute of Chicago. Since the summer of 1910, the Art Institute of Chicago has conducted a summer school called Ox Bow on a picturesque lagoon just outside of town. A steady stream of artists flows into the area, many of whom end up as permanent residents. This ensures an excellent supply of art for the many art galleries, shops, and boutiques in Douglas.