Name: The Southerner
Address: 880 Holland St., Saugatuck, MI, 49453

Saugatuck eatery located 25 minutes southwest of Grand Rapids is a “love letter to Appalachia” featuring from-scratch Southern favorites from an award-winning chef.

The Southerner

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We are an economic generator through sports tourism for Greater Grand Rapids and Kent County in the West Michigan area.

We own and operate an award winning baseball/softball complex; the Meijer Sports Complex [www.MeijerSportsComplex.com](https://www.MeijerSportsComplex.com) featuring eight fields, including a championship field that seats 1,000.

Our signature event, the Meijer State Games of Michigan (Olympic-style sporting event), draws 10,000 athletes through 60+ sports in its Winter and Summer Games.  We work with many of our local sports clubs and organizations to host various regional and national tournaments.

Why Grand Rapids? We have:
•	12,000 + hotel rooms (2,500 downtown)
•	234,000 square foot downtown convention center (fits 40 volleyball courts)
•	12,000 seat Van Andel Arena
•	5 facilities that feature 4+ courts and multiple grass or turf fields
•	Grant program for new events
•	and more!

West Michigan Sports Commission

Historic Oval Beach has been hailed as one of the world’s Top 25 beaches by Condé Nast Traveler and one of America’s Top 5 beaches by MTV – and it’s just a 45-minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids.

Nestled among towering sand dunes and bordered by the winding Kalamazoo River on its way to Lake Michigan, Oval Beach is a beach-lover’s paradise. (No salt! No sharks!) Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, from sunbathing and swimming to hiking through scenic trails. The parking lot can fill to capacity at peak summer times, but the beach can also be accessed via chain ferry or Interurban bus. The beach is just 10 minutes from charming downtown [Saugatuck](https://www.experiencegr.com/articles/post/saugatuck-douglas/).

Parking is $10/day or $50/season, which runs from the Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends.

Oval Beach

Saugatuck Dune Rides offer a 35-minute scenic ride over Lake Michigan sand dunes. Open seven days a week, May-September and weekends in October.

Saugatuck Dune Rides, Inc.

Spanning 2.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and featuring 200-foot-tall coastal dunes crisscrossed with 13 miles of trails, this pet-friendly park is about 40 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.

Four trails take visitors over rolling terrain and sandy trails to Lake Michigan. The .75-mile, one-way Beach Trail is the shortest route. Pets are allowed along the entire length of the shoreline. Pets must always be on a six-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control. The [Felt Estate](https://www.experiencegr.com/listing/the-felt-estate/8787/) and the Shore Acres Township Park are located adjacent to the park and offer a 2-mile mountain bike trail and a disc golf course. Saugatuck Dunes State Park is 11 minutes from charming downtown [Saugatuck](https://www.experiencegr.com/articles/post/saugatuck-douglas/).

All Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for entry. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport at any state park or recreation area or online at https://midnrreservations.com/store (allow 2-3 weeks for delivery). A day pass for nonresidents is $11, an annual pass is $40. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport by checking “YES” when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State. You can also purchase the Recreation Passport by mail, kiosk, online at [www.expresssos.com](https://onlineservices.michigan.gov/ExpressSOS) or at SoS branch offices.

Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Best known for its sugar-sand beaches, beautiful sunsets and views of the iconic “Big Red” lighthouse, Holland State Park is about 40 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. This park is pet-friendly!

The park is home to two large campgrounds, an accessible playground, restrooms, picnic areas, opportunities for paddling and fishing, and connections to nonmotorized trails. The [park's two track chairs](https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/accessibility/Track-Chairs)– capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water – expand access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chairs are available for visitors to borrow at no cost. Pets are allowed in the designated dog beach along Lake Macatawa. Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control.

All Michigan state parks require a Recreation Passport for entry. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport at any state park or recreation area or online at https://midnrreservations.com/store (allow 2-3 weeks for delivery). A day pass for nonresidents is $11, an annual pass is $40. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport by checking “YES” when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State. You can also purchase the Recreation Passport by mail, kiosk, online at [www.expresssos.com](https://onlineservices.michigan.gov/ExpressSOS) or at SoS branch offices.

Holland State Park

Boat and Jet Ski rentals. Explore Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. Rent by the hour or day. Skis & tubes available.

Holland Water Sports

This 22-acre park is named for the unique tunnel that cuts through a sand dune on the way to a sparkling Lake Michigan beach. Tunnel Park is in [Holland](https://www.experiencegr.com/articles/post/holland/), about 55 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids.

A great place for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking, this park also offers a children's playground complete with a dune climb and a stairway with scenic views of Lake Michigan. Barrier-free facilities include picnic shelters, restrooms, the playground, some picnic tables and grills, and trails to key use areas including through the tunnel to a beach overlook deck. Dogs are not permitted from May 1 through September 30; they are required to be leashed during the remainder of the year.

Tunnel Park is an Ottawa County Park requiring a parking permit from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Annual permits are $25; daily permits are $8. There are additional discounts for residents and resident seniors, which are available when you purchase your permit [online](https://ottawacounty.cmrpay.com/dashboard/landing). Permits may also be purchased from the pay station at Tunnel Park.

Tunnel Park

Welcome to the celebration & experience known as the Tulip Time Festival! Since 1929, the city of Holland, Michigan has blossomed with literally hundreds of thousands of tulips — and an equal number of tulip-lovers who attend our annual Tulip Time Festival. And the celebration is so much more than tulips…with national entertainment acts, events & activities for all ages, breathtaking sights just off the shores of Lake Michigan and some of the largest parades in Michigan. Tulip Time is truly an experience you don’t want to miss!

Tulip Time has grown over the years to be so much more than a flower festival. Back in 1929, the City of Holland planted it’s first crop of 100,000 tulips and the overwhelming number of visitors over the years as the Festival took shape resulted in the addition of programs, pageantry, costumes, parades and the popular Dutch Dancers. Each year, we strive to showcase all that Holland, Michigan has to offer.

Tulip Time Festival

Four days of championship foosball in Grand Rapids. Juniors and touring professionals play at the same tables. Every dollar raised helps put free foosball tables in schools.

The Great Lakes Classic

Gear up for the 2026 University of Michigan Health - West Grand Rapids Marathon, a thrilling all-ages multi-sport event set to energize the vibrant streets of Grand Rapids on October 18, 2026!  Traverse the scenic landscapes of Michigan's second-largest city as you race towards triumph amidst the community's cheers. 

University of Michigan Health - West Grand Rapids Marathon

The 2026 Thunderfest Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, presented by Fusion Medical, is a Grand Rapids Thunder home tournament taking place October 24–25, 2026, at MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This six-team Division II–III wheelchair rugby competition welcomes athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials, with lunch and a tournament T-shirt provided to participants. Tournament schedules will be emailed after rosters are received, with roster submissions due October 13.

Thunderfest Wheelchair Rugby Tournament

The 2nd annual Women's 3x3 Unified Basketball Tournament is taking place in West Michigan in November 2026! Teams throughout the nation will compete for the gold medal in a thrilling 4-day experience.

Special Olympics North America Women's 3x3 Unified Basketball Tournament

The mission of Special Olympics Michigan is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship among their families, Special Olympics athletes and the community. The athletes achieve their dreams with the support of caring volunteers, coaches, family members and staff. Donations from Michigan citizens and businesses provide funding for the program.



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