If you’re staying at the Lakewood Lux Treetops or the A-Frame of Saugatuck, then you can’t leave without crossing the river on the Chain Ferry. Not only is the ferry a convenient wayto get downtown on foot, but kids love it.
The chain ferry Diane is a Coast Guard-certified vessel that runs across the Kalamazoo River on a 400-foot-long chain pulled through a set of gears. The hand-cranking fun lasts about five minutes and costs $3 for adults and $1 for kids from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Kids under two, pets, and bicycles ride free.
If you have kids in tow, don’t hesitate to ask the operators if they need a little assistance. Kids will love to see just how hard it is to handcrank the ferry to the other side!
