​​Family Road Trip from Chicago: Oval Beach, Saugatuck 🚗👶​​

📍 ​​3.5-hour drive from Chicago​​ (with a ​​1.5-year-old​​ in tow—we stopped for lunch halfway!). ​​🏖️ Oval Beach Highlights​​ ​​15-min drive from Saugatuck downtown​​ ​​$15/car​​ (entry + parking—super affordable!) Named ​​"Top 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in the U.S."​​ by Nat Geo Traveler🌎 ​​Silky-soft sand​​ (like Miami’s, just less white) ​​Toddler-approved:​​ Shallow waters + clean shores 👶💦 ​​ 🌭 Must-Stop Nearby​​ ​​Historic Hot Dog Cabin​​ 🚐 (10 mins from beach) ​​5−9 hot dogs​​ (messy but delicious!) ​​Opposite:​​ A cozy ​​outdoor camping-themed café​​ ☕ ​​💡 Road Trip Tips​​ ​​Best for:​​ Families, couples, or ​​anyone craving lakefront serenity​​ ​​Pack:​​ Sunscreen, snacks, and ​​extra diapers​​ (just in case!) ​​Detour idea:​​ Saugatuck’s ​​downtown art galleries​​ 🎨 #Saugatuck #OvalBeach #ChicagoRoadTrips #PureMichigan #LakeMichigan #FamilyTravel #MidwestBeaches