Holland, Michigan, Travel Guide

Windmills, tulips, and quaint European attraction—it seems these three options, which you may usually affiliate with the Netherlands, even have a house stateside. Holland, Michigan, a metropolis of roughly 35,000 positioned on the shores of Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan, was settled by Dutch Calvinist separatists fleeing persecution in 1847; since then, it has developed right into a vacation spot with a definite look, character, and tradition. 

“Holland is the quintessential small city that everyone needs they grew up in,” says Lucas Grill, the restaurateur behind 1983 Restaurants. “[It’s] sluggish, pleasant, cute as a button, and but stylish and cosmopolitan sufficient to fulfill even the big-city people who like to get out and have some enjoyable.”

Content material creator Emily Tieman, founding father of the Emily Retro blog, agrees, saying the “picturesque Dutch village” can be notable for its “freshwater seashores with miraculous sunsets each evening.” In the identical vein, Holland’s pure magnificence comes into play throughout certainly one of its best-known occasions: the annual Tulip Time competition. Thousands and thousands of tulips take heart stage through the days-long celebration, as locals and guests alike honor town’s heritage and the great thing about the colourful flower.

Even when the tulips aren’t in bloom, Holland provides a wide range of causes to go to, from its thrilling breweries and genuine Dutch bakery to its in depth bike trails and spectacular snow-melt sidewalk system. Through the vacation season, guests can do all their purchasing in a European-style Christmas market and benefit from the festive lights at Windmill Island Gardens. Based on native lore, creator L. Frank Baum discovered inspiration for “The Fantastic Wizard of Oz” whereas vacationing right here.

If any of these elements pique your curiosity, it is likely to be time to plan a visit to western Michigan. Learn on to find benefit from your time in Holland, in line with native specialists.

Greatest Lodges

Haworth Resort at Hope Faculty

Grill describes the Haworth Hotel as a “distinctive and handsomely appointed” boutique lodge. “Moreover, it sits proper on the Hope Faculty campus, giving an added enhance of social environment, and it’s additionally solely a half-block off the principle drag, eighth Avenue,” he says. With 48 visitor rooms and 14 convention rooms, the multiuse house is nice for teams and occasions, as is its on-site café, Biggby Espresso.

Centennial Inn

“I’d suggest staying at a lodge or inn positioned in downtown Holland so you’ll be able to simply stroll to one of the best outlets and eating places,” says Tieman. Adjoining to Centennial Park within the historic district, Centennial Inn provides eight individually adorned rooms in a late-Nineteenth-century Elizabethan Revival house. The most important room has a whirlpool tub, and a few lodging are heated by quaint fuel stoves.

Tulyp, Tapestry Assortment by Hilton

When you have Hilton Honors factors to spend (or wish to earn some to your keep), e-book a room at Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Only one block from Riverview Park, the lodge is positioned close to lots of Holland’s must-see points of interest, together with Hope Faculty, the Holland Museum, and Windmill Island Gardens.

Courtyard Holland Downtown

One other snug choice within the walkable metropolis heart—particularly for Marriott Bonvoy fanatics—is the Courtyard Holland Downtown. Finish your day trip in town by grabbing a chunk or beverage on the on-site bistro and bar, taking a dip within the indoor pool, or figuring out within the health heart.

Greatest Issues to Do

Go to Holland State Park and the “Huge Purple” lighthouse.

Each Tieman and Gwen Auwerda, the manager director of the Tulip Time competition, suggest vacationers make their approach to Holland State Park and the historic Holland Harbor Lighthouse, extra affectionately often called “Big Red.” Not solely is the lighthouse a picturesque sight, however the park is the best spot for climbing, fishing, and swimming and sunbathing on the sandy seashore in summer season.

Stroll the downtown sidewalks—even in winter.

The most important snowmelt sidewalk system within the U.S. makes Holland “a four-season vacationer vacation spot,” says Grill. “Scorching water is pumped by pipes underground from the Board of Public Works, which melts the snow within the winter,” explains Auwerda. So whereas snow could also be within the forecast, you’ll be able to confidently discover the world with out having to battle over snowdrifts or icy patches. 

Discover Windmill Island Gardens.

There’s an excellent likelihood you’ve seen images of Windmill Island Gardens and its well-known construction, DeZwaan (“The Swan”). The one actual Dutch windmill working within the U.S., DeZwaan was initially in-built 1761 and left the Netherlands in 1964. Right this moment, it resides on this 36-acre website, which options flower beds, strolling trails, an vintage carousel, and a Dutch road organ. The park is often open between mid-April and early October, plus a couple of weeks in December for its vacation occasion.

Get to know Holland’s craft beer scene. 

Most beer drinkers will acknowledge the identify New Holland Brewing Firm, so a cease at its Holland Brewpub must be in your agenda. Different locations to whet your whistle embrace Our Brewing Company and Big Lake Brewing, which Auwerda says has “fabulous meals and some Dutch dishes together with nice beer.” In case you desire one thing stronger, sip a cocktail or two at Coppercraft Distillery.

See a sundown on Lake Michigan.

“You possibly can’t go to Holland with out strolling on the shores of Lake Michigan at sundown,” says Tieman. Grill describes the “really majestic, breathtaking” physique of water, only a 15-minute drive from downtown Holland, as “one of many nice hidden gems our world has to supply,” thanks, partly, to its sugar-sand seashores and “sunsets for days.”

Greatest Purchasing

“Downtown Holland has one of the best purchasing,” says Tieman. Begin with one thing candy from the Holland Peanut Store. Open since 1954, this old-time sweet store sells nostalgic sweets, Dutch-imported licorice, paddle pops, and its well-known freshly roasted nuts, hand-dipped in connoisseur chocolate.

There are additionally a wide range of boutiques and vintage shops to browse alongside eighth Avenue. For a “quintessential ladies’s boutique purchasing expertise,” Grill says to take a look at JB & Me. “The entire workforce at JB & Me prides itself within the hand-curated and meticulous collection of such wonderful attire, footwear, house items, and extra,” he says.

In case you’re curious about sustainable purchasing, you’re in the fitting place. “Holland can be a thrifter’s paradise with tons of thrift outlets to go to,” says Tieman. For antiques, particularly, she recommends Downtown Antiques & Home Furnishings, “which has among the greatest classic items on the town.”

Greatest Eating places

deBoer Bakkerij

Based on Tieman, deBoer Bakkerij “is the quintessential Holland bakery… It’s a long-standing, family-owned, and reasonably priced restaurant the place the locals like to eat.” Cease by the full-service restaurant for breakfast or lunch—the house-made double-fried hen is legendary for a purpose—or choose up a couple of doughnuts, pastries, or Dutch espresso desserts to go.

Seventy-Six

For “high-end American meals in a surprising environment,” Auwerda recommends Seventy-Six, a part of Grill’s 1983 Eating places group. The menu consists of hearty “Knife & Fork ‘Sandwiches’” and a wide range of objects that fall into the restaurant’s self-created class of “high-end junk meals.” Suppose jumbo lump crab desserts and goat cheese queso with wild mushrooms.

Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant

“Boatwerks is on the water, with outside seating, stunning views, and nice meals,” says Tieman, who shares that it is a super spot for a date evening. On summer season nights, sit on the lined patio and benefit from the views over Lake Macatawa with a cocktail in hand. For one of the best expertise, go to from Might to October, though the restaurant is open to patrons year-round. 

Huge Lake Brewing

Pattern flavorful IPAs like Fudgie, an oatmeal stout, or a bitter, just like the Blue Razz Foolish Goose, at Big Lake Brewing. Wine and handcrafted cocktails are additionally obtainable, as are salads, pizzas, burgers, and different bar bites in the event you’re feeling peckish.

Festivals and Occasions

Tulip Time

“Tulip Time is Holland’s largest occasion of the 12 months, with hundreds of thousands of individuals everywhere in the world coming to see the tulip fields,” says Tieman. Together with the hundreds of thousands of tulips on show, you’ll be able to count on parades, Dutch musical and dance performances, excursions, and distributors over the 10-day competition every Might. “My greatest advice is to plan your journey by our website to see what actions you wish to do on the times you are visiting,” says Auwerda. “Daily has totally different actions.” She advises attending to city early, particularly in the event you’re visiting over the weekends, which are typically the busiest. 

Summer time Avenue Performer Collection

Come summertime, Holland’s street performer series shuts down eighth Avenue each Thursday night from mid-June to mid-August. Musicians, face painters, magicians, caricature artists, and aerial acrobats showcase their creativity and entertain the lots. “Each restaurant is packed, the streets are packed, and it’s so enjoyable for everybody to come back and benefit from the artwork on show,” says Grill. 

Holidays in Holland

Town’s attraction tends to come back out in full power through the vacation season. “Holland is decked out with wreaths, pine cones, garlands, and every little thing you’d count on at the moment of the 12 months,” says Grill. “Including in heat, cozy, snow-free sidewalks, Santa, parades, and extra… There’s really one thing for the child in everybody in Holland each vacation season.”

Given Holland’s Dutch roots, it’s no shock that the European-style open-air Christmas market, “Kerstmarkt,” is an annual custom. It runs most weekends from mid-November to mid-December, and guests can discover numerous vacation presents and treats in addition to artisan demonstrations. Winter additionally marks the arrival of Santa Claus, who makes his approach to downtown Holland through the Parade of Lights, held annually in late November or early December.

Magic at the Mill at Windmill Island Gardens is one other “must-see” this time of 12 months, says Auwerda. “It boasts a light-weight present with all of the timber and windmill lit up as effectively.” The occasion takes place on Fridays and Saturdays from early to late December, and whereas it is notably good for teenagers, there’s enjoyable available for the entire household. The road organ performs vacation music, the present outlets are open, and there’s even an opportunity to satisfy Sinterklaas, the Dutch model of Santa Claus.

Greatest Time to Go to 

The very best—and hottest—time to go to Holland is through the tulip season, from late April to mid-Might. Summer time is available in as an in depth second. In case you’re planning to go between July and early September, you should definitely convey your swimsuit, as you’ll wish to reap the benefits of the world’s sandy beaches and lake entry. 

In case you aren’t scared off by freezing temperatures, don’t overlook Holland’s vacation season. “Downtown Holland is completely stunning at Christmastime with lights, decorations, and snow to create the right vacation city mixture,” says Tieman. Whereas snow typically poses a problem for sightseeing through the winter, Holland’s snowmelt system ensures the sidewalks are “snow and ice-free, so you’ll be able to confidently get pleasure from looking for Christmas presents with out worrying about slipping and sliding,” she says. It is essential to notice, nonetheless, that a few of Holland’s shops and points of interest could also be closed on Sundays this time of 12 months, so you should definitely name forward earlier than making concrete plans.

Tips on how to Get There

Muskegon County Airport (MKG) and Gerald R. Ford Worldwide Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids are every a couple of 45-minute drive from Holland. MKG is served by Denver Air Connection, which provides each day service to Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD). GRR is extra accessible for many vacationers, because it’s linked to greater than 30 main U.S. cities by way of Delta Air Strains, Southwest Airways, Allegiant Air, Frontier Airways, American Airways, and United Airways.

Hire a automobile to finish the ultimate leg of your journey to Holland. In case you desire to journey by prepare, Amtrak operates its Pere Marquette route from Chicago’s Union Station to Holland, which takes about three hours—alternatively, it is practically a 50-minute experience from Grand Rapids.

Tips on how to Get Round

Whereas having a automobile to discover Holland could be extraordinarily useful, it’s also possible to get round sure areas by strolling or biking. “Downtown may be very walkable to get to all of the retail shops, eating places, and fantastic metropolis parks,” says Auwerda.

As for public transportation, the Macatawa Area Express (MAX) bus makes it simple to journey all through Holland and its surrounding areas. Adults (ages 18 to 64) pay $1.15 per experience, whereas rides value simply $0.50 every for youth (ages 5 to 17), seniors (65 and up), and Medicaid and ADA cardholders.

Holland and its surrounding communities are house to over 150 miles of motorbike paths and off-road trails, lots of which traverse town’s hottest parks. In case you aren’t touring with your individual set of wheels, you’ll be able to lease a motorbike from Rock ‘n’ Road Cycle or Velo City Cycles.