Holland

Michigan

View of De Zwaan from Windmill Island Gardens

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Golden-hued Sanctuary Woods in the fall

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Stand-up paddleboarding at sunset

Tom DeVette

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Outdoor dining with tulips as the centerpiece

Mike Lozon

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Mt. Pisgah as the leaves are beginning to turn

Mike Lozon

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Traditional cheese-making at Nelis’ Dutch Village

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Whimsical Windmill Island Shops

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Kayaking past Windmill Island

Outdoor Discovery Center

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Walking Holland State Park Pier at sunset

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Klompen dancers in formation at Tulip Time

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Major Airports:

Gerald R. Ford/Grand Rapids (GRR)

Capital Region/Lansing (LAN)

Bishop/Flint (FNT)
States:

Michigan

Lively, small-town charm with a touch of the Netherlands

As its namesake would suggest, Holland is a quaint, picturesque city, the kind of place you go to slow down and bask in nature. And you’ll get your fill of scenic Michigan while here; it’s wildly beautiful, boasting beaches, preserves and historic towns, each prettier than the next. In spring, the cobblestone streets are bursting with tulips; in autumn, the U-pick orchards are ripe with the fruits of the harvest. A typical day here might include browsing downtown boutiques and galleries, jet skiing across a lake, pulling up a chair for a waterfront concert or hitting one of the best farmer’s markets in the state. At night, you can sample craft beer and dine on the waterfront. Clear your schedule – there’s a lot of fun to be had in this sweet spot.

Small-Town Scene & History

Settled by the Dutch, Holland’s earliest homes were log sheds that grew out of the forest. Now, that heritage is preserved in the Dutch architecture, food and festivals throughout the city. Visit the DeZwaan Windmill, the Veldheer Tulip Farm and Nelis’ Dutch Village to see wooden shoe carving demonstrations. Explore the Dutch collection at the Holland Museum. With no less than 17 micro-breweries and distilleries, Holland fully honors its hoppy roots and invites you to do the same. Locally-owned restaurants and shops (100 in all) reflect Holland’s modern tastes, from book and music stores to specialty food shops and galleries.

Lakefront Nature

The white, sandy beaches collected here on Lake Michigan form a freshwater playground – never too busy, and never out-of-season (cross-country skiers have been known to traverse them in winter). Head first to Holland State Park, where you’ll find a big shore complete with fire pits, grills, campgrounds and a pier from which to cast a line. Get a great view of Big Red, Michigan’s iconic lighthouse, from the boardwalk to the north (in summer, there are occasional tours of the lighthouse). Just east, Mount Pisgah Dune Boardwalk raises you above Lake Michigan on a 58-meter sand dune, offering sweeping views and the perfect place for a sunset picnic. Don’t miss Tunnel Park, a 75-year-old tunnel built through a dune that takes you straight out to a sandy beach. To encounter wildlife, stop at DeGraaf Nature Center or Outdoor Discovery Center, which offer preserved land to explore, exhibits, displays and play areas.

Living the Active Life

Canoeing, kayaking, jet-skiing and stand-up paddle-boarding are all big deals here – both Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa offer plenty of room for recreation. But there is as much land to cover here as water, specifically 240 kilometers of paved bike paths. You can go all the way from Holland State Park along Lake Macatawa to Saugatuck Dunes State Park on one scenic cycling trail. Saugatuck also has some of the best dune trails to hike – 400 hectares of easy-to-moderate ones, to be exact.