10 Top Things To Do In Holland, Michigan

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024 cheerfultrails

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Discover some fabulous things to do in Holland, Michigan.

Holland is a pretty lakeside town in Michigan that is inspired from the aura of Dutch’s heritage. I fell in love with the charm of this town. The town is well known for hosting a delightful Tulip Time festival during the spring season. Apart from the festival, there are a lot of things to do in Holland. There are several amazing beaches where you can enjoy water sports or just relax along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.

Holland is also home to a 251 year old authentic Dutch windmill which is one of it’s kind in the United States. Holland is a kind of place that’s totally great for a weekend or longer trip whilst exploring Michigan.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Holland, which you should certainly not miss during your trip.

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Best Things To Do In Holland, Michigan

1. Have A Gala Time At The Tulip Time Festival

Tulips From Tulip Time Festival - Things to do in Holland — Tulips From Tulip Time Festival – Things To Do In Holland

The Tulip Time festival showcases millions of blooming tulips every year during the spring season which commences from the month of May. The festival also hosts entertaining live traditional dutch musical and dance events. Fun games, rides, food carts and parades are a great addition to the enjoyable fiesta.

The Tulip Time festival joyfully celebrates the dutch traditions and the beautiful spring season. It definitely is one of the top reasons to visit Holland in Michigan.

2. Visit The Veldheer Tulip Gardens

The Veldheer Tulip Gardens is Holland’s only tulip farm and perennial garden. It is a must visit attraction and the most picturesque place in the town. The farm has over 6 million Tulips, rare varieties of dutch lilies, daffodils, crocus and hyacinths. You can wander through the walkways while enjoying the colors and beautiful of the flowers.

The perennials and flowers are sourced from around the world. You can buy them and plant them at your home gardens too. Visiting the Veldheer Tulip Gardens is definitely one of the best things to do in Holland.

3. Spend A Delightful Time At The Holland State Park

The Holland State Park features most picturesque beaches, one on Lake Michigan and the other on Lake Macatawa. Plus, it’s one of the best things to do in Holland for an enjoyable day. Soak in some sunshine, walk on the soft sands and swim in clear waters of the beaches. Enjoy the beautiful sunset over the Lake Michigan that is a part of one of these beaches. You could also enjoy camping one one of the two campgrounds – the wooded Lake Macatawa campground and the beachside campground.

The beaches also have great volleyball courts, fishing spots, hiking trails and stairway to sand dunes. After all the fun, if you are hungry, there is a concession stand where you can have some tasty snacks and refreshments.

4. Take Pictures Around The Holland Harbor Lighthouse

The Holland Harbor Lighthouse also known as the Big Red Lighthouse is a historical landmark that can be viewed from the Holland State Park. The lighthouse dates back to 1872 and is presently functional. You cannot visit the lighthouse but can get great memorable photographs of it from the lakes of Holland.

5. Sail On The Holland Princess Cruise

The Holland Princess is a Victorian style paddlewheel boat cruise that takes you through a magical excursion on the Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan. This boat cruise is one of the best ways to see Holland as it takes you past the mesmerizing lake scenes, the Big Red lighthouse and other landmarks of the town.

The boat cruise features an enjoyable Karaoke system, treasure hunt for kids and more entertaining activities. You can also savor on delicious lunch or dinner while enjoying the wonderful views from the deck.

6. Enjoy The Natural Beauty Of Windmill Island Gardens

Windmill Island Gardens - Things to do in Holland — Windmill Island Gardens – Things To Do In Holland

Windmill island is a 36 acre island that features amazing natural beauty which gives you an opportunity to enjoy the Dutch aura in the United States. This island is home to some stunning colorful flora, a Dutch Windmill and gorgeous waterfront views of Lake Macatawa. The island has great walking trails that guides you to wander through it’s charming surroundings. There are many guided tours organised on the island that helps you to explore it’s best.

The guides are themselves dressed in traditional costumes and provides lots of enriching insights on the Dutch culture. The 251 year old Dutch windmill is centrally located and is still functional producing stone ground flour for sale.

7. Explore The Nelis Dutch Village

Nelis Dutch Village - Things To Do In Holland — Nelis Dutch Village – Things To Do In Holland

The Nelis Dutch Village celebrates the traditions and culture of Dutch heritage. This village which started off as a tulip farm in the year 1952, presently hosts a variety of fun filled activities for it’s visitors in Holland. Interesting ancient Dutch architectures, authentic dance forms, an interactive petting zoo, zip lining, swings and rides including the windmill themed Ferris wheel are some of the best attractions of the village. You could also watch and try demonstrations of wooden shoe making, waffle making and cheese making at Nelis Dutch Village.

Apart from these activities, the village also offers a cafe, a pub and shopping stores for it’s visitors. The Nelis Dutch Village perfectly showcases the life during the ancient times through it’s traditional Dutch architecture which includes a network of canals. Visiting Nelis Dutch Village is one of the most fun things to do in Holland, specially for families.

8. Visit The Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway

The Outdoor Discovery Center has been preserving wildlife and nature’s beauty that covers 1200 acres for over 15 years. It provide hands on activities to educate visitors wildlife and nature conservation. The center is visited by more than 70,000 people every year who get upclose encounters with the nature and wildlife through interesting walking trails. It also consists of several habitats including meadows, remnant dunes, upland forests, lowland hardwood forests, marshes, wetlands and ponds.

Visitors enjoy viewing live birds at the DeWitt Birds of Prey Center, playing at the Eldean Family Play Park, exploring the Imagination Forest and Filmore Discovery Park. During snowy winters, Loaner snowshoes are also available at the center for a nominal fees.

9. Wander Through The Gorgeous Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway

Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway - Things To Do In Holland — Kollen Park & Heinz Waterfront Walkway – Things To Do In Holland

Located on the shores of Lake Macatawa, Kollen Park is one of the most gorgeous recreational parks in Holland. The park features a boat launch, picnic shelter with tables, playground and space for fishing off the boardwalk. The park is less than a mile away from Holland’s downtown and is a best place to relax with beautiful views of the lake Macatawa. Visit the Queretaro Fountain, gifted by Holland’s sister city Queretaro, Mexico and the Immigrant statue, gifted by the people of Drenthe in the Netherlands.

10. Reminisce Holland’s History At The Holland Museum

The Holland museum exhibits an amazing collection of artifacts that showcases the ancient Dutch lifestyles and their settlement in Holland. The collection includes paintings, story telling demonstrations, fine furnitures, Dutch costumes, photographs and books. The fascinating ancient sagas depict the rich culture and heritage of the historic times of Holland city. You can get to know about all the city’s enriching facts in the best possible way at the Holland museum. It is really one of the best things to do in Holland if you really want to explore more of the cities heritage and history.

Where To Stay In Holland, Michigan

These are the best things to do in Holland, Michigan that would make your trip very memorable. If you are looking for a great place to stay in Holland, here are some of our best recommendations;

Budget : Baymont by Wyndham Holland is a great bargain in Holland. It offers comfortable, hygienic and spacious rooms with all the basic conveniences. The major attractions of Holland such as the Windmill Island and Dutch Village are located at about 10 minutes drive from the hotel.

Mid Range : The Hampton Inn is one of the best hotels to stay in Holland. The hotel offers indoor pool, basket ball court, fitness room, video arcade, tennis table and pool table. The rooms are spacious, comfortable and elegantly designed.

Luxury : Courtyard By Marriott featuring indoor swimming pool, fitness center and beautifully styled rooms comprising of picturesque balcony is a perfect stay in Holland. Located in the downtown, the hotel is close to cafes, restaurants, parks, city markets and all the best things to do in Holland.

10 Top Things To Do In Holland, Michigan

Best Things To Do In Holland, Michigan