The Ultimate Holland Travel Guide - Netherlands in Michigan

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This was back in 2017 when my brother used to work in Michigan. Mom decided that family time was well overdue and we went to pay him a visit. He was more than pumped for a little holiday and actually took the responsibility of research this time. That was when he stumbled upon a cute little Dutch city in Michigan about 3 hours away from him called Holland.

We were quite small when we visited Amsterdam. While the memories will always remain with us, a little refresher was due. This beautiful city had windmills and tulips! And its name is Holland! So, naturally, going there was a no brainer.

Holland is a beautiful city located on the shores of Lake Macatawa. True to its name, Holland actually brings a bit of The Netherlands to Michigan. It’s one of the many places in Michigan that is perfect for a getaway. It’s nice and quiet, extremely serene and great for a family outing.

If you haven’t actually visited Holland and happen to be in Michigan, give this place a visit for sure! (Too many variables, I know)

Map of Attractions

How To Use This Map: The icon at the top left corner displays the sidebar which has individual layers. This helps you view the destinations as a list. If you click on the tiny star next to the map title, you’ll be able to save this map into your personal library.

The square bracket icon on the extreme top right helps you view the map on a larger screen. If you want to get details on individual locations, you can click the purple markers on the map.

Enjoy your exploration!

Attractions and Things to do

STEP INTO THE NETHERLANDS AT WINDMILL ISLAND

Go visit the most prized possession of Holland in Michigan, i.e. the DeZwaan in the Windmill Island Gardens. It is the only authentic Dutch windmill in the United States. It is approximately 250 years old but is completely functional and grinds local wheat into flour. Take some time to visit the adjacent Tulip Gardens that blossom into thousands of coloured tulips in the month of May.

You can take a guided tour or explore at your own pace. You’ll find many costumed guides and staff around the island so feel free to ask questions. The island is quite popular for events like weddings. While you’re there, ensure you snag a photo op near the Dutch Organ and the hand-painted carousel as well.

STROLL THROUGH HOLLAND STATE PARK AND BEACH

All you need is a day pass, and you’re good to go! Don’t leave Holland without going to the state park and visiting this beautiful beach bordering the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa. If you feel like having a nice, relaxing time, this is the place for you. You’ll find people engaging in all sorts of activities, from sunbathing, to volleyball or even enjoying a picnic. The park also has campsites and fishing spots. Make sure to take a picture near the Big Red Lighthouse as well!

RE-VISIT HISTORY AT THE HOLLAND MUSEUM

Holland’s very own museum is the perfect place to get some CliffsNotes on Holland, it’s history and its origin in Michigan. The Museum is full of paintings and artifacts that trace the origin of the Dutch in Michigan to 1847. While you’re there, catch the hour-long video that gives you synopsis of the history of Holland in Michigan.

GET SOME FRESH PRODUCE AT THE FARMERS MARKET

The Farmers Market in Holland functions every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm. They reserve the first hour of the market for seniors above the age of 60, the mentally and physically disabled, and pregnant women. That was all it took to get me excited to visit the market. You’ll find loads of local produce, plants, flowers, cheese, meats, spices and plenty of baked deliciousness.

EXPLORE DOWNTOWN ALONG ITS MAIN STREET

Although it goes without saying, make sure you spend some time Downtown! It is open all year round and is bustling with activity and street performers. From restaurants to diners, art galleries, boutiques, speciality shops and family-owned stores, you’ll find everything here.

GRAB A PINT AT THE NEW HOLLAND BREWING CO.

A fantastic, wide variety of good quality beer at reasonable prices. That’s the New Holland Brewing Company in a nutshell. They also offer tours to show you around their production process. The pub itself is a perfect place to wind down, enjoy a pint, catch some telly and hunker down with large portions of food.

Is Holland, Mi Worth Visiting

Honestly? It depends. If you’ve been to Amsterdam before and visited Keukenhof, then the Holland in Michigan isn’t much of a novelty. The main attraction i.e. windmill island is a literal replica of every picturesque corner in Amsterdam. I’d suggest checking out Mackinac Island or Frankenmuth instead.

However, if you’ve never been, I definitely suggest a visit. The best time to visit is during May when the Tulip Time Festival is in full swing. Michigan’s Holland is quite authentic and resonates heavily with Dutch culture. It’s also a good place for a family outing and has plenty of photo-ops. Forbes Magazine actually named it one of “America’s Prettiest Towns.”

What is Holland Known For

Holland in Michigan is famous for pretty much what Holland in, well Holland is famous for. Tulips, windmills and a rich Dutch Heritage. Every year in May, Holland celebrates the Tulip Time Festival where the streets and gardens are lined with Tulips and fun filled parades. The locals dress up in authentic Dutch clothing and the carnivals are an enjoyment for one and all.

Holland’s award-winning downtown area is a fine blend of culture and architecture. It has several pubs and restaurants as well as art installations and locally-owned galleries. Every Thursday during summer, you’ll find street performers taking Holland by storm. They put up an extremely entertaining show downtown between 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm.

Considering that Holland shares it shores with the beautiful Lake Michigan, it also has some prime lakeside holiday spots. It is also extremely popular for its snow melt system. This is actually the reason downtown is accessible and functional all year round.

Reaching and Getting Around Holland

We drove to Holland from Greenfield, which is also in Michigan. It was a 2.5 hour drive and extremely smooth sailing along the I-96 W. The closest airport is the Grand Rapids International Airport which is about 30 miles from Holland.
Holland is actually located right in between Chicago and Detroit. It takes approximately 3 hours to arrive by car from any of these locations.
For the most part, you’ll be walking. You’ll need a car to get to Holland from Michigan or Illinois but once you park it away somewhere, you won’t miss it.

Best Time to Visit

Holland experiences quite a few variations in temperature. Generally it is quite pleasant but during the transition from fall to winter, extreme cold begins to set in.

Peak Season. Holland is busiest during spring i.e. from March to May owing to the Tulip festival that takes place during these months. Temperatures are pleasant although they still border on cold. There are slight chances of rain but nothing too extreme. Tourists tend to flock during this period and the prices are pretty high.
Shoulder Season. The peak Summer months i.e. June, July and August comprise the shoulder season. This is the second busiest period so the prices are still pretty high but not as much as spring.
Off Season. September through January is definitely not the most ideal time to visit Holland. In true Michigan style, the winters are bone biting. It rains and snows significantly as well. And trust me, winters in Michigan are not to be trifled with. The prices are of course extremely cheap and affordable and tourists are few.

How Many Days Should you Spend Here

Ideally, a day trip to Holland is perfect. You’ll probably need around 2-3 hours at Windmill Island and its gardens since it is the major tourist attraction. You can then spend the rest of the time at the beach and enjoy a lovely stroll downtown.

You can always stretch your visit to 2 days and incorporate a relaxing visit to Holland State Park, chill near Lake Macatawa and check out the Lighthouse. If you plan on spending any more time you can check out Grand Rapids (a 30-minute drive) as well. The John Ball Zoo and Public Museum are quite popular there.

Things to eat in Holland, Michigan

Holland is quite the multi-cuisine melting pot. This essentially means that there are a wide variety of things you can eat and enjoy here. However, there are a few eateries that you absolutely must visit when in Holland.

deBoer Bakkerij. This family-run bakery restaurant is a foodies delight and perfect for breakfast/lunch. Tourists and locals swear by its food. The pancakes, waffles, eggs and beef croquettes are everyones favourites.
Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant. Located right by the waterfront, this restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor dining with an excellent view. Make sure you try the whitefish and the Great Lakes Signature Salad.
Crazy Horse Steakhouse and Saloon. A southwestern themed steakhouse and a meaty delight. Apart from the hearty steak, there are also a wide variety of Mexican sides and salads. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.

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That’s all folks! That’s Sangria and Soul’s guide to your next Holland vacation. In Michigan of course.

I realise that I’ve reiterated the fact Holland is in Michigan far too many times. Sometimes, I wonder if I’m reminding you about its location or myself. I mean, you really do need reminders to believe that something so authentically Dutch exists in the United States of America. The beautiful beaches and prime lakeside views from Lake Michigan and Macatawa only enhance this beauty.

Although we’ve been to Amsterdam, Holland has just the right amount of American flair to make it stand out and be different. You know a place is amazing if you’re yearning to take one more walk, visit one more attraction and explore one more lane.

And so, we continue on our journey to find the lesser-known beauties of the world, hiding in plain sight, waiting to be explored. Hopefully, we find something soon.

Until then, Bon Voyage.