Holland Michigan Travel Guide

Holland, Michigan – windmills, wooden shoes, and the tulips, too!

Holland, Michigan is a coastal town located on the western coast of Michigan. The closest neighboring towns are Saugatuck and Grand Haven. The closest city is Grand Rapids. It is a charming town known for its Dutch heritage, with plenty to do!

Holland was one of my first real trips without my family after my freshman year of college. My friends and I wanted to go somewhere new without breaking the bank. So, we scoured the internet in search of a hotel that did not require someone 21 and over for booking and check-in. We eventually settled on a budget-friendly hotel close to central Holland. It was not a boutique hotel or boujee by any means, quite frankly the complete opposite. We planned and planned, looking for where to eat, what to do, and hidden gems in Holland. It is a trip I look back fondly at. We had quite an enjoyable time exploring this quaint town. Here is a complete travel guide to Holland, Michigan.

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WHERE TO STAY

Lake Ranch Resort is a waterfront resort located on Lake Macatawa near Holland State Park and Ottawa Beach. Units can be rented nightly from May through mid-October. They boast tons of activities including kayaking, fishing, and biking. Prices range from $200 to $300 a night.

The Beach House at Lake Street is a vacation rental a short distance from Lake Michigan and a quick drive from downtown Holland. They boast amenities such as membership at Macatawa Golf Club for the extent of your stay, a hot tub, a basketball court, and shuffle board. Prices range from $200 to $300 a night.

If you are hoping to stay somewhere less expensive, there are two bed and breakfasts along Lake Macatawa to stay at, the Cottonwood Inn and the Inn at Old Orchard Road. Cottonwood Inn prices range from $150-$190 a night. Rooms at the Inn at Old Orchard go for about $130 a night.

WHERE TO EAT

Windmill Restaurant is a diner located closer to downtown Holland that serves breakfast all day. They’re highly rated and I understand why now, the food was great!

Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant was a favorite of ours because we had a scenic waterfront view while dining, took pictures by the water, and feasted on delicious food. My shrimp tacos were great! You can also walk along Heinz Waterfront Walkway to Kollen Park. Plan on getting there early as they can have longer wait times.

Big Lake Brewing is located right near the Windmill restaurant! The brewery offers brunch, lunch, and dinner (and of course, beer). On Sundays, they’re only open 10am-3pm. It was not too terribly crowded when we visited, and they had various dinner options to choose from.

Dune Dogz and Treatz is a hot dog restaurant serving everything from corn on the cob and a pickle on a stick to specialty dogs and ice cream. It’s located on Ottawa Beach Road directly next to the Mt. Pisgah Dune Boardwalk, down the road from the Beach Place and the Ottawa Beach General Store.

Beach Place is a little shop located right on the beach. Their menu consists of mostly American cuisine such as burgers and sandwiches, luckily they have lots of choices in terms of ice cream. They also have a clothing store located inside!

Ottawa Beach General Store is a great place to visit because they have so much in store! From ice cream and candy to lunch options, clothing, and various trinkets, it’s a can’t miss!

We visited Boba House on our way out and I’m so thankful we did! If you are a fan of Boba like me, I’d definitely recommend it. I have scouted quite a bit of boba places, and this was one of my favorites.

WHERE TO VISIT

Holland State Park encompasses Ottawa Beach, with Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa surrounding it. They offer fishing, camping, and beach volleyball as well. From the beach, you can see Holland’s historic lighthouse. Unfortunately, the light house itself is not open to pedestrian access. The Holland Lighthouse Commission has posted on their website they are hoping to resolve this in the not so distant future.

Bowerman Blueberries Farm Market was a good pit stop! It is a 100-acre blueberry farm. I got blueberry donuts and a blueberry smoothie, obviously. They have tons of treats including ice cream, pies, donuts, jams, and salsas. They also offer blueberry picking where you can pick your own blueberries! It is best to check their website to ensure it is available.

Tunnel Park is a must-see! We didn’t explore the entire park, as soon as we got there we walked up the dunes to an incredible sunset view overlooking Lake Michigan and stairs down to the beach. No picture can quite capture the stunning views!

Windmill Island Gardens is a wonderful place to amble around and shoot some photos. The historic windmill ‘de Zwaan’ is the highlight of the gardens. It was not crowded at all when we visited in late August and there was so much to look at!

Nelis’ Dutch Village is a theme park all about the history of Holland. Shop, pet zoo animals, watch traditional Dutch dances, learn about carving wood shoes and how to make Dutch cheese, and ride the windmill ferris wheel! This was another can’t miss! Online tickets are $17 and in-person tickets are $19.