Holland Michigan - A Destination That You Will Remember

Why should you take a Holland, Michigan vacation? The answer is that Holland has just about everything. You'll find specialty shops, a Lake Michigan beach, a Michigan State Campground, a lighthouse, windmill, a dutch village, tulip farm and the downtown streets are a visual treat. The downtown area is full of tulips in the spring and annual flowers in the summer.

The Tulip Festival

If you arrive early in May, you will see what Holland is best known for, their tulip festival. The streets are lined with tulips in bloom. Included with the festival is a Saturday morning parade with floats, all with the tulip theme. You may never see as many tulips in your life again. A small carnival is also offered and you can take a tour of their tulip farm.

Tulip Farm and Gardens

At the tulip farm you can choose from specialty bulbs and plants. The variety is huge, so if you are collector like me, you can choose from bulbs you don't see elsewhere. Also included are Dutch food treats, Dutch shoes, and lots of Dutch trinkets.

Dutch Windmill

Don't miss the windmill. It is a real operating windmill that was shipped from Holland. The windmill is 250 years old and even has a bullet hole in it from World War II. You can buy flour that is milled there. A tour of the windmill is included. You'll also enjoy flower gardens, a small operating dutch farm, a play park and a picnic area and shops.

Downtown Shops

I enjoyed browsing the downtown shops in Holland. You'll find a candy shop, yarn shop, ladies clothing and many more specialty items. The downtown is beautiful and has heated sidewalks in the winter. Flowers are everywhere, special scuptures, and clean, clean, outdoor areas.

Restaurants

There are a large variety of restaurants that will fit any price range and appetite. Choose from fine dining or a simple meal. There are many delectable foods to choose.We ate at an old fashioned soda shop and it was delicious.

Lake Makatawa

Across from the Michigan State Park in Holland is Lake Makatawa. Originally Reverand AC Reate was seeking a place for his Dutch followers to settle and thought that Lake Makatawa would make a good harbor, but there were sandbars and silt collected between Lake Michigan and what was then called Black Lake (Lake Makatawa). He appealed to Congress and eventually the sand was removed. Ever since, Holland has been predominantly a Dutch town.

Lake Makatawa is now a wonderful recreation area for tourist and year round residents. The sign on the left details this history.

Lighthouse

At the end of the pier near Lake Makatawa is a lighthouse. This is located in the campground area. There are many camping sites and all that is required is a state sticker for entrance and a fee for the campsite. If you prefer not to camp, just a day sticker or a seasonal sticker is required.

Lake Michigan Beaches and Fishing

A long beach awaits you at the campground. There are also two other public beaches along Lake Michigan. If you enjoying tanning on the beach, walking along the shoreline, sailing, boating, fishing, site seeing or fishing, you'll enjoy the time spent in Holland.

Take a day or spend a week, you'll enjoy your visit.