Windmills, tulips, and quaint charm, features you’d typically associate with the Netherlands, also have a home stateside. Holland, Michigan, a 34,000-person city on the shores of Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan, was settled in the 1840s by Dutch separatists escaping persecution; since then, it has evolved into a destination with an incredibly unique look, personality, and culture.
“Holland is the quintessential small town that everybody wishes they grew up in,” says Lucas Grill, the proprietor of 1983 Restaurants. “[It’s] slow, friendly, cute as a button, and yet chic and cosmopolitan enough to satisfy even the big-city folks who love to get out and have some fun.” Emily Tieman, a content creator and founder of the Emily Retro blog, echoes Grill, adding that the “picturesque Dutch village” is also notable for its “freshwater beaches with miraculous sunsets every night.” In the same vein, Holland’s natural beauty comes into play during one of its most well-known events: the Tulip Time festival. Millions of tulips take center stage during the eight-day celebration, as locals and visitors alike honor the city’s heritage and the beauty of the colorful flower.
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Even when the tulips aren’t in bloom, Holland offers a variety of reasons to visit, from its exciting breweries and authentic Dutch bakery to its extensive bike trails and impressive snow-melt sidewalk system (more on that later). During the holiday season, visitors can shop around a European-style Christmas market and enjoy the festive lights at Windmill Island Gardens. It’s even supposed that author L. Frank Baum found inspiration for “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” while vacationing in Holland.
If any of those aspects pique your interest, it might be time to plan a trip to western Michigan. Read on to discover how to plan your trip to Holland, according to local experts.
