A day in Holland, Michigan

From tulip season to lakefront access, the town of Holland is a West Michigan gem. Its Dutch history enchants every cobblestone corner of downtown, and it offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.

In addition to being a vibrant community for families and tourists, Holland is also home to Hope College, a liberal arts college nationally known for its academic excellence and wild squirrel population. Whether you’ve never been to Holland before or are a returning visitor, there’s something for everyone here. Welcome!

Dutch Farmers Market | Open seasonally on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the Holland Farmers Market hosts numerous booths and food trucks at the Holland Civic Center downtown. Local businesses and farms sell vegetables, fruits, plants, home goods, treats, coffee and more at the market. There are even events for kids every Wednesday morning, such as the Herrick District Library’s Market Story Time. Finally, the Holland Farmers Market has partnered with a number of financial assistance programs – including Bridge Cards, Pandemic EBT Cards, Senior FRESH and offers additional funding through Double Up Food Bucks – to keep fresh food accessible to all.

Dutch Museum | The Holland Museum is more than just a two-story gallery on the edge of downtown—it also maintains a variety of historic sites throughout the city. These include the Cappon House, the home of Holland’s first mayor, which tells the story of the Cappon family in a carefully preserved 20th-century setting. The Settlers House on 9th Street is another well-preserved historic site that displays a worker’s home that survived the Great Holland Fire of 1871. On the other side of downtown is Caboose No. A967, a 1940s railroad car that has been converted into a free outdoor exhibit with bilingual signage in English and Spanish. Finally, visitors can make an appointment to visit the Holland Armory, which features an exhibit on Holland’s National Guard.

Paddling tours in Tulip City | The only thing better than exploring Holland on foot is a paddleboard ride. Tulip City Paddle Tours offers beginner-friendly stand-up paddleboard tours on various Dutch waterways. Led by an experienced guide, visitors can explore Windmill Island and Pigeon Lake from the water. If paddleboarding is too unsafe for you, you can order a kayak in advance instead. Tulip City Paddle Tours even offers a local club where people can bring or rent a board every Tuesday night and join other paddlers at various locations in Holland.

Scrapyard Climbing Collective | Scrapyard Climbing Collective is on a mission to transform the Holland community through indoor bouldering and belaying. Focused on education and accessibility, Scrapyard offers beginner and advanced routes to climbers of all levels. They offer gear rentals, host events, and even have a weekly climbing club for women and nonbinary people. Their walls range from 5 to 7 meters high and they reset a portion of the routes every Monday, providing a never-ending challenge for even the most experienced climber.

The Park Theatre | A champion of Holland’s artistic expression, the Park Theatre has been providing a stage for West Michigan residents since the 1930s. Originally built in 1886 as a lumber mill and feed warehouse, the Park Theatre has evolved over decades into a staple of West Michigan’s performing arts. The nonprofit organization hosts touring and local bands, comedians and open mic nights each week, providing the city with a platform for creatives of all kinds.

Windmill Island Gardens | Windmill Island Gardens is, fittingly, home to the historic De Zwaan windmill, which was brought here from the Netherlands in the 1960s. The five-story windmill can be toured on guided tours and still grinds grain into flour today. In fact, the flour can be purchased on-site and used to make baked goods, beer, and more. The gardens also feature several Dutch exhibits and recreations, so you can spend time immersed in history and nature during your visit.

Tulip time | Tulip Time—the event that put Holland on the map as a global travel destination—is a week-long festival all about tulips. Colorful flowers line downtown streets and fill the fields on Windmill Island, providing an impressive visual experience. Traditional Dutch dancing, a family-friendly race, rides, walking tours, craft markets and more make this festival a favorite for travelers and West Michigan residents alike.

University | The Hope College campus isn’t just for students. From strolling the tree-lined walkways to shopping at the campus bookstore, visitors can enjoy Hope College’s meticulously maintained grounds right next to downtown. Hope College also offers a variety of public events, from gallery tours at the Kruizenga Art Museum to a film series at the Knickerbocker Theater. Hope supporters can even sponsor a Pine Grove Squirrel and receive a plush squirrel in return – just look for the real ones as you walk around campus!

Shopping district in the city center | Holland’s downtown is focused on local businesses. From chic clothing stores like Frances Jaye and Spring Sweet to historic storefronts like the Peanut Shop, even those who don’t like shopping will find a store that piques their interest. There’s also no shortage of restaurants, breweries and cafes to stop at between shopping, so be sure to come hungry and stay for the good deals.

De Klomp wooden shoe and Delftware factory | What’s more Dutch than Delft glassware and wooden shoes? At the De Klomp Delft factory, you can watch artisans mold, paint and glaze the only genuine blue and white Delft pottery made in the United States. You can also watch them carve shoes out of poplar wood using authentic Dutch machinery. Visitors can also purchase these handcrafted items, as well as other Dutch delicacies, at the factory.