The Complete Travel Guide: Holland, Michigan
Famous all over North America for their Tulip Time Festival, Holland is a must-see city in Michigan. Here you can find breathtaking sunsets, over 7 million tulips (in late April-early May), the nation’s only authentic, working Dutch De Zwaan ("the Swan” in Dutch) Windmill, themed villages, shopping, lake views, and fun for all ages. Holland definitely needs to be added to your Midwest trip bucket list. Rich in Dutch heritage, Holland creates an amazing and unique experience. During the Tulip Festival you can experience traditional dances, attractions, tours, special events and shows, deals and discounts, and other fun experiences throughout the whole week.
The History Of Holland
Like many other cities throughout the United States, Holland was officially founded when Dutch immigrants forced the Ottawa, a native tribe of indigenous peoples to the Great Lakes region, out of the area in the mid 1800s. The natives headed north to the Petoskey Area after the wealthier Dutch settlers purchased the land. The natives moved to protect their way of life, escape religious indoctrination, and threats of violence. The first tulips were planted around this time. Around 1930, a local teacher recommended the city celebrate their heritage by planting as many tulips as possible, and to beautify the city. That is how it became known for the Tulip Time Festival, and is now on the list of National Register of Historic Places.
If you didn’t know, Holland is also known for it’s revolutionary heated sidewalks that took over 2 decades to install. The sidewalks use recycled warm water from nearby water treatment facilities to run in more than 150 miles of underground pipes. This helps melt the massive amounts of lake effect snow it receives every year, saves on the cost of salt and plowing, and it also reduces replacement cost because the roads are well protected from the environment. Pretty ingenious, right?
Holland has a sister city: Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico. It is also known for it’s strong presence of Christianity. Being home to nearly 200 houses of worship in an 18 square mile city is quite an impressive feat! Holland is sometimes referred to as “The City of Churches” and coined the phrase “What would Jesus do?” So if you are wanting explore and visit the local churches, this would be an amazing city for that. Holland also has a reputation of being one of the safest and happiest cities in the Midwest, it is very welcoming of all! However, the lakes can be the most dangerous thing in the area so be sure to read up on proper water safety and checking the local swim warnings before heading to the beach for a swim.
How to Get to Holland
Holland is easily accessible by car, approximately 2.5 hours from Chicago and 3 hours from Detroit. The closes airport is Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, a 35 minute Drive away. Holland does have its own local airport: West Michigan Regional Airport (formerly known as Tulip City Airport). Holland also has a stunning Amtrak train you could ride into town. But, if you are wanting to experience the true Midwest travel experience, you can join the most common form of transportation: driving to the city.
When To Visit
While Holland is charming year-round, the highlight is the Tulip Time Festival in May when millions of tulips bloom. This festival is renown as the world’s best flower festival. Walking through the city is a sight to see with the blossom trees loosing petals to the wind, planters filled with blooming flowers, and almost every square inch of public area is overflowing with tulips. Along with public parks, there will also be plenty of attractions open for visitors - but we will discuss that later!
Summer (June to August) is ideal for outdoor activities. Holland has stunning beaches along Lake Michigan for summer travel. The city is home to one of the state’s busiest marinas for pleasure craft. And in the fall, the city comes to life once again but with shades of a different season. If you are looking to get out of the house in the winter, you can always count on the sidewalks of Holland to be free and clear! However, some attractions and businesses may not be open for the season.
Related: You should visit the Fredrik Meijer Gardens + Sculpture Park!
Grab this freebie!
What to Do in Holland
As I was listing off all of the amazing stops for Holland, I decided it would be much easier if you all had a map to use (especially if you are a visual person like me)! I’ve created a wonderful resource, which you can find below. I’ve chosen a mix of well known food + drink stops, recreational areas, historical locations, and gardens that offer both paid or free entry. So there should be a little bit of something for everyone on this trip.
Visit Tulip Time Festival
May 6th-14th, 2023
It’s a given since we have already talked so much about it. Tulips line almost every square inch of the city making it a must-see for flower lovers everywhere. If you are not a huge flower buff, don’t worry - there’s plenty to do! A carnival is usually set up, events are held throughout the week, heritage performances, parades, Dutch festival foods, fireworks, yoga in the tulips, and art fair tents are set up all over. It truly is fun for the whole family!
-NEW- Tulip Immersion Garden
Dutch horticulturist, Ibo Gülsen, creates a week-long immersion experience. With 50,000 tulips of all colors and varieties to give flower lovers an experience that brings tulips to eye-level. You can find tickets for 2-hour time slots: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm
Saturday, May 6 2023 - Sunday, May 14 2023
9:00AM- 4:00PM
Tickets: $15-$20 for adults (depending on day), $5 for children 5-12 years old, 5 and under are free
Parking: free at the fairgrounds
Explore The Gardens
Holland has an assortment of gardens to visit, both private and public. Each year, I try to visit a new place that I haven’t yet seen. I am still finding places to bookmark and save for the next trip! If you do visit the tulip gardens or local parks, be sure to stay in the designated walking areas. Not only does it harm the health of the plants, but there is also a steep fine for picking or walking on any tulip - so stay in the walking rows.
Here are some of the parks that I have visited:
$15 per adult, $7 per child 3-13
$10 per adult, $5 for children 3-15
Be sure to visit the Dutch De Zwaan Windmill for a tour and beautiful overlook of the gardens
$14 per adult, $12 per child 3-15 (save $1 if purchasing tickets online)
The historic park in the center of town - absolutely stunning to walk through
Rows and paths of beautiful tulips making the park a work of art - it is connected to an even larger bike trail if you are an avid biker, runner, or walker!
Walk the Beach at Holland State Park or Tunnel Park
My husband and I are avid hikers, so of course we had to check out the State Park the first time we came. Their heated showers and facilities actually influenced us to continue to support our State Parks and frequent many other Michigan parks since our first trip. I just learned about the Mt. Pisgah Historic and overlook, as well as the historic pumphouse this trip however. We didn’t go past the overlook, but you can take the sandy dune trails down to the beach. Then of course we had to visit the infamous red, Holland Harbor Lighthouse. On a beautiful summer day, I could imagine us spending hours at the beach while our daughter digs in the sand.
Volunteer to help plant tulips in the fall
What a better way to give back to such an amazing community by volunteering in the fall. Volunteering to help the city and its residents plant its millions of tulip bulbs would make your trip so memorable and when you visit the next year for the Tulip Festival, or when you see pictures from others, you can rest assured that you assisted in the creation of those tulip gardens.
Tour the Museum, The Cappon House, and the Settler’s House
Visiting a local museum is a wonderful way to learn more about the city you are visiting. The Holland Museum offers tours, and you can even gain entrance to the first mayors home and the preserved Settler’s House. The museum also hosts special events for kids and families. So if the beaches aren’t your cup of tea or the weather isn’t too hot (pun intended), consider checking out the museum.
The Cappon House (home to the first mayor)
Related: Why you should visit Traverse City this Spring
Where to Stay
Because Holland is a smaller town, they keep to smaller hotels, B&Bs, AirB&Bs, and of course the beautiful State Park Campground.
A few Places you can stay in the area:
DoubleTree by Hilton
Dutch Colonial Inn Bed & Breakfast
Centennial Inn Bed & Breakfast
Hawthorn Inn
CityFlatsHotel (the only LEED-certified, sustainable hotel in Holland)
the Courtyard by Marriott (downtown)
The Beach House at Lake Street
Residence Inn by Marriott Holland
Best Western Plus Holland Inn & Suites
Hampton Inn
Where to Eat
Holland has a wide array of restaurants, actually, and they all serve delicious food. Parking downtown is free (although some spots are time-limited) so you can drive right up to most of the restaurants. There’s also a public bathroom that is kept very clean. Some of these restaurants can be quite popular, so if you want to avoid a wait time be sure to arrive before the crowds (many have online reservations and outdoor seating currently).
Here are some of my favorites:
Butch’s Dry Dock
deBoer’s Bakkerij (2 locations for a bakery, one location with a restaurant)
Windmill Restaurant
The Curragh Irish Pub
Beechwood Grill
Crust 54
Mizu Sushi
Dune Dogz
Orange Leaf
Peachwave
A little thirsty? Here are a few coffee shops and breweries in the area:
The 205 Coffee Bar
Lemonjello’s Coffee
The Good Earth Cafe
Our Brewing Company
Tulip City Brewstillery
New Holland Brewing
Hops at 84 East
A Few practical tips:
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Language: English
Local Transportation: Car rentals and walking are the primary modes of transportation
Holland, Michigan, invites you to experience its rich cultural tapestry, scenic beauty, and warm hospitality. Whether you're savoring a Dutch pastry, strolling through tulip-filled gardens, or enjoying the lakeside charm, Holland promises an unforgettable getaway.
