Your Local Guide to Holland, Michigan
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In this guide, you’ll find the best that Holland, MI has to offer. This will include all the off-the-beaten path favorites from a lifelong local. Holland is great to visit in every season. Spring is booming due to our Tulip Time festival, Summer you’ll be able to swim in our beautiful beaches, Fall is colorful and the beaches are empty, Winter brings Christmas cheer and festivals to Downtown Holland. You can always find something to do!
Holland Beaches
One of the best things about visiting Holland is our sandy beaches on the Lake Michigan coast. The beaches face west so you will experience the best sunsets of your life! Some things to note about the beach: If you're hoping to swim, plan on visiting July-Early September. The water can be pretty chilly due to our cold winters so give the lake a chance to warm up. Do NOT swim if there are high waves and a lot of wind. Lake Michigan can be very dangerous so only swim when the waters are calm. If you choose to visit Holland State Park they have a flag system to indicate whether you should swim or not. The beach is wonderful and I go swimming all summer long, just be cautious and don't swim when it's wavy.
Holland State Park
Arguably the most recognizable thing about Holland is our lighthouse, Big Red. You get a great view of her from Holland State Park. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the lighthouse from the park because it’s on the other side of the channel. But there’s a beautiful pier here to walk and a large beach. This beach gets busy in the summer because it has the biggest parking lot, a playground, close proximity to campgrounds and you can buy food and ice cream directly on the beach. If you’re looking to spend the whole day at a beach (Especially with kids), this is the one for you. There can be long lines to drive into the park so come early.
Fall in Holland Michigan - Things To Do, Events & Halloween Activities
Ottawa Beach General Store
When visiting the state park you have to stop at the General Store. It’s the cutest store built in the 1930’s that has tons of cheap candy and souvenirs. This is where I spent all my allowance money when I was a kid. You can get ice cream, donuts, slushees, firewood, alcohol... it’s truly a general store and it’s the best.
Mt. Pisgah
Right by the General Store is Mt. Pisgah. It’s a park (Okay, mostly stairs) that leads you up a dune to a gorgeous view of the lake. You will be winded walking up these stairs because there are a lot, but the view is worth it. There are also trails that go into the woods that lead down to the beach.
Tunnel Park
Tunnel Park is my favorite beach and my favorite thing about Holland. You can walk through an old tunnel to get to the beach or climb a big dune for a gorgeous view. I love going on long, private, romantic walks on the beach (Doesn’t everyone?) and you can do that at Tunnel Park.
In Holland, you are allowed to walk the whole shoreline as long as you don’t walk up by someone’s house or lay a towel down on their beach like it’s your property. So if you’re just walking (Or swimming in the lake) you can walk for miles on the beaches and pass by hundreds of beach houses. Tunnel Park beach can fill up fast so get here early if you plan to swim all day. Or visit after dinner when it is less crowded and swim during the sunset, which is my personal favorite.
Rosy Mound
For a long, enjoyable hike check out Rosy Mound just north of Holland. You’ll go through a hilly forest and lots of stairs but end up with a glorious view of the lake. Then you’ll be able to step down the dunes and walk boardwalks over the sand to view the water. It’s such a fun hike and you see the different aspects of nature all in one walk.
Downtown Holland
Arguably the best part about Holland is walking through historic Downtown Holland. Downtown Holland is special because it has snowmelt built underneath the cobblestone. So in the winter, snow doesn’t stick to the sidewalks and you won’t have to worry about ice. Our downtown is magical at Christmastime and we have tons of events and markets to experience. Centennial Park is beautiful every season so be sure to check that out.
Christmas in Holland, MI - Downtown Holiday Open House & Winter Events
My favorite shop is the Peanut Store which was opened over 100 years ago. It has a huge variety of candy and treats and it is a great place to visit with kids.
Windmill Restaurant is a quintessential local diner with great breakfast.
Hopcat is my favorite local restaurant and bar. The fries used to be known as “crack fries” but they had to change their name for obvious reasons. Now they are “cosmic fries” and are to die for! Great beer and amazing food.
Lemonjello’s is a coffee shop filled with gnomes and is the best hippie hole in the wall. If you’re here in the summer get a Green Army Gun (Yes, there’s a real plastic army guy in your drink. It’s delicious).
If you love very thin crust pizza you have to try Fricano’s. Opened in 1949 it is a bit of a dive bar and has the best atmosphere. The pizza isn't for everyone, it's greasy and thin but it has a local following and is my personal favorite.
Best Food in Holland
There are other great places to get food besides in Downtown Holland.
I love visiting Russ’ for cheap and authentic Dutch food like pea soup and Dutch apple pie.
Sluggo’s - Come here for the pizza but stay for the breadsticks. The original breadsticks are divine but the dessert breadsticks are out of this world. Definitely get a slushee, they have every flavor under the sun. This is a great place to pick up food on your way to or from the beach.
Right by Sluggo’s is Captain Sundae which has the best ice cream in town! There are 3 locations but the original is on Douglas Ave. They have specialty sundaes and a mini-golf course too.
Deboer Bakery - Deboer’s is the perfect place to pick something up for breakfast. You can walk in and get something to-go from the bakery. They have traditional dutch baked goods that are amazing! I always get the ham and cheese croissant. There are two locations, the original is on Douglas Ave.
Donutville- The chocolate cinnamon donut is the size of my face! My favorite donut place because it is cheap and delicious.
China Inn- Best Chinese food in town. Eat in the restaurant or order takeout.
Best Antique Stores in Holland
Be sure to check out my complete Best of the Best West Michigan Antique Store list.
Wooden shoe Antique Mall - If you’re looking for Dutch related antiques definitely stop here. But they have a great selection of vintage items and I love going there.
Downtown Antiques- The most charming antique store in Holland, conveniently located in Downtown Holland. Their displays are always top notch and the owners are so nice.
Harvest Antiques- If you’re looking for cheap antiques definitely stop here. The prices are awesome and I never leave the store empty handed. I know the staff personally and they are a delight!
And if you love vintage shopping you can check out my list of favorite thrift shops in West Michigan.
There are all my favorite places in Holland! If you want to know about the best places to see in the spring (Like Windmill Island pictured above) be sure to check out my Tulip Time Guide.
If you’re in the Michigan area here are some other local recommendations!
