Lakeshore Community: Holland

Art Around Holland

The Art Around Holland map helps you discover nearly 100 sculptures, murals and other art installations around the city.

Cappon & Settlers House Museums

The Cappon House was the home of Holland’s first mayor, Dutch immigrant and local tannery proprietor Isaac Cappon. Built in 1874, it’s been partially restored to its 1900-era appearance. with period furnishings and historic exhibits. Five doors away, the Settlers House is a small 1867 home that was lived in by a series of working-class families over its history. Tours of both houses are offered on summer Saturdays and Sundays, and group tours for 5 or more are available September-May. 228 W 9^th St.

De Klomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory

Visitors can see how wooden shoes, clay figurines and authentic blue-and-white Delftware (pottery) are made at De Klomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory. Take a walk in the factory and shop for authentic Dutch souvenirs. All handmade items and other Dutch delicacies are available for purchase. 12755 Quincy Ave.

Holland Community Theatre

Holland Community Theatre presents six shows each year: three mainstage productions for adult audiences, a family holiday show, and summer children and teen shows. 50 W 9^th St.

Holland Museum

The Holland Museum tells the story of Holland, Michigan, from its settlement by Dutch immigrants to today. Features thousands of fascinating objects, galleries exploring local history and Dutch culture, and artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s through the 1900s. 31 W 10^th St.

Nelis’  Dutch Village

Nelis’ Dutch Village is a theme park celebrating the Netherlands of 150 years ago. The Dutch experience here includes Dutch dancing, wooden shoe carving, rides, games, friendly farm animals, photo ops, food, drink and shopping. 12350 James St.

Park Theatre

The historic Park Theatre, built in 1886, presents a wide variety of concerts, films, comedy shows, lectures, open-mike nights and other entertainment. 248 S River Ave.

Veldheer Tulip Gardens

Ablaze with millions of tulips from late April to mid-May, Veldheer Tulip Gardens also features several varieties of lilies in bloom throughout the spring and summer, and beautiful perennial gardens through mid-October. Starting in August, you can purchase flower bulbs for fall planting. 12755 Quincy St.

Windmill Island Gardens

The historic de Zwaan windmill, the last working windmill allowed to leave the Netherlands (in 1964) stands amongst 36 acres of exhibits, gardens and natural areas at Windmill Island Gardens. Visitors can enjoy tunes from a Dutch street organ, ride an antique kids’ carousel, visit the historic Little Netherlands exhibit, browse the gift shop, see 150,000 tulips in bloom from late April to mid-May and annual theme garden plantings from spring to fall. 1 Lincoln Ave. 

AMC Holland 8

See the latest movie releases at AMC Holland 8, which is equipped with eight screens (including IMAX), Dolby Cinema, digital projection, reclining seats and mobile ordering of food and drinks. Enjoy craft beers, specialty cocktails, wines and food fare with your movie. 12270 James St.

DeGraaf Nature Center

The DeGraaf Nature Center is an 18-acre nature preserve consisting of several habitats including meadow, upland forest, lowland forest, marsh and pond. Boardwalk and gravel trails extend about ¾ mile, and many are wheelchair, stroller and wagon friendly. The Visitors Center hosts several native animals. including reptiles and amphibians, and examples of native animal taxidermy. 600 Graafschap Rd.

GQT Holland 7

With 7 screens, digital projection, powered recliners and an arcade, GQT Holland 7 is a great place to see the latest movie releases. 500 S Waverly Rd.

Holland Aquatic Center

A state-of-the-art facility with pools, a waterslide, a diving board, a splash pad and fitness equipment, Holland Aquatic Center offers memberships, single-visit passes, swim lessons, fitness classes, personal training and more. 550 Maple Ave.

Holland Ice Park

Coming in winter 2025, the Holland Ice Park features an ice rink with a connected ribbon and a separate curling rink. Amenities include skate rentals, concessions, restrooms, a snowmelt system for the plaza/gathering area and several fireplaces. 61 E 9^th St.

Hope College

A private Christian liberal arts college established in 1862, Hope College is a vital part of Holland culture. Its campus is nestled in the heart of downtown and it offers many programs the public can enjoy, from cheering on sports teams to viewing art exhibits to attending theatre productions and other events. 141 E 12th St.

Knickerbocker Theatre

Built in 1911, the 563-seat Knickerbocker Theatre is owned by Hope College and presents a wide range of cultural offerings: lectures, art films, concerts, musicals, stage performances and more. 86 E 8^th St.

LiveGolf Studios

LiveGolf Studios at Macatawa Golf Club is a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator facility featuring AboutGolf technology and access to 95+ golf courses, various challenge games and multiple practice ranges. Enjoy delicious food and drink while you play. 4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd. 

The Lost City

The Lost City is an indoor family entertainment center featuring a 5,000 sq ft laser tag arena, mini golf, mini bowling and more than 50 arcade games. 12330 James St.

Outdoor Discovery Center

The Outdoor Discovery Center is a 130-acre nature preserve with nearly five miles of trails open from dawn to dusk. You can rent snowshoes here in the winter to explore the trails. The De Witt Birds of Prey Center is home to 15 different species of Michigan birds of prey, and a wildlife exhibit houses outdoor viewing of five different animals native to Michigan. 4214 56^th St.

Sperry’s Moviehouse

Sperry’s Moviehouse is a 12-screen boutique theatre with movie-themed restaurant food delivered right to your seat. 84 W 8^th St.

Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park

Indoor trampolines, bumper cars, virtual reality adventures, climbing walls, a ropes course, tubes playground, warrior course and much more are available at Urban Air. Open play hours daily. 12331 James St.

X-Golf

With six state-of-the-art golf simulators, food and drink, PGA instruction, leagues and tournaments, X-Golf is the most fun you can have on the course without actually being on the course. 12331 James St.

Holland is home to 150+ locally owned restaurants and virtually all the national chains you can imagine. Walkable downtown Holland, named one of America’s Cutest Main Streets in Small(er)Towns by Fodors Travel, is lined with more than 30 locally owned restaurants, cafes, coffeehouses, breweries, ice cream shops, sushi joints and more. Whatever you have a taste for is an easy stroll away.

Craft Beverages

West Michigan has a reputation for crafting all manner of beverages, and Holland is no exception. Big Lake Brewing (13 W 7^th St), Brewery 4 Two 4 (321 Douglas Ave) New Holland Brewing – Holland Brewpub (66 E 8th St) and Our Brewing Company (76 E 8th St) each craft their own delectable beers (and other adult beverages). Tanglewood Winery (15811 Riley St) is a family-owned winery and blueberry farm with a tasting room, and the Warner Vineyards Tasting Room (26 E 8^th St) offers wines made about an hour away in Paw Paw, MI. Brew Merchant (442 Washington Ave), HopCat (80 W 8th St) and Hops at 84 East (84 E 8th St) are among the Holland hangouts offering a wide variety of locally crafted beers, wines, spirits, cider and more. 

Waterfront Dining

Enjoy mouthwatering American fare and craft cocktails on the banks of Lake Macatawa at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant (216 Van Raalte Ave). You can eat, drink and be merry without shoes at LoLo’s Bar & Grill (1862 Ottawa Beach Rd). RESERVOIR  (2155 Ottawa Beach Rd) is a laid-back Italian trattoria that sits across the road from the beach at Holland State Park.

Dutch Cuisine

You can find all sorts of global cuisines in Holland, from Asian and Irish to Mediterranean and Mexican. But for a true taste of Holland, try these eateries:

• DeBoer Bakkerj & Dutch Boys Restaurant (360 Douglas Ave and 380 W 16^th St) creates artisan breads, pastries and cookies, including Dutch kraklingen, lekkerbekjes and banket, and serves a wide range of breakfast and lunch selections, including Dutch favorites ham and pea soup, croquettes and saucijzenbroodjes (Dutch sausage rolls).
• Hungry Dutchman Café (12350 James St) at Nelis’ Dutch Village serves Dutch food specialties such as metworst, erwtensoup, saucijzenbroodjes and banket, as well as American fare.
• Russ’ Restaurant (361 E 8^th St, 210 River Ave and 1060 S Lincoln Ave) is a West Michigan chain restaurant that has been delighting locals with delicious meals and desserts since 1934, including Dutch classics like split pea soup, pigs in a blanket and Dutch apple dumplings. 
• The Wooden Shoe Restaurant (441 US-31) is a breakfast-and-lunch place whose menu ranges from traditional to trendy to Dutch-inspired – like balkenbrij, a traditional Dutch meat dish.

Named one of America’s Prettiest Towns by Forbes Magazine, downtown Holland is the city’s hottest shopping destination. Stroll charming brick sidewalks – heated in winter to melt any snow – to browse more than 70 locally owned boutiques, shops and galleries. Shop for art, books, clothing, food, gifts, home essentials and much more.

Shopping options outside downtown include a vast array of well-known store brands. Felch Street Plaza (12635 Felch St) is home to such retailers as Barnes & Noble, Five Below, Lowe’s, Old Navy, Shoe Carnival, Sierra, TJ Maxx and Ulta Beauty. The Shops at Westshore (12331 James St.) is an open-air shopping mall anchored by Burlington Coat Factory and Dunham’s Sports. You’ll also encounter such familiar names as Dollar Tree, Kohl’s, Meijer, Sam’s Club, Staples, Walmart and many more

Hunting for vintage and antique treasures? Try Ditto Upscale Resale (571 E 8^th St), Downtown Antiques & Home Furnishings (170 S River Ave), Estate Sales Warehouse (753 Lincoln Ave), Not So Shabby Marketplace (2972 West Shore Dr) and The Wooden Shoe Antique Mall (447 US-31).

Shop for fresh-picked produce, meats, baked goods and other local wares at the Holland Farmers Market, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 15-November 30 and Saturdays from December 7-21. An indoor market is open on the first and third Saturdays of January-April. 150 W 8^th St.

Beaches 

Holland State Park (2459 Ottawa Beach Rd) is known for its sugar-sand beaches, gorgeous sunsets and views of the iconic “Big Red” lighthouse. Tunnel Park (66 Lakeshore Dr), named for its tunnel-through-a-sand dune entrance, has an extensive Lake Michigan beachfront ideal for swimming, sunbathing and picnicking. Laketown Beach (6710 142^nd Ave), accessible by a somewhat challenging through towering sand dunes, offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Kouw Park is a 3.7-acre property with 200 ft. of beachfront.

Entrance to Holland State Park (and other Michigan state parks) requires a Recreation Passport – nonresidents can get a daily ($11) or annual ($41) pass. Motor vehicle permits are required at Tunnel Park and Kouw Park – non-Ottawa County residents can purchase a daily ($8) or annual ($25) permit onsite or online. Lakefront Beach has no entry fees.

Boating

Launch a canoe or kayak at Adams Street Landing (10363 Adams St), Black Lake Boardwalk West (2278 Black Lake Ave), Hawthorn Pond Natural Area (9876 Black River Ct) and Ottawa Beach Marina (2330 Ottawa Beach Rd). Rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and more from Mac Adventures (2223 South Shore Dr) or Macatawa Boat House Rentals. Rent jet skis and more from Holland Water Sports (1810 Ottawa Beach Rd). Take a guided Tulip City Paddle Tour of the area waterways. (2136-2174 Ottawa Beach Rd).

Launch motorized boats at Dunton Park (290 Howard Ave), Kollen Park (240 Kollen Park Dr) and Lake Macatawa Boat Launch (1830 Ottawa Beach Road). Enjoy a dinner cruise on The Holland Princess riverboat (290 Howard Ave. Charter a sailboat from GT Sailing (1866 Ottawa Beach Rd) or a yacht from Hiatus Cruises (1866 Ottawa Beach Rd).

Fishing: Charter a Lake Michigan fishing excursion from Black Pearl Sportfishing (2223 S Shore D), Unsalted Outfitters (1830 Ottawa Beach Rd) or these charter companies operating out of 1866 Ottawa Beach Rd: CoHooker, Deep V Sportfishing, JJ Sportfishing, Powderhorn Sportfishing, Reel Talk Sportfishing or SuFISHient Charters.

Golf

The Links at Rolling Meadows (1259 St Andrews Dr) is a semi-private course with 9 holes that each feature water and lateral hazards. Three Fires Golf Club (6045 138^th Ave) is a family-owned and family-friendly club with three 9-hole courses. Winding Creek Golf Club (4514 E Ottogan St) also offers three 9-hole courses along with a driving range and putting green.

Hiking and Biking

There are more than 150 miles of trails in and around the Holland area. Riley Trails (16300 Riley St) has a 3.4-mile hiking loop and a 4.5-mile mountain biking loop traversing its 300 acres of rolling terrain. Window on the Waterfront (95 College Ave) has a 1.4-mile out-and-back walking/biking path with views of 100,000 tulips in spring. Looped routes connect popular destinations like Tunnel Park (66 Lakeshore Dr), Windmill Island (1 Lincoln Ave) and Kollen Park (240 Kollen Park Dr). Other routes include the 11-mile wooded Beeline Trail to Saugatuck and the 20-mile Lakeshore Connector Path to Grand Haven. There are also two 40-mile loops starting in downtown Holland and the 500-mile US Bike Route 35 that runs through Holland and continues all the way to Canada.

Other outdoor experiences include:

• Hawthorn Pond Natural Area (9876 Black River Ct), featuring a walking trail, picnic tables, and opportunities for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.
• Kollen Park (240 Kollen Park Dr), on the shores of Lake Macatawa, is a dog-friendly park with pedestrian walkways, a boat launch, picnic areas, year-round restrooms, fishing opportunities and more.  
• Mt. Pigsah Dune Climb (2238 3rd Ave) offers boardwalk-stair access to a dune that towers 157 ft. above Lake Michigan,
• Window on the Waterfront Park (95 College Ave) – aka Riverview Park – is a dog-friendly park that also has ballfields, a playground and trails.
• Sanctuary Woods Preserve (4750 66th St) features trails through 40 wooded acres, with 170 steps to more trails through sand dunes and views of Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan.

Holland makes a perfect day trip from Grand Rapids. Book a Grand Rapids hotel to explore Holland during the day and get back to GR for a night on the town. Consider a Grandville hotel – Comfort Suites, Country Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites or Staybridge Suites – for easy access to both Holland and Grand Rapids attractions. Grandville is less than a 30-minute drive to downtown Holland and a 10-minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids.

Tulip Time Festival

The Holland Tulip Time Festival is the city’s largest annual event, attracting nearly one million visitors in 2025. Established in 1925, the Festival features parades, costumes, Dutch dancers, pageantry, programs and more than six million tulips in bloom. Named America’s Best Small Town Festival by Reader’s Digest and one of the world’s top 20 events by the International Festival and Events Association, Tulip Time takes place in early May each year. May 1-10, 2026.

Kerstmarkt

Kerstmarkt is an outdoor European-style holiday market featuring gifts, food and artisan demonstrations. Nov. 21- Dec. 20, 2025.

Downtown Holland Holiday Open House

More than 50 downtown shops and restaurants open their doors every year for the Holiday Open House, featuring merchandise discounts, complimentary holiday refreshments, free gift wrapping, a reindeer petting corral, strolling carolers and more. Nov. 22, 2025.

Holland Parade of Lights

The Holland Parade of Lights is the annual holiday parade through downtown Holland, with 80+ floats, commercial vehicles, walkers, marching bands and Sinterklaas himself decked out in thousands of sparkling lights. Dec. 2, 2025.

Magic at the Mill

De Zwaan Windmill at Windmill Island Gardens is set aglow with glittering lights and surrounded by thousands of LED tulips displaying a synchronized light and music show for Magic at the Mill. Windmill Island shops are open, snacks and beverages are available for purchase and kids can meet Sinterklaas. Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13, Dec. 19-20.