Things to See & Do in Holland

TEN THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HOLLAND

The Holland area offers a variety of things to see and do all year long. Here is a list of ten things to see and do in Holland before your vacation is over.

1. Explore Downtown

With unique stores, excellent restaurants, heated sidewalks and beautiful architecture, it is easy to see why downtown Holland is an enjoyable place to explore. While walking around try to look at the different bronze statues on display.

2. Head to the Beach

Holland State Park is one of Michigan's most popular state parks, annually attracting more than 1.2 million visitors from throughout the state, nation and beyond. With frontage on both Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, the park offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and fishing.

One of the Great Lakes' most popular recreational ports, Lake Macatawa's protected marinas offer services for both powerboats and sailboats. Boaters have a choice of the protected environment of the inland lake or they can head out to the expansive waters of Lake Michigan.

Another beautiful spot on Lake Michigan, just south of Holland, is Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The 1,004-acre day-use park features coastal dunes, picnic areas, hiking and cross-country ski trails.

3. Go Fishing
The area's sport has produced legions of anglers with world-class fish stories featuring a cast of characters that includes coho and king salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout and perch. You can dip your line from shore, the Lake Michigan pier or your boat. You can also employ the services of the area's many charter boat captains.

4. Take a Picture of Big Red

The Holland Harbor Lighthouse, “Big Red”, is the most photographed landmark in Michigan. It was built in 1872 with $4,000 of Federal funds, and received its signature color and nickname when the Coast Guard painted it red in 1956. While it was previously maintained by the Coast Guard, it was saved in 1974 by the Holland Harbor Lighthouse Commission. Big Red can be seen from across the channel at Holland State Park.

5. Get a History Lesson
The Holland Museum, Cappon House Museum and Settlers House are located in the downtown historic district. The Holland Museum is located in the former post office, which was built in 1914. The exhibits tell the story of the early Dutch settlers and the development of the city since its founding. Temporary traveling exhibits also come to the Holland Museum and are showcased in the Wichers Gallery. The Cappon House and Settler’s House Museums depict the homes and lifestyles of early Holland residents. Isaac Cappon, the first mayor of Holland, built his house in 1873. The house is built in the Italianate style and contains most of its original furniture, making it one of the country’s largest collections of antique furniture from Grand Rapids. The Settler’s House shows what the house of a working class family from Holland would have been like. The first owner of this house, Thomas Morrissey, was an Irish Canadian immigrant who worked as a ship’s carpenter. The furnishings within the house have been provided by the Holland Museum’s collection, and are from the settlement period of 1845-1880.

6. Watch a Play or Movie
The Holland Civic Center hosts events sponsored by the city, local schools, and community organizations. The Civic Center is especially busy with concerts and performances during the Tulip Time festival.

The Knickerbocker Theater in downtown Holland, owned and operated by Hope College, is a popular venue for plays, dance recitals, concerts and a variety of art, foreign and classic films. Hope’s Summer Repertory Theatre, based in the DeWitt Center, has been presenting a series of summer performances for more than 25 years.

7. Golf

Nestled into the Holland area's rolling, dune-based landscape are a dozen public and private golf courses. Whether you're a duffer or a pro, you'll find the local courses as challenging as they are picturesque

8. Enjoy the Snow
During the winter months, Holland turns into a winter-wonderland due “Lake-effect” snow. This beautiful snow makes Holland a perfect place to enjoy winter activities such as ice skating, sledding, and cross country skiing.

9. Explore a Bike Trail

An extensive network of bike paths in the Holland area provides hundreds of miles of trails ready for a good ride. A number of these trails have picnic areas and hiking trails as well.

10. Celebrate at a Festival

Holland has yearly celebrations, such as Tulip Time, Dutch Winterfest, Fiesta, and Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival, which commemorate its Dutch Heritage and multi-cultural composition.