DAY 1: DUTCH DELIGHTS AND LAKESIDE FUN
Begin your day with a personalized two-hour tour of Holland with the expertise of a costumed guide. You’ll learn all about the history of this quaint town, including how it began, the Great Fire, its unique snow melting system downtown, the origins of Tulip Time, and more. The tour will end at Windmill Island Gardens, where your group can explore an authentic Dutch windmill, stroll through the beautiful gardens, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Don’t miss the chance to ride the antique carousel! Guided tours may also be arranged with one of the on-site horticulturists.
Next, head downtown for a delicious lunch at one of many charming restaurants. Try the famous Dutch apple pie or indulge in a hearty sandwich at Bowerman’s on 8th, where nearly everything includes blueberries.
After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring downtown. Holland is home to more than 100 shops and restaurants, featuring unique boutiques such as Dutch Village Downtown, the Holland Peanut Store (a fifth-generation candy and nut store), and Cherry Republic, which features all things Michigan cherries—including lots of free samples. As an alternative, Discover Holland Michigan can set up activities for your visitors to choose from including candle making, cheese tasting, wine tasting, wooden shoe painting, and more.
After exploring, enjoy a delicious dinner at Boatwerks, a waterfront restaurant in downtown Holland. And don’t miss watching the sun set over Lake Michigan from Holland State Park, the perfect way to end your first day in Holland.
DAY 2: HOLLAND HISTORY
Spend the morning of your second day exploring the history of Holland through the many artifacts that tell the story of how Holland became what it is today. Tour the Settlers House and Cappon House, examples of early Holland living for the working class and the wealthy.
Enjoy lunch at Bowerman’s Blueberry Farm, filled with blueberry delights including blueberry chicken salad, blueberry hibiscus lemonade, and, of course, blueberry pie. This fifth-generation farm is one of Holland’s best, and one of the owners would be glad to speak to the group about all things blue.
In the afternoon, tour the Holland Bowl Mill, which evolved from wooden shoe carving to producing the most wooden salad bowls in the country. Then it’s all aboard the Holland Princess for a two-hour boat cruise featuring dinner and entertainment and sightseeing. The boat departs from Dunton Park and follows the Lake Macatawa shoreline, and includes a close-up view of Big Red, the most photographed lighthouse in Michigan, for a picturesque ending to your tour of Holland.
Have more time to spend in Holland? Consider adding these attractions and experiences to your itinerary: Saugatuck Dune Rides, Holland Farmers Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays), street performers (Thursday evenings), sailboat races (Wednesday evenings), free concerts at Kollen Park (Tuesday and Friday evenings), a presentation by the city parks department manager to learn about how the City of Holland makes Tulip Time one of the most-visited flower festivals in the nation, a visit to a nearby winery in Fennville, or a historic cemetery walking tour.
LEARN MORE
Discover Holland Michigan
holland.org
Lead image:
Photo courtesy of Holland Area CVB
