Holland’s “Dutch Experience”: an educational and entertaining experience for all ages
Over 50 Dutch families purchased land between the Grand and Kalamazoo Rivers, and together, they founded present-day Holland, Michigan. Their steadfast and resourceful work ethic made this region, along the Black River where it flows into Macatawa Bay, the reflection of their culture.
Ripe with festivals and events celebrating Dutch heritage, Holland, Michigan is an unforgettable adventure any time of the year. A simple stroll downtown, along heated streets and cobblestone sidewalks, features over 100 specialty shops, breweries, and restaurants to entice you to shop and dine. These attractions in and around the Holland area stand in testimony of the Dutch culture.
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Tulip Time Festival
The Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Michigan, is a vibrant celebration of Dutch heritage and springtime beauty. Every year, millions of tulips bloom across the city, transforming the landscape into a kaleidoscope of colors. Visitors from around the world gather to experience this picturesque event, immersing themselves in Dutch culture, cuisine, and traditions.
The festival features a wide array of activities for all ages, including parades adorned with elaborate floats and traditional Dutch dancers performing in wooden shoes. Visitors can explore the charming streets lined with historic windmills, quaint shops, and authentic Dutch architecture.
Food enthusiasts can indulge in delicious Dutch treats like stroopwafels and poffertjes while enjoying live music and entertainment. The festival also offers guided tours of tulip fields and gardens, providing a breathtaking backdrop for memorable photos.
Whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or experiencing Tulip Time for the first time, this enchanting event promises an unforgettable experience filled with beauty, culture, and community spirit.
Holland Bowl Mill
120 James Street
One of the last of its kind in America, Holland Bowl Mill makes solid hardwood bowls and various wooden products of the highest quality. Each piece begins with beech, maple, cherry, walnut, or red oak logs harvested from sustainable forests throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Skilled artisans lovingly hand carve, sand, and finish the products.
The Holland Museum
31 W. 10th Street
The Holland Museum tells the story of Holland, Michigan from its settlement by Dutch immigrants to today’s innovative, successful, and diverse community. Featuring thousands of fascinating historic objects, as well as artwork from the Netherlands from the 1600s through the 1900s, their permanent History and Dutch Galleries are not to be missed. The museum complex also houses the Cappon House Museum, the Settler’s House Museum, and the Holland Armory.
Cappon House Museum
228 W. 9th Street
The historic Cappon House was the home of Holland’s first mayor and local tannery proprietor, Isaac Cappon. Built in 1874, it’s now partially restored to its appearance in 1900. Visitors to the Cappon House step back in time, immersing themselves in the stories of Isaac Cappon and his large family. Events like an old-fashioned ice cream social and a Victorian Christmas are just a few the site has to offer.
Settler’s House Museum
190 W. 9th Street
The historic Settler’s House is a small family home that was lived in by a series of working-class families over the course of its long history. Built around 1867, the building survived the Great Holland Fire of 1871 and was continuously lived in until the 1990s. Today, the home has been restored to how it would have appeared in 1871.
Holland State Park
2215 Ottawa Beach Road
Holland State Park is one of Michigan’s most visited state parks. Once you take a look at the beautiful beach or take in a sunset over Lake Michigan, you’ll know why! The expansive beach is open to all who have purchased a day pass or a Recreation Passport. View the big red lighthouse directly across the channel to the south or take a stroll north along the beachfront. Holland State Park offers fishing, a boat launch, a concession stand with modern restrooms and changing area, a small playground, and camping.
Holland State Park is best known for sugar sand beaches, beautiful sunsets, and views of the iconic Big Red—their local lighthouse. The park is home to two large campgrounds, an accessible playground, opportunities for paddling and fishing, and connections to nonmotorized trails. The state park consists of separate Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan units on the northern side of the channel connecting Lake Macatawa with Lake Michigan. A boat launch with a fish cleaning station is located one mile east of the park.
The Knickerbocker Theatre
86 E. 8th Street
The Knickerbocker offers a wide range of cultural offerings like lectures, art films, concerts, musicals, and other stage performances for the college body and Holland community alike. The theater is located at on Eighth St., in the heart of Holland’s downtown.
As a part of Calvin College, the theatre is one of the gems in the crown of the institution. The Knickerbocker Theatre — knickerbocker translates into ‘best of life’ — was acquired by Hope College in 1988. Built in 1911, the theater catered to a wide variety of shows, from vaudeville acts to rock concerts, for the Holland public.
The 536-seat theater switched ownership numerous times since its creation and is currently being used by the College as an added dimension to classes.
Nellis Dutch Village
12350 James Street
The present location of this Dutch village was purchased in 1952 and began as a retail outlet for bulbs and souvenirs. Now the village fills 10 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, canals, brick walkways, a theme park, petting zoo, and dining locations. A minimum of a three to four hour visit to see all the village attractions is recommended—with more time added if you’d like to eat and shop. All presentations, demonstrations, petting farm, and rides are included with your admission. Some extra activities may require a purchase, such as animal feed to feed the barn animals.
Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC)
4214 56th Street
The 100-acre parcel of land purchased by Wildlife Unlimited was an ideal site because of its diverse ecosystems. It’s been decades since it was farmed and one of the first projects the ODC undertook was to restore the land to its pre-settlement condition. Subsequent land acquisitions have added to the natural diversity including ponds, remnant dunes, wetlands, meadows, remnant prairie, and lowland hardwood forest. Visitors get to experience these unique surroundings while walking on three miles of trails—many that are ADA accessible—on the 160-acre site.
Veldheer Tulip Gardens
12755 Quincy Street
Holland’s only tulip farm is ablaze with acres of tulips from late April to mid-May. Veldheer farms began in 1950 when Vern Veldheer planted a couple hundred tulip bulbs as a hobby. Now, the farm plants around five million tulip bulbs each year! In addition to tulips, there are several other imported flowers and perennials for you to enjoy and even purchase for your own garden. Several varieties of lilies bloom throughout the spring and summer, and visitors can tour the beautiful perennial gardens through mid-October. This place is a must visit for garden and floral enthusiasts!
Windmill Island Gardens
1 Lincoln Avenue
Fortunately, a group of Holland officials were able to procure the last working windmill allowed to leave the Netherlands in 1964. The historic windmill known as, “de Zwaan,” is the highlight of the park and stands amongst 36 acres of exhibits, gardens, and natural areas. The mill still turns and grinds grain into flour and a tour up the windmill’s five floors is the highlight of any visit to the park.
Whether your interests lie in history, science, or the beauty of hundreds of acres of colorful tulips, Holland is a place where you can enjoy yourself for an afternoon or a weekend.
Make a weekend of it!
Carmelitta Tiffany
“Carmelitta Tiffany is a semi-retired journalist living a quiet life in rural West Michigan. She’s an avid gardener, voracious reader, and enjoys spending lots of time with her dog, MissDottie, and her grandson Henry. She serves those needing “wordy” advice through her business, West MI Editorial Services.
