Holland on Lake Macatawa

Sitting on the shore of Lake Macatawa is the city of Holland in the U.S. state of Michigan, It is a beautiful city especially in May when the tulips all over the city are in bloom.

Holland State Park is known for its large sandy beach on Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa, The beach is a great place to sunbathe, swim, play volleyball, and surf among other activities, There are two campgrounds, picnic tables, grills, and fire pits, Along the walkway and pier are spots to fish and watch sailboats go by,. People enjoy taking photos of the Big Red Lighthouse. There is a concession stand.

Mount Pisgah is a soaring dune just off Holland State Park, At its highest point it soars 157 feet above Lake Michigan, offering fantastic views of Lake Macatawa, the marinas, Lake Michigan, and the Big Red Lighthouse.

The Windmill Island Gardens is home to a 251-year-old windmill called De Zwaan. This is the only real working Dutch windmill in the U,.S, and was transported from the Netherlands to Holland in 1964. Today it is the centerpiece of these lovely gardens which have over 100,000 tulips blooming in all colors in May,. This island in the Macatawa River is a popular tourist destination, It also has a marvelous old-fashioned carousel for children, In the summer you can enjoy children dancing traditional Dutch dances in wooden clogs.

Nelis’ Dutch Village is a great place for children to try on Dutch wooden shoes, You can see an “authentic” Dutch village of the 1800s. Walking through the historic streets you’ll find guides in colorful Dutch costumes, You can hear a 25-bell traditional Dutch carillon and visit the wooden shoe factory. Children can enjoy the petting zoo and take a ride on the Zweefmolen –a Dutch swing ride.

The Holland Museum dating from 1915 has an interesting collection of artifacts from the early Dutch settlement. Visitors can see shipwrecks, art, toys, and other gifts from around the world showing Dutch culture.

Back in 1950 Vern Veldheer took 100 red tulips and 300 white tulips and started a hobby farm Today the Veldheer Tulip Garden is Holland’s only tulip farm and perennial garden with more than 5 million tulips,. Visitors enjoy walking through the lovely garden and can purchase bulbs and bouquets. There are other flowers as well including over 50,000 daffodils, 20,000 crocus, and 10,000 hyacinths.

Kollen Park is a recreational park sitting on the shore of Lake Macatawa, The park has a boat launch ramp, a roofed picnic shelter with tables, and a playground for children.

Two special landmarks include the Quertaro Fountain and the Immigrants Statue. The Quertaro Fountain was a gift from Holland’s sister city Quertano, Mexico.

The Immigrants Statue was a gift from the people of Drenthe The Netherlands.

This paved park connects to the Heinz Waterfront Boardwalk along Lake Macatawa.

Tunnel Park is simply a park with a tunnel that goes through a dune It is a fun place to relax and for children to play.

There is a children’s playground, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, a dune climb, and a dune stairway leading up to the top where you can get fantastic views of Lake Michigan. You can enjoy sunbathing, and swimming,

You can enjoy a wonderful boat tour cruise aboard the Holland Princess. A Victorian-style paddle-wheel riverboat that takes you on an excursion on Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan, The boat goes past the Holland Harbor Light known as the Big Red Lighthouse, You can see many historic landmarks. You can enjoy lunch or dinner and watch the scenery or try some karaoke.

The Laketown Beach is a secluded beach over a dune, From the top you can get great views of Lake Michigan, At the end of a dead-end road you’ll find stairs to the beach, It is a quiet place to sunbathe and swim.

The Outdoor Discovery Center Macatawa Greenway or ODCMG is a center that teaches people about the outdoors, wildlife, and conservation, There are fun and educational activities, workshops, and recreational programs, You can walk the trails and see the wildlife or go on excursions with a naturalist, It consists of a Nature Preserve, Wildlife Center, Birds of Prey Facility, Neshnabe Summer Village, DeWitt Wildlife Enclosure, Imagination Forest, Filmore Discovery Park, and the Kuipers Archery Education Facility.

The De Graaf Nature Center has marsh, shrub, woodland, and pond trails, The Brower Visitor Center has information and hands-on displays and live animal exhibits.

You can explore the trails on your own or with a naturalist.

Felt Mansion started off as a summer home for Dorr Felt who was an American inventor and industrialist, It has now become a historic landmark and a setting for weddings, The mansion has 25 rooms and lovely grounds,

Teusink’s Pony Farm is run by the Teusink family, There are pony rides, summer picnics, autumn hayrides, and winter sleigh rides. Among the activities here are a hay maze, fishing, penny hunts, viewing exotic birds, and feeling sheep and goats in that animal barn, There is a community garden in which neighbors can plant things,. Visitors can enjoy fresh beans, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and more.