Holland, OH
Whether you arrive by land or by lake, Holland is happening.
Published: Monday, May 30, 2022 12:00 pm
A version of this article appeared in the Launch (May/June) 2022 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
Located on the shores of lakes Michigan and Macatawa, Holland combines wild beauty, big water adventures, and landside entertainment all in one amazing package. Just three hours from both Chicago and Detroit, Holland offers the perfect base to explore West Michigan.
For those sailing into town, leave Lake Michigan behind as you pass Big Red, Michigan’s most photographed lighthouse. Cruise into the calming waters of the channel to Lake Macatawa. The sugar sands of the Holland State Park will be on your port side, as will the Ottawa Beach Marina soon thereafter. This “new” marina opened in 2019 and offers 25 transient slips, loaner bikes, a kayak ramp, and private restrooms. Once docked, you can walk the Black Lake Boardwalk to the Pump House Museum, fishing breakwaters, and state park beach. You can also head up 239 steps to the top of Mt. Pisgah for a 360-degree view of Holland’s glorious dunes and waterways. On your starboard side, Eldean Shipyard offers transient slips as well, plus a pool, two hot tubs, and a clubhouse.
Arriving by car with a boat or jet ski in tow? It’s easy to launch from Kollen Park, Dunton Park, and Macatawa Lake Public Access. Those with kayaks can slip into the water from custom ramps on either side of Lake Macatawa and follow a kayak trail around the lake. One of the bonuses of trailering your toy or driving into town is that it’s easy to get to Dutch attractions and downtown events.
After a fun day on the water, many boaters make “a Pickle Run” (towards the Heinz Pickle factory) to Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant. Docking here is first come, first serve, but with seven permanent slips, a 100’ floating dock, and 280 linear feet on their north wall, your spot for a lakeside craft beer should be assured. Even a bit of a wait time is a bonus. Boatwerks is just a 15-minute walk to downtown Holland. Wander the social district, and Boatwerks will text you when your table is about ready.
No boat? Never fear, there are plenty of ways to get on the water. Six outfitters offer daily rentals of speed boats, wave runners, pontoon boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Seventeen others charter sailboat, powerboat, and fishing excursions. The Holland Princess, a 65’ Victorian style paddle-wheel river boat, hosts dinner cruises through Lake Macatawa to Big Red, playing music and serving cocktails along the way.
Even without a water vessel, there’s endless ways to enjoy the shoreline. Experience over 4,000 acres of parks and walking trails that meander through marshlands, wind through wooded glens, and climb over towering dunes. More than 150 miles of bike trails also spool out around the area, with paved pathways for leisurely sightseeing and gritty dirt trails for off-road mountain biking. Five bike rental companies and ten staging areas make taking to the trails an easy endeavor.
Of course, many come to Holland solely for the beaches. Soak up the sun, body surf through the waves, or simply relax beneath a striped umbrella. Holland State Park is the main draw, with its views of the iconic Big Red lighthouse, sand volleyball courts, playground, waffle cones, and stunning sunsets. A short distance away, Tunnel Park is a great place for a picnic, plus kids can run up and tumble down a soaring sand dune, and then hear their voices echo in a tunnel as they walk through it. At Kirk Park, dogs have their own dedicated beach, and there’s also one just for humans. Hike through a dune forest to the Olive Shores Beach, or hide away at Windsnest Park. With miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, there’s endless enjoyment for sandcastle builders and beachcombers of all ages.
Anglers will be enticed by the beautiful blue waters of Lake Michigan, known as some of the best freshwater fisheries in the world. Game fish include steelhead and brown trout, as well as coho, king, and Chinook salmon. Surrounding inland lakes and rivers brim with walleye, perch, bluegill, and bass. Even the breakwaters surrounding Lake Macatawa are terrific places to cast off.
Landside, Holland’s historic downtown is your destination. Lively and gorgeous at the same time, it’s no wonder America In Bloom named this vibrant area the “Coolest Downtown” in the country. On any given day, you might find a street performer strumming, juggling, or break dancing outside one of 100+ specialty boutiques, breweries, and bistros. Time your visit right, and you’ll catch a Waterfront Celtic Festival, a concert on the shores of Lake Macatawa, or the 2022 Fiesta!
Holland is Tasting Table’s “Best Beachtown” and not just for its pristine shoreline. In addition to delicious downtown dining, you can find terrific eats on the way to the state park. Stop at the DeBoer Bakkerij for an Oma’s Way omelet. At the Itty Bitty, your five star dive bar, order fresh mussels or Boss Hog Chili. Lolo’s is the only place on the water where you can eat, drink, and be merry without shoes. Next to the Holland State Park, Playa Tacos & Tequilas has a view of Lake Macatawa and specializes in Mexican street food; savor carne asada and diablo tacos along with more than 150 different tequilas and fresh juice margaritas. From a blueberry brisket to a pub burger to Spanish tapas, you’ll find what you’re craving after your day’s adventures.
Only in Holland can you experience all the amenities of the Lake Michigan shoreline plus climb inside a centuries old authentic Dutch windmill, whoosh down a three-story water slide, and experience an old-world amusement park. (Windmill Island Gardens, the $30 million renovated Holland Aquatic Center, and Nelis’ Dutch Village would be great add-ons to your water tour of town.) For details on crafting your Holland holiday, go to www.Holland.org or request a visitors guide from the Holland Visitors Bureau at 800.506.1299. You’ll be so glad you did.
tags: Destination, Michigan
