Guidebook for Holland
Food Scene
The Southerner is one of our favorite local restaurants. It is crowded and a bit small, but the food and drinks (all with a southern flair) are excellent. Entrees are typically $15-$20. As you eat your meal you can watch the boats sail past on the Kalamazoo river.
69 locals recommend
The Southerner
880 Holland StThe Southerner is one of our favorite local restaurants. It is crowded and a bit small, but the food and drinks (all with a southern flair) are excellent. Entrees are typically $15-$20. As you eat your meal you can watch the boats sail past on the Kalamazoo river.
The Everyday People Cafe is one of our favorite "date night" restaurants. It is located in the charming downtown of Douglas. The food is outstanding. Make sure to try the Drunken Shrimp appetizer. Entrees are typically $18-$30. After dinner take a short drive to Saugatuck and go for a walk along the River.
60 locals recommend
Everyday People Cafe
11 W Center StThe Everyday People Cafe is one of our favorite "date night" restaurants. It is located in the charming downtown of Douglas. The food is outstanding. Make sure to try the Drunken Shrimp appetizer. Entrees are typically $18-$30. After dinner take a short drive to Saugatuck and go for a walk along the River.
Salt of the Earth is another colorful local restaurant with great food. It is located in downtown Fennville, about 20 minutes from our Holland. Entrees are $12-$25. The service is a bit hit or miss, but the food makes up for it. Make sure to try the hanger steak and the homemade S'more for dessert.
78 locals recommend
Salt of the Earth
114 E Main StSalt of the Earth is another colorful local restaurant with great food. It is located in downtown Fennville, about 20 minutes from our Holland. Entrees are $12-$25. The service is a bit hit or miss, but the food makes up for it. Make sure to try the hanger steak and the homemade S'more for dessert.
Palazzolo's Dairy Local Outlet
176 Blue Str Memrl HighwayLocally made (in Fennville) Gelato. Outstanding!
Captain Sundae has two locations in Holland. This location is just a couple miles to the east. Simply the best Sundaes in West Michigan. Whenever we go I stare at the selection of Sundaes before ultimately choosing the iconic Tommy Turtle...every time.
38 locals recommend
Captain Sundae
365 Douglas AveCaptain Sundae has two locations in Holland. This location is just a couple miles to the east. Simply the best Sundaes in West Michigan. Whenever we go I stare at the selection of Sundaes before ultimately choosing the iconic Tommy Turtle...every time.
Low key breakfast restaurant. It is not fancy or hip, they just serve great breakfasts. Try the pancakes. Your mind will be blown.
14 locals recommend
Jackie's Place Restaurant
541 West 17th StreetLow key breakfast restaurant. It is not fancy or hip, they just serve great breakfasts. Try the pancakes. Your mind will be blown.
The best breakfast in Holland. Very popular, so be prepared to wait if you show up during the middle of the morning any day of the week. You can't go wrong with any of the choices, but if you have never had a pig in the blanket you should try one here.
65 locals recommend
Deboer Bakkerij
360 Douglas AveThe best breakfast in Holland. Very popular, so be prepared to wait if you show up during the middle of the morning any day of the week. You can't go wrong with any of the choices, but if you have never had a pig in the blanket you should try one here.
The Black sheep is our local bar and grill. The burgers are outstanding. Entrees are $10-$20.
8 locals recommend
Black Sheep
1642 S Shore DrThe Black sheep is our local bar and grill. The burgers are outstanding. Entrees are $10-$20.
Good pub food. Great Beer. Fun atmosphere. Great for families, couples, groups of friends...basically anyone and everyone.
75 locals recommend
New Holland Brewing - Pub on 8th
66 E 8th StGood pub food. Great Beer. Fun atmosphere. Great for families, couples, groups of friends...basically anyone and everyone.
Local craft distillery. I can personally vouch for the excellence of their vodka and gin. Bar and restaurant on site. I have not eaten there yet but it is on my short list--if you beat me to it please give me your review.
7 locals recommend
Coppercraft Distillery and Restaurant
184 120th AveLocal craft distillery. I can personally vouch for the excellence of their vodka and gin. Bar and restaurant on site. I have not eaten there yet but it is on my short list--if you beat me to it please give me your review.
Parks & Nature
Wolters Woods is a great township park located directly across the field from our home. There is a nice playground for kids and a 1.5 mile walking trail through the woods. Take a detour off the marked path to play in the creek.
Wolters Woods Park
6281 147th AveWolters Woods is a great township park located directly across the field from our home. There is a nice playground for kids and a 1.5 mile walking trail through the woods. Take a detour off the marked path to play in the creek.
The Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a hidden gem. There are miles of hiking trails, spectacular dunes, and Lake Michigan! The shortest route to the beach is a fairly easy half mile walk, but you will not want to carry too much. On weekdays you can have more than a mile of shoreline almost to yourself.
122 locals recommend
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
6575 138th AveThe Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a hidden gem. There are miles of hiking trails, spectacular dunes, and Lake Michigan! The shortest route to the beach is a fairly easy half mile walk, but you will not want to carry too much. On weekdays you can have more than a mile of shoreline almost to yourself.
A bit of a drive (about 20 minutes), but routinely ranked one of the best beaches in the country. There is parking close to the beach along with a concession area and bathrooms. The parking can fill up on busy summer weekends, so try to get there before noon.
115 locals recommend
Oval Beach
690 Perryman StA bit of a drive (about 20 minutes), but routinely ranked one of the best beaches in the country. There is parking close to the beach along with a concession area and bathrooms. The parking can fill up on busy summer weekends, so try to get there before noon.
The closest public beach to our home (4 miles). This is a small township beach. There is not much parking, so arrive early if it is a weekend and the weather is beautiful. There is a fairly large dune to climb over (with steps) to get to the water. The views from the dune are spectacular, but you have to work for it.
23 locals recommend
Laketown Beach
6710 142nd AveThe closest public beach to our home (4 miles). This is a small township beach. There is not much parking, so arrive early if it is a weekend and the weather is beautiful. There is a fairly large dune to climb over (with steps) to get to the water. The views from the dune are spectacular, but you have to work for it.
Holland State Park is the location of Holland's largest and busiest beach. The beach is beautiful. With that said, Saugatuck's Oval Beach is slightly closer and would be my first choice.
92 locals recommend
Holland State Park Beach
2215 Ottawa Beach RdHolland State Park is the location of Holland's largest and busiest beach. The beach is beautiful. With that said, Saugatuck's Oval Beach is slightly closer and would be my first choice.
Sanctuary woods is another great township park located about a mile and a half west of our home. There is a nice hiking trailer through a wooded plateau which is accessed by climbing 172 steps up a steep dune. At the start of the trail there is a sandy stream that is great for exploring as well.
15 locals recommend
Sanctuary Woods
4750 66th StSanctuary woods is another great township park located about a mile and a half west of our home. There is a nice hiking trailer through a wooded plateau which is accessed by climbing 172 steps up a steep dune. At the start of the trail there is a sandy stream that is great for exploring as well.
Sightseeing
The iconic Big Red Lighthouse is just over 2 miles from our home. Public Access is somewhat limited, but it is well worth the effort. Your walk out to the lighthouse will take you through the historic Macatawa Park beach community with many cottages that are well over 100 years old. The lighthouse is an easy bike ride from our home.
Here are the access details:
Pedestrian access to Big Red is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays to local residents from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Out-of-state visitors may visit from 11am to sunset Mondays through Fridays. You are not allowed to bring any beach paraphernalia.
21 locals recommend
Big Red Lighthouse
2215 Ottawa Beach RoadThe iconic Big Red Lighthouse is just over 2 miles from our home. Public Access is somewhat limited, but it is well worth the effort. Your walk out to the lighthouse will take you through the historic Macatawa Park beach community with many cottages that are well over 100 years old. The lighthouse is an easy bike ride from our home.
Here are the access details:
Pedestrian access to Big Red is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays to local residents from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Out-of-state visitors may visit from 11am to sunset Mondays through Fridays. You are not allowed to bring any beach paraphernalia.
A nice place to ride a bike to and watch the boats passing by on Lake Macatawa. It is nothing special, but your bike ride will take you through a neat neighborhood of small cottages and the fire dock has a couple of nice benches for you to sit back and enjoy the view.
Holland Fire Dock
527 Lake DriveA nice place to ride a bike to and watch the boats passing by on Lake Macatawa. It is nothing special, but your bike ride will take you through a neat neighborhood of small cottages and the fire dock has a couple of nice benches for you to sit back and enjoy the view.
Entertainment & Activities
Teusink's Pony Farm is a family farm owned by my parents which has been in the business of sharing the wonders of farm life with visitors for generations. Guests have been coming to the farm to ride ponies and feed the sheep, goats, and ducks since the 1960's. If you have kids between the ages of 1 and 7 it is a must-do attraction. The farm is typically open to the public on Tuesday mornings and Friday evening, but check out their website at teusinksponyfarm.com to see exact times and pricing.
Teusink's Pony Farm
1468 32nd StTeusink's Pony Farm is a family farm owned by my parents which has been in the business of sharing the wonders of farm life with visitors for generations. Guests have been coming to the farm to ride ponies and feed the sheep, goats, and ducks since the 1960's. If you have kids between the ages of 1 and 7 it is a must-do attraction. The farm is typically open to the public on Tuesday mornings and Friday evening, but check out their website at teusinksponyfarm.com to see exact times and pricing.
If you rely on tripadvisor, windmill island is either a "must see" or "meh". I remember visiting as a child and wondering why anyone would bother. I recently re-visited and could appreciate it much more. If nothing else, the windmill is pretty cool.
49 locals recommend
Windmill Island
If you rely on tripadvisor, windmill island is either a "must see" or "meh". I remember visiting as a child and wondering why anyone would bother. I recently re-visited and could appreciate it much more. If nothing else, the windmill is pretty cool.
Essentials
A real neighborhood grocery store. Great selection of beer, wine, and liquor. Excellent meat counter.
19 locals recommend
Central Park Market
1158 S Shore DrA real neighborhood grocery store. Great selection of beer, wine, and liquor. Excellent meat counter.