Peter von Panda

Note: No affiliate links in this post. The video is from 2017, so I checked prices and hours against official sites in October 2026 and noted what changed.

Windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and a Lake Michigan beach: Holland, Michigan is a great spot for a long weekend.

In the video I walk Main Street in Holland, visit Windmill Island Gardens and Nelis’ Dutch Village, and spend time at Holland State Park. Here’s what I saw, what I’d do again, and how the costs have changed since the video.

▶ Watch the full video on YouTube

Why Holland works for a long weekend

Holland was founded by Dutch Americans, and a large share of its residents still have Dutch American heritage. It’s also home to Hope College. In the video I called it a pretty cool little town, and it’s a great summer getaway with a walkable downtown, Dutch sights and a big Lake Michigan beach.

I stayed at the City Flats Hotel, a distinctive eco-friendly hotel a block from the Main Street area. It cost about $170 a night for a standard room in 2017. It’s now listed as Tulyp, Tapestry Collection by Hilton at 61 E. 7th Street, and Hilton describes it as LEED Gold certified and one block from Riverview Park. I covered the old hotel in my City Flats review (linked at the bottom).

8th Street: shopping and sweets

Downtown shopping is centered on 8th Street, the city’s main street. It’s a favorite for tourists and for just hanging out, with a diverse mix of locally owned small businesses stretching about half a mile. You’ll also find Michigan’s own Cherry Republic and plenty of souvenir shops.

If you like sweets, the video points out several places for fudge, froyo and ice cream.

Where to eat

There are plenty of places to eat, including outdoor seating. For a hearty traditional breakfast I’d point you to the Windmill Restaurant, home of the hash brown omelet. It’s listed at 28 W. 8th Street, Suite 220, and current listings show breakfast and lunch hours, so check before you go.

I also found places for Irish, Japanese and American food.

Windmill Island Gardens

Windmill Island Gardens is where to see flowers, and you can walk to it from downtown or drive, since there’s plenty of parking. It’s a man-made island and seasonal park, a bit like a small botanical garden, with tulips (spring only) and a lot of other flowers and gardens.

The star is a working Dutch windmill named De Zwaan, brought over from the Netherlands in 1964. In the video I mention tours every half hour that fill up quickly. The park’s current site says self-guided tours of the windmill are available during park hours. There’s also a carousel, friendly guides in Dutch costume, small concessions and gift shops, plus bridges and gates honoring Dutch canals. It can be used for weddings, with a tent for receptions and two separate buildings for the bride and groom to get ready.

Cost: in 2017 it was $9 per adult, free for Holland residents. The City of Holland’s 2026 season page lists $13 for adults and $6 for ages 3-15 during the regular season, and the park’s site says Holland residents are still admitted free outside Tulip Time and some special events.

Tulip Time: during the Tulip Time Festival each May, everyone pays admission. In the video I mention over 6 million tulips used throughout the city. For 2026, festival admission was $15 adult and $7 youth on weekdays and $20 and $10 on weekends. The park says it reopens April 12, 2027, Tulip Time 2027 runs April 30 to May 9, and 2027 pricing will be announced in December 2026.

Wooden shoes (yes, really)

You can of course buy wooden shoes at the island’s gift shops, and at Nelis’ Dutch Village they sell them like a regular shoe store: you get measured and they come in different sizes.

Nelis’ Dutch Village

A few miles north of the island you’ll find Nelis’ Dutch Village, and you’ll have to drive because it involves some highway. It’s a very small theme park celebrating the Netherlands, set up like a tiny village on the canals, with a wooden shoe factory, cheesemaking, a petting zoo and food. It’s aimed mainly at young kids, probably 10 and under, with lots of gift shops and activities. There’s also a massive organ that plays a variety of tunes and accompanies dancing demonstrations. It’s pretty loud and impressive.

Cost: in 2017 admission was $12 for adults and $10 for kids. The park’s site now lists $21 per person age 3 and up ($19 online) with children 2 and under free. The park, cafe and park shops run April through September and are closed October through December. The downtown Dutch Village store at 20 E. 8th Street is open year-round.

Holland State Park beach

Beaches are a Michigan favorite, with many public access beaches along the shoreline. The best known near Holland are Holland State Park and Tunnel Park. I went to Holland State Park, about a 7-mile, 15-minute drive from Main Street.

The beach is huge and can handle big crowds. Lake Michigan has breaking waves and almost looks and feels like an ocean. There isn’t much shade, so bring an umbrella if you’re staying all day. A couple of piers jut out into the water and are easy and popular to walk.

Parking: the video quoted a $9 daily fee for non-Michigan residents. Michigan’s DNR now lists a $12 daily Recreation Passport for non-Michigan-registered vehicles. For Michigan-registered vehicles there’s no daily option, only the annual passport, $15 when bought with your license plate renewal. If you’re a Michigan resident, I’d suggest getting it.

Big Red and Mount Pisgah

The Big Red Lighthouse has been featured in a lot of Michigan art. In the video I describe it as being on the South Pier. The state park says Big Red is visible from the park but sits across the channel, and the lighthouse’s own site says it isn’t open to the public, so plan on photos from the beach or pier.

You can also start a hike to Mount Pisgah from there, a dune staircase with views over the lake. I did not do that hike. Local guides list it as a 239-step climb.

A day trip to South Haven

Holland is also a short drive from other lakefront towns. South Haven is about 30 miles away, with a cute Main Street, a marina and a nice but much smaller beach. It would also make a great long weekend destination.

In short: if you like flowers, Holland is a place to visit, and if you just want a relaxing Michigan weekend, put it on your list. Whether you’re from Michigan or not, it’s worth the drive and the time.

FAQ