Holland was founded in 1847 by Dutch immigrants led by Albertus Van Raalte. More than 175 years later, you can still see that heritage all over town.
If you want to understand why there are windmills and wooden shoes in West Michigan, these are the four stops I would make. You can do all four in a single day, and each one tells a different part of the story.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: How I Would Spend a Weekend in Holland
Where to Find Dutch Holland
1) Holland Museum
This is the best place to start. The exhibits walk you through the city's history, and there is a collection of Dutch art that is worth a slow look.
I like doing the museum first because everything else on this list makes more sense once you know the story.
Give yourself at least an hour, and do not rush the Dutch art. It is a quieter part of the museum, and it is easy to walk past. The museum is downtown, so it is simple to pair with lunch or a walk on 8th Street.
2) Windmill Island Gardens
This is home to De Zwaan, a working Dutch windmill brought over from the Netherlands. It sits in the middle of gardens and canals, and it is a beautiful spot for photos.
Windmill Island is seasonal, so check the hours before you go.
If you can, go early in the day when it is calm and the light is soft on the gardens. Bring comfortable shoes, because the fun here is wandering the paths, crossing the little bridges and looking up at the windmill from every angle.
3) Nelis' Dutch Village
A family friendly look at Dutch traditions, with wooden shoe carving and klompen dancing. If you have kids along, this is the stop they will talk about later.
Nelis' is seasonal too, so check that it is open for your dates.
My tip is to stay for the klompen dancing. It is a sweet way to make the history feel real for little ones, so give yourself time and do not rush it.
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4) DeBoer Bakkerij South
Finish with something sweet. DeBoer has Dutch pastries and breads, and my pick is the banket.
Here's a tip: grab an extra one for the next morning's coffee at the house.
Banket is a flaky pastry with a sweet almond filling, and it is a Holland classic. Buy more than you think you need. It is also a nice thing to bring home to someone who could not make the trip.
Holland wears its history in a way that still feels lived in. Spend a morning on these four stops and you will see the town differently. Start at the museum, see the windmill, let the kids loose at Nelis', and finish with banket.
Holland Home Retreat is a short walk from downtown and the museum, so you can park the car and explore on foot. Come stay with us.
More favorites in my Holland area guide.