When you wander down the cobblestone sidewalks of Holland, Michigan—lined with local shops, galleries, eateries, and brew pubs—it will be easy to forget that you’re not only in the States but only a few hours away from Chicago. The enchanting town echoes the bright and airy Dutch architecture and is perfect if you desire a European escape.
When people think of Holland, what usually comes to mind is the Netherlands—the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, the Schiedam Jenever Mills, and the Dutch villages. However, you don’t need a passport or international plane tickets to immerse yourself in all those alluring tourist destinations—in Holland, Michigan, you can indulge in the Dutch experiences from sprawling tulip gardens to picturesque beachside windmills.
Where is Holland, Michigan?
Holland is on the shore of Lake Macatawa in Michigan. Nestled into the wildly stunning shoreline, the multifaceted town is known for many things—the springtime tulip, summer festivals, fall orchards, and winter celebrations.
How far is it?
If you want to road trip to Holland from Chicago, it takes about 2 hours and 25 minutes to drive there, and it is around 150.8 miles from Chicago.
What to do there?
The next two weekends, May 4-12, The most anticipated festival of the year will dominate the Dutch town. A highlight every year, the Tulip Time Festival is among the most grandiose events in Michigan. The festival began in 1929 when the City of Holland saw its first crop of 100,000 tulips bloom. Since then, Holland has flourished each spring with millions of tulips;
The streets will be lined with thousands of spectators as majestic floats, spirited marching bands, and rhythmic Dutch Dancers set foot on the streets. Beyond the lively festival and vibrant flowers, this particular week offers an eclectic range of national and local entertainment, fireworks, and much more.