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Holland is a beautiful city located on the east shore of Lake Michigan, and on lake Macatawa. Holland is located in both Ottawa county, and Allegan county and is the largest city in both.
Holland has always been a popular place for tourism with many activities throughout the year. One of the most popular festivals in Holland is the annual Tulip Time festival typically held in the second week of may. Each year over one Million people from all around the world come to see the thousands of tulips planted throughout the downtown area. Tulip time has been voted a top 20 event in the world by the international festival and events association, as well as being voted America’s best small town festival by Readers Digest.
Holland offers plenty of activities for residents and visitors, including beaches like Holland State Park. The State Park is very popular. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan and features a channel that connects to Lake Macatawa. Across the channel from the State park is a lighthouse known as the “Big Red Lighthouse.
Windmill Island is open from April to October each year. Visitors can tour DeZwaan, the only authentic Dutch Windmill working in the United States. Windmill island also features dutch attractions like frisian horses, delft pottery, and a model of what life was like in 1840’s Netherlands.
Nellis’ Dutch Village, located on the northside of Holland includes rides, games, a wooden shoe factory, and a petting zoo.
Veldheers Tulip farm is a tulip,and Bison farm that is fun to visit with family.
The downtown area is full of charming shops and restaurants. As well as an outdoor brick chimney that you can sit next to and warm up during winter days. 8th street is the city’s main shopping district downtown. Some of our favorite restaurants include 76, a modern American comfort food restaurant, and Poquito, a restaurant that features Spanish shareable plates.
Downtown Holland has many unique stores like the Peanut store, a nostalgic candy store that was founded in 1902 which features their homemade nutty paddle pops, chocolates. And roasted nuts.
Holland is home to Hope College, a top-rated liberal arts college. Hope College was founded by Dutch immigrants just four years after the community of Holland was founded. The College is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America, and is located adjacent to The downtown shopping district of Holland.
Hope College is an accredited institution that offers over 90 majors. It has a student population of around 3.400.
The city has a rich history dating back to the 1800s. Holland was Settled By Dutch Immigrants led by the Rev. Albertus Van Raalte in 1847. They left their homes in the Netherlands in search of religious and economic freedom.
The group had originally intended to purchase land in Wisconsin. However travel delays and an early winter caused them to layover in Detroit where they learned of land available in west Michigan. The group settled along the banks of Black Lake which is present day Lake Macatawa.
