If you Google “what to do in Holland, MI,” you’ll get a pretty standard list.
Windmill. Beach. Downtown. Repeat.
And yeah — those are all worth doing.
But if you want to actually enjoy your time here (and not feel like you’re just checking boxes), there’s a better way to approach it.
I run a local brew tour in Holland, so I spend a lot of time downtown and around the area. This is the version I’d give a friend coming into town for the first time.
There are a few things people come to Holland for — and you should probably hit at least one or two of them:
The mistake people make is trying to do all of it in one day.
You don’t need to.
Pick one or two and move on.
If there’s one piece of advice I give people, it’s this:
👉 Don’t rush downtown.
That’s where Holland actually comes to life.
You’ve got:
You can bounce between places without a plan, which is honestly when the town feels the best.
For a town this size, the brewery scene is better than most people expect.
And the best part is:
👉 Several of them are within walking distance downtown
That makes it really easy to:
If you’re into beer at all, this should absolutely be part of your plan.
This is where people overthink it.
Holland is not:
It’s better when you:
The best days here usually aren’t the most planned ones.
Lake Michigan is one of the biggest draws — and for good reason.
But instead of building your whole day around it, use it as a moment:
That way it feels like part of your day, not the whole thing.
Most people think of Holland as a spring or summer destination, but winter has gotten a lot better — especially downtown.
With the addition of the Holland Ice Park, you can:
It’s a completely different vibe, but honestly a really good one if you lean into it.
If you’re trying to:
That’s exactly why I started running a brew tour here in Holland.
It’s a simple walking setup — a few great stops, good beer, and you don’t have to figure anything out.
👉 You can check out the tour here if you want an easy way to experience it.
If you want to keep it really simple, do this:
That’s usually when people end up enjoying Holland the most.
Is Holland, MI worth visiting?
Yes — especially if you’re looking for a relaxed, easy weekend with a mix of downtown and lake access.
How many days do you need in Holland?
1–2 days is plenty to get a good feel for the area.
Is Holland walkable?
Downtown is very walkable, which is where you’ll likely spend most of your time.
