Maybe it’s your first time coming to Michigan, or maybe you are returning to the Great Lake state. Michigan is an underrated state… Most people are unaware of the beautiful lakeshore that is dotted with fine-sand beaches. There are quaint downtown areas, amazing local restaurants, and countless activities to keep you entertained during all four seasons. Summer is my favorite time in Michigan! I grew up in Holland, Michigan, so here are some summer bucket list item ideas from a local.
Head to the beach
You can never go wrong with a beach day! Holland State Park and Tunnel Park are two popular beaches in Holland. My favorite beach in Holland is Laketown Beach. Be prepared to make a trek up a dune or the stairs, but the view is worth it! Laketown Beach is a smaller secluded beach at the end of a dead-end road.
Walk downtown Holland
Downtown Holland is a wonderful spot to spend a morning grabbing coffee or breakfast and meandering through fancy shops and cute boutiques. Some of the popular coffee shops downtown include Ferris, The 205 Coffee Bar, and Lemonjello’s. If you prefer to sleep in, walk downtown in the afternoon or evening before a delicious dinner. New Holland, Hopcat, and Hops are popular restaurants. On Thursday nights in the summer, there are street performers scattered around downtown. Check out the Downtown Holland website for more information on specific events they have going on.
Take a drive to Saugatuck
Saugatuck is just a short drive from Holland, Michigan. It is one of my favorite little towns, so I would have to say it is worth your time! The little vibrant town comes alive in the summer. Whether you want to shop downtown, rent a boat, go out to eat, go golfing, or go bar hopping, Saugatuck is a great spot to be! Check out my blog on Saugatuck for more information.
Go on a hike
If you enjoy getting outside and hiking, there are some great trails. Mt. Pisgah and Sanctuary Woods are my favorite spots in Holland. Mt. Pisgah takes you up stairs for a view of Holland State Park Beach with Lake Michigan views. Sanctuary Woods has a lower and upper trail (up the stairs) that take you through the woods. If you find yourself in Saugatuck, Saugatuck Dunes has beautiful trails that take you to the lakeshore, and Mt. Baldhead has trails after you go up a bunch of stairs as well.
Spend time at a park
There are some beautiful parks in Holland where you can relax or get active. Kollen Park is a big park on Lake Macatawa. There is a playground to keep kids entertained. There is a lot of open grass area, and there is a lovely boardwalk where you can walk along the water. Kollen Park is a popular spot for fishing as well if that interests you. Another popular park on the southside of Holland is Centennial Park. This is a peaceful park near downtown. There are benches and beautiful flowers, but no playground for kids. This is a great spot to enjoy a good book.
Grab some ice cream
No summer day is complete without ice cream or some type of dessert. Captain Sundae is my favorite ice cream shop in Holland. Both locations in Holland have plenty of space to enjoy your delicious treat outside in the sun. The Captain Sundae on the north side (toward Holland State Park) has a small pirate-themed mini golf course as well!
Of course these are just a few ideas to make your trip to Holland memorable. I believe there is no better place in the summertime! There is nothing else that beats a summer day near Lake Michigan. I hope you enjoy your time here! Thanks for stopping by and cheers to making connections around the world!
For my other blogs, check out my destinations page on my website. If you are interested in visiting Holland for Tulip Time, check out my Tulip Time Guide.