Imagine you have one entire day to roam free in the great outdoors. Would you hike an earthen path full of natural beauty? Mountain bike a rugged singletrack through the woods? Paddle a winding river with wildlife galore?
In Holland, Michigan, you can do it all!
We invite you to come Discover Holland for yourself. Not only are there so many outdoor activities to enjoy, but the Holland area is so darn nice that just being here will put a smile on your face. It’s the kind of place where the sun seems to shine just a little brighter, the fresh air feels just a little more refreshing and your pictures, well, they’re just a little more picturesque!
To get your outdoor adventure started, here’s a sampling of the many things to do when you Get Outside in the Holland Area:
- Okay, first things first. If you’re going to be running around outside all day, it’s a good idea to start with breakfast at The Biscuit. Located right in downtown Holland on South Washington Street, The Biscuit is a downhome, made-from-scratch breakfast, brunch and lunch spot that emphasizes natural, local ingredients. It was started by a couple that met at cooking school in Denver before settling in Holland, which they call the “perfect place” to raise their children. You can fuel up for your outdoor fun with a classic dish or an original creation, and be sure to grab an authentic scone on the way out.
- After breakfast, get things into gear on the Upper Macatawa Mountain Biking Trails that zigzag through the forested ravines of the Macatawa River, just east of Holland. “Upper Mac” offers up to six miles of singletrack through a 600-acre county park full of woods, grasslands and wetlands. There’s also a stretch of paved path that’s part of a network connecting the lakeshore all the way to Grand Rapids. Plus, there are several miles of hiking trails with scenic overlooks that will make your day. If the Upper Mac trails are closed due to rains, then you can ride the nearby Riley Trails or the scenic trails through Pigeon Creek Park. And if you need some wheels for the day, it’s easy to find a bike rental in the Holland area.
- Following your ride, take a breather with a visit to Hops at 84 East, Holland’s newest craft beer bar and brick oven restaurant. There are more than five dozen beers on draft! Plus, there are wines and ciders on tap and specialty cocktails barrel-aged in house and made with local Michigan spirits. The menu of seasonal food highlights local produce from the Holland area’s abundance of agriculture. And the atmosphere at the downtown restaurant on 8th Street is great, too, as the décor features several fun pieces of Holland history. For example, the chalkboards showing drink specials came from the classrooms of an old school building!
- No outdoor enthusiast will want to miss The Outpost while visiting the Holland area. The downtown retailer is one of the premier outdoor specialty stores in the entire country, pairing world-renowned brands of clothing and equipment with local, knowledgeable customer service. They don’t even sell products online because they believe helping people face to face is the best way to ensure customers get the gear they need to enjoy outdoor activities in safety and comfort. That’s how it’s been at The Outpost of Holland for 50 years and counting!
- Outfitted in your new hiking boots, spend the afternoon on the six miles of secluded trails at Hemlock Crossings, a county park with nearly 250 acres of woods, wetlands and scenic overlooks along the Pigeon River. Or, launch a kayak or canoe and paddle up to four miles on a scenic excursion down the river and out through Pigeon Lake all the way to Lake Michigan. There’s also a Nature Center at Hemlock Crossings with exhibits about wildlife in the Holland area and a viewing room where you can watch birds and other animals at the feeders.
- When it’s time for dinner, come on back to downtown Holland for food and drinks at New Holland Brewing’s Pub on 8th. The outdoor beer garden is the perfect place to unwind and share stories from the adventures of the day – not to mention enjoy an award-winning brew or two. New Holland has been brewing innovative craft beer including its flagship Dragon’s Milk for 25 years, and distilling pioneering craft spirits such as the iconic Beer Barrel Bourbon since 2005. New Holland also sits within downtown Holland’s new Social District, which allows patrons of participating restaurants to enjoy alcoholic beverages while strolling the sidewalks downtown.