Local Recommendations
Welcome to beautiful downtown Holland!
We are so happy that you are staying with us. We want you to have the best time in Holland and hopefully return as a guest with us again. You may already have some of your favorite places to go, but in case you’d like some suggestions, here are some of our favorite places. - Chris & Amy (Property Managers & Owners)
Top Dinner Places
1. Hops – great diverse menu selection with pasta, salads, steak, fish & pizza.
a. Menus suggestions: Chicken & Grits, Baked Spaghetti Pie w/Meatballs, and Chicken Parmesan Salad
b. Full Bar with Live Music on Weekends
c. Offers Web-site wait list check in – this place gets busy!
d. $15 – $40 per entrée
2. New Holland Brewery
a. Menus Selections – Firecracker Chicken Sandwich, Pizza & Famous Craft Beer Selection. If you enjoy an Old Fashion Cocktail – my husband Chris always orders the Beer Drinkers Old Fashion – it’s one of the best in town! I personally like their Mule selections
b. They make all their own spirits and beer. Wine menu is limited. There are no ‘Jack & Coke’ or Michelob Ultra offerings.
c. $15 – $30 per entrée
3. Boatwerks (1 mile – may want to drive)
a. Great Happy Hour
b. Waterfront Dining
c. Good mix of steak, chicken & fish entrees. Serves Burgers too.
d. $15 – $30 per entrée
4. Itty Bitty Bar (4 miles – need a car)
a. Awesome food & drinks – a local favorite!
5. Seventy Six
a. Small, quaint, takes reservations
b. Great menu & chef
c. $25-$50 for entrees
Breakfast Places
1. Bowerman’s Café
a. Try the Blueberry Donuts, Quiche, or Breakfast Burrito. They also offer frozen quiche to go if you want to enjoy a breakfast at the condo with a slow start to your morning
2. Windmill Restaurant
a. This is a local favorite diner and long lines start around 9am
b. Famous for giant sweet rolls. I love their omelets
Craving Pizza?
1. Skiles Tavern – great thin crust pizza with pool tables
2. Fricanos – only serves one size pizza, but its delicious thin crust pizza
3. Crust 54 – deep dish & thin crust. Dine in or Take Out.
Dinner in Saugatuck - 15 minute drive
1. Phil’s - everything is awesome
2. The Barge - dine outside overlooking the river
3. Bowdies Chophouse - reservations are required
4. Marro’s - Great pizza & dinner entrees
Top Coffee Spots
1. Starbucks inside the Marriott courtyard, has occasional seating and tables
2. Bowermans on 8th
3. Lemonjellos – local favorite for craft espresso drinks
Bars
1. Obstacle - for exceptional craft cocktails.
2. New Holland Brewery – check out their beer garden! They take reservations.
3. Big Lake Brewery – offer lots of IPA craft beers along with Amber Ales. Limited cocktails & wine offerings. Has outdoor dining.
4. Hops – Like the margarita flights & Live Music on Weekends
5. Lolo’s – on Lake Macatawa (need a car)
Places to buy Wine & Snacks (walking distance)
1. Butchs – has an extensive wine selection with awesome options for all budgets
2. Seasoned Home – has great dip mixes
Grocery Store & Sundries
1. D&W Fresh Market (1.5 miles away) – has a great meat counter, deli & wine selections
Salons
1. Salon Chaveux - offers massage, spray tans, hair cuts / colors, nails, and facials
2. Bondi Salon - offers hair cuts & colors
½ Day Trip Ideas
1. Mac Adventures- boat, paddleboard, and kayak rentals on Lake Macatawa, close to Big Red Lighthouse that is on the channel to Lake Michigan
2. Holland Water Sports - rent jet skis on Lake Macatawa
3. Holland State Park - amazing beach and has beach volleyball and play areas
4. Tunnel Park (loved by locals and has picnic / play area)
5. Climb Mt. Pisgah for great views of Lake Michigan & Lake Macatawa. Enjoy an ice cream cone at the General Store across the street
6. Dune Rides in Saugatuck. Have lunch at The Barge - right on the river
7. Retro Boat Rentals & The Old Boathouse in Saugatuck. Have a bite to eat at Wally's or Phil's
8. Mount Baldhead Park. Climb about 40 flights of stairs, then sand dunes down to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan. Take a swim, climb back up the dunes, down the stairs and take the Chain Ferry across the river to enjoy ice cream at Kilwins downtown Saugatuck
9. Crow’s Nest Trail (Tallmadge Woods Nature Preserve) in Saugatuck
Places to walk & visit
1. Window on the Waterfront – stroll along the black river
2. Windmill Island - we like to take our dog here
3. Holland State Park – if you haven’t been here, you must visit! Pick up some charcoals and grill at the park, play beach volleyball, and walk the pier and see Big Red lighthouse - up close.
4. Climb Mt. Pisgah – awesome overlook at the top with views of the Lake Michigan. Then grab some treats and ice cream at the General Store.
5. Centennial Park
6. WOW Nature Play Park -Take the kids and play on the outdoor discovery center playground
Activities on Specific Days
Thursday Nights
1. Holland has 'street' performers in the Summer. Enjoy strolling through the downtown seeing a variety of performers
Saturday & Wednesday Mornings
1. Check out the Farmers Market at the Holland Civic Center