City Bucket List

Holland is a beautiful city to live in or visit in the winter, spring, summer, or fall. But sometimes, it is easy to overlook all the opportunities it offers. This is your encouragement to make 2026 the year that you explore the many special places and experiences that are right here in Holland. Here is our Holland bucket list to get you started:

Windmill Island Gardens– Holland’s windmill is more than a photo opp for tourists. Going inside is like stepping into the past. The tulip field outside the windmill in the spring is unforgettable, but after the tulips are removed, other gorgeous flowers replace them. Visit at the end of summer during peak week for the best look. The path that goes around the edge of the island is a lovely place to walk. And remember, if it isn’t during Tulip Time, Holland residents get in for free!

Lighthouse– See the Big Red lighthouse in the day and at night while it flashes its light. See it from the beach and from the waves. For an even more exciting and unique experience, visit on almost any Wednesday evening, between May and September, to watch a sailboat regatta!

Downtown– Take an afternoon (or several) to truly appreciate Holland’s downtown. Note the artistic banners that hang for the lampposts on 8th Street. They are switched out for new banners every season and they usually have a fun theme or artistic twist. Shop the boutique stores, try new tastings at the local restaurants, and enjoy the holiday lights.

Centennial Park– This small park has more to it than you might expect. Pause a moment at the sculpture of the city founder, Albertus Van Raalte, and the veterans memorial. Enjoy the unique fountain, the Wizard of Oz living mosaic, the koi pond, the gazebo, the beautiful flowers, and the magnificent trees.

Outdoor Discovery Center– This place is a little off the beaten path but is well-worth visiting. They offer a variety of trails through their beautiful nature preserve and even house many injured yet majestic birds of prey that you can visit. Their visitor center is also a nice stop as it has interesting and educational exhibits including taxidermies, animal skins, turtles, snakes, and spiders. Just outside of the visitor’s center, they also have a fox, skunk, possum, porcupine, and rabbits that are lovely to see. Their children's play area is also engaging, unique, and thoughtful, helping kids feel the fun there is to be had in nature.

Mt. Pisgah– Did you know there was a mountain in Holland? It’s really more of a dune, but it does have the two main features of a mountain: an amazing view and a lot of climbing. Thankfully, the climbing is up several flights of stairs and not straight up the sand. But that’s not to say it isn’t a work out. It’s a LOT of stairs. Still, you won’t find a better view of the lighthouse, Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa, and the dunes in between.

Holland Ice Park– A new adventure is now available in Holland! An outdoor ice skating park with a whole circuit (or ribbon) of ice to increase the fun. Think ahead because you have to buy the tickets online before they sell out. It's a place that can bring to life the wonder of winter with fireplace islands in the middle of the ice route and hot chocolate for you to enjoy.

Holland Museum– Catch their special exhibits or explore their regular showcases of local history. They also have Dutch art upstairs!

Street Performers– If you haven't been to downtown on a Thursday night in the summer, you are in for a treat. All kinds of performers from guitar soloists to balloon artists line 8th Street. Even if you have been a previous year, go again! You'll probably see something new.

Tulip Time Festival– Everyone knows about it but not everyone has experienced it. If you live in Holland, it can be easy to want to avoid the crowds and just see the tulips before it after the festival. But it really is a wonderful experience in and of itself and worth participating in. If you haven't yet or if it's been a while, make this your year to engage in this great festival.