Take a Tour of Holland, Michigan

It’s not Europe, and you won’t be sipping coffee along the sparkling canals of Amsterdam. But it is pretty close; you don’t need a passport and you’ll still find yourself charmed by the waterfront cafés and breathtaking beauty of Lake Macatawa and the mighty Lake Michigan. With a history rooted in its founding by Dutch settlers in the early 1900s, Holland has embraced its heritage. You’ll find everything from real Dutch cocoa to wooden shoes, windmills, and tulips. Holland is full of things to do like craft breweries, Dutch-themed flower gardens, an authentic windmill imported from the Netherlands, and the iconic, “Big Red” Lighthouse.

Stop downtown on Holland’s 8^th Street at New Holland Brewing for a tasty tour through one of the area’s most creative artisan distilleries. Get a look at the pub’s facilities, store, and tasting room. Tours take place at noon and 1:45 PM every Saturday and the $20 tickets include an hour-and-a-half tour as well as samples of both the beer and spirits that are available for purchase. After your tour, enjoy the Bloody Mary Bar Special on Saturday from 11 AM-4 PM. Visit the website for a complete look at New Holland Brewing’s spirits, other locations, and information on touring the brewery.

Visit Windmill Island Gardens next for one of the region's (and the country’s) most unique attractions: a 250-year-old working Dutch windmill. The windmill, named De Zwaan, stone grinds flour that is available for purchase. You can’t miss the 125-foot tower as you stroll through 36 acres of gardens, fields of flowers, canals, and picnic areas. Windmill Island Gardens opens Saturday, April 15^th, making it a perfect match-up for your Saturday brewery tour in Holland. Admission is $9.00 and sold until 5 PM. Visit the website for more information about the Gardens and where to find them. Make a stop for a delicious treat from the DeZoete Haan Fudge shop before you journey back to The Hotel Saugatuck. This world-famous fudge uses real Dutch cocoa in its process and you don’t want to miss it while you’re in the area.