If you live on the western side of the state of Michigan and need a quick getaway consider the trio cities of Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Holland; big city meets Dutchland, and a coastal town like none other.
A carefree summer with lots of travel? Not this summer. In fact this entire year I've failed to even leave the state with the exception of a few days in versatile Canada. Frustrated? Oh yes, I'm a traveler by trade so not being able to travel this year has been quite frustrating. Sometimes we have to create a trip not far from our own backyard just like George Bailey did in the iconic film "It's a Wonderful Life." With summer flying by as fast as an airplane I dreamed of a getaway. I interrupted my overwhelmed boss one afternoon and asked if I could have two consecutive days off in late August. She honored my request and I created an itinerary for my boyfriend and myself which took us on a journey to Grand Haven, Holland, and Grand Rapids.
Grand Haven; A Coastal Dream Town with a Coast Guard:
I always thought that the best seaside towns were on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts until I discovered Grand Haven.Grand Haven is an absolutely beautiful beach town with a million dollar lakeview fit for a Hollywood film. Imagine sugar white sand, a turquoise freshwater lake free of sharks, a bright red nostalgic lighthouse on a pier, sand dunes for hiking, a bicycle trail meandering along the coast, a campground on the beach, a street called Washington that beckons diners and shoppers, and a colorful musical fountain that plays music at dusk. Farms dot the region and the produce is exceptional for those who like their fruits and veggies. With such a positive vibe it makes sense that"Coastal Living"magazine named Grand Haven; America's Happiest Seaside Town.
Grand Haven City Beach is a charmer
Swimming in the grand freshwater Lake Michigan that resembles the ocean and has views of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a clear day is the #1 thing to do in Grand Haven. Even if you're not a swimmer there's plenty of boating available and for a good workout the calm waters make kayaking and stand up paddleboarding ideal. Whatever stress you've brought to Grand Haven will dissolve within an hour. You can find lodging at roadside motels, beachfront resorts, or a bed and breakfast and enjoy a coastal vacation like none other. My top pick for lodging is theLooking Glass Bed and Breakfast ideally situated on a dune overlooking Lake Michigan. Don't leave Grand Haven without a stop at Patricia's Chocolates for artisan handmade chocolates that taste so exquisite you'll think you were in Paris, France.
Patricia's Chocolates are worth the splurge!
Enter the gates of Nelis' Dutch Village; a gem of a theme park
Holland; (Dutchland in America):
You don't have to be Dutch to love Holland. This college city with the most visited state park, a famous tulip festival and a village theme park that feels like a fairytale makes Holland a place that can be appreciated by people of all ages. Two must-see attractions are Nelis' Dutch Village and Windmill Island Gardens. If you can't make it to Europe you can get a taste of the Netherlands at these two idyllic spots.
Nelis' Dutch Village:
A unique theme park that feels like a fairytale. Enjoy amusement rides, cheesemaking, klompen Dutch dancing, farm animals, see how wooden shoes are carved and much more!
Nelis Dutch Village
www.dutchvillage.com
Dancing at Nelis'Dutch Village
There's plenty of shopping at Nelis' Dutch Village
Windmill Island Gardens:
This bountiful garden oasis located on the edge of the city of Holland has an authentic working windmill from the Netherlands. In the spring thousands of tulips flood the grounds of Windmilll Island Gardens.
Wooden Clogs at Windmill Island Gardens
Take a drive to Holland State Park one of the most popular state parks in Michigan. If you're hungry Deboer Bakkerij has a cute homey atmosphere and Dutch inspired dishes that are really good.
Grand Rapids; A River City with lots to do!
Only about a half hour drive from Holland is the exciting city of Grand Rapids. Here you'll find breweries, museums, great shopping, and some of the best restaurants in the state. One of my favorite food markets in all of Grand Rapids is Martha's Vineyard. It's a haven for food connoisseurs. Speaking of food Grand Rapids has such an amazing array of restaurants from Ethiopian to Vietnamese that it's hard to decide which one to eat at. Indian Masala is my top pick. If I lived in Grand Rapids I'd eat the food on their lunch buffet every week. It's so affordably priced and every dish is phenomenal. The staff is terrific too. Indian Masala gets my vote for best Indian restaurant in Michigan. Another recommendation for dining is Little Africa where the owner prepares exotic freshly made dishes from scratch.
Best Indian Restaurant in Michigan!
If you only have one day in Grand Rapids make a point of visiting Grand Rapids Art Musuem the Frederik Meijer Gardens and East Grand Rapids Gaslight Village.
So there you have it Michiganians and visitors. The trio cities of Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Holland are closely linked together and full of fabulous things to see and do.
Grand Rapids can be enjoyed day and night!
Grand Haven; A Coastal Dream Town with a Coast Guard:
I always thought that the best seaside towns were on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts until I discovered Grand Haven.Grand Haven is an absolutely beautiful beach town with a million dollar lakeview fit for a Hollywood film. Imagine sugar white sand, a turquoise freshwater lake free of sharks, a bright red nostalgic lighthouse on a pier, sand dunes for hiking, a bicycle trail meandering along the coast, a campground on the beach, a street called Washington that beckons diners and shoppers, and a colorful musical fountain that plays music at dusk. Farms dot the region and the produce is exceptional for those who like their fruits and veggies. With such a positive vibe it makes sense that"Coastal Living"magazine named Grand Haven; America's Happiest Seaside Town.
Swimming in the grand freshwater Lake Michigan that resembles the ocean and has views of Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a clear day is the #1 thing to do in Grand Haven. Even if you're not a swimmer there's plenty of boating available and for a good workout the calm waters make kayaking and stand up paddleboarding ideal. Whatever stress you've brought to Grand Haven will dissolve within an hour. You can find lodging at roadside motels, beachfront resorts, or a bed and breakfast and enjoy a coastal vacation like none other. My top pick for lodging is theLooking Glass Bed and Breakfast ideally situated on a dune overlooking Lake Michigan. Don't leave Grand Haven without a stop at Patricia's Chocolates for artisan handmade chocolates that taste so exquisite you'll think you were in Paris, France.
Patricia's Chocolates are worth the splurge!
Holland; (Dutchland in America):
You don't have to be Dutch to love Holland. This college city with the most visited state park, a famous tulip festival and a village theme park that feels like a fairytale makes Holland a place that can be appreciated by people of all ages. Two must-see attractions are Nelis' Dutch Village and Windmill Island Gardens. If you can't make it to Europe you can get a taste of the Netherlands at these two idyllic spots.
Nelis' Dutch Village:
A unique theme park that feels like a fairytale. Enjoy amusement rides, cheesemaking, klompen Dutch dancing, farm animals, see how wooden shoes are carved and much more!
Nelis Dutch Village
www.dutchvillage.com
Windmill Island Gardens:
This bountiful garden oasis located on the edge of the city of Holland has an authentic working windmill from the Netherlands. In the spring thousands of tulips flood the grounds of Windmilll Island Gardens.
Take a drive to Holland State Park one of the most popular state parks in Michigan. If you're hungry Deboer Bakkerij has a cute homey atmosphere and Dutch inspired dishes that are really good.
Grand Rapids; A River City with lots to do!
Only about a half hour drive from Holland is the exciting city of Grand Rapids. Here you'll find breweries, museums, great shopping, and some of the best restaurants in the state. One of my favorite food markets in all of Grand Rapids is Martha's Vineyard. It's a haven for food connoisseurs. Speaking of food Grand Rapids has such an amazing array of restaurants from Ethiopian to Vietnamese that it's hard to decide which one to eat at. Indian Masala is my top pick. If I lived in Grand Rapids I'd eat the food on their lunch buffet every week. It's so affordably priced and every dish is phenomenal. The staff is terrific too. Indian Masala gets my vote for best Indian restaurant in Michigan. Another recommendation for dining is Little Africa where the owner prepares exotic freshly made dishes from scratch.
If you only have one day in Grand Rapids make a point of visiting Grand Rapids Art Musuem the Frederik Meijer Gardens and East Grand Rapids Gaslight Village.
So there you have it Michiganians and visitors. The trio cities of Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Holland are closely linked together and full of fabulous things to see and do.
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