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Holland with Kids
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holland-with-kids.md

Holland with Kids

You're headed to Holland, MI with kids? Here are my recommendations.

Beaches

  1. Holland State Park - Great views of the channel, Big Red Lighthouse. Big beach, popular (avoided by locals) on weekends. Playground, snack shop, bathrooms. Paid vehicle entry.
  2. Tunnel Park - Mile north of Holland State Park. Great beach. Climb to the top for the best views, or go through the tunnel for easy beach access (do both). Playground, bathrooms. Paid vehicle entry.

Beach Hikes

  1. Saugatuck Dunes State Park - 1/2 mile beach trail is easy, or do one of the longer trails if you want more hiking. We go here all year, great spot. Paid parking, or park free in the township park lot for one of the longer hikes (recommend Livingston Trail).
  2. Rosy Mound - Picturesque hike over the dunes. Lots of stairs, but worth it.
  3. Mt Baldhead - 303 stairs straight up, then run down the dune through the trees to end up at Oval Beach. There's a nice trail at the park entrance (easy to miss, but there is a sign!) that takes you back to the parking lot through the woods. Walks you past the Chain Ferry you could take to downtown Saugatuck. Whole loop is around 2 miles.
  4. [redacted] - A difficult but unforgettable experience, at this (not very) well-kept secret that the locals love. Travel light.

Non-Beach Hikes

  1. Mt. Pisgah - North side. Trail goes up stairs with great views of the beach and Lake Macatawa. Can continue through the woods and pop out in the campground. Free 2-hour parking in lot down the road.
  2. Sanctuary Woods - South Side. Trail goes up stairs to a loop with views peeking out onto Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan.
  3. Crow's Nest - Saugatuck. Easy loop trail with views of the Kalamazoo River and Lake Michigan. You can often park in the Ox-Bow lot past the trailhead. Worth driving up to find out (sign usually says).

Playgrounds

  1. Kollen Park - Near downtown, on the water. Great playground and big green space.
  2. Downtown Playscape - On the near end of Window on the Waterfront. Fun nature-based playground.
  3. Dunton Park - North side of town on Lake Macatawa. 3 different playground (if you can find 'em all) and a handful of boardwalk trails. Good spot for a takeout meal.

Things to Do/See

  1. The beach. Go see it.
  2. Windmill Island - The windmill is iconic and you can tour it. Don't miss the street organ (every 30 min). Kids like the playground. Minimal food options, unfortunately.
  3. Centennial Park - Nice flowers with a weird, yet historic fountain in the middle. Home to the Oz Sculpture Garden with statues across the street at Herrick Library.
  4. Dutch Village - Corny, but the kids like it. Food and beer if that helps.

Rain Plan

  1. Sperry's Move House - Downtown movie theater.
  2. Holland Aquatic Center - Water fun indoors with their big Family Splash areas.
  3. Urban Air - Trampoline park
  4. Bam! - Bowling, arcade, etc.

Food - Downtown

  1. New Holland Brewing Co. - Always a favorite. Get an order of Pepperoni Pinwheels. Outdoor patios. Kids menu. Online reservations, but sometimes has some non-reservable tables.
  2. Curragh Irish Pub - If you like Irish Pubs. Generally easy to get a table. Outdoor patio. Kids menu.
  3. Hops - Big beer selection, and food is generally good. Outdoor patio. Kids menu.
  4. Waverly Stone - Gastropub. Nice food, and less busy than other spots. Outdoor patio. Kids menu. Online reservations.
  5. Mezkla - Great tacos. My kids love steak tacos with nothing else.
  6. Big Lake Brewery - Another brewery. Decent food. Outdoor patio. Kids menu. Online waitlist for inside. Patio is open seating.
  7. Taco+Bar - Little farther, but also great tacos, plus margaritas.
  8. Boatwerks - On Lake Macatawa next to Kollen Park. Go for the view, as the food is just ok. Outdoor patio. Kids menu. Online waitlist.

Food - Elsewhere

  1. Itty Bitty Bar - North side. Dive bar with amazing food. Easy to get a table before 6pm. Burger is delicious, but also have amazing steak and fish specials nightly. Stopped printing kids menu, but just ask (chicken tenders, pizza, mac & cheese).
  2. Sandy Point Beach House - Farther north of town. Slightly more upscale. Kids menu.
  3. Public - The only reason to drive to Zeeland.

Coffee

  1. Lemonjello's - Coffee, but also great muffins, and other goodies. Savory breakfast/lunch items too (look/ask for the paper menu). Don't go anywhere else.

Breakfast

  1. Windmill - Classic breakfast joint. Usually a line (or go early) but it moves fast.
  2. DeBoer's Bakerij (North Side) - Great breakfast. Usually a line, but worth the wait.
  3. DeBoer's Bakerij (South Side) - Grab and go but has a seating area. Great bagels and donuts, also breakfast sandwiches.
  4. The Biscuit - Great spot in Washington Square. Often a line, but worth the wait.
  5. Good Time Donuts - Simple and cheap donuts. My kids' favorite because they have maple long johns.

Ice Cream

  1. Captain Sundae - Local favorite and has mini golf
  2. Ottawa Beach General Store - Favorite for when at/near Holland State Park.
  3. Kilwins - High-quality ice cream right downtown.

Running

  1. Kollen Park/Heinz Boardwalk - Nice spot to incorporate on a run.
  2. Windmill Island - If they're open, just run past the ticket booth and say you're just running. They should just wave you past. If they're closed, just go in.
  3. Hope College - Campus isn't huge, so run through it a couple times. Continue east to run around the football stadium and tennis facilities.
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