Take a Historic Walking Tour in Holland, MI

There’s a lot to see in Holland and the surrounding area, just a few minutes north of Saugatuck.

The Downtown Walk, a 2.75 mile circuit, is an excellent option for shoppers and you don’t have to worry about any late-season snow or ice. Snowmelt, introduced to Holland in 1988, is an underground heating system designed to keep the streets and sidewalks “snow free” during winter. With the country’s largest snowmelt system, walk easy to each of these destinations. Zoondige-Kwe, Strong Hearted Woman is a 2010 ArtPrize entry that represents the women of the Anishinaabe Native American tribe in the form of a fluid statue with seamlessly flowing stone hair draped around a woman from head to toe. Fifth Third Bank is a 1928 building in the Art Deco style and was Holland’s first steel-framed building and has remained virtually unchanged since its construction. Warm Friend was built as a grand hotel and its four corners adjacent to the building (8^th and Central) contain plaques commemorating Holland’s All America City Designation, National Main Street Award, Dozen Distinctive Destination Designation, and 2000 Millennium Celebration. Keep your eyes toward the sky for Tower Clock, a downtown landmark in the Romanesque style that first housed Holland City State Bank.

The Window on the Waterfront circuit is a great 4.5 mile walk for catching glimpses of the wildlife that make Macatawa Marsh their home. The park offers walking and biking paths, boardwalks, kayak launch, beds of tulips, picnic areas, and panoramic views that include Holland’s iconic DeZwaan windmill, the only authentic working Dutch windmill in the US. Walk over to Windmill Island Gardens and the dikes, canals, and flower beds covered in 100,000 tulips in the spring. The miller actually grinds winter wheat into flour that is available for purchase. Along the way, admire vibrant, abstract sculptures created from scrap metal.

The Historic Neighborhood Walk takes you through houses and buildings more than 100 years old. Discover historic homes like the Coatsworth House that survived the 1871 fire, the Cappon & Settlers Houses, and the Masonic Temple.

To view all of Holland’s great walkways and tours, visit the website. Pick what interests you and plan your trip today!

Holland Visitors Bureau

78 E 8^th Street,

Holland, MI 49423

616.394.0000