The Best Lakeside Day Trips From Grand Rapids: Exploring Grand Haven and Holland, Michigan
If you find yourself in Grand Rapids, you’ll want to take the time to explore these small towns and natural surroundings that are part of the region. These lakeside towns will make for excellent day trips on your next time visiting West Michigan.
White sandy beaches line the shores of West Michigan on Lake Michigan
Over the past year I’m happy to say that I’ve properly visited Michigan on more than one occasion. I’m ashamed to say that the most time I’d ever spent in the state before this year was when I was a little kid crossing the border at Detroit-Windsor with my family on the long car rides to Florida to visit my grandparents. As a young girl in the back seat, all I saw of Michigan was the suspension cables of the Ambassador Bridge, and the guard rails and privacy walls along the perimeters of the highways.
I have to say that having the opportunity to get to know Michigan more as an adult has been a treat. The state is overflowing with community spirit and pride, which was made especially clear on a recent trip to Ann Arbor and its surrounding small towns, like Dexter. Between its warm small business owners, delicious restaurants and extensive green spaces, I don’t think I realized just how much there was to do and see in Michigan.
I also didn’t completely comprehend the true peninsular nature of Michigan. The state is nearly entirely surrounded by water, with extensive shorelines on Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. I’m learning that these shorelines have helped to create some truly peaceful and picturesque lakeside towns and cities throughout the state, which have been so fun to visit on our trips.
The most recent trip Chris and I went on was in West Michigan, in Grand Rapids. On top of learning about all there is to do in this charming city, we learned there are some memorable day trips to take just outside of Grand Rapids, too. Chris and I love to be near water whenever we travel or live elsewhere, so it was only natural for us to head west of Grand Rapids to visit Grand Haven and Holland. These are two picturesque and unique places to visit when you’re in and around the region of Grand Rapids, so let me help you to plan the perfect day trip to each of these destinations.
Taking a Day Trip to Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven, MI is a charming town to spend the day
Grand Haven makes for a lovely day trip from Grand Rapids. It’s only about a 40 minute drive from Grand Rapids, but you leave that city feeling for more of a small town vibe when you come here. Grand Haven is known for its pristine sandy beaches, lighthouses, and charming historic downtown core.
Chris and I visited Grand Haven in the late summer, but I’m told that it’s a beautiful place to come any time of year. Some of the leaves had already started to change along Washington Avenue during our visit, and this brief peek at fall felt awfully cozy. It’s also meant to be a cute place to come when it’s decked out for the festive season.
No matter what time of year you visit Grand Haven, here are some of the things I’d recommend doing on your day trip:
Start the Day at Aldea Coffee
I always love to support a local coffee shop when I travel, and it’s made all the better when it’s a B Corp Certified business, like Aldea. Located in a bright heritage building with high ceilings and historic features on Washington Avenue, their space is truly a delight to visit. Thanks to their tall, south-facing windows, it’s sun-filled all year round.
Whether you’re looking to grab a coffee and snack to go, or want to take a moment with a friend or a good book to curl up in one of their windows, this bright space with friendly staff is the perfect place to start the day in Grand Haven.
Hit the SHops On Washington Avenue
There are so many independent businesses to support along Washington Avenue, that whether shopping is a hobby for you or not, it’s fun to poke your head into a few places while you’re here. The main shopping hub is between South Harbor Drive and South 3rd Street. Some standouts that I visited during my trip were Pink Lemonade, Blueberry Haven, Must Love Dogs and Marushka. There are so many more in town, but these were a few highlights for me.
Grab Lunch at the Toasted pICKLE
As lovers of pickles, Chris and I were thrilled to learn there is a place called “The Toasted Pickle” in town. We weren’t even quite sure what to expect, but we knew we’d enjoy whatever they had on the menu. It’s perfect for lunch, since they have delicious sandwiches, salads and soups on the menu. We knew we had to try the Pickle Poppers, which are dill pickle spears with homemade pimento cheese sauce, wrapped and fried in thin dough. They definitely worth ordering on the side of whatever else you try.
You can’t go wrong with the rest of their menu, either. We enjoyed our Gooey Grilled cheese sandwich and Michigan Cherry Salad. Plus, they make all of their shakes with homemade blends of real fruit and other seasonal ingredients, so we enjoyed a delicious Strawberry Shake with real strawberries to cap off the meal.
Walk the Boardwalk to Lake Michigan
After lunch is a great time for a walk. Grand Haven has a beautiful, 2.5-mile boardwalk that stretches from the harbor at Chinook Pier in town, all the way down to the famous pier and lighthouse on Lake Michigan. The walk along the boardwalk takes you along the Grand River, through Escanaba Park—a memorial park for a US Coast Guard ship of the same name—past the white sandy beaches of Grand Haven State Park, all the way to the Grand Haven South Pierhead Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1839, making it the perfect place to snap a photo and recognize how significant the port at Grand Haven was at one time.
Hit tHE beACH
Once you’ve made it all the way down the boardwalk and down to the iconic lighthouse in town, this is the perfect time to hit the beach. Grand Haven State Park is on the shores of Lake Michigan here, right beside the boardwalk. Depending on the time of year, it might be warm enough for swimming and lying in the sun, or just perfect for a crisp walk along the beach.
The facilities at this park are incredible, too. Many people come to set up camp in an RV or similar in the campground directly on the beach. If you’re on a larger road trip through Michigan, or the United States in general, this would be an absolutely beautiful place to wake up in the morning on the beach. There are several lookouts and walking paths along the beach here in this park, but if you’re looking for a little something more, Grand Haven and the surrounding area has no shortage of outdoor trails.
Grassy sand dunes and lakefront cottages in Grand Haven State Park
Walk Along a Nature Trail
Because of its proximity to Lake Michigan, sand dunes, white sand beaches and protected woodlands, Grand Haven is an excellent place to go walking or hiking in nature. Kitchel Lindquist Dunes Preserve is located just across the Grand River from Downtown Grand Haven, and it’s a 114-acre nature preserve with paths and sand dunes.
If you’re looking for a little more nature action and have some extra time, you can make the Silver Lake Sand Dunes part of a larger trip in the region. They’re about one hour north of Grand Haven, with impressive sand dunes and views of Lake Michigan.
What to Do on a Day Trip to Holland, Michigan
Historic East 8th Street in Holland, MI
Holland, Michigan is another excellent day trip from Grand Rapids. It’s about a half an hour drive from Grand Rapids, and south of Grand Haven on Lake Macatawa. The city was settled in the mid-1800s by Dutch immigrants, and today its prominent Dutch heritage can be found in many of its shops and attractions. Plus it has a nice historic downtown area to walk around.
Its proximity to the waterfront and unique history with sprinkles of Dutch kitsch throughout make it a unique place to visit for a day trip. It’s important to note that some of the places on this list are only open from late spring to early fall, so double check what’s open before you make a plan to visit.
Get a Little Dutch Heritage Fix at one of the City’s Theme Parks
Chris and I aren’t always game for kitschy attractions, but I have to say that we were truly smittin’ with the Dutch themed parks in Holland. They look remarkably similar to places in the rural Netherlands, and they’re slightly smaller than the actual scale of homes and buildings there, making everything feel just that much more cute. We even sent a few pictures to a Dutch friend of ours, and she quickly said how similar some of the buildings looked to her mother-in-law’s house.
There are two notable Dutch themed parks in Holland, each with different sets of operating hours, depending on the season. The pictures above are all from Windmill Island Gardens, which was a lovely little set of gardens to walk around. It has a park and heritage carousel for kids, walking trails for all visitors, and Dutch themed decor and buildings throughout, with oversized clogs and tulips placed around. They have a great gift shop here, too, if you’re looking for a little Dutch ornament to take home.
Nelis Dutch Village is another Dutch-themed village in Holland. Unfortunately it was closed on the day we visited, but it’s meant to be a great place to visit to get your Dutch fix, too.
Walk Around Downtown
Holland has a nice little downtown core to walk around. Its best historic and shopping area is on East 8th Street between Pine Avenue and Columbia Avenue. I do love a place that commits to a theme, and Holland really does this. There are windmill-themed spots sprinkled around town, and several shops with Dutch-themed items, too.
Dutch Village Downtown is a shop run by Nelis Dutch Village, and has all sorts of tulip- and windmill-themed goods. If you’re looking for a true taste of Michigan, then you can’t go wrong stopping by Cherry Republic. They sell all sorts of famous Michigan cherry products, and they even have cherry wines that you can sample in their wine shop.
Grab Lunch on the Waterfront
There are several places to stop in town for a bite, but if you’re visiting town on a sunny day, it’s worth heading down to Boatwerks Restaurant. They have a giant patio overlooking Lake Macatawa, making this the perfect place to grab lunch or a drink in the afternoon sun. They have an expansive menu serving up all sorts of classic pub fare, like calamari, burgers, and house made pizzas. It’s a nice place to catch your breath on a day trip to town.
Views of Lake Macatawa from the patio at Boatwerks Restaurant
Hit the Beach at Holland State Park
Much like Grand Haven State Park, Holland State Park is is a beautiful place to hit the beach. It sits directly where Lake Macatawa meets Lake Michigan, with a nice sandy beach to spend the day at or walk along. It’s another place worthy of camping or spending the night if you’re on a road trip to this part of West Michigan.
Sample a Flight at New Holland Brewing
There’s nothing like treating yourself to a flight of craft beer after a worthwhile day trip. Fortunately, New Holland Brewing Company is the most famous craft brewery in the state, and has an incredible selection of craft brews and spirits, too. They’ve been in business since 1997, and on top of having a solid selection of classic, award-winning beers, they also offer unique, seasonal brews.
During our late summer visit, their fall collection was already out, which included several delicious beers, like their Ichabod Pumpkin Ale. If you’re looking to bring a taste of Holland home with you, I’d recommend grabbing one of their 12-packs of seasonal beers. If you’re still peckish before you head back to Grand Rapids, they have a kitchen and restaurant on-site, too.
Making the Most of These Michigan Day Trip Destinations
Both Grand Haven and Holland are excellent day trip destinations from Grand Rapids. Whether you're after a laid-back beach day, an adventure in the sand dunes, or a stroll through charming downtown centres, these West Michigan gems will make for a memorable part of your time in and around Grand Rapids. Pack your camera, grab some sunscreen, and head out for an unforgettable day trip.
I want to thank Experience Grand Rapids for hosting me as media for my trip to Grand Haven and Holland. All opinions expressed in this article are completely my own.