Holland, Michigan, a city rich with Dutch heritage, famous for Tulip Time and a scenic state park. Year around, the city attracts many tourists; in the spring the city blooms with tall tulips and festivals, a spacious sandy beach for the summer, a harvest of orchards and leaves bursting with fall colors and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Start your morning with a coffee at JP’s or bubble tea at Lemonjello’s. For a hearty, home-cooked breakfast try The Windmill Restaurant downtown, the Wooden Shoe Café, or the local favorite Good Earth Café with bagel sandwiches and muffins. If your day starts on the north end of town, try De Boer’s Dutch Brother’s Café and Bakery on Douglas Avenue, you won’t be disappointed.

After breakfast browse the many fascinating shops in the charming downtown. Start at one end of 8th Street then make your way back on the other side. Many stores are family-owned and have items you won’t find anywhere else. The Apothecary Gift Shop, The Outpost, Reader’s World for books, Mira’s, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget the side streets, and make sure you stop in the Peanut Store for old-fashioned candy and homemade chocolates.

In the Historical District, you can tour the Cappon House Museum and enter the world of a Dutch immigrant who made it big, and fathered 16 children, the small ‘mansion’ is decorated with original furniture and personal belongings. For a real Dutch experience, head north a few blocks and tour Windmill Island Gardens and visit DeZwaan, the only authentic Dutch windmill in the U.S. It’s hard to find, but an interesting experience. Take a walk through the 36 acres of gardens then stop by the Posthouse Museum to see what life was like in the 14th century with a 12 minute presentation.

North of the river, Ottawa Beach Road take you to the State Park. Stop by the Ottawa Beach General Store to cool off with a soda or ice cream. There’s a fee to enter the park, but the  pier and channel afford good view of “Big Red”, Holland’s historic lighthouse. Walk over to Mount Pisgah, the towering sand dune east of Holland State Park that is accessible by a wooden boardwalk and stairs.  It rises 157 feet above Lake Michigan and offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, Lake Macatawa and Big Red.) North up Lakeshore Drive brings you to Tunnel Park, where kids climb the huge wooden playland and stairs climbing up the dune. For lunch the Ottawa Beach Inn makes a mean perch sandwich.

After the beach stop by Captain Sundae’s, for Tommy Turtle’s Sundae or Beach Bum, the best ice cream in town with many specialty creations to choose from.

Take US-31 North to Nelis Dutch Village, another popular destination for tourists of all ages, a small Netherland’s village constructed with authentic Dutch architecture, fun rides and a petting zoo for the little ones. Try making real Dutch cheese, Dutch Dancing lessons, sample decedent fudge and grab a pig-in-the-blanket from the Hungry Dutchman Café. Later complete your Dutch tour and stop by DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory to learn hands-on how they carve wooden shoes or paint the white and blue delftware (a Dutch pottery).

For dinner, enjoy the newest in green restaurants in West Michigan, CityVu Bistro, atop the City Flats Hotel downtown for a sophisticated dinner inspired by international cuisine; you can’t go wrong with the Manhattan or Milan flatbread. Other superb options are Butch’s Dry Dock with a 100+ wine list, Alpenrose or Via Maria right downtown; the Piper out near the channel is also good.

After dinner take in an independent film at the Knickerbocker Theatre downtown or a performance  from the Hope College Summer Repertory Theater. The Holland Symphony is small but excellent. Enjoy after theater cocktails at CitySen Lounge or drafts at the Curragh Irish Pub.