Holland, Michigan to be more accurate. Our 2025 Big Family Vacation took us to Lake Michigan for fun in the sun (yes, it was in the 90’s), sand, and surf.
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| Our home for 8 days was located between Saugatuck and Holland on the western shores of the lake. |
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| However, to get to the lake, you had to climb down 144 steps. It was a bit of a workout to go back up! |
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| But totally worth it to have our own private beach!!! |
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| Shore walkers are permitted, so we did see people walk by from time to time, as well as other homes' occupants. |
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The grands had a wonderful time in the water, which was warmer than I was expecting.Our week was full of fun activities: |
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| We visited the Outdoor Discovery Center and saw lots of taxidermy as well as live animals and an entire building of birds of prey. The playground area was massive and included this zip line for the kids, which was a big hit. |
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| One day, we took the grands to the zoo in Grand Rapids while my oldest daughter and her spouse went for coffee at a shop that featured swings as seating, out to lunch, and a stop at a winery. The highlight of the zoo for me was these howler monkeys. They were unbelievably loud. The kids were covering their ears. |
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| On an early Sunday morning, we went to Saugatuck Dunes State Park, which was beautiful. |
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| Again, it was like we had the beach to ourselves! The dunes were amazing. |
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| While my husband and I babysat the one-year-old, everyone else went on a dune buggy ride and the kids LOVED it. |
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| My husband can't handle roller coasters anymore, so we opted out (plus, didn't think it was appropriate for our youngest grand). I'm sort of sorry I skipped it now. |
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| Another day, we rented a Duffy boat and cruised the Kalamazoo River. |
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| Wonderful scenery and massive houses along the way. |
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| We did cheese tasting at Evergreen Lane Creamery. My favorite was the figgy chevre. |
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| Before visiting Virtue Cider, we stopped at this four-acre poppy field that bordered a cemetery. We were so lucky that it was in full bloom (pictures don't do it justice). It was planted as a memorial. |
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| The city of Holland was settled by Dutch Calvinists seeking religious freedom. The city is known for their huge spring tulip festival. We spent a day at Nelis Dutch Village. |
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| We attended this dance demonstration as well as a demonstration of how their wooden shoes were made from past to present. |
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| Some very fun rides for the kids. |
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| Make your own stroopwafel. Disappointing that adults were not included 🤣 |
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| Another side trip to Grand Rapids took the majority of us to the Frederik Meijer’s Gardens and Sculpture Park. We only saw about half of it because of kids and heat, but it was definitely the largest botanical garden I’ve ever experienced. |
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| Overlook of the Japanese gardens |
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| My husband and son opted to visit the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum instead and they were both impressed by its size and collection. I was sorry to miss it, but there was only so much time. We all met up afterwards for lunch at Founders Brewery. |
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| A vacation would be incomplete without some wineries. Besides Virtue Cider, my husband and I visited Modales Winery, Fenn Valley, and Michigan Wine Company during the week. |
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| Every night, we were treated to a different sunset. |
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| Sundown on our final night. So sad! |
OMG, when I initially read your post title, I'm like..."she traveled to HOLLAND?!?!" Which immediately made me think that you and I had something else in common because many years ago, I lived in Holland (Amsterdam) for a summer. I kid you not!
ReplyDeleteThese photos of the lake house in Holland, Michigan are SO BEAUTIFUL! So beautiful in fact, I could lived there all-year round. I never even knew there WAS a Holland, Michigan. What I especially love about the house is that's its roomy, but also very cozy and comfy. I bet it would be a great place during the Autumn months.
It reminds me a lot of the Hampton's on Long Island, or Montauk Point.
"you had to climb down 144 steps" -- WOW! And yes, like you said, but totally worth it to have your own private beach!
What FUN things you did! (the zoo, dune buggy ride, Duffy boat...). Being a cheese-lover, I would have gone crazy at the cheese tasting! As well as the Japanese gardens.
The weather looked absolutely perfect - clear, blue, sunny sky! And those sunset photos .....STUNNING!
Thanks so much for sharing your family trip with us. ENJOYED! And I'm glad it wasn't too, too hot while you were there. Last week we had days and days of 103 temps. UGH!
Happy of 4th of July, my friend. Welcome back!!!
X
The house was very nice and updated, but I did like the Finger Lakes house we stayed in last year better. It was just more homey and the rooms were bigger. But the kids loved having the beach and going in the water which we weren’t able to do last year.
DeleteI love watching Summer House on Bravo because it’s about the Hampton’s. What a gorgeous place! The weather was definitely good as far as no rain, but I will say that 94 degree weather was not fabulous. We tried to do everything as early in the day as possible.
Have you not posted since I’ve been gone? Thanks and it’s good to back! XO
I didn't even know there was a Holland in Michigan! Wow, look at those beach shots! How gorgeous! What a lovely trip - it's so nice that you are able to take big family trips like that, it's so special! Your grandchildren are adorable and I'm sure the adults appreciate the break as well. The Japanese gardens! I'm here for it!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of tulip bulbs come from Holland, Michigan? The deer think tulips are chocolate cake here, so we don’t buy them! We feel so fortunate to do the big family trips now. My grandson kept thanking me for renting that house. He’s so sweet! Yes, I’m all about a Japanese garden, too!
DeleteEverything looks so beautiful. What a wonderful holiday with people you love!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there was a Holland in the US. When I saw your post title I thought to myself: "Wow! What an epic trip." But even though you didn't have to leave the continent, it still looks like you had an epic trip! Win, win <3
I thought it would be funny to lead with that! I knew you’d appreciate the beaches. There were also some lighthouses in the area, but we ran out of time to visit any. Maybe another year!
DeleteLooks like you had a great trip. I think I'd be a bit daunted by those 144 steps! But what wonderful deserted beaches. I haven't been on a roller coaster for many years. Like your husband, I think I would have opted out as well. I like the Japanese Garden.
ReplyDeleteGoing down the steps was no problem (though I don't like heights) but going up them wasn't fun. There was a rest stop bench halfway up!
DeleteI'd like to ride in a dune buggy. Your vacation looks like so much fun., the beaches are calling to me. I forget how lovely MI is and that it's within a day's driving distance from here.
ReplyDelete[This is Ally Bean. The system is forcing me to comment as Anonymous.]
I think Lake Michigan beaches are the best kept secret in the US! We were complaining about how Lake Erie is so crappy by comparison. Plus, all rocks!
DeleteSssshhh. Michigan people like to keep that secret. Idaho was a secret too once and now look, overpopulated, overpriced, did I mention overpopulated?
DeleteYes! I still can’t believe my best friend from high school moved from the Bay Area to Boise! If I ever visit her, I’m looking you up!
DeleteWe live on the other side of Lake Michigan! I’ve always wanted to visit Holland, Michigan — we told the girls we’d go this summer, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Maybe we’ll make it up there in the fall instead. A lot of Chicagoans go there in the summer and have homes there. It looks so beautiful. You always do so many fun and interesting things when you travel — thank you for taking us along with you!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about you this week — I hadn’t heard from you in a while and hoped you were okay. Turns out you were more than okay. 😘💜
My son moved to the Chicago area a few months ago and it was only about a 3 hour drive for them. It took us 5.5 hours and I honestly think it’s better than going to Hilton Head or anywhere in SC. This was my third trip to Lake Michigan and I’m more impressed each time. I missed you and will hopefully see you on TikTok soon ❣️
DeleteThis wa a great blog detox getaway and from the phjotos and your descriptions it seems your family had a great time and good weather too. That private beach area was a big plus, but the climb back up those steps would have put me off. It reminded me of the beaches in Amalfi which had closer to 700 steps. We never went to the beach 🏖️
ReplyDeleteThe Amalfi coast looks so beautiful, but there’s no way I’d climb up 700 steps. Maybe if I was 20 again!
DeleteWow, looks like you had a great time. Loved all the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary!
DeleteSo that's where you've been!
ReplyDeleteIt looks a lovely place.
Fabulous photographs. Fun times with family ... simply fantastic :)
Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate.
All the best Jan
It was beautiful! Thank you!
DeleteWhat a beautifully documented family getaway full of laughter, discovery, and treasured moments. From private beaches and zip lines to scenic dunes and sunset views, it sounds like the kind of trip that will be fondly remembered by everyone. Thank you for sharing such a rich and joyful experience.
ReplyDeleteI just shared a blog post you are invited to read. Thank you: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2025/07/the-boxer-shorts-trend-castle-test.html
Thank you! I’ll visit your blog today!
DeleteWhat a fabulous trip! That beach looks beautiful and those sunsets are stunning. The Duffy boat ride looks so cool.
ReplyDeleteGreat times! Thanks for sharing.
We’ve never driven a Duffy before, but it was nice because it was covered.
DeleteThis looks like a great trip. It sounds like a lot of fun, and you were not stingy on the days. What a nice long vacation. I bet everyone enjoyed spending the time together. I've been to Holland. Beach time is the best time, esp with little kids.
ReplyDeleteIt was really the first time they were able to enjoy the beach. They went to VA Beach two years ago, but were too young to really enjoy it.
DeleteI'd be disappointed if a city named Holland DIDN'T have a tulip festival! I love everything about this vacation, right down to the figgy chevre! When we were moving to Rapid City, a friend kept thinking it was Grand Rapids, no matter how many times we would correct her. She probably still thinks we lived in Michigan those four years, ha.
ReplyDeleteMy parents went to the tulip festival twice on bus tours and the pictures were magnificent! That’s weird to confuse Grand Rapids and Rapid City. I’ll visit your blog later today!
DeleteFirst, not sure why I can't log in as myself. It's Suz!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a lovely trip. And let me say this for the four thousandth time: I can not get over how this lake looks like the ocean! It's mind-boggling to this Floridian. I really did think you went to Holland at first and I was immediately thinking of the Red Light District. (ROXANNE!)
Howler monkeys are in the area we've visited in Costa Rica and yes, they come by their name naturally. LOUD
I love that you guys had so many fun adventures, and yes, the Dune Buggy ride looks like a blast. But also, just visiting cheese shops and wineries is also enjoyable. Yay for family time! And yay for lovely sunsets!
Multiple people are having log in issues. It’s irritating! Sorry! Yes! We kept saying it looked like the ocean. I mean, there were waves and the beach was fairly deep. Trust me, Lake Erie is nothing like that! All rocks and grey water🙄
DeleteThat’s cool that you saw howler monkeys in the wild. I’d have been scared! One of my grands was covering her ears the entire time.
I am SO happy you had such a wonderful time!! Michigan has some great places to visit. Lake Michigan is my favorite, as you know. Holland is so fun, isn't it?? Grand Rapids is fun too. Heck, give it a few years and Detroit will be fun again! : ) It rained nearly every day when I was in Michigan, and I absolutely LOVED it. The gray clouds and the thunder. Absolutely fabulous. We had sun for the days that we needed and rain for all the rest. My kind of weather! Have you been to the U.P.? That's another fun place. - I love that only the kids could make the stroopwafel! Lol. Only Michigan people know how to pronounce that, and the Dutch, of course. Lol. - Did you notice how many places in Michigan that are hard to pronounce or even sound out?! Lol. I used to love listening to the fudgies (people who come to northern Michigan for the fudge) try to pronounce all things Michigan. Lol.
ReplyDeleteYou are making amazing memories and I can't wait to see where your next vacation takes you! Thank you for sharing with us. A Lake Michigan sunset never gets old...
Holland was super fun! We enjoyed walking downtown and went to some cute shops as well as sampling and buying lots of cherry products at Cherry Republic. I bought a cute little ceramic delft windmill to use as a Christmas ornament, too. I have not been to the U.P. but would love to some day. Yeah, us adults were like, ‘where’s our stroopwafel?’ We paid the same admission price as the kids! 🤣 And yes, lots of strange name places! Are they Indigenous names? We have some of that here in NE Ohio. Counties like Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas really confuse outsiders. Actually, even people that live here disagree on the pronunciations!
DeleteYou definitely made the most of your trip! Isn't Holland so pretty? We love going there in the spring when the tulips are in full bloom. Though the last few times I was not impressed with the paid portion of the tulip fields and thought the city had prettier and fuller blooms than the field, and that was free and less crowded. The Dutch village is fun. Were they still doing candle making demonstrations? The didn't have stroopwafel making when we visited, sadly. Michigan has some of the best wineries! I usually get Tabor Hill wine and one other that I'm blanking on the name from lower Michigan. I haven't been to the botanical gardens, but now I need to find some free time to check them out. I didn't even realize they were there! The need to advertise that spot here in South Bend because I bet a lot of us would make the drive up that way to see them.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you mention the free section of tulips being so good, because I saw that in a google review. I wanted to walk down by the Window on the Waterfront, but we couldn't figure out how to get there by walking and my husband thought the way we were headed looked shady? We had a bad experience in Louisville, so now he's always paranoid when walking. No, I didn't see candle making, but it's possible we missed it. We only saw the shoe making and the Delft demonstrations. We were super impressed with how nice the high school kids were that worked there (they had so many jobs and ran around the place) and the admission price was so reasonable!!! $17 is a bargain! I would like to visit more of the wineries both north and south of where we were. The Meijer's Garden & Sculpture Park would totally be worth a drive, but don't go on 94 degree day like we did.
DeleteOh, wow, did you pack a lot in. So much great stuff to see and do there. I might have most liked the poppy field. I love poppies! Glad you all had a wonderful time. ~Betsy
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betsy. The poppy field was glorious!
DeleteI'm so glad you got to visit Michigan! Sounds like a wonderful family vacation! You can't go wrong vacationing on one of the great lakes! That is a lot of steps! We stayed in a house on Lake Michigan a few years ago that had that many steps down to the lake. But the view was worth it! I haven't been to Holland in years. Last time we went it was off season and not good weather. We got a private tour of the huge windmill though which was pretty interesting! I've never been to Meijer Gardens but it's on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteLake Michigan is just beautiful. Downtown Holland was nice and we especially liked Cherry Republic. You definitely need to visit Meijers Gardens. So nice!
DeleteWow. Awesome times and memories. Thanks for sharing. It makes me want to visit a Japanese garden again. It has been a very long time. Take care.
ReplyDeleteJapanese gardens are always the highlight of a botanical garden.
DeleteHolland MI, LOL. But I have to say this looks like a wonderful area to visit, what a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
So much to see and do! We loved it.
DeleteSuch a wonderful post of your family vacation. I loved all of the pictures and it sounds like you had a really great time. You packed a lot in to one week. I love Michigan and Lake Michigan is the best.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a wonderful place to visit in the summer. Not sure about winter 🤣
DeleteThis looks so fun! I miss going on vacations and especially the beach! Love that you guys enjoyed. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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