I’ve been fortunate to travel many places during my time on Earth so far, both internationally and around the United States. Yet, my favorite place continues to be Holland, Michigan. When I think of Holland, immediately my senses become alive with memories. Do you have a spot like this engraved in your brain? Maybe it’s a cabin, a grandparent’s house, your parent’s house, or a vacation spot you visited multiple times. My eyes picture the cascading sand dunes, the miles of stunning shoreline of Lake Michigan, and the sailboats gliding a long the water. Smells of doughnuts, hot dogs cooked on bonfires, and ice cream fill my nose. Waves lapping the shore, motor boats in the distance, and the rumble of thunder over the lake before a big storm erupts in my ears. Sand, the feeling of jumping under the water, and seaweed tingle on my hands and feet. Blueberries fresh from the bushes, pizza, and pigs in a blanket make my taste buds water.
Since I was a young girl, my grandparents lived in a cottage and then, a log cabin right off Pigeon Lake in Port Sheldon. This was located right in between West Olive and Holland. When I was younger, we lived in Illinois, so a trip to their house was only three hours each way. Once I turned nine, we moved to Minnesota and the trips took longer to get there, but we spent a longer time visiting. Needless to say, my childhood consisted of many trips to Holland, Michigan. I know that most of the time places are special because of the people and the memories they hold. Yet, I also, know Holland has so many beautiful things to offer and many people don’t realize how stunning it is. It was my dad and grandpa’s wish to have their ashes left in Holland, so two years ago my family took a road trip here to finish out my dad and grandpa’s wishes.
Not only was the trip itself amazing, but we also enjoyed the drive thoroughly. At the time, our youngest daughter was only four months old. Instead of powering through the driving, we decided to enjoy the driving part just like the vacation part. So, we roughly stopped every 1.5 to 3 hours to feed her and let the kids explore. After the first day of driving, we met up with my mom and twin sister’s family. Here were our stops along the way which I would highly recommend. We left from southern central Minnesota.
Our first stop was Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Located in Byron, Minnesota, Zollman Zoo is free, but accepts donations. It is the perfect spot to stop and stretch your legs while on a road trip or make a day trip out of it. Only Minnesota native animals occupy the zoo, making it a different experience than the other zoos. Since our visit during this trip, they have built a brand new large nature center that I can’t wait to see. My kid’s favorite part of visiting here has always been the outdoor play area. It is unlike any outdoor play space I have seen. Kids can climb, dig, scoop, play, make music, slide, and explore. This was a perfect spot to feed our youngest while the others could play and see the animals.
Our second stop was at the Riverside International Friendship Gardens in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Located right off the Mississippi River, this was a great spot to walk, see the beautiful gardens, and watch the boats on the water.
That night, we stopped at Tru by Hilton Stoughton in Stoughton, Wisconsin. We highly recommend this hotel. It was clean, very modern, and had fun amenities for the kids. For instance, they had board games and fooseball in the lobby. Our kids loved keeping busy in this area and were excited to unite with their cousins at this location.
When we set off on the next day, our first stop was at the Bison Nature Playground in Schaumburg, Illinois. This place was by far one of the coolest spots I’ve been to. It is $2 for resident children (2-12 years old), $3 for non-resident children (2-12 years old), and free for adults and children under 2 years old. There are hour time slots in which you get to play to limit capacity, so try to get there before the time slot begins. All of this being said, this place is definitely worth it! Not only is there nature inspired playground equipment, but there are also natural materials for kids to play in throughout the space. It’s a HUGE nature playground, so there is plenty for kids of all ages and abilities to do. Some of the favorite parts for our kids were the natural water feature where kids could walk, play, and explore within a rock bottom water stream. They also, loved the sand area where they could dig their hearts out. Climbing opportunities were endless and were accessible to all age groups. A nature center was also, at this location, but we were unable to explore here as we needed to get back on the road. To put it simply, this is a must-stop location if you are in this area. Your kids will LOVE it!
Our last stop before getting to Holland was Hickory Creek Lavender Farm in Stevensville, Michigan. Although a lavender farm isn’t exactly a kid spot, it definitely is a cool experience for kids. Being a huge fan of lavender, I was ecstatic to see what an actual farm looked like. You could cut your own lavender here or buy some pre-cut lavender. They also, had a variety of lavender based products. I bought some spray for repelling bugs. My twin sister cut some lavender herself. The kids loved walking through the rows and smelling the aroma of lavender in the air. It was definitely a learning experience to see a different kind of farm and all the work it took.
Finally, we made it to our destination of Home2 Suites by Hilton in Holland, Michigan. We had several families stay here and we all enjoyed the locations where we could meet up and eat a meal together within the hotel. The pool was also, utilized by all families and the free breakfast was delicious each morning. Rooms were large enough that we easily had space for our pack n’ play for our youngest at the time.
Since this was a very familiar location to some of us, there are some places that we went just for the memories we had. So, I’ll share the highlights of spots we love here instead of sharing a full itinerary. My hope is that you will find places that you love here to add to your own list too.
*Blueberry Picking- We have been to so many places over the years and they are everywhere! This is such a fun experience for kids! I remember going to pick blueberries when I was a little girl even. Leaving, I always had a bad stomachache as there is nothing better than eating them fresh. On this trip, we went to Reenders Blueberry Farm in West Olive. Our kids loved picking the blueberries and seeing a blueberry farm in action. One of the best things about picking is that it’s accessible for all ages as kids can reach the bushes fairly easily. Also, unlike picking strawberries or raspberries, blueberry picking is quick. A family can fill a box in minimal time with normal effort.
*Holland Farmer’s Market- This farmer’s market is another oldie that we took the kids too. Fresh farmer’s markets are just special and I love that each one is unique. They are also, a great activity to do with the family as they are free unless you buy something, food is usually cheaper than the stores, and it really shows the background of the town. We enjoyed walking up the aisle to see the freshly grown fruits and vegetables. There were kid’s activities in an area that they could play. Baked goods were a treat that we couldn’t resist buying to bring with on the next adventure.
*Saugatuck- This town is such a cute spot. There’s something for everyone from breweries to distilleries to parks to beaches to shopping to delicious food. Located right on Lake Michigan, it’s a beach town with stunning views that are hard to beat. Mostly, we walked to see the town and let the kids watch the boats come in and out of docks. Ice cream was a must and there were a wide variety of food spots to choose from. Shopping included some tourist spots with some trendy boutiques.
*Downtown Holland/Small splash pad- Another area that you will want to add to your adventure! Downtown Holland is another fun area with a wide assortment of food, drinks, shopping, and fun. One of our favorite spots in this area is a candy store. Since there aren’t many stores like this today, your kids will love wandering the aisles, picking the perfect mix of candy, and having their mouths water as they see each yummy treat. There also, was a small splash pad near the center of Holland. It’s not anything super special, but it’s a great spot if it’s a hot day and your kids need something to do.
*Craig’s Cruisers- This is another spot we grew up coming to. Since we were young, it has been re-done and is such a fun family spot. Complete with an arcade, go-karts, and mini golf, your family is bound to have a good time. Definitely a memorable spot to visit!
*Outdoor Discovery Center- An absolute hidden gem, this was our first time coming to this spot. It did not disappoint! Considering our family loves nature centers, natural play scapes, and hiking, I figured let’s try it out! Our whole family was so glad to find this spot. There is a small nature center with some exhibits, which the kids enjoyed. Yet, the best part of Outdoor Discovery Center was the multitude of outdoor play opportunities. Every corner that we turned was another unique spot for the kids to dig, climb, slide, build, or explore. Ziplines, nets, webs, large sand boxes, creeks to play in…the list goes on. Despite a wide assortment of ages, skill levels, and interests, every kid was beyond happy after this location. After we walked through the outdoor nature playscape, we found a hiking trail and exhibits of animals. Another spot everyone enjoyed was an art trail as we have several kids interested in art. Sculptures lined the trail and the kids moved quickly through so, they could see what the next art spot contained. Again, the kids (and adults) were enthralled at all this treasure of a spot had to offer! We could have stayed and explored here all day and the kids would have been completely content.
*Saugatuck Dune Scooters- On this particular trip, we were unable to do this as we didn’t book tickets early enough. A dune scooter is a completely unique experience where you ride a buggy like vehicle up and down the sand dunes. Incredible sights, an adrenaline rush, and the uniqueness of not being able to do this many other locations all make this a memorable opportunity. To this day, I still remember riding these as a kid. Make your reservations early and be ready for your heart to be racing!
*Saugatuck Dunes State Park- Basically, you can’t come to Holland without swimming in Lake Michigan. I grew up at this lake and despite being from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, this lake is one-of-a-kind. The beauty of the shoreline, the dunes, the soft sand, and the warmer temperatures are unbeatable. Although, we didn’t swim at this beach on this trip, I have been in the past. We did swim in Lake Michigan though. Our day was filled with wave jumping, sand castles, beach volleyball, races down the dunes, and walks along the shoreline. Seriously, swimming in Lake Michigan is a must for any trip to Holland. It’s hard to describe just how beautiful the Lake is without being in it.
*Russ’ Family Restaurant– Another spot we visited most trips! This restaurant is known for it’s pigs in a blanket. Their breakfast is our favorite meal there and our kids loved it as well. Reasonably priced, this is a fun spot to try where everyone is bound to find something they like. Bonus is there are several locations throughout Holland.
*Mario’s- This was located close to my grandparent’s house, so we usually went there once a trip too. A unique mix of foods, Mario’s offers Mexican and Italian food both. Known for their pizza, burritos, and pasta, it is sure to please everyone.
That’s a quick overview of our days in Holland. Hopefully, some of these locations create beautiful memories for your family just as they have for mine. Again, on our way home, we stopped several places again to allow our kids to explore and stretch their legs while our four month old ate. We decided to stop at different spots along the way this time and decided we had no rush. Due to not having a need to hurry, we stayed in hotels two nights and split up the twelve hour drive into three days. This made it super manageable and very enjoyable. Another reason we did this is we drove into inclement weather. Actually, we spent our time at a children’s museum on the drive home with a tornado watch in effect. Instead of trying to out drive the storms, we just enjoyed our time and stayed safe. Here’s our stops on the way home:
Our first stop was Chesterton Park in Chesterton, Indiana. The kids loved the mix of nature-based playground equipment and equipment that looked like a park. Several unique climbing fixtures kept the kids enthralled for awhile. This park also, had a lot of green space which was great for some snacks and time for our youngest to enjoy being out of her car seat. When we stopped, there was a summer camp going on in the park with a lot of kids. My kids loved that there were many kids to play with.
Second, we stopped in Naperville, Illinois. This spot was mostly for memories sake for our family. I lived here from the time I was two years old until I was nine years old. We walked downtown along the river walk as this was something we did as kids. It was fun to show the kids some of our memories, such as the Dandelion Fountain and Centennial Beach. Of course, we had to stop and get ice cream. Last, we stopped to show everyone else our old house and our old elementary school.
That night, we stayed at Tru by Hilton Stoughton in Stoughton, Wisconsin again. Another great experience and the kids were excited to play games there again. I definitely would recommend stopping here or planning a trip here just for this hotel.
Next, we stopped in La Crosse for the LaCrosse Children’s Musem. With our Science Museum of Minnesota membership, we were able to get in free at this children’s museum. Packed with tons of favorites, our kids enjoyed the water table area, a Kwik Trip (if you know, you know) play gas station, and a dinosaur hunt maze. A large climbing playground structure was another favorite, as well as a virtual screen they could play games on while moving their bodies, a fire truck, and a construction area with a crane. There was also, a space for kids under three that our four month old enjoyed. As mentioned above, there was expected severe weather while we were at the Museum. It actually ended up turning into a tornado watch and everyone was told to report to the basement until it was clear. Truly, there was no better place to be! Our car was safe in a parking garage from any damage from the storm. We were safe in a basement, with tons of play exhibits. Museum staff were so calm and kept details to a minimum in front of the kids, so all kids just continued to play without feeling any fear. It was by far the most pleasant tornado watch I’ve ever been in.
When the weather was clear, we moved onto one more destination in LaCrosse. Grandad Bluff holds more memories for my family as my dad proposed to my mom at the top when they were in college. They both attended UW-LaCrosse. The view of the city from the top of Grandad Bluff is stunning! Definitely worth the trip up as you can see for miles! Since the severe weather had taken a good chunk of our day, we did spend a night at a hotel in La Crosse before parting ways the next morning with our family. The hotel was good, but not too memorable.
Our final stop before making it home from this trip was Field of Dreams in Rochester, Minnesota. We had been here before and it was an instant hit for our construction loving boy. Not only is the park a fun, older wooden park that seem so rare in today’s age, but there was a huge sand pit right outside the playground. In the pit is tons of construction vehicles and sand toys to play with. It’s a good playground with a variety of play spaces to keep kids of all ages engaged and having fun. Then, we were on our way home.
Overall, Michigan is such a stunning location. It has lots to do and unique spots to visit. This was a do-able road trip, even with almost a newborn, for most spots in the Midwest. Your family could take their time on the drive, like we did, or power through in a long day easily. If you’re looking for a spot to explore this summer, I would highly recommend Holland, Michigan. Visit some of the spots in this blog and enjoy!
Until my next adventure,
Allie
Adventures with Sota Mama 
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