Holland/Zeeland - Holland, MI

Holland-Zeeland was settled in 1847 by Dutch Calvinist separatists fleeing difficult economic circumstances and in search of religious freedom. Led by Dr. Albertus Van Raalte, the colony settled in the midst of the Ottawa tribe on the Black River near the Black Lake, now Lake Macatawa. Tensions between the European settlers and the Tribe caused the colonists to buy the land from the Native-Americans who moved north to preserve their traditional way of life.

Dr. Van Raalte became the moving political and educational force in the community, which was incorporated in 1867. The city suffered a major fire on Oct. 8-9, 1871, the same time as the Great Chicago Fire.

Holland remains known as “The City of Churches,” with 170 in the metropolitan area, many an off shoot of the original Dutch Reformed Church of America, now known as the Reformed Church and Christian Reformed Church in North America denominations.

With several choices for a variety of cuisines, Holland-Zeeland acts as a dining destination for the area. The New Holland Brewing and Our Brewing Company microbreweries, as well as the Warner Vineyards, call Holland-Zeeland home.

In keeping with the Dutch theme, the Windmill Restaurant makes a good choice for breakfast and families with small children. Sit at the old-fashioned counter and order a giant cinnamon roll, biscuits and gravy, or a vegetarian omelet. The portions prove huge, but the restaurant also serves a mini-plate option. Be prepared to wait, as there is usually a line at the door.

Likewise, in the Dutch tradition, the Wooden Shoe Restaurant has been serving breakfast for over 50 years. Expect to be greeted by “Goedemorgen,” meaning "good morning" in the native language. The restaurant also features huge cinnamon rolls and fresh homemade pig in the blankets made with quality sausages in a crispy, flaky crust. Besides typical breakfast items, the menu includes paninis, ciabattas, wraps and homemade soups. This place proves to be a favorite among local residents, so expect lines out the door.

Due to the small size of the Holland Zeeland area, the nightlife scene limits itself to mostly bar-hopping. Although not known for a party scene, the bars can get crowded, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check out the Itty Bitty Bar, a local dive bar in Holland that claims to be a "5 star dive bar".

With its central location on the western shore of the Michigan peninsula, Holland-Zeeland has many transportation options. It is serviced by two public airports: the Park Township Airport for private aircraft, and the larger, corporate West Michigan Regional Airport. The nearest airport with commercial airline service, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, sits 35 miles away from the neighborhood.

The city and surrounding area is served by the Macatawa Area Express (MAX) transportation system offering scheduled bus service and on-demand rides for those who require assistance. The hub, the Padnos Transportation Center in downtown Holland, offers scheduled service leaving at the top of the hour and 10 minutes until the hour. The Padnos Center also acts as the terminal for Indian Trails bus service that provides transportation throughout Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Amtrak’s The Pere Marquette runs daily from Grand Rapids to Chicago with a scheduled stop in Holland.

Interstate 196 (The Gerald R. Ford Freeway) remains the main expressway, and U.S. 31 runs through town, running the length of the peninsula.

Perhaps due to its Dutch heritage, the area has an abundance of bike paths than run throughout the city. The Lakeshore Connector Path runs along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan from Grand Haven and Holland, about 20 miles. A trail also runs from Holland to the small tourist village of Saugatuck, just south of the city.

Full taxi service is available, but it is best to call for pick up from your locations. An alternative, Uber, remains available in the area.

Parking comes free in the many downtown city lots, and bus fare into downtown costs $1 for adults, 50 cents for ages 5 to 17 and remains free for seniors.

The neighborhoods prove quiet enough for safe cycling, but no bike lines exist in the city center.

The residents of the area must love their parks because they have 22 of them covering over 500 acres. Kollen Park, with its 24 acres and 4,000 foot boardwalk on the city waterfront, remains one of the most popular. It offers a variety of amenities, including a large group picnic shelter, band stand, gazebo, playground, and boat launching ramp. It also acts as the site of a fountain, a gift from the people of Queretaro, Mexico, and a Dutch immigrant sculpture from the homeland.

The Victorian-era Centennial Park, once Holland’s marketplace, has brick paths, a gazebo, beautiful gardens, and a traditional Dutch fountain. It is the site of many of Holland’s summer events.

The 159-acre Helder Park provides visitors with a taste of the Michigan natural habitat. This wooded area with its two streams acts as the home for native birds and deer, plus wildflowers and prairie grass. Expect to find a picnic shelter, playgrounds, two baseball and five soccer fields.

The 5-acre Quincy Dog Park is a fully fenced area for off-leash activities. It provides separate areas for large and small dogs. Another fenced, off-leash park, the Ottawa County Dog Park, remains available as well.

The cost of living in the Holland-Zeeland area remains affordable by national standards. Typical rent for a one-bedroom residence costs approximately $662, 19 percent less than the national average. The overall cost of living is 0.5 percent less than the Michigan average and 10.7 percent less than the national.

Expect 20 ounces of a tasty micro-brew to cost $4.75, and plan to spend 0.87 percent less than the national average for gasoline.

Being a small city, the Holland-Zeeland area provides a range of shopping options from outlet malls to more traditional malls. If your in the mood for that kind of experience check out Holland Town Center and the Shops at Westshore. For specialty shopping, find the Dutch Village Shopping and Washington Square Neighborhood.

Harvest Antiques and Collectibles hails as more than a typical flea market, acting as a repository for unique and interesting items from over 60 dealers displaying their wares. There exists an amazing selection of items, including furniture, jewelry, vintage clothing, toys, glassware, books, comics, dolls, coins, trading cards and much more.

Tip Toes features a large selection of designer kids clothes plus special choices for gifts and toys. Besides clothing, this store offers a range of products from books to baby gear, including diapers, carriers, blankets and food.

While not a large independent bookstore, Readers World carries over 150 periodicals, including British selections. The staff helps you find any publication you need, and it is discounted when you order from the store, with prices rivaling the large on-line book sellers.

The Farmer's Market is seasonal, running from May 14 through November 26 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm, then only on Saturdays until December 13. Grocery chains servicing the area include D&W Fresh Market and Meijer. Be sure to check out Mi Favorita for fresh produce and ethnic specialties.