North America | Michigan Weekend Getaway – Holland Town
This weekend, I visited the beautiful town of Holland, recommended by a friend! It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Lansing, and the scenery along the way is classic natural countryside—lush lawns and pristine forests 🌳. First, we went to grab a bite in town 🍱. For lunch, we tried Mizu Sushi, a Japanese restaurant: 🍡 Takoyaki (Octopus Balls): 4 pieces per serving, plus a small side salad, around $6. The taste was decent. 🍤 Tempura Udon: The portion was quite generous, thanks to the hearty udon noodles. The soup base was sukiyaki-style—sisters who don’t like that flavor should skip it! 🍣 Two sushi orders: One was salmon sushi, and the other was Maki 7 (a mixed roll with 7 pieces). Both were a letdown, so not recommended. We couldn’t finish all the food, and the total with tip for two people was $55. Sisters, budget accordingly! Beaches 🏖️ The main reason we came here was for the beaches—we visited three in total! 1. Idlewood Beach You need to go through Tunnel Park to get here. This park is popular for family camping and outdoor barbecues 🥩, so the vibe is great… but it gets pretty crowded on weekends! Climb up to the top of the hill, and you’ll be greeted by a lake view that looks like the sea and sky merging into one. If it’s your first time, you’ll be as shocked as I was—“Is this the ocean?!” The beach itself is crowded, so it’s a good idea to bring a picnic mat or beach chair to relax 🧺. The sand is super clean, so no need to worry about stepping on branches with bare feet! 2. Laketown Beach The first beach had amazing views, but it was too crowded. So we looked for a more off-the-beaten-path beach on the map. There were barely any cars on the road to this beach—it felt quiet and remote, with dense primeval forests on both sides 🌲. The further we drove, the worse the phone signal got, and there were “No Signal” signs. There were also very few people around, which felt a bit unsafe. In the end, we turned back and headed to the next beach. If any friends have successfully visited here, feel free to share your experience with me! 3. Private Shoreline Beach This beach has a unique twist: After parking, you have to walk through a primeval forest to reach the shore. The trees there are really tall and huge! If you’re just looking to relax and soak up the sun easily, this isn’t the one—because the walk is really long. But if you love adventure and want to experience different scenery, go for it boldly! There were quite a few people here, so you won’t feel scared. The beach is huge, offering wide, unobstructed views. Also, the further south you go, the shallower the lake water gets, so the color is lighter and not as blue. If you want to spend a relaxing half-day or more here, I recommend: Grab a simple meal in town, wander a little, then pick one beach to relax at. If you have extra time, check out where the river meets the lake—easygoing and not tiring at all. Next time, I’ll explore more of Northern Michigan’s lake loop! #NorthAmericanLife #NorthernMichigan #LakeMichigan 😊
