The Best Spring Activities in West Michigan
West Michigan in the spring is one of my favorite things about living in Michigan. From the smell of fresh grass, the views of the lake, the taste of elephant ears, the beauty of the downtown tulips and roadside flower stands. Spring in Michigan is one of my favorite times to do photos. From fun senior sessions, to radiant headshot & brand sessions, and cute family moments, it’s all magical. Especially after the long winter months in Michigan, spring becomes a special breath of fresh air.
I wanted to share some of my favorite activities to do in Michigan spring time.
Bike out to Lake Michigan & Holland State Park
Did you know that you can bike from Downtown Holland all the way to Lake Michigan and the Holland State Park? It’s a gorgeous path with beautiful flowers, trees, and parks. It’s a great way to get outside and explore Michigan, especially to see some of the best spots in West Michigan (Downtown, the Channel, and the State park).
Go Geocaching
Geocaching is basically where individuals or organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of the Geocaches on the internet. Then other users on the internet can use GPS coordinates to find the Geocaches and can leave a trinket for other geocachers or take a trinket from the cache too. The idea is to encourage exploration, adventure, physical activity, discover hidden gems in that area and to encourage community interaction. It’s a super fun activity to do with kids and teens. Download our favorite Geocaching app here (iPhone)!
Go on a Tasting Tour with Linda at Holland Tasting Tours
We all know that one of the best things about Traveling and exploring new places is getting to try new foods where ever you go. Which is exactly what Linda at Holland Tasting Tours helps tourists do every year! Linda is a really kind and fun individual who is incredibly passionate about the Holland area and it’s rich history!
Walk through Downtown & Go Shopping
Walking in Downtown Holland and drifting in and out of shops as you explore is one of the best ways to discover all the great things that Holland, Michigan has to offer. Check out places like Gezellig Home and Garden, Jean Marie’s, the Apothecary Gift Shop, Estella Rose Fashion, Out of the Box, Holland Peanut Store, Dutch Village Downtown, Tin Ceiling, Readers World, and Oak and Leather Men’s Mercantile. From clothes, to gift shops, toy stores to book stores, candy shops and gardening, there’s a little something for everyone!
Hike at a Park
If you are just looking for something a little quicker or aren’t really feeling like shopping, then there are tons of amazing local parks to explore. Stu Visser Trails, Mt. Pisgah, Window on the Waterfront, Paw Paw Park, Kollen Park, and Riley Trails are among my favorites in the Holland area.
Go for a Picnic
Go for a picnic at any of the above mentioned parks. Or go to Holland State Park on the beach and picnic, enjoy the water and sand and read a good book!
Get Ice Cream
A big favorite activity of mine is getting ice cream. My favorite spots to get ice cream are the Parlor by House of Flavors, Captain Sundae, The Spot, or Tastee Treat.
Rent a Scooter in GR
If you are more into fast paced exploring and have time to go to Grand Rapids, I highly recommend renting some scooters or bikes. Renting scooters and bikes in downtown GR is a great way to explore more of the city at a significantly faster pace.
Enjoy the Tulip Time Festival in May
The Holland Tulip Time Festival is from May 1st-10th, 2026. Tulip Time is a great way for families to get out and enjoy, food trucks, games, parades, tulips, and more! There are tons of events and area attractions, that are fun for everyone in families. You can buy tickets and see attraction and parking information on the Tulip Time Website! Or if you are already in the area and need to learn more visit the Tulip Time Festival Office.
Enjoy a Restaurant Dinner in Downtown Holland
There are so many fantastic food and drink spots in Downtown Holland. Among our favorites are Cranes in the City, Windmill Restaurant, The Curragh Irish Pub, Bowerman’s On 8th, Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, New Holland Brewing, and Big Lake Brewing.
Do a Photo Shoot
We highly recommend that if you plan to come into Holland for Tulip time and want to do a photo shoot, you plan well ahead of when you plan to be there. We also can track the bloom of the Tulips with the Tulip Tracker online. If you want to plan your tulip session head over to our Contact page or give us a call!
BONUS: Go Color Hunting
Take your spouse and/or kids and then grab a disposable camera or your iPhone and go “color hunting”. Each individual participating has to choose a color. Then each person has to find items that are that color and grab a picture of it. Whoever finds the most things in their color, or who finds the coolest thing in their color, they win!
My husband and I did this recently. I was blue. He was red. Here’s how they turned out.
In Summary . . .
West Michigan in the spring is full of fresh scenery, blooming flowers, and fun ways to enjoy the outdoors after winter. Popular activities include biking to Lake Michigan, hiking local trails, picnicking at parks or the beach, and exploring the shops and restaurants in Downtown Holland. Families can enjoy geocaching, ice cream stops, and creative games like color hunting, while Grand Rapids offers scooter and bike rentals for city exploring. Spring’s biggest highlight is the Tulip Time Festival in May, featuring tulips, parades, food, and family-friendly events.
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