This Enchanting Town In Michigan Is Unlike Any Other In The World
By Emily Tieman|Published January 05, 2023
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Emily Tieman
Author
Emily Tieman is a lifelong Michigander and has a love for locally owned small businesses. She is a freelance writer for Only In Your State and has her own vintage content creator business.
The Mitten State is full of unique tiny towns with charming vibes, homegrown food, and delightful small businesses. A must-visit small town is Zeeland, Michigan, which has everything you could hope to find in an adorable midwestern town. You’ll want to bring the whole family along on a trip to visit this little slice of paradise.
The small town of Zeeland is located in Ottawa County in West Michigan. With just over 5,000 residents, the town is a little escape from fast-paced, big-city life.
Downtown Zeeland has one of the most endearing Main Streets in West Michigan with great shopping. You have to stop by Out of the Box, which is a toy shop for kids of all ages, including a wide selection of strategy board games for adults.
Kiddos will also love the downtown Splash Pad which is open in the warmer weather months. The splash pad is barrier-free, so it is accessible for everyone to enjoy. Right across the road at Elm Street Park is a synthetic ice skating rink that is open in the cold weather months.
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There are some amazing places to eat, like Tripleroot Brewery which serves wraps, seasonal soups, and 11 draft beers on tap.
Or if you’re in the mood for a sweet treat, stop by the old-fashioned Zeeland Bakery which has been serving donuts, cakes, and cookies since 1954.
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No matter what season you visit, the town looks like a postcard. Downtown is bursting with flowers in the summer, pumpkins in the fall, and Christmas trees with dazzling lights in the winter. You’ll love strolling around town and seeing the seasonal decorations every year.
The homes are beautifully decorated every season, but especially at Christmas when the Christmas Yard Cards come out. A tradition since the 1960s, Zeeland homes place large painted wood "Christmas card" signs in their front yards to usher in the holiday season.
Speaking of seasons, Zeeland has so many seasonal events that it’s hard to keep up! In the summer, you can visit the Peddlers Market, which is an open-air lifestyle market with vintage furniture, eclectic home decor, and artisanal wares.
Zeeland also hosts marathons, parades, Cycling the City, and Music on Main where live music is played to the delight of visitors. There’s an event for everyone and it’s truly a wonderful place to live in and explore as a tourist.
A very popular place to stop by in Zeeland is the Critter Barn, which is a non-profit working farm that teaches farming and agriculture to people of all ages and abilities.
The farm has more than 200 animals that you can see, feed, and pet, including goats, sheep, chickens, calves, horses, donkeys, cats, rabbits, and more!
If you venture west out of town, you’ll hit splendid freshwater Lake Michigan, which is perfect for a beach day or hunting for sea glass. The beaches closest to Zeeland are Holland State Park, Tunnel Park, and Riley Street Beach.
