Holland

With a name like "Holland" it's no surprise that this town was founded by Dutch immigrants. There are still lots of traces of Dutch heritage around--fine, hand-painted Delft porcelain, Wilhelmina mints, Dutch baked goods and a still-operational 18th-century Dutch windmill. But Holland is no longer a city merely of Dutchmen. Sizable and growing Hispanic and Asian populations mean you'll be able to find some of the best, most authentic Latin and Asian food on your visit. Holland's 8th Street, was revamped in the 1980s to keep the downtown viable. Brick sidewalks, renovated storefronts and independently-owned shops and restaurants make downtown Holland vibrant in the evenings. Then there's the city's Snowmelt system which pipes hot wastewater from the power plant beneath downtown city streets and sidewalks to keep them snow- and ice-free. In spring Holland hosts one of the nation's largest flower festivals, Tulip Time. The whole city blooms with tulips, daffodils, and cherry, apple and magnolia trees. The Lake Michigan beach is a prime draw in summer. Downtown Holland is 7 miles east of its beaches so you'll need a car. The upside is that city streets are never clogged with beach traffic. Visitors will find chain restaurants, hotels and malls along US-31, which runs north to south in Holland. Independent shops and restaurants are located downtown.