New Holland Brewing Co. (66 E 8th St.) represents the best of Holland. Established in 1996, New Holland has grown from a scrappy two-man start-up to a thriving regional microbrewery that has a loyal following. Kelly Quintanilla, the Beer Babe, favors Mad Hatter IPA. Her parents bought her a bottle for her 21st birthday because of her teenage obsession with Alice in Wonderland. "It was my first taste of craft beer, and I've been a New Holland fan ever since," the Beer Babe said. The brewery has benefited from the trend favoring craft beer, which is growing while imports and macro breweries lose market share. When visiting New Holland's Pub, look for the high gravity beers, like Dragon's Milk Oak Aged Ale and Black Tulip Trippel Ale. The pub rolled out a new menu March 1 featuring Buffalo Chicken Stix, Beer Buddies pizza crusts and Dried Cherries and Spinach Salad. You may also want to try New Holland's artisan spirits. "The cocktail revolution is running strong in larger cities, but has not really reached West Michigan," said New Holland's Lindey Miller. "We have a new cocktail menu that will change with the seasons and promote the art of makinsag a great cocktail."

Holland's resilient frugality and a vibrant culinary tradition-think rich Letterbanket, buttery Nederlandse BotterKoek and sugary Frisian Suikerbrood-have made it fertile ground for casual dining chain restaurants. Luckily there are some home-grown options for you to enjoy. Salt and Pepper Savory Grill & Pub (11539 East Lakewood Blvd.) has a relaxed environment and tasty pub grub. Owner Mike Karas used to run Calypsos in the Holland Holiday Inn. Now he and his wife, Stephanie, are delighted to have a comfortable, laid-back spot where their guests are welcomed like friends. Try the Brandied Onion Pub steak, a top sirloin spice rub and grilled, then top with brandied caramelized onions over Mike's mom's mashed potatoes. A-FISHionados will like the Pecan Crusted Whitefish served over scallion basmati rice. Grab a spot on the patio and enjoy your meal under a beautiful Lake Effect sky.

More ethnic fare can be found at Pereddies Restaurant and Deli (447 Washington Ave.). Pereddies has been serving Italian cuisine in Holland's historic Washington Square for 20 years. The family-run business uses Old World recipes and everything is prepared using the highest-quality ingredients. You will want to try the Gorgonzola Penne with mushrooms, walnuts and pears over al-dente pasta or the Charbroiled Lamb Chops with redskin potatoes. Save room for delicious homemade cannolis, Italian sorbets and a variety of desserts. Pereddies' Scusi Bar (Italian slang for "excuse me") offers light fare and classic cocktails. Don't leave without visiting Pereddies' Deli and Bakery. Back in 1982, Pereddies introduced authentic Old World, hard-crusted Italian bread to Holland. Along with this great bread, the deli displays gourmet prosciutto, capicola, mortadella, fresh mozzarella and a huge selection of cheeses. Mangia!

After all of that eating, you will want to spend a night at the CityFlats Hotel (61 E 7th St.) in the heart of Holland. The only LEED Gold hotel in the Midwest, CityFlats' attention to detail can be seen in its 56 rooms that are all unique. Check into the 830-square-foot Luxury Suite and enjoy in-room luxuries like cork flooring, custom tile walk-in showers and hypoallergenic bamboo linens. The restaurant, located on top of the hotel, provides a refreshing respite from the humdrum dining experience of chain hotels. CityVū Bistro's chef has crafted a menu of flavor-infused meals. Try the fire-roasted Tandoori Chicken with saffron rice and roasted vegetables, while the Linguini Puttanesca is light and spicy. In the mood for a cocktail? Unwind with friends at CitySēn Lounge. Enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers during Happy Hour Monday through Friday evenings. Thursday is Sushi Night with Chef Shelly Rash preparing hand-rolled delicacies to live music.

Holland also has lots great shopping, with the emphasis on value. Make sure you stop in at Second Chance Design (486 Chicago Dr.). Husband and wife team RandiLynn and Jason Talsma opened the secondhand furniture business in February 2010 and business has been booming. The couple wanted to do something different after being in their family's new furniture businesses. Noting that Jesus recycles — remember the water to wine, my pets — the charming shop takes in used furniture and reworks the pieces to bring them back to original condition. What is not salvageable is remade into a new creation. "We find that the pieces that have our own signature style — and are obviously the most unique — sell the fastest," RandiLynn said. Second Chance specializes in Mid-Century Modern. "The style is really starting to get popular," Jason said. "The younger people coming in have not seen firsthand many of the styles, while the older people reminisce and it brings them back to childhood memories."

Enjoy the West Michigan's natural beauty at Hemlock Crossing, north of Holland. Opened in 2003, the park offers 239 acres of woods and wetlands along the Pigeon River. More than six miles of trails perfect for hiking and cross-country skiing meander through bottomland and upland forest, old pine plantations and along the river. Kayaking is a poplar pastime on the Pigeon River. When there is ample water, you can put in at Hemlock Crossing and go downstream to the Holly Drive takeout. In late summer, when the water at the park is low, put in at Holly Drive and paddle up and back. After 6:30 p.m., there is no wake on Pigeon Lake, and it's great to paddle out and take in a sunset. No fees at either launch.

Holland offers a more robust celebration of "nature" every spring. The 80th annual Tulip Time Festival will be held May 7 to 14 and feature millions of multi-colored tulips. The weeklong festival is a celebration of Dutch heritage and culture with three parades, numerous Dutch Dance performances and food. There are also numerous events for young and old alike. The Rock Camp Graduation Show, May 8 at the Park Theatre, will show off the musical chops of local teens with a headlining performance by The Outer Vibe. Tulipalooza, May 13 at the Sixth Street Stage, will be a Battle of the Bands with six bands chosen from three previous battles around West Michigan. A Floral Arrangement Class, May 10 to 11 at Eastern Floral in Holland, will show how to make fanciful arrangements using the namesake flower. Worried about walking? Last year, two women visiting Holland got off the Tulip Trolley thinking it was a shuttle service. After much walking, several cocktails and assistance from a friendly police officer, they found their car not too far away. Organizers are happy to offer a Free Shuttle Service to make getting around easier this year.

Holland offers a number of other community-wide events. Latin Americans United for Progress hosts the annual Fiesta May 6 to 7 at the Holland Civic Center and Eighth Street Market Place. The theme for this year's fiesta will be Fiesta Mundial, or World Festival, which reflects the global reach of the Hispanic community. The Street Performer Series will be held every Thursday evening June 9 to Aug. 25. You will enjoy singers, dancers, magicians and jugglers wandering around downtown. GrooveWalk will be held on April 16 and Oct. 22 this year. The spring event will bring back 11 of the most popular bands from the past five events, including The Outer Vibe, Zion Lion, Creolization and Greg Nagy. Finally, Holland plans to host the Collegiate Invitational Ice Sculpting Competition next January. Talented students from colleges around the Midwest and beyond will transform Holland into a Winter Wonderland during this weekend-long event.

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