REGION 8 NOTES
May/June 2011
Ottawa County Profile
The West Michigan Regional Planning Commission (WMRPC) had so many positive comments on the recent travelogue of Mecosta County (January 2011 Region 8 Notes) that we are presenting a similar trip through Ottawa County. Due to the more urban nature of Ottawa County, this newsletter focuses on cities, one village, and one of the larger townships.
The trip is arranged in a manner that will wind you from the eastern edge of Ottawa County, southwest through Hudsonville to Holland and Zeeland, north to the Grand Haven area, east to Coopersville, south to Allendale, and then winding east towards the starting point. The route tries to slow the trip down by limiting time on the interstates that pass though Ottawa County (I-96, I-196, and US-31). Enjoy the trip!
Start the trip with some “Good People Good Living” by taking the Hudsonville Exit off I-196 (Exit 62). Stop at the Rainbow Grill, on the southwest corner of the interchange, for a cup of coffee and an apple dumpling before heading north on 32nd Avenue. After heading north one mile, stop at Hudsonville’s Veterans Park on the northwest corner of 32nd Avenue and Central Boulevard to see the life-size statues of members from each branch of the armed services (the Navy Petty Officer is pretty sharp). Head west on Central Boulevard a couple of blocks to find yourself in the City’s business district. Gemmen’s is one of the City’s retail institutions where you can find just about anything you need related to home improvements.
Once you’ve experienced Hudsonville, go to the northern boundary of the business district and head southwest on Chicago Drive (M-121, which is scheduled for improvements this year). Continue 7.5 miles, past farms and greenhouses, passing Zeeland Community Hospital and Herman Miller (ignore the sign that points to Zeeland), to Byron Road/East Main Avenue. To “Feel the Zeel” head west eight blocks and you will find yourself in Zeeland’s downtown. Make sure to stop at the Zeeland’s Main Street Market (right next to City Hall) where local farmers and crafters sell their goods (I bought a porch swing at the market a couple years ago). The market’s open Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. from June through September. Also, be sure to have a hamburger and a cup of soup at Frank’s – a local hangout that’s been in business since 1924. To continue your journey, head west on Main Avenue until you hit State Street and turn south (left) to get to Business I-196/Chicago Drive (about four blocks).
As you head west 2.5 miles you find yourself in Holland, known for its industry and Dutch heritage – and also currently in the process of creating a new motto. Chicago Drive ends at 8th Street where you will continue west until you find yourself in Holland’s downtown. Stroll through the downtown (known for its heated sidewalks) to visit the many restaurants, clothing stores, book and gift stores, ice cream and fudge shops, sporting goods and bicycle shops, and everything else you can imagine. If you leave without spending any money you have a lot of will-power – or some of that famous Dutch thriftiness. Also, immediately south of the downtown, is Hope College’s campus which is a pleasant place to continue your stroll. Don’t forget about Holland’s 82nd Annual Tulip Festival, which runs May 7-14 this year. After visiting Holland’s downtown, continue west on 8th Street until you reach South River Avenue where you will turn north (right) for about a mile before heading west (left) on Douglas Avenue. Go six miles west on Douglas (it will change to Ottawa Beach Road) along the north shore of Lake Macatawa until you can’t go any further – because you are in Holland State Park on the shoreline of Lake Michigan. No matter what time of the year, Lake Michigan is an awesome sight to behold (and you will be able to see the Holland Lighthouse).
To keep a nice relaxed pace, head east for less than a mile, turn left (north) on 168th, and then take a left on Lakeshore Avenue. On your way north (almost twenty miles until you reach Grand Haven’s City limits) you will pass several beaches and parks including Tunnel Park, Kouw Park, Kirk Park, and the Grand Haven Golf Club, before arriving in Grand Haven, known as “Coast Guard City, USA” because of its Coast Guard Station and annual Festival (July 29 through August 7). At the City limits Lakeshore Drive changes to Sheldon Road. Continue past the Northern Ottawa Community Hospital and jog to the right on 5th Street, go a few more blocks and turn left (west) on Washington Avenue. Park your car and plan on at least an hour of strolling through the downtown, which is filled with restaurants and shops, west to Harbor Drive where you can stroll along the Grand Haven Boardwalk, past the Coast Guard Station and Butch’s Beach Burritos to Grand Haven State Park. Weather permitting, be sure to take a trip to the end of the pier that has not one, but two, lighthouses. If you happen to be in town on a summer evening, check out the Musical Fountain.
After making your way back to your vehicle, head east less than a half mile to US-31 (Beacon Boulevard) and head north (Michigan Left) across the Grand River to the Ferrysburg exit (1.3 miles to exit 104 B). Turn left on 3rd Street (which changes to 174th Avenue) and go a couple blocks before turning west (left) on North Shore Drive. Go a little over a mile to North Beach Park for one last look at Lake Michigan. Also take a look around the unique community of Ferrysburg that is located on the “Ottawa Peninsula” and is surrounded by Lake Michigan and sand dunes to the west, Spring Lake to the east, and the Grand River to the south.
Find your way back to 3rd Street, turn right at Pine and keep turning right (follow signs to Spring Lake) until you are on Savidge Street and head east into Spring Lake, “Where Nature Smiles…For Seven Miles!” If you’re still hungry, there is a fun restaurant on the water (first left after crossing the river) called Old Boys’ Brewhouse which offers a range of great food – sitting by the water after a day at the beach with a big burger is “Pure Michigan”. Spring Lake Village and Township have miles of pathways, a wide variety of parks, and a downtown with lots of nice shops and restaurants.
Once you’ve experienced the Tri-Cities Area head east on M-104 (Savidge Street/Cleveland Street). If you keep going straight east for 12 miles through some of Michigan’s best farmland (with a little jog after passing under I-96 and another jog midway to Coopersville) you will end up on the north side of Coopersville. Continue another mile and turn south (right) on Center Street and travel less than a mile to Main Street to have a look around such sites as the Farm Museum and Historical Museum. The City’s motto “United for Progress” recognizes the importance of a good mixture of land uses to the community – and Coopersville has everything from industry to housing. Coopersville’s downtown has a variety of shops and is home to the Coopersville and Marne Railroad, which offers rides on a steam engine through the area’s countryside.
When it’s time to leave the station, head south on Eastmanville Street a few blocks, turn west (right) on Randall Street for about a mile and head south on 68th Avenue – this will require navigating one of West Michigan’s round-a-bouts. Go south for six miles, crossing the Grand River at Eastmanville, until reaching Lake Michigan Drive/M-45. Head east (after performing a “Michigan left”) and you are in Allendale. Lake Michigan Drive is lined with businesses, including many restaurants, for three miles until you reach the main entrance to Grand Valley State University, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. Take a look around the bustling campus before continuing east on M-45. Once you leave GVSU, you will cross the Grand River in less than a mile before passing by several greenhouses and other places of interest. Make sure that you pay attention to the speed limit while you’re on M-45 – it looks like an expressway and your brain is telling your foot to go 70 – but the speed limit is 55.
This pretty much wraps up your trip through Ottawa County. As you continue east you end up in Standale and will eventually run into I-196 (about nine miles from Grand Valley). The WMRPC hopes you enjoyed your journey. Please understand that this newsletter does not recognize every place of interest or business within Ottawa County, but simply provides a sample to whet your appetite for a day trip within the Region.
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