Holland
Holland is a small town in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts. It borders on Central Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Get in
[edit]Holland is easy to get to from exit 74 off of Route 84; from Holland Road off of Route 20 in Sturbridge. From Brimfield there are a few roads, the two most traveled being East Brimfield/Holland road and New Holland Rd. Holland also abuts Wales (Massachusetts), Massachusetts and Union, Connecticut (Mashapaug Rd and Maybrook Rd).
Get around
[edit]Holland is very rural and therefore nothing is within easy walking distance. Though small in size, Holland is better travelled by car.
See
[edit]Do
[edit]- There are two lakes in Holland:
- Lake Siog (also known as Holland Pond) and the larger Hamilton Reservoir. Lake Siog State Park can be accessed from Dug Hill Rd. There are no houses directly seen from the lake. Directly across from the state beach is the town beach which can be accessed from Brimfield Rd.. Locals tend to prefer this side of the lake as there is no roped in swimming area. From this side of the lake the name changes to “Holland Pond.” The Springfield Girls Camp can be seen from both beaches. Another feature of the town beach is the boat ramp in which you can take a canoe to Brimfield Lake in Sturbridge, which is easy to get to from route 20.
- Hamilton Reservoir is highly populated. There is a boat ramp right next to the dam as well as near “the causeway.” There are many activities on the lake such as water ski shows. Right across the street is Fenders, the best place around ice cream and hamburgers. It opens every year as soon as it gets warm and it closes in the early fall. Fishing can be done on many parts of the lake and is restocked with trout each year by the state.
- Old Home Day (also known as “the Holland fireworks”) is generally celebrated each summer. Due to the lack of volunteers it is often cancelled. The fireworks are set up in the field across from the Elementary School. The display of fireworks can also be seen from Hamilton Reservoir and is often watched from the lake by a slew of spectators in their boats.
- Lead Mines Another often overlooked piece of Holland is the lead mines. The tunnels can be accessed by a small trail off of Leadmine Road.
- Brimfield Flea Market in Brimfield.
Buy
[edit]- Businesses in town include Holland Market, a gas station, a package store, one bar and Howlett Lumber. Your best bet for shopping is visiting neighboring Sturbridge.
Eat
[edit]- Team Hoyts Finish Line, 154 Mashapaug Rd, ☏ +1 413-245-6043. Daily 11:30AM-9PM. The only summer food place in town. Order your fill of burgers, hotdogs, ice cream, etc. Hours are unpredictable though, sometimes not even open at dinner time and somewhat pricey.
- Holland Pizza, Brimfield Rd, ☏ +1 413 245-9090. Open year round, the closet place to get pizza and grinders. The restaurant is also connected to a package store should you want to grab some wine (or whatever your choice of beverage may be) and your pizza to go.
Drink
[edit]There is one bar in Holland off of Mashapaug Road. Right next to Team Hoyts Finish Line.
Sleep
[edit]There are many small lakeside cottages to rent for the summer at reasonable prices. Or you could stay at:
- Hisgen House Bed and Breakfast, Higsen Road. This old house was owned by a politician who once ran for president against William Howard Taft and William Jennings Bryant as the independent Party's candidate for President of the United States in the election of 1908.
Go next
[edit]Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge. Go see Old Sturbridge Village which only a few minutes drive from Holland! This is no ordinary village! It is a living museum located in Sturbridge which re-creates life in rural New England during the 1830s. It is the largest living museum in New England, covering more than 200 acres.