Things To Do In Holland

The Children's Museum of Fennville

The not-for-profit Children’s Museum of Fennville sprang from a simple philosophy: children learn best by doing. The museum’s labyrinthine series of exhibits embodies that philosophy with its myriad opportunities for interactive play, exploration, and experimentation.

Casual visitors, birthday-party guests, and students on field trips can huddle inside the life-size wigwam and wooden canoe at the First People exhibit, which introduces young ones to America’s earliest inhabitants. Replicas of Egyptian and Mayan relics similarly bring to life ancient civilizations through their harvesting tools and pre-modern Nintendos. Science exhibits encourage children to suit up in doctors’ coats and study the human body or take a wheelchair for a spin to better empathize with disabled people. Learning begins at an early age, and the museum’s penned-in toddler area fascinates the youngest of minds with mini home furniture such an easy chair and a bed, beneath which lurks a disarmingly pintsize boogeyman.

Ocean Sands Scuba's knowledgeable instructors guide divers into the deep with scuba training for beginner and advanced aquanauts alike. Interested patrons test their sea lungs in introductory scuba classes, splashing about in the facility's custom-built pool before moving on to a complete certification course. During certification, students pick up essential information on equipment, techniques, and the trendiest Atlantean nightclubs through in-class study and pool dives. After four weekly classes, burgeoning submergers hit the open water on one of Ocean Sands Scuba's dive trips to Gull Lake or Lake Michigan. Ocean Sands Scuba also stocks scuba equipment from Scubapro, Diverite, and Stahlsac for divers who have already reached certification or for hydrophobic sea turtles.

Art is both a passion and profession for Michelle Calkins, one of Four Corners Framing Company's experienced artisans. Michelle earned her full certification from the Professional Picture Framing Association after mastering its meticulous techniques for framing pictures, textiles, and memorabilia. The plethora of framing methods and materials—imported from more than 25 vendors—enables any artwork to find its match, be it in a traditional wood frame or a contemporary metal one. Unable to limit her creative talents to the realm of custom framing, Michelle creates vibrant artwork of her own inspired by still lifes, outdoor scenery, and police descriptions.

Snap Fitness's around-the-clock gyms enable visitors to fortify their physical well-being with a cornucopia of advanced fitness equipment and certified personal trainers. With 24-hour access, members don't have to let The Man or one of his many secretaries tell them when to help themselves to Snap's strength-training gear or top-of-the-line cardio machines, which feature televisions and other media diversions. A friendly, unintimidating atmosphere provides a refreshing change of pace from aloof gym employees and ear-splitting pump-up jams. Members also enjoy nationwide access to all Snap Fitness locations, ideal for working out while traveling.

Family Fitness and FitZone for Women are spread across six locations, but they share a common goal: to help guests find their ideal physique. They accomplish this mission by filling their 15,000- to 25,000-square-foot facilities with ellipticals, arc trainers, and treadmills that engage cardios, cores, and limbs alongside group training classes led by certified personal and group fitness instructors. Visitors can also keep tabs on their progress with the centers’ fitness monitoring program and body mass testing.

• For $38, you get two tickets for the performance on Friday, July 22, at 8 p.m. (up to a $79.50 value) • For $36, you get two tickets for the performance on Sunday, July 24, at 7 p.m. (up to a $73 value) • For $36, you get two tickets for the performance on Tuesday, July 26, at 8 p.m. (up to a $73 value) • For $36, you get two tickets for the performance on Wednesday, July 27, at 8 p.m. (up to a $73 value) • For $36, you get two tickets for the performance on Thursday, July 28, at 8 p.m. (up to a $73 value)