Nothing quite compares to the natural beauty of millions of brightly colored tulips, with a Dutch windmill and a bright blue sky. The Holland Mi Tulip Festival has it all, gorgeous views, entertainment, history and more.
We had the pleasure of taking a road trip to the Holland Tulip Festival in 2021 courtesy of Chevrolet. The company loaned us a beautiful 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD and covered our hotel stay at a gorgeous Downtown Holland hotel for two nights in order to facilitate this article.
When is the tulip festival in Holland?
The Tulip Festival in Holland Mi starts on the first Saturday of May each year and lasts eight days. In 2021 the festival ran from May 1st until May 8th.
Where is the tulip festival?
The festival takes place across a wide variety of venues in Holland.
Things to Do During the Holland Mi Tulip Festival
There is so much going on in Holland during the Tulip Festival. There is truly something for everyone in this historic town.
1. Visit a Tulip Field
There are plenty of places to visit within Holland to see the millions of tulips on display. Whether to visit a farm or drive along the streets, the tulips are ubiquitous in early May.
Veldeer Tulip Farm offers gorgeous fields of more than 6 million tulips. You can purchase bulbs on site, or stop in De Klomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory (their store) and shop for Dutch pottery or wooden shoes. There is an admission fee to visit the farm.
Windmill Island Gardens is home to “DeZwann”, the only authentic working Dutch windmill in the United States. The 36 acre park features three tulip fields with over 100,000 tulips. Visit the Post House, a replica of a 14th century Dutch wayside in, or visit the Little Netherlands Village. There is even a Playground and Children’s garden. Finally, guests can enjoy a carousel (currently closed due to Covid) and gift shop. There is an admission fee to visit the island.
Window on the Waterfront features over 94,000 tulips in a wide variety of colors. There are also two Dutch statues and a path along the riverfront that make this park a lot more interesting for families. Climb in a wooden shoe or take a picture at the giant window. Admission is FREE.
There are over six miles of tulip lined streets near the downtown area in Holland. It makes for a beautiful scenic drive with over 250,000 tulips. I especially enjoyed the boulevard along Washington between 16th Street and 8th Street.
Other locations you may find tulips in Holland include Centennial Park, Hope College and Kollen Park. There are also tulips throughout Downtown Holland.
2. Have Fun on the Midway
If you are looking for a day of excitement, then check out the Tulip Time Carnival Midway. The event offers family fun, entertainment, rides, games as well as your favorite carnival foods.
3. Visit a Historic Site
Learn about the history of Holland through a variety of different events together with many venues. Take a walking tour or visit the Dutch Costume Exhibit & Dutch Market. Visitors can also enjoy a visit to Big Red Lighthouse or even the Holland Museum.
4. Nelis’ Dutch Village
Families will love this Dutch-themed amusement park. Visitors can wander through this recreation of an 1800’s Dutch village, learn how to Klompen dance, take in the beautiful tulip, and also enjoy the outdoor rides,
5. Stroll Downtown Holland
The Downtown Holland area offers three gorgeous nearby parks, in addition plenty of places to shop and dine. Visitors can easily spend the day wandering through the stores.
Connect with Holland
Holland Michigan Visitors Bureau
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest
City of Holland
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram
Holland Mi Tulip Festival
Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
More Day Trip Ideas
Indian Creek Zoo
Indian Creek Zoo in Lambertville offers visitors the chance to meet a wide variety of animals. Meet a giraffe, feed a sloth or lemur.
Midland Canopy Walk at Whiting Forest
The Whiting Forest is home to the country’s longest canopy walk. The ADA Accessible (and stroller friendly) pathway stretches over 1,400 linear feet and reaches a height of forty feet. Also hosts a playground, cafe, creek & trails, and 54 acres of forest.
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms in Ann Arbor
The Petting Farm at Domino’s Farms in Ann Arbor is home to a wide variety of farm animals you can pet or feed. You can also enjoy a tractor ride.
Meet Amber, a busy work-at-home mom to four fantastic kids: Damian (29), Rosaleigh (15), Carlyn (12), and Naomi (9)! 🌟 When she’s not running Metro Detroit Mommy, she loves to dive into creative projects like drawing, photography, and crafting, or unwind with some gardening, reading, and meditation. 🌿🎨📸
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