Nothing exemplifies a Michigan spring quite like the Holland Tulip Festival.

In fact, this popular annual festival has brought a smile to millions for over 90 years and counting.

So if you’re looking to experience tulip utopia here in the states, here’s what you need to know about the Tulip Time Festival.

When I first discovered that Tulip Time existed, I had a ton of questions and a lot of confusion about visiting.

Honestly, it took a lot of online research and contacting people via social media to find the answers to my questions.

Fortunately, now that I’ve experienced the Holland Tulip Festival for myself, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to save you the time and stress of planning.

Let’s start with the basics of what this festival is all about and how it works.

Tulip Time is an annual tulip festival that takes place each May in Holland, Michigan.

The festival serves as a celebration of Dutch heritage and includes over six million tulips and numerous family-friendly activities.

Understanding where to attend the festival was the hardest nut for me to crack initially.

For instance, I originally assumed you could simply drive directly to “Tulip Time,” similar to how you’d drive to the zoo. In other words, you’d simply hop in your car, type “Tulip Time” into your GPS, and start going.

However, this is not the case.

That’s because “Tulip Time” isn’t a single event that you attend, nor is it a festival in the traditional sense.

Unlike a concert that takes place at one specific venue, Tulip Time takes place in numerous locations throughout the city of Holland.

Think of it more like a citywide event in Holland that runs during a set period of time each May.

(I’ll get into much more detail on the best locations to visit in just a moment.)

Tulip Time typically runs from the first Saturday to the second Sunday in May.

In 2021, it ran from Saturday, May 1 – Sunday, May 9.

The next festival will run from Saturday, May 7 – Sunday, May 15, 2022.

To keep up with the status of the tulips, I recommend checking out the Tulip Tracker. This handy resource offers 360 degree videos of the tulips at various locations as well as some live footage.

You can also stay abreast of the latest tulip news and developments by following along with Tulip Time on Instagram.

In addition to admiring the tulips, there are also numerous activities and attractions for families to enjoy during Tulip Time.

These can include everything from parades, to walking tours, to costume exhibits.

When the next festival gets underway, you’ll be able to check out the event offerings here.

So now that you get the gist of what this festival is about, let’s dive into the best locations to see the beautiful tulips!

First off, there are a bunch of places to see tulips throughout the city. You can navigate to each of these locations by using this map.

However, keep in mind that each location operates completely independently and offers a totally different experience.

For instance, some of the places you’ll find are parks where you can stroll freely without admission.

Alternatively, other venues charge an entrance fee and operate according to a specific schedule.

Below are my favorite Tulip Time locations and what to expect at each.

Without a doubt, Windmill Island Gardens is the place to be during the Holland Tulip Festival.

…That said, everyone and their sister knows it (and they’re probably coming, too)!

So if you plan to come here – which I absolutely recommend you do – be prepared for crowds.

(And keep in mind that this is coming from someone who visited on a rainy Monday. Visiting on a sunny Saturday or Sunday is another story altogether.)

My best advice for avoiding the crowds as much as humanly possible is to come right at the 9AM opening on a weekday.

Of all the locations participating in Tulip Time, Windmill Island Gardens is the closest you’ll find to a European-style tulip field.

With the iconic windmill, the Dutch-style buildings, and the colorful rows of tulips, it’s one of the best locations on this list for photos.

That said, you should not come here expecting to find acres of tulips as you would in the Netherlands.

Instead, you’ll come across “plots” of them throughout the gardens consisting of several rows of tulips.

In addition to the rows of tulips, you’ll also find an adorably cheesy Dutch-style village near the front entrance.

Although it feels a bit like a set, it definitely gives off some Bruges vibes, particularly in pictures.

As you leave this area and head toward the windmill, you’ll also find some lovely clusters of tulips around the charming facades.

You can also enjoy some live Dutch-inspired music while strolling the grounds that offers a festive vibe.

Windmill Island Gardens is open seasonally from April – October from 9:30AM – 6PM, with the last admission sold at 5PM.

During Tulip Time, the hours are extended from 9AM to 7PM, with the last admission sold at 6PM.

The parking lot located directly at Windmill Island Gardens can accommodate approximately 250 vehicles. Once the lot is full, the causeway will be closed until spots become available again.

If parking is unavailable and you’re in need of an alternative place to leave your car, you’ll find free parking in Downtown Holland. The venue specifically suggests using the parking structure between Columbia & College Avenue on 7th Street. The walk from this location to the ticket booth is just under one mile.

Adult admission is $10 and child admission (ages 3-15) is $5. Guests are encouraged to pay by credit card.

Head here for group rates and additional visitor information to help you plan your trip.

Windmill Island Gardens is located at 1 Lincoln Avenue in Holland.

Another hotspot during Tulip Time is most definitely Nelis’ Dutch Village.

Unlike the Windmill Island Gardens, this venue is actually a theme park targeted at children.

The park is meant to replicate a Dutch village with a charming row of Dutch-style buildings and an Amsterdam-inspired canal.

As you make your way through the village, you’ll also come across kiddie rides, a petting zoo, an old-fashioned school house, and a wooden shoe factory.

Admittedly, the whole thing feels cheesy, particularly given that it’s right off of a highway and flanked by an outdoor shopping mall at the back.

However, it’s great for the little ones and for a fun afternoon outside.

As far as tulips go, you’ll find them planted at various locations throughout the little village.

However, I wouldn’t come here just for the tulips, but more for the experience in general.

On your way out, you’ll pass through a cute little gift shop. Here, you can pick up a fun souvenir, such as the ever-popular wooden tulips or some Dutch shoes.

The park is open daily from 10AM to 5PM.

Parking is available on site.

Adult admission is $14 and child admission (ages 3-15) is $12. You can save $1 per ticket by purchasing in advance online.

You’ll receive a wristband at the entrance that you’ll need to wear for the duration of your stay. This also grants you re-entry into the park for the day, should you decide to leave and come back.

Head here for additional visitor information, including hours of operation and information about season passes.

Nelis’ Dutch Village is located at 12350 James Street in Holland.

Veldheer Tulip Garden is another popular pay-to-play venue to check out during the Holland Tulip Festival.

It’s unique in that it’s the only tulip farm perennial garden in Holland. The garden dates back to 1950, when it originally started as the hobby farm of Vern Veldheer. From its humble beginnings of 100 red tulips and 300 white ones, it now boasts over 5 million.

Although we didn’t go beyond the front entrance due to lack of time, this is a place I’d return to on a future trip. 

Fortunately, I was able to get a sneak peek of the garden from afar, which I captured with my trusty telephoto lens.

(You can read more about the lenses I use and recommend in my camera gear guide.)

Adult admission to the garden area is $15 and child admission is $8 (ages 3-13). Children under three can enter the garden area for free.

Alternatively, visitors who are exclusively interested in visiting the Wooden Shoe Factory & Delft Factory can do so for free.

On-site parking is plentiful during springtime, and the lot can accommodate up to 500 vehicles. There’s also a 4-acre area for cars located off of the eastern driveway.

Head here for additional visitor information, including hours of operation.

Veldheer Tulip Garden is located at 12755 Quincy Street in Holland.

While the venues I mentioned above charge admission, there are also numerous places to visit during Tulip Time for free.

My favorite free spot on this list is most definitely Centennial Park.

In fact, this is actually one of my favorite spots we visited during the Holland Tulip Festival period.

In addition to showcasing numerous tulip varieties during Tulip Time, the park is also home to a fountain, a gazebo, and tropical plants.

The key is to get here at an unpopular time when there’s not a lot of people! I highly recommend visiting early in the morning on a weekday, if possible.

Free on-street parking can be found all around the perimeter of the street.

However, if you come during a busy time (such as midday on the weekend), you may need to drive around a bit to find a spot.

Centennial Park is located at 250 Central Avenue in Holland.

Another free spot to consider is Kollen Park, located just nearby.

While it’s admittedly lacking in terms of tulip volume, it can be a potential alternative if Centennial Park is too crowded.

However, as far as tulips go, it doesn’t hold a candle to the varieties at Centennial Park.

The draw here is the fact that it’s located right on the water and can serve as a welcome respite from the crowds.

In terms of tulips, you’ll find a couple of planters throughout the park, but nothing to write home about.

Again, come here to escape the crowds and catch a nice waterfront breeze.

 Ample free parking is available directly in the park.

Kollen Park is located at 240 Kollen Drive in Holland.

Another free Tulip Time spot is Window on the Waterfront.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to stop here, but I’ve heard great things about it.

This 30-acre park sits along Macatawa Marsh and boasts over 100,000 tulips. It includes a giant field as well as numerous paths you can wander down to take in the tulips.

For an idea of what you can expect, out these 360 degree videos.

Window on the Waterfront is located along Central Avenue in Holland.

One of the most impressive aspects of Tulip Time is that it’s truly a community effort.

This became especially clear when we discovered all of the tulips planted around the city streets as well!

These “Tulip Lanes” consist of sidewalk tulips that run for six miles in and around the Historic District.

Here are some of the best places to check out these Tulip Lanes:

• Van Raalte Ave between 10th & 28th Streets
• Boulevards of Washington Ave & 12th Street

If you like the impromptu nature of enjoying tulips as you wander the city, I also recommend visiting the Downtown Shopping District.

Located along 8th Street, you can admire the colorful planters and tulip beds as you browse the stores.

There’s no “magic number” of days you should spend at the Holland Tulip Festival, as it really depends on your unique interests.

That said, if you’re traveling from out of town, I’d recommend dedicating at least two days to the festival. This will give you more flexibility at a crowded venue, which will likely take longer to navigate.

It also gives you the luxury of time to travel to an alternative spot (and find parking) if the crowds are unmanageable.

In addition, the festival will be more enjoyable if you’re not rushing through it and cramming multiple locations into a single day.

There are numerous hotels available at various price points throughout Holland.

We stayed at Quality Inn & Suites because it was inexpensive and the location was ideal. However, despite the comfortable bed, it was completely average.

That said, it worked for my husband and I because we didn’t intend to spend time there when we weren’t sleeping. (It was basically just a place to crash after the festival.)

Regardless of where you decide to stay, my number one recommendation is to find a property within close driving distance of the festival. This will make it easier to get to the venues at or around opening without extra hassle.

Here are some alternative hotel options to consider that are each located near the Holland Tulip Festival.

While it was fun to experience the Holland Tulip Festival in person, I personally wasn’t a fan of Holland in general.

I had read so much about the Dutch heritage that I was expecting more of a charming, small-town feel here. However, my husband and I found it to be quite the opposite.

Perhaps we just didn’t have enough time to explore, but even as we were driving around, there wasn’t much to capture my attention.

I also found Holland to be a bit lacking in terms of restaurants.

In fact, if you’re staying overnight, I highly recommend leaving Holland and making the brief drive to Saugatuck for dinner. This charming town is located just 20 minutes away and has more of that small-town vibe I was after.

(Think more local businesses as opposed to commercial franchises and chain restaurants.)

We enjoyed a tasty dinner the at The Butler, so I’m glad we ventured out.

In fact, I wish we had more time to enjoy the many outdoor adventures Saugatuck has to offer, but we’ll save those for a future trip.

Although Holland itself left a lot to be desired, the impressive variety of tulips we saw here made it worth the trip!

I hope this guide will help you plan your visit to the Holland Tulip Festival with ease.

Now I’m curious to know: Have you experienced the Tulip Time Festival for yourself? If so, what was your favorite tulip location?

If you haven’t visited yet, which spot piques your interest the most? Let me know in the comments below!