A bloom-lover’s paradise sits just beyond the shores of Lake Michigan in the western part of the mitten-state. With the millions of tulips that pop up in the beginning of May, two locations, the Windmill Island Gardens and Veldheer’s Gardens, definitely take the cake for the best tulip gardens in Holland, Michigan.
About the Gardens
A beautiful garden oasis on the edge of downtown Holland features over 100,000 tulip blooms in the spring and a decor of perennials in the summer. The goal of the Windmill Island Gardens was to develop a tourist attraction that reflects Holland’s Dutch heritage.
Veldheer is actually the only perennial tulip farm in Holland. The owner started the gardens in 1950 as a hobby, beginning with only 400 tulips at that time. Operating for 94 years now, the Veldheer Gardens boast the planting of over 5 million tulips in 800 different varieties. A tulip bulb store can be found between the factory and the gardens, selling millions of bulbs brought in from around the world.
Features of the Gardens
On the western side of the park is a stunning backdrop to the tulips with America’s only working Dutch windmill. De Zwaan was brought here from the Netherlands in 1964. You can tour the windmill or visit the Molenwinkel shop inside.
With over 100,000 tulips planted in the fields, the Windmill Island Gardens are the perfect place to see those beautiful spring blooms of the tulips.
Visitors can listen to tunes being played from the authentic Amsterdam street organ, ride an antique Dutch carousel featuring hand-carved and painted horses or browse in the gift shop that sells Dutch gifts imported from the Netherlands.
My favorite part of the Windmill Island Gardens was the gift shop area on the east side. This picturesque bricked village put me right back into Europe, especially with the tulips decorated in front.
Veldheer’s Gardens
Veldheer boasts the planting of 6 million tulips in 800 different varieties and it’s such a sight to see.
More than twenty bison call Veldheer’s Farm home, used for breeding purposes and as a way to educate the public about these animals.
Within the on-site store you can find Delftware, the dutch pottery maker, and De Klomp, the wooden shoe factory. There are also traditional Dutch snacks and goodies so I took the opportunity to snag one of my favorites, a stroopwafel.
Visiting During Tulip Time
You can find the Windmill Island Gardens at 1 Lincoln Ave from 9AM to 6 AM during Tulip Time. Food trucks and a couple carnival-style stands are set up to grab some food. Check current entrance prices here.
You can find the Veldheer’s Gardens at 12755 Quincy St. in Holland. If you happen to see any flower to purchase while in the gardens, the number on the tulip label is in your brochure. Take that to the shop afterwards to order your tulips! Entrance to the shop and factories is free but there is a fee to enter the gardens. Check the current prices here.
Read More USA Travel Posts HereTo read more about the Tulip Time Festival in Holland, click here
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