A Family Guide to Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan: Blooms, Bites and Beautiful Memories
Kid-Friendly Guide to Exploring Holland, Michigan during the Tulip Time Festival
If you're looking for the perfect spring family getaway, Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan checks all the boxes: flowers, parades, plenty of playgrounds, Dutch heritage, great food, and activities to keep the kids smiling (and tired out by bedtime!). We recently visited with our family, and I’m already dreaming of going back next year. Hands down, Holland is one of our families Lake Michigan towns to visit in the spring and summer. Luckily we live nearby and have the ins and outs to navigating Tulip Time. Here's everything you need to know to plan a fun, stress-free trip with your crew.
Windmill Island Gardens
First Things First: What is Tulip Time?
Every May, the small lakeside town of Holland, Michigan transforms into a sea of vibrant tulips—over 6 million of them! Tulip Time celebrates Dutch heritage with traditional dancing, parades, costumes, and lots of family-friendly activities. It’s colorful, festive, and just the right mix of educational and entertaining for all ages.
When is the the Tulip Time 2025 festival? May 3- 11, 2025.
What are the admission fees?
Admission to the festival is $15 for adults and $7 for children aged 3–15. Children under 2 are free. Note that reciprocal admissions are not valid during this period.
Kid-Approved Activities at Tulip Time
1. Windmill Island Gardens
This was hands-down our kids’ favorite stop. You can climb up into and tour De Zwaan, the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the U.S., and even see it grinding flour. There's also a vintage carousel, modern playground, Dutch dancing, and gardens full of rows and rows of tulips. Pack a picnic and let the kids run wild in the open space.
2. Kinderplaats (Children’s Place)
This is a designated kids’ area during the festival with crafts, games, inflatables, and kid-friendly performances. It’s located downtown and is a great place to take a break if the tulip sightseeing becomes too much for little legs.
Dutch Dancing called Klompendansen
3. Parade Days
Holland hosts a few parades during the festival, and kids love the floats, marching bands, and traditional Dutch costumes. The Volksparade (People’s Parade) includes a ceremonial street scrubbing that’s surprisingly fun to watch!
4. Nelis’ Dutch Village
Open during the festival and year-round, this spot is a must. It’s like stepping into a storybook Dutch village—there’s a petting zoo, wooden shoe carving, Dutch dance performances, and rides including a swing and a Ferris wheel. Very manageable for younger kids. Here is a complete guide to visiting Nelis Dutch Village. Additional fees for entry into Nelis Dutch Village.
5. Window on the Waterfront & Sally Smoly Nature Playscape
With wide open spaces, view of Macatawa River and the DeZwann Windmill in the background, Window on the Waterfront is connected with Sally Smoly Nature Playscape area. Kids will love the rock wall, crisscrossing logs and slides to play on. There are additional opportunities for pictures with tulips available.
Where to Eat with Kids
Deboer Bakkerij – A beloved Dutch bakery with hearty breakfasts, pastries, and kid-approved pancakes. Try the scrumptious Dutch apple pie (don’t forget to take one home!).
New Holland Brewing - Pub on 8th – A great family-friendly place downtown with a big menu, fun atmosphere, and craft root beer for the kids. (Bonus: outdoor seating for good weather days!)
Crazy Horse Steakhouse – Cozy, casual, and reliably good. Great for families that need a solid meal after a long day exploring.
Captain Sundae – No trip is complete without a stop here! Their sundaes are legendary, and they have a mini pirate ship for kids to play on while you wait.
Where to Stay
Whether you want to stay in a hotel, a cute cottage on Lake Michigan or camp, Holland has a wide variety of choices. Just make sure to book early for this popular time of year.
1. CityFlatsHotel Holland – Modern, eco-friendly, and right downtown—perfect walking distance to most events.
2. Holiday Inn Express Holland – A solid choice for families, with a pool, free breakfast, and comfy rooms.
3. Airbnbs & Vacation Rentals – Holland has a bunch of cute cottages and lake homes for rent, ideal if you want more space (and a kitchen!).
4. Holland State Park - Camp at the popular, Holland State Park, a beloved Michigan state park situated next to Lake Michigan’s stunning shoreline. One of our favorite campgrounds in Michigan, here is a full guide to camping at Holland State Park.
Pro tip: Book EARLY. Tulip Time is popular, and places fill up fast.
What to Pack
Layers: Michigan weather can be unpredictable in May—sunny one minute, chilly the next.
Comfy shoes: You’ll be walking a lot, especially through the tulip fields.
Sunscreen & snacks: Always helpful when you're out with kids.
A stroller or wagon: Especially for younger ones—you’ll thank yourself later.
Other Kid-friendly Places to Visit in Holland
Holland is one of those charming towns that you could easily spend a week exploring with your family. Check out this list of the top things to do in Holland with Kids. Here is a few of our personal favorites:
Outdoor Discovery Center: This spot is a goldmine of fun for kids, and adults love that it’s FREE! With hiking trails, nature playscapes, ziplines, and birds of prey exhibit you can spend hours exploring.
Holland State Park With a lighthouse, sandy Lake Michigan beach and a playground this is the a must see spot while visiting Holland. Catch the sunset with the lighthouse as the backdrop.
Tunnel Park Climb a sand dune, run through a tunnel to the beach or play on the playground at this fun Holland park.
FAQ
When is the festival?
The 2025 Tulip Time Festival is scheduled from May 3 to May 11, 2025.
What are the admission fees?
Admission to the festival is $15 for adults and $7 for children aged 3–15. Children under 2 are free. Note that reciprocal admissions are not valid during this period.
Is parking available?
Yes, there is a parking area with approximately 250 spaces. Once it's full, the causeway will be closed to incoming traffic until spots open up. Additional free parking is available in Downtown Holland, including a parking structure on 7th Street between Columbia & College Avenues.
Is there transportation available?
Yes, shuttle buses will be operating on Saturdays and Sundays, transporting visitors from downtown parking areas to the festival site.
Can you go the week before the Tulip Time Festival?
YES, we’ve visited the week before the Tulip Time Festival when my son had a sporting event 5 minutes away. The tulips were at 30-40 % and we bypassed the crowds, enjoyed the playgrounds, the carousel at Windmill Island Gardens. Nelis Village does activities year round so you can still get a lot of the Dutch cultural activities like Dutch Dancing even when it’s not the week of tulip time.
Final Thoughts
Tulip Time is more than just a Michigan flower festival—it’s a outdoor family adventure filled with color, culture, and connection. Whether you’re snapping photos among the colorful tulips, dancing to polka music, or sharing a giant ice cream sundae, it’s a trip that will leave your whole family smiling. Spring is an ideal time to get outside, slow down & stop and smell the flowers. Follow Discovering Anew for more Michigan day trips and camping guides.
Have you been to Tulip Time? Drop your favorite memory or tip in the comments below—we’d love to hear how you made it extra special for your family!
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