Windmill Gardens Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan

Tulips are my most favorite flower, so I have been meaning to make the drive up to Holland, Michigan for quite some time to visit their annual Tulip Festival. One thing or another has usually prevented us from going in the past, but this year the stars aligned where Jason and I had one free day open during the week long event and I took full advantage. I wasn't quite sure where we'd get the best tulip views, but after all of the online research, it seemed Windmill Gardens was going to be the hot spot for prime flower viewing.

We were told by several family members and friends that this particular tulip festival wasn't all it's cracked up to be and we should just avoid going all together, but after seeing their television commercials promoting overflowing beds of glorious tulips, I knew I had to see it for myself.

Once we got to the gate and paid our $10 admission, I was eager to go frolic among the tulips. Sadly, there were only 3 small flower beds to wander through and they were more filled with tourists than actual flowers. And, since we had such a long winter, I'd say more than half of the tulips hadn't even bloomed yet, so the beds looked scarce and pitiful. To say I was disappointed would be a complete understatement.

I think we stayed for about 20 minutes before heading for the exit and calling our visit a bust. Don't get me wrong, there were some beautiful blooms to gaze upon, but this visit was not worth the 1.5 hour drive and $10 entrance fee each. I was picturing Instagram worthy flower fields with blooms as far as the eye could see, but you aren't going to get that here. I saw a few girls dressed up who I assume also has Instagram pics in mind but ended up leaving just as disappointed as I did.

Now, the large windmill is pretty cool, and there are a few smaller windmills on the property that make for great photo backdrops, but I wouldn't say they are worth the trip or the entrance fee just for a few snaps.

Holland does plant blooms all around the downtown area, so if you want to enjoy gorgeous tulips, I'd recommend parking and then take a stroll through town to admire the free tulip views in the city.

My advice for those wishing to see the Holland, Michigan tulips at Windmill Gardens would be to skip it altogether and just enjoy the town's blooms, but if you must go, pick an early morning week day to visit. Both weekends are going to be filled to the brim with people all vying for their own photo opps and it's a pain trying to navigate through the crowds, but the workdays should keep the crowds to a minimum. Also, if the winter has been particularly long, expect for the blooms to be stunted in growth during the festival. They probably won't reach their full potential until after the festival has run its course. Additionally, be aware that Windmill Gardens is not a place where you can pick your own tulips from the gardens to buy, but they do have a tent to order bulbs for planting in your own garden at home. I didn't price them, but I imagine that I got a better deal on my bulbs from Costco last year than what one will be paying here.

Does your town host an annual tulip festival?