The first week of May, the City of Holland is transformed into a sea of color as millions of tulips bloom for the annual Tulip Time Festival. The influx of visitors flock to each of the well-known hot spots—Windmill Island Gardens, 8th Street, and Kollen Park—but some of the best parts of the festival happen beyond the busiest sidewalks. 

And honestly, if you want to experience the festival in a more relaxed, flavorful, and memorable way, the secret is simple: step off the main path. While people often say to experience Tulip Time “like a local,” that’s not something we can really say because many locals know the best way to experience the festival is to stay out of the limelight. So instead, we suggest something better: experience Tulip Time our way. 

So, here is your insider’s guide to experiencing Tulip Time through the quieter corners of town, from local favorites to the simple, little things that make the week meaningful, not overwhelming. 

Schedule Your Visit for a Different Time

There is precisely a 21-day window from mid-April to mid-May to see the tulips in bloom. There’s a bit of strategy to this too—the city plants tulip varieties that bloom early, mid, and late within the season with the hopes that the colors will be constant and plentiful for an elongated time. And, a little insider tip, some locals say that the tulips this season are to bloom earlier than Tulip Time is scheduled for (because the weather has been warmer which prompts them to bloom sooner). So, you might just want to come into town the week beforehand. It’s less busy that way, and you can see the tulips at their peak.

Start Your Morning Before the Crowds Do

The next best thing to do: start off your day during the early morning hours. Before 11 am, the streets are quiet, the crowds are thinner, and the vibe is a lot more laid back. It almost feels as if you’ve got the whole place to yourself (that is, if you’re there anytime from 8 to 10 am). After that, the crowds begin to fill in, and you’re forced to navigate the streets by weaving through herds of visitors.

The early morning hours are peak time to experience the downtown area in its true form. It’s peaceful, and if you’re not a local but you want to feel like one, it’s the best time to foster that feeling. The tulips will be fresh with morning dew, the glow of the morning sun will illuminate the streets, and church bells will be heard in the distance. This time of day, the streets will actually have space for you to move around. You can walk into shops at a leisurely pace and even grab a coffee from one of the many shops before lines crawl out the door. 

Like Most People, Make Coffee the First Stop

A huge component of the festival is not just about the flowers; it’s about the atmosphere. It’s what you make of it. The coffee shops here are truly one of the exceptional experiences that add to your visit. So, if you’ve already made your early morning debut, you might want to find yourself in a coffee shop. 

If you’re visiting for a few days, try a different coffee spot each morning. There’s a different aesthetic from Lemonjello's and 205 Coffee Bar to Bowerman’s on 8th and Foxtail. It’s more than just caffeine—it's a chance to pause, people-watch, and sip on a good latte. 

Eat Where the Locals Go

There are nearly endless options of restaurants, and most of the popular spots are downtown along 8th Street. But honestly, some of the best meals can be found right outside the main road. There’s Boatwerks, an upscale dining restaurant that offers seafood, pasta, and burgers right on Lake Macatawa. There’s deBoer’s Bakkerij South, a local favorite for Dutch-inspired breakfasts, fresh pastries, and the esteemed favorite: Windmill latte. You can sit outside at one of the picnic tables or inside where you can smell the freshly roasted coffee beans and breakfast sandwiches. 

These simple experiences are often just a way to immerse yourself in the vibe of the area. It can be as easy as having a coffee in one hand and a pastry in the other and sitting outside on a bench while the people pass by. 

If you’re ever in search of a snack, you can find unique treats like stroopwafels, kettle corn, and fresh pastries as you walk about downtown. Just a short drive away, Captain Sundae offers a wide variety of ice cream, hot dogs, and chocolate-covered bananas. Even Bowerman’s on 8th has fun drink options, blueberry desserts, and other delicacies. Or the most recent addition to the downtown food scene, Playa Bowls, has smoothies, acai bowls, and other treats. 

See the Tulips in Whichever Place You Prefer

Windmill Island Gardens
This is by far the most iconic and popular destination for tulip sightseeing. With over 100,000 tulips planted across 36 acres, this spot features the famous De Zwaan windmill, dikes, canals, and walking paths. It’s the “copy and paste” of what you’d expect to see in the Netherlands. Assuredly the busiest spot to see tulips, parking will be hectic and visitors will be many. But it's worth the trip if you want the full Dutch experience. 

Window on the Waterfront
This spot, nestled right next to downtown, is a beautiful (and free of charge) opportunity to see the tulips. It’s located right on the waterfront where you can see Windmill Island Gardens across the way. The spot is perfect for photos, and the convenience of being close to downtown means it’s only a short walk away from local restaurants, shops, and other attractions. 

Veldheer’s Tulip Gardens
As the only tulip farm, this location features millions of tulips—all planted in nice, neat rows and giving that “endless tulip field” look, very similar to what you’d see in the Netherlands. It’s assuredly one of the most photogenic places in the area. And since its location is further away from town, it might be the spot to go, especially in the morning hours when it first opens. While that doesn’t mean it won’t be busy, as it is one of the most popular spots, it is a strategic move if you hope to visit. ‍

Centennial Park 
If you’re in a time crunch whilst downtown and really want to see a few more tulips, walk into Centennial Park, right across from City Hall. The park is tree covered, so you’ll find a lot more shade here, but it’s also blooming with tulips. There are various tulip beds, all different colors and in a particular design, coupled with the historical displays of the Wizard of Oz placed throughout the park. It’s a great photo spot and offers plenty of room to walk about without having to leave the downtown area. 

Tulip Lanes + Neighborhood Tulip Streets
Some of the prettiest (and somewhat hidden) tulips are planted alongside neighborhood sidewalks, such as the ones on Washington Boulevard. These are definitely less crowded than downtown or the popular gardens, but they do require some walking (or biking) to get to. The historic districts, which sit on 11th and 12th Streets, offer colorful tulips planted next to some of the most unique, beautiful downtown homes. They're worth the walk. 

8th Street and Downtown Holland
Did you know that the tulips that line the streets here often bloom early? And for a very unique reason. The snowmelt system brings warmth to the tulip beds, allowing them to bloom earlier than tulips planted elsewhere. If you’re planning to spend time downtown, then seeing tulips here is easy to do, as they line each side of the street. And, if you happen to walk down the east side of River Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets, then you’ll wanna take a photo with the Ben Franklin statue next to the tulips. 

The Best Tulip Time Is the One Where You Pick the Pace

It’s easy to approach the festival like a race to see the biggest attractions, attend all the parades, make reservations at all the popular restaurants, see every single tulip, and take all the photos. But actually, the most rewarding festival experience comes from picking your pace, and if you prefer, that could mean slowing down. 

So, wake up early, listen to the birds, and see the tulips as you peruse downtown with a coffee cup in hand. Find the hidden shops to uncover Dutch-inspired gifts. Eat where the locals go. Drive over to the beach for a sunset. Order an ice cream cone at Captain Sundae (and even play a round of mini golf). 

Trust me, the tulips will still be there (unless someone illegally digs them up—a hefty fine, by the way). But when you take the time to revel in the little things, the festival becomes a lot more than just a check off the bucket list. 

Here’s a Schedule You Could Follow 

• 8 am, grab a coffee or bagel from one of the many options—Lemonjello's, Foxtail, Bowerman’s on 8th, or Biggby. 
• From there, head west down 8th Street. Walk into any of the shops that catch your eye or just sit on a bench and take in the scene (and perhaps engage in a bit of “people watching” if you’re entertained by that).
• Then, make your way to Centennial Park, and continue through toward the historic district neighborhoods on 11th and 12th Streets where tulips line the sidewalks next to beautiful, charming homes.
• Make your way back toward downtown to find a spot to grab lunch… Hops at 84th East, New Holland Brewing Co., and HopCat are all popular options. 
• Then, travel toward Window on the Waterfront, where rows of tulips stretch out along the water with open walking paths and room to slow down. It’s actually one of the best places to see the flowers since you won’t have to squeeze past crowds on a busy downtown street.
• Then, hop into your car and pull up the Tulip Lanes Map, a guide to see tulips as you drive through the streets (this is a plus because you have the convenience of staying in the car, but sometimes those one-way roads get a bit confusing). 
• If you’ve reached an unruly level of hunger at this point, consider trying a different restaurant than the one you visited earlier in the day. 
• Then, drive over to Holland State Park to watch the sunset over Lake Michigan.
• Shhh, don’t tell you diet coach about this pitstop… End the day at Captain Sundae with a taste of the famous Tommy Turtle Sundae.