Where to eat, stay and play in Holland, Michigan

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Spring is finally here, which means Holland, Michigan, will soon be in full bloom–literally. Perched on Lake Macatawa’s shore, the city is home to the Tulip Time Festival, a celebration of all things Dutch.The first festival took place in May 1929, after being proposed by Holland High School teacher Lida Rogers, who encouraged the city to make the tulip its official flower, as well as celebrate the stunning blooms and Holland’s Dutch roots with a parade. Decades later, the festival remains one of Michigan’s biggest celebrations, with an abundance of events and activities. This year’s Tulip Time is May 2–11 and features hallmark events including two separate parades in downtown Holland. The Gentex Kinderparade features more than 7,000 children adorned in Dutch garb marching in tandem with floats. The Quality Car Wash Volksparade continues the lively celebrations with live music, floats, street scrubbers, as well as locals and guests dressed in Dutch attire. Parade days are some of the busiest of the festival, so arrive early for a prime spot. (Tickets for assigned seating are also available for purchase.) For travelers who want a more curated Tulip Time experience, guided tours are the way to go. There are several options, including 75-minute historic walking tours, which focus on the history of Holland; seven-hour VIP bus tours, which come with free access to the festival’s main events; and a two-hour photo walk, perfect for photographers who yearn to go home with an SD card full of tulip portraits. Independent travelers who want to see as many tulips as possible while exploring Holland have a variety of options, as the colorful flowers are planted around town. Veldheers Tulip Farm is a must-visit spot, with more than 4 million tulips. The 40-acre family-owned farm is certainly an Instagram-worthy spot, with the tulips arranged in decorative beds. The farm also features De Klomp, an on-site shop famous for its Delftware (the renowned Dutch pottery), along with wooden shoes, authentic souvenirs, and local delicacies.

Eat

Holland isn’t lacking when it comes to dining options. For those looking to start their day with coffee, 205 Coffee Bar is a solid option. Drinks include Vietnamese, white chocolate raspberry, and Nutella lattes, as well as tea-based drinks for the coffee averse. The coffee bar also serves a variety of baked goods, bagels, and waffles that look nearly too good to eat. Seventy-Six is a popular option among locals and visitors, alike. The high-end modern eatery’s goal is to elevate American cuisine through the use of artisan products and local goods. Open for lunch and dinner, Seventy-Six serves “high-end junk food” including jumbo lump crab Rangoon and Parmesan truffle fries, entrées such as short rib grilled cheese with creamy tomato soup, pork chops with spiced brown butter and smoked bacon hash, and bourbon and apricot glazed Scottish salmon. For foodies with a hankering for classic diner fare, Windmill Restaurant should do the trick. Must-try items include the hashbrown omelet (think classic meat-and-cheese omelet folded inside hashbrowns instead of eggs) and cinnamon rolls.

Stay

Courtyard by Marriott is the perfect option for Marriott loyalists. Located in downtown Holland, it is the perfect home base during Tulip Time. It also has two restaurants on site, The Bistro and Big E’s Sports Grill. If you’d like to wake up on the water, Lake Ranch Resort is a perfect option. The boutique resort is nestled along Lake Macatawa’s shore and is a brief walk from Lake Michigan. Lake Ranch Resort has more than 20 units available to rent, with options ranging from two- to eight-person occupancy. Visitors who want more of a cozy feel can opt for one of Holland’s bed and breakfast options, including Dutch Colonial Inn, Centennial Inn, or Farmhouse Inn.