Nothing says spring like a field of fresh tulips. And there's no better place to take in this colorful springtime scene than in the Netherlands. Or is there? Well, maybe not better, but certainly comparable. And if you live in North America, it's also cheaper, closer to home and more accessible than the European counterpart. I'm talking about Holland, Michigan -- home to over six million tulips, an authentic windmill, a wooden shoe factory, and a week-long festival that celebrates Dutch heritage and culture.
It's Tulip Time in Holland
There's no better time to visit Holland, Michigan than during the annual Tulip Time Festival (tel. 800/822-2770; www.tuliptime.com). Slated to run from May 2-9, 2009, this annual event is a celebration of everything Dutch. The city is awash with color during festival time; with tulips, costumed dancers, parades and craft shows filling the streets. Admission is free to many events, and wheelchair-access is excellent throughout downtown Holland.
The colorful tulips are literally everywhere, and although you don't have to go far to enjoy them, you'll get an excellent overview on a trolley tour. This 75-minute city tour features on-board narration by a costumed guide. Same-day tour tickets can be purchased at the trolley booth on the northeast corner of Centennial Park. Some trolleys are wheelchair-accessible; however it's best to go early in the day for the best availability. It's an excellent sightseeing option for slow walkers and wheelchair-users.
Windmill Island
For more tulips (over 150,000 of them), head over to Windmill Island (tel. 616/355-1030; www.windmillisland.org), located on 7th and Lincoln Streets. This 30-acre park features a miniature Dutch village, interpretive exhibits, a tropical greenhouse, a Dutch carousel, an Amsterdam street organ and of course the windmill. Access is good throughout the park, with level access to all the shops and buildings. Be sure and stop in at the visitor center first and see the orientation film, browse through the exhibits and learn a little bit about the history of the windmill.
The 240-year old De Zwann windmill is America's only authentic Dutch windmill, and a working one, too. It was disassembled and shipped from Zaandam to Holland in 1965. The windmill is located on a small island, just a short walk from the visitors center. Wheelchair-users should take the flat bridge (located on the right) over to the island, as the main draw bridge has several access obstacles.
There is level access to the bottom floor of the windmill, but the upper levels can only be accessed by stairs. Still it's all very interesting and if you can't manage the stairs, a photo album of the upstairs area is available.
Delftware, Wooden Shoes and More Tulips
Another must-see in Holland is the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delftware Factory (tel. 616/399-1803), located just four miles north of downtown. There is level access to the factory and store, where you can see craftsmen carving wooden shoes and chat with the artists as they paint Delftware. They have an excellent selection of Delftware and Dutch gifts available for purchase, and custom orders are always welcome.
The highlight of a spring visit to Holland is a stroll through Veldheer Tulip Gardens (tel. 616/399-1900; www.veldheer.com), located next door to DeKlomp's. The blooms are at their peak from the last week in April until the middle of May.
Access to the garden area is fairly good. The grass covered area is level. and most wheelchair-users won't have any problems rolling around on dry days. And with over five million bulbs in bloom each spring, it's really hard to believe you're in Michigan. In a word, it's simply gorgeous.
Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of 101 Accessible Vacations: Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about travel discounts, deals and freebies, for slow walkers and wheelchair-users at www.bftonthecheap.com.