9. Holland, Michigan: A Slice of The Netherlands
Situated on the breezy shores of Lake Macatawa, Holland, Michigan, offers a pristine slice of the Netherlands right in the American Midwest. The town’s defining event is Tulip Time, a massive spring festival that transforms the local landscape with over six million blooming tulips.
In 2026, the highly anticipated festival runs from May 1 to May 10, featuring traditional Dutch dance performances, parades, and sprawling artisan markets.
You can explore Nelis’ Dutch Village to see authentic wooden shoe carving demonstrations and taste imported Dutch cheeses. To manage the massive influx of spring visitors, the city provides free public parking, though spots fill rapidly.
Arrive before 9:00 AM if you want to secure a convenient space and photograph the colorful flower beds without the dense crowds. For accurate weather forecasting during your visit, always check the National Weather Service, as unpredictable lake-effect conditions can bring sudden temperature drops or unseasonable chills even in early May.
