27009 Tulip Time in Michigan

Day 1

Day 1: Monday, April 26, 2027
Journey to Michigan and Settle into Spring
Your springtime adventure begins as you board the motorcoach and travel east toward Michigan, with convenient departure points in Fort Madison, West Burlington, Mediapolis, Wapello, Muscatine, and Davenport.
As the miles roll by, you can settle in, visit with fellow travelers, enjoy the passing Midwest scenery, and let the excitement build for the days ahead. Rest and refresh stops will be made along the way, including time for lunch on your own. As the group travels into Michigan, clocks move ahead one hour to Eastern Time.
By the end of the day, you will arrive in Grand Rapids and check into the Drury Inn & Suites Grand Rapids. This comfortable hotel provides a welcoming home base for the tour, and guests will enjoy the hotel’s kickback reception after arrival.
It is the perfect way to ease into the trip: unpack, relax, enjoy a casual evening, and get ready for a full day of sightseeing, flowers, history, and Dutch-inspired charm.

Day 2

Day 2: Tuesday, April 27, 2027
Grand Rapids History, Downtown
Holland, and Windmill Island Gardens
After breakfast at the hotel, the day begins with a fascinating guided introduction to Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Step-On Guided Tour
Grand Rapids is a city with deep roots, rich architecture, and stories that stretch from Native American history to the modern day. With a knowledgeable step-on guide leading the way, you will explore the city’s heritage beginning thousands of years ago along the banks of the Grand River.
The tour brings Grand Rapids to life through its neighborhoods, landmarks, and historic buildings. You will learn where the city’s first settler established his fur trading post and see structures tied to the era when Grand Rapids became known as the Furniture Capital of the World.
The city’s connection to President Gerald Ford is also part of the story, with buildings and places where he worked or lived woven into the tour. You will also see the city’s remarkable historic home district, an area filled with approximately 1,300 homes that reflect the personalities, tastes, and dreams of their original owners. The district’s survival is a story in itself, as much of it was once threatened by demolition.
A special architectural highlight includes viewing, from the outside, what is considered one of the most authentic Frank Lloyd Wright homes in existence. For travelers who enjoy history, architecture, and local storytelling, this guided tour offers a rich and memorable start to the day.

Downtown Holland
Next, the tour continues to Downtown Holland, a delightful district that blends historic character with modern lakeshore energy.
Downtown Holland is the kind of place that invites you to slow down and enjoy yourself. Brick-lined streets, attractive storefronts, boutique shops, inviting cafes, locally owned restaurants, and seasonal décor create a cheerful atmosphere. During tulip season, the area feels especially alive, with color and charm around every corner.
You will have time to browse, shop, enjoy lunch on your own, or simply wander and take in the setting. The downtown area is known for its thoughtful design and welcoming feel, including heated sidewalks that help keep streets clear during Michigan winters. In spring, those same streets become a lovely place for visitors to stroll, shop, and savor the city’s Dutch-inspired personality.
Whether you are looking for a unique gift, a coffee stop, a sweet treat, or a few photos among the flowers, Downtown Holland is a highlight of the trip.

Windmill Island Gardens
In the afternoon, visit one of Holland’s most beloved attractions: Windmill Island Gardens.
Each spring, Holland comes alive with millions of tulips and a festive celebration of Dutch culture, floral beauty, and community pride. Windmill Island Gardens is a signature destination during this season, offering beautiful garden displays, Dutch-inspired scenery, and a memorable sense of place.
The gardens are especially magical in spring, when tulips bloom in sweeping beds of color. Reds, yellows, pinks, purples, whites, and oranges create a living patchwork that feels almost too pretty to be real. The setting is cheerful, photogenic, and wonderfully connected to Holland’s heritage.
This is a place to take your time. Stroll the pathways. Pause for photos. Notice the details. Let the color do what spring color always does best: lift your spirits.
For many travelers, Windmill Island Gardens becomes the postcard moment of the tour.

Dinner at Beechwood Grill
After a beautiful afternoon among the tulips, enjoy an included dinner at Beechwood Grill in Holland.
This modern American steakhouse is known for wood-grilled steaks, seafood, chicken, burgers, and a welcoming atmosphere. It is a comfortable and satisfying place to gather with the group, enjoy a delicious meal, and talk about the day’s favorite moments.
After dinner, return to the hotel for the remainder of the evening.

Day 3

Day 3: Wednesday, April 28, 2027
Gardens, Dutch Heritage, Innovation,
and Waterfront Dining
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a day filled with art, nature, Dutch culture, local innovation, and lakeside dining.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Begin the day at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, an internationally recognized destination where art and nature blend beautifully.
Set on a 158-acre campus, this remarkable attraction features bountiful gardens and more than 200 works in its permanent sculpture collection, displayed both indoors and outdoors. It has been recognized by USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice as the top sculpture park in America, making it a true must-see while visiting the Grand Rapids area.
The experience here is peaceful, inspiring, and visually stunning. One moment you may be admiring a carefully designed garden space; the next, you may encounter a large-scale sculpture placed dramatically in the landscape. The combination of natural beauty and artistic expression makes every turn feel fresh and engaging.
This stop appeals to a wide range of travelers. Garden lovers will appreciate the plantings and seasonal displays. Art enthusiasts will enjoy the sculpture collection. Casual visitors will simply enjoy the calm, beauty, and creativity of the surroundings.
It is a graceful and inspiring way to begin the day.

Nelis’ Dutch Village
From there, travel to Nelis’ Dutch Village in Holland for a charming step back in time.
Established in the 1950s, Nelis’ Dutch Village celebrates the sights, sounds, and traditions of the Netherlands. This Dutch-themed attraction is a joyful tribute to Holland’s heritage, offering demonstrations, performances, picturesque settings, and plenty of old-world charm.
You may see traditional Dutch dancing, wooden shoe carving, windmills, gardens, and colorful architecture that make the village feel like a little slice of the Netherlands in the Midwest. It is lighthearted, educational, and fun — the kind of attraction that invites smiles, photos, and a bit of childlike wonder.
Nelis’ Dutch Village is especially fitting during Tulip Time season, when Holland’s Dutch identity is on full display. It gives travelers a deeper appreciation for the traditions behind the celebration and the community pride that keeps those traditions alive.

Holland Energy Park
In the afternoon, visit Holland Energy Park for a behind-the-scenes look at how a modern community powers itself.
This innovative facility combines advanced natural gas and renewable energy technologies to provide efficient and reliable electricity for the city. During the tour, you will learn how Holland Energy Park supports the community while focusing on responsible energy production and forward-thinking infrastructure.
The facility’s sleek design and educational approach make it more than a power plant. It is a window into the future of sustainable community planning. Visitors can explore how technology, environmental responsibility, and practical energy needs come together in one impressive operation.
For travelers who enjoy learning how things work, this stop offers something refreshingly different. It adds a modern and educational twist to a trip otherwise filled with flowers, history, and heritage.

More Time in Downtown Holland
After the Holland Energy Park tour, enjoy additional time in Downtown Holland before dinner.
This extra time is a wonderful opportunity to revisit a shop you noticed earlier, pick up a souvenir, enjoy a coffee or treat, take more photos, or simply soak in the cheerful downtown atmosphere. With its walkable layout, friendly storefronts, and seasonal beauty, Downtown Holland is the kind of place that rewards a second look.

Dinner at Boatwerks Waterfront
Restaurant
The day concludes with an included dinner at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, Holland’s premier waterfront dining destination.
Located on the banks of Lake Macatawa, Boatwerks offers a beautiful setting, delicious New American fare, and inviting lakeside views. The atmosphere is relaxed yet special, making it an ideal final dinner in Holland.
After a day of gardens, Dutch heritage, innovation, and downtown charm, there is something especially satisfying about ending the evening by the water. Enjoy a wonderful meal, a lovely view, and the company of fellow travelers before returning to the hotel for the night.

Day 4

Homeward Bound with Spring
Memories
After breakfast at the hotel, set your luggage out for pick-up and begin the journey home.
Rest and refresh stops will be made along the way, including a lunch break on your own. As the group travels west, clocks move back one hour to Central Time.
As you travel home, you will carry with you the color and spirit of spring in Michigan: bright tulips, Dutch traditions, waterfront views, beautiful gardens, warm meals, historic stories, and the simple pleasure of discovering somewhere lovely with a group of fellow travelers.