SOLI DEO GLORIA: May 2013

The first time I read about Tulips Festival in Holland, Michigan, was two years ago when my husband and I attended the 'Vacation Expo' in Columbus, Ohio. Since then, I wanted to go to see what it's all about.
My curiosity triggered by three reasons, first, I love tulips, one of the most beautiful flowers on earth. Second , I read that there were so many unique things to see in the Festival, from Dutch Dance to other attractions that lasts for a week. Third, I think it's kind of cool to see 'Holland' in the US. Finally we planned the time to attended it today.
The trip from Delaware, OH to Holland, MI took about 12 hours and some minutes both ways, with 4 stops for restroom and food, which about total to 1 hour. We left home at 4:36 AM and arrived at 9:32 AM. It was early and it was so easy to find the parking spot right in the middle of Downtown Holland. The coolest thing about it, we didn't even have to pay for the parking.
Then the journey began by walking around the town and looking for the Tulips Garden that located in 4 corners of the towns. There are food stands and rides and street vendors like any other festivals. However, we went for one mission and mission only, seeing the tulips and taking pictures, so we basically walked passing thru the vendors, food stands and rides and all of that. Unfortunately, we missed the city tour that started at 8:00 AM and yet was too early for other attractions. The Dutch Dance that I really wanted to see was not on Saturday.
Therefore, I suggest that if you want to see certain attractions, read the schedule and plan ahead of time, since certain attractions only take place on certain days and hours. However, the overall journey is a very pleasant one. The town is set up very nice, clean, and neat. Hope College that located in the central of Holland Downtown itself is breath- taking for its building architecture; we took time to walk around it and took some pictures.
We stop at different stops for the Tulips which are spread in every corner of the town with so many beautiful colors. Our walk takes about 2 hours and it is really worth it.