Two Dutch landmarks sit outside Holland's city line

Holland’s downtown, windmill, and Tulip Time parades get most of the attention. Two of the area’s best-known Dutch attractions are north of the city line in Holland Charter Township.

Nelis’ Dutch Village grew from a family tulip farm. In the 1950s, the family opened a bulb-and-souvenir shop on the new US-31. They kept adding buildings and attractions until the site looked like a small Dutch village. More than 30 structures now represent different provinces of the Netherlands. A fourth generation of the Nelis family runs the place.

Nearby, Veldheer Tulip Gardens began with a few hundred bulbs after World War II. It now plants millions. The same grounds include De Klomp. There, visitors can watch wooden shoes being carved and Delftware being painted. Together the two sites make Holland Township part of the Dutch-heritage trip, not merely the road into town.

That city-township line is easy to miss. Both businesses use Holland mailing addresses and sit along the same visitor route. Yet the downtown festival area and these north-side attractions have different local governments. Each attraction also keeps its own calendar. Tulip bloom, demonstrations, and operating days are seasonal, so an address alone does not tell you what will be open.