- Holland Ridge Farm, Cream Ridge in New Jersey, has 8,000,000 tulips for visitors to view and pick.
- Timed-entry tickets are slated to be available in early April on hollandridgefarms.com, but it depends on when the flowers will bloom.
- The farm will be introducing a brand new attraction this year: a Dutch traditional windmill.
Walking through the rows of blooming tulips On this 300-acre property, it’s like being surrounded by a rainbow of spring colors. As far as the eye can see in every direction are sheets of pink, orange, yellows, reds, and violet, totaling a whopping 8 million tulips of about 100 varieties—and the most amazing part is, they’re all for the taking.
The flowers are most commonly associated with Holland but this scene was actually captured in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Holland Ridge Farm.
The farm hosts its annual Oktoberfest since 2018. U-Pick Tulips Spring SpectacularVisitors from Puerto Rico and beyond come to create their own tulip arrangements for only $1 per stem at weekends or 50 cents on weekdays.
“Be ready to be amazed—and also be ready to pick,” spokesperson Patrick Marini told Travel + Leisure. “We will provide buckets. You don’t have to use anything else for cutting them. All you have to do is twist and tug.”
Rohan Bakshi/Getty Images
The Monmouth County location—located about 90 minutes south of New York City or an hour northeast of Philadelphia—may seem like a surprising spot for such massive tulip fields. They’re an ode, in fact, to the homeland of a Dutch immigrant family, led by Casey Jansen Sr. who was dubbed “the Dutch Walt Disney” for realizing his dream of sharing Holland with the U.S.
Marini stated that when you visit the farm it feels like you are in the Netherlands. “From wooden shoes to stroopwafels and actual Dutch employees wandering around … not only do we plant the most tulips, but we also plant the most varieties.”
This year they are adding more to the Dutch culture by introducing a traditional Dutch windmill called Dutch Dream. It stands nearly 100 feet tall. Visitors can climb into the windmill to better understand its workings. He added that seeing the colors of spring from above will be the “most breathtaking view” in New Jersey. Marini stated that “the name was chosen as it represents our owner’s travel from Holland to America and what he has been able accomplish.”
The public will be able to see the new windmill on April 16th. Dutch Fest, a celebration of culture, food and games will take place at the farm on April 16th.
The farm has a variety of attractions, including a Little Sprouts Feeding Zoo as well as a free hayride shuttle. Gator Utility Vehicle rides can be reserved by those with valid handicap placards. Weekends also offer horse-drawn carriage and pony ride options.
Central Jersey Community Pop-Up Shopping Experiences initiative hosts a farmers’ and makers’ market Asbury Fresh On, weekends from April 17 to April 25The event will feature food trucks, local farmers, artisans and food purveyors. There will also be photo opportunities with spring themes. Dog & Ram Spirits Mannington in New Jersey, is serving up flower-themed cocktails along with mocktails and gourmet sodas.
Holland Ridge Farms hosts a number of other events in addition to the spring festival. U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival In September and October, a holiday lighting event featuring 30,000 illuminated bulbs called U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland From November to January.
The farm is a Garden State must-experience, but for the moment, all the attention is focused on its tulips. Marini explained that planning a festival, and maintaining a farm of this size is a labor of love. It begins in November. “Seeing everyone take photos, pick flowers, and enjoy our happy place is what keeps us going … it brings us so much joy and we truly look forward to it year after year.”
This is an experience you can only fully appreciate if you visit. He said that pictures capture the beauty of the farm, but do not give it justice. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.
