Whether it’s for photo ops or to enjoy the beauty of nature, tulip festivals and places known for their tulips are a great destination this spring! The colors are so beautiful and uplifting, so we rounded up some opportunities to stop and smell the flowers. Tulips usually bloom mid-April through mid-May, so check out the list below and don’t miss tulip season!
We also included information about zinnia fields and a lavender farm that are blooming in July, and sunflower fields to visit in August and September.
If you know of other places, let us know and we will add them too. Just drop me a line at annie@mykidlist.com or comment below.
Flowers on Fargo
A private residence in Geneva has unbelievably large beds of beautiful tulips. You can find it on Fargo Boulevard just west of Route 31. They ask that you stay on the grass. Please do not enter the private property, walk through the flower beds, or pick the flowers. You can tag them on Instagram @FlowersOnFargo.
Sunken Gardens at Phillips Park
Phillips Park in Aurora is known for their English garden with over 10,000 tulips planted each fall. The garden is handicap accessible with a multi-level walkway system.
Cantigny Park
1 S 151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 668-5161
Cantigny Park is a favorite of ours, with so many different areas with gardens, big beds of tulips, and a great playground to stop at too! Admission is free and parking is $5 per car.
The Morton Arboretum
4100 IL-53
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 719-2424
You can’t go wrong at The Morton Arboretum when it comes to flowers. They have miles of winding paths, a children’s garden, and maze garden. You can also get a sneak peek of Human + Nature as the sculptures are being assembled this spring. Admission ranges from $11-$16 and Wednesdays are discount admission days.
Oakbrook Center
The mall in Oak Brook is another great place known for their tulips. Not only does it make shopping more enjoyable, it’s great to walk around and get some exercise among the flowers. Oakbrook Center usually gives away their tulip bulbs after Mother’s Day! We update this article every year.
Downtown Naperville
The flower beds in downtown Naperville are usually filled with tulips! Katie and her kids discovered them while mural hunting last year. They even stopped to take a photo because they enjoyed them so much!
Lilacia Park
This park in Lombard is known for their lilacs, but they also have several beds of tulips! It’s beautiful to walk through and the winding paths are peaceful.
Brookfield Zoo
Did you know that Brookfield Zoo is also an accredited arboretum? Besides visiting the animals, you can also enjoy the many flower fields at the zoo.
Richardson Adventure Farm Tulip Festival
909 English Prairie Rd
Spring Grove, IL 60081
(815) 675-9729
Mid-April through mid-May, Richardson’s tulips will be in bloom. There will be a pick-your-own area, food trucks, beer, wine, free games like giant checkers, and a walking trail along the lake. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons there will also be live music. They are open 11am-7:30pm daily and admission starts at $12 for ages 4 and up.
Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan
42 W. 8th Street
Holland, MI 49423
Tulip Time is May 1-9, 2021. The parades, Dutch Dance performances, and carnival are not happening this year, however Yoga in the Tulips, tours, and the scavenger hunt are still on. The Tulip Time Run and artisan market are going virtual this year. They have some of the most unique tulips in their fields, which are available for purchase.
Looking for more flower fields?
Johnson’s in Hobart, Indiana has u-pick zinnia fields in July, Nettle Creek is a lavender farm in Morris that is also in bloom in July, and you can click here to get a preview of farms that have sunflower fields to visit in August and September!
