Tulips are a beautiful symbol of spring. In Washington, tulips typically bloom right after the cherry blossoms have come and gone, but they were a little late this year, probably because we’ve had such a cold spring. Over the past 2 weeks though, their vibrant colours have been on full display across the city.
And just outside of the District, a quick 45 minutes drive away, a farm in Haymarket, Virginia, plays host to one of largest pick-your-own tulips festival in the United States. Nicknamed “Holland in Haymarket,” the festival typically runs late April to mid-May, depending on when the flowers actually bloom. Visitors pay an entrance fee of $3.00, and then there’s a cost per stem for each flower that you pick, depending on the variety of tulips that you select.
With tulips of every shape and colour as far as the eyes can see, it’s easy to feel like you’re in Holland for a little while, but just to make sure, Burnside Farms also adds over 200 wooden pairs of authentic Dutch clogs (including a giant pair!) for perfect photo-opps.
All that’s missing really is a miniature (or not-so miniature) windmill or something. And maybe some gouda. You can pick up a basket from a variety that the farm offers, and there’s usually some food vendors too if you want to make a half-day of it (I’m pretty sure you can bring your own picnic as well). For children, Burnside Farms also has a little farm set up, with a turkey, some goats, chicken and little adorable baby chicks on hand… and for grown-ups there are two wineries within a 10 minutes drive 😉
Virginia is for wine and tulips lovers too, apparently!
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