With over 300 acres and 8 million planted tulips, Holland Ridge Farms brings a bit of Dutch tradition and style to Cream Ridge, NJ. Tulip season in NJ is fleeting, and blooms appear for only a few weeks in April, so last year, we set out on a mother-daughter spring road trip to pick our tulips and see the different varieties exported from Holland. Yet the trip wasn’t just about tulips—we also saw farm animals, learned about Dutch traditions, and snapped a bunch of gram-worthy and memorable photos since every spot is just begging for a photo op (and lots of props, too). Scroll down for more on what we did there, and keep in mind the season is short (opening day is weather dependent, but early flex tickets will go on sale March 15, 2024). Want more blooms? Check out where to see spring flowers in NJ.
You can take photos with the tulips and pick your own to bring home. Photo taken at Holland Ridge Farms
The story of Holland Ridge Farms
When we got to Holland Ridge, we read about the history of the Jansen family and how they have been in the tulip industry for over 100 years. Great Opa Casey was a bulb grower and seller in Holland, and he passed on his knowledge to his son Casey Sr., who came to America as a teenager and started a tulip-growing business in NJ. Eventually, Casey Sr. found the land that is now Holland Ridge Farms and brought a bit of Holland to New Jersey with the help of the entire Jansen family. Today, this 300-acre farm has tulip blooms in the spring and sunflowers in the fall.
Strike a pose at many colorful locations throughout the farm. Photo Credit: @sfurnbac
Explore a tulip haven
Once you enter the farm, you can walk the fields on foot or hop on the complimentary shuttle that picks up and drops you off at different points around the farm (it’s first-come, first-serve). We started walking through the rows and rows of colorful tulips instead of taking the shuttle. Some tulips bloom early, and others may bloom later, so you will surely see plenty of flowers no matter when you go. There are over 3,000 tulips in 15 varieties, all from trusted bulb farmers in Holland. And you can see tulips in every color of the rainbow, including candy cane tulips and more unique combinations. We loved the dip-dyed-looking two-toned tulips and snapped quite a few photos of all the pretty blooms.
The photo locations around the farm are perfect for a family or solo shot. Photo taken at Holland Ridge Farms
Snap gram-worthy photos at Holland Ridge Farms
At Holland Ridge Farms, you can bring your phone, camera, or even a professional photographer to record memories in the picturesque fields. (The pros need to have a ticket as well). Everywhere you turn, there’s a brilliant and eye-catching backdrop for a photo. My daughter and I took photos running through the tulip beds, a mother-daughter hug against the huge colorful flower wall, snapped her poses with the butterflies, and found an adorable swing to take some selfies. It’s easy to spread out to get your photos, but we did experience a few lines at popular photo stops like the bike and flower wall. We left with a bunch to fill up frames (and give to the grandparents), and they encourage you to post your photos using the hashtag #hollandridgefarms.
Don’t miss the unique food treats throughout the farm. Photo Credit: @sfurnbac
Eat treats from delish food trucks and the Bakery Barn
When it was time for a food break, Holland Ridge Farms had plenty of opportunities to sample delicious treats. With up to 25 food trucks on the weekends and up to 6 during the week, you can try empanadas, Maine lobster, BBQ, Thai food, and even their famous Dutch Poffertjes Stroopies, which look and taste amazing. And don’t miss the delicious Bakery Barn featuring New Country Bakery from Point Pleasant with award-winning cookies, cakes, and tasty treats. Asbury Fresh will also be hosting farmers and makers during the weekends. Once you get your food, sit at a picnic table surrounded by tulips—several are all over the property. Going during the week? You can bring food and non-alcoholic beverages to picnic and admire the fields.
Don’t forget to pick up a flower bucket to collect your fresh tulips. Photo taken at Holland Ridge Farms
Pick a bouquet (or two)
My daughter could not wait to pick the tulips, and this turned out to be our favorite part. There are flower buckets at several locations throughout the farm, and once you have your bucket, get ready to collect some beautiful flowers. When picking a tulip, they recommend reaching down to the bottom of the stem by the soil and then twisting and pulling to snap it off the bulb. We picked some closed tulips and some open ones to enjoy the blooms at various stages when we got home. After you pick your tulips, you hand over your bucket, and at the checkout, they will count and put your tulips in a sleeve. And if you get home and decide you want even more fresh blooms, you can order a surprise box online.
There is a little bit of Holland throughout this New Jersey farm. Photo Credit: @sfurnbac
Shop for Dutch delights at Holland Ridge Farms
Look for hints of Holland while visiting the farms. Did you know that Dutch tulip farmers would wear wooden clogs to pick and plant bulbs? The clogs were durable, cheap, and water-resistant, and now you can see the clogs sprinkled around the farms purely for photo purposes. When you pick your flowers, don’t forget to check out the Dutch souvenirs and Holland Ridge Farm merch.
Don’t miss out on seeing the animals at Holland Ridge Farms. Photo Credit: @sfurnbac
Say hello to the animals and the Dutch Dike
After visiting the Big Buds rescue animals, there is a Little Sprouts feeding zoo filled with adorable mini farm animals to feed. And riding a pony in the flower field is one of those unforgettable experiences you can’t miss (as well as the photo op). Horse and Carriage rides are also available ranging from $5-$10 on weekends.
There are new additions to the farm, along with the classics. Photo taken at Holland Ridge Farms
What to know before you go
Holland Ridge is expected to open in April, and their newly established Flex Tickets are available online starting at 9 AM on March 15, 2024. Flex Tickets are $30 each but allow you to pick any day or time during the season (even sold-out days); no reservation is needed. Once the general tickets go on sale, those tickets require a specific date and entry time to visit the farm, with $17 per person on weekends and $15 per person during the week. New this year, you can change your General Admission tickets to another day and/or arrival time up to 9 AM on the day of your visit for free. The farm is open 7 days a week during the tulip season, and time slots are available up to 5 PM. As you drive through the rural area of Cream Ridge, you will see signs for Holland Ridge Farms and the parking lot, where parking is free. After parking, enter through one of six entrances and grab a brochure as you scan your tickets. Parking and the front entrance close at 5 PM, all purchases must be made by 5:45 PM, and the farm closes at 6 PM. Not driving? There is a $5 shuttle bus from Hamilton Train Station to the farms on Saturdays and Sundays. For the latest updates and ticket sale announcements, sign up to be a VIP.
Once you are there, you can wander the flower fields for as long as you want (use the 3-D map on the website to scope out the areas you want to visit), take photos, and pick as many tulips as you like for just $1 per stem (50 cents per stem on weekdays). Strollers and wagons are welcome, and the Bakery Barn has a changing table in the restroom should you need it. The farm is open, rain or shine, and they only close in extreme weather. And if you are looking for more floral fun, u-pick sunflowers are available at Holland Ridge Farms in the fall.
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