HOLLAND, Mich. — Holland's iconic Windmill Island Gardens are extending their 2024 season due to popular demand.
The island welcomed over 130,000 guests for just the fourth time in its history and will remain open on weekends into mid-October. Windmill Island will also play host to some special events this fall and winter.
Windmill Island General Manager Matt Helmus said that the last four years have been the island's busiest of all time, with 2023 holding the all-time title for most visitors.
“We are blown away by the amount of people choosing Holland as a vacation destination, many of whom make the trek to visit us,” said Helmus. “If it weren’t for tulips deciding to only bloom for the first half of Tulip Time, we’d have a new record.”
Programs Coordinator for the island Andrea Bork said that she is excited for the extended season and the island's participation in Holland's annual Fall Fest on Oct. 4 and 5.
"We are participating again, and it's always super fun. Tulip Time hosts their annual artisan market here, and there's lots of really talented crafters and vendors here that are all handpicked to have a wide variety of items to shop from," Bork explained. "Our admission drops to just $5 to get in, and includes all of the normal attractions and the artisan market. And our team is also offering hayrides to add into all the fall funds. So you can hop on the hayride for just $1 for ages three and up, and it'll take you all the way around the island."
The Windmill Island Gardens will be reopening for weekends following the Fall Fest and will remain open through Oct. 20 for the reduced admission fee of $5.
And after the island closes in mid-October, it will reopen once again for weekend in December as part of the Magic at the Mill holiday event. Tickets will go on sale for that event on Nov. 1.