Visiting the last 2 weeks of April 2025- yay or nay?

What a nice idea to take this trip with your mother.
As far as your “yay or nay”; The crowds are always there in the last 2 weeks of April regardless of when there is an early or late Easter. It’s because the last 2 weeks of April is the time the tulips are usually in bloom. This short window is a guarantee for crowds. This means that the crowds will also be there next year, and the year after etc etc.

Dutch_traveler-
Yes, very true re: there always being crowds due to the flowers blooming. I guess I am just wondering if it'll be even worse since many Dutch have off not only Easter Monday, but also that last week in April and may also be traveling. Some of the things I've read online are scaring me lol!

The Dutch schools are always out in that time of year, so it really is not different this year. Besides that, the crowds in the tulip region and in Amsterdam are not made up of Dutch school kids and their parents. It’s tourists like you, from all over the world that come to see the tulips.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

Whatever you decide, I've ATTACHED my 2024 Trip Report. Perhaps you will find some helpful info.
I would book lodging asap, as you are a bit late for spring lodging. That may determine if you're going this year or next. I highly recommend these areas, and hope to return soon.
Happy travels!!

We were in the Netherlands this past late April to early May. We came for the tulips! We had amazing warm spring weather and cold weather. We arrived in Delft on King's Day. It was a party, and fun to witness. By the next morning, all evidence was cleaned up. We arrived in Amsterdam shortly after King's Day. I don't think the crowds were unbearable anywhere. Amsterdam is a large city so it will have crowds period. I've actually read that King's Day is a good day to visit Keukenhof, so you may want to research that. I would just suggest no matter what day you go, arrive at the opening; as the crowd grows larger as the day goes on, but we got to enjoy it in beautiful warm sunshine. It was marvelous. Kinderdijk was cold and windy but not unbearable. It's so spread out, it's not overrun.
Make sure you know the exact timing on how to get your tickets online for Anne Frank. If you are really concerned about crowds you might consider staying in charming Haarlem which is basically a surburb of Amsterdam. Take the train into Amsterdam but return to quaint Haarlem for your accommodations.

Enjoy!

As you may already know, you need to get Anne Frank tickets as soon as your dates open up. Search this site for info.

Pat- I actually already read your trip report! Well, more like I skimmed it. But, I have read it now in full and even bookmarked it :) So, thank you!!

So, what do you think? Will the crowds be unbearable? Should we perhaps postpone this trip for 2026 and pick a different location for this year?

Folks definitely talk about the crowds at this time of year related to King's Day & Tulips, but are your dates firm that you have to be traveling during that time? My first thought would be that you just aim for immediately AFTER King's Day. I also feel like picking a different location is potentially just having the same possible crowding in a different location (Spring Break, school breaks, Easter, etc.) all seem to be "things" across the US and Europe in many popular spots.

I think if you plan around King's Day, all the other stuff is manageable. Keukenhof and Anne Frank House will require advance tickets to make sure you get to do those, and the other stuff - visiting or staying in Delft & Leiden or the windmills & canal tour - shouldn't present any huge logistical challenges.

We visited Keukenhof the 2nd week of May 2023 and it was still lovely. It was nearing the closing date, but they do a great job keeping it maintained as long as possible, and on the up side, far fewer folks were there than "peak". It will depend on the weather, but aiming for after Kings Day would still leave you a chance to see the gardens.

KD & Cala-

I have an alarm set in my calendar for the day and time that Anne Frank tickets go on sale! Sadly the Corrie Ten Boom Museum has no tickets left for any of the days we'll be there.

Tom R- I posted a response right about the time you posted. I went ahead and bought the plane tickets! My spring schedule is crazy with my kids' school schedules, sports schedules and spring break. Even though I am definitely a planner, I'm also pretty spontaneous when it comes to travel. Crowds or not, we will be sure to have a great time!