I will be in Amsterdam on May 5th and am wondering if this would be too late to get the full effect of Kerkenhof Gardens. The tour runs till 5/18 but I'm worried the tulips will mostly be gone. Or should I visit a museum? I've never been and will be with a tour company, but I have the afternoon free. Thanks
Posted by
Penticton, B.C., Canada
3 posts
We were at Keukenhof the first week of May '06, we had a wonderful time and have pictures of the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. One of my best memories is our day at Keukenhof.
Posted by
OP
New Britain, USA
12 posts
Thank you so much. I have seen pictures on websites and it looked beautiful and like nothing I've ever seen. I appreciate the information.
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
Dori, it all depends on the weather! We were in Amsterdam last year on May 9th, and were told that the tulips, etc. had already bloomed out! Very disappointing. But it's just a chance you take. Amsterdam is a wonderful city, and there's lots to see and do. The Van Gogh museum is truly a treasure not to be missed! Of course the Anne Frank house is a must-see also.
Enjoy!
Posted by
Indianapolis, Indiana, usa
360 posts
I went end of May yrs ago. Saw lots of beautiful flowers including tulips. If you're going to be in the NL, go there. I went again last yr late April. Can't say which time was the most beautiful. I'm assuming your tour will bring you to the 2 major museums in Amsterdam because you do need to see the Van Gogh museum. Keukenhof will be a nice change. We did do a bit of walking trying to find the place. We came via Haarlem.
Posted by
Powell River, Canada
359 posts
Lived in Holland for three years, went to Keukenhoff several times each year and, quite frankly, is a crap shoot depending on weather each year. That said, never, ever, had a bad visit to the Gardens whether early in the season or late, rain or shine. There's much more to Keuk. than the tulips with numerous indoor displays, flowering shrubs, non-tulip flower beds, incredible landscape ideas/displays, fountains/pools, etc. Check out the package deals at the local VVV (front of Centraal Station, Amsterdam) with train/bus/entrance all included.
Posted by
Clarkston, USA
192 posts
Have never been to the gardens, but am hopeful for our second trip, this spring.
On our must-see list were the VanGogh and Rijksmuseums, the Anne Frank house, and the Dutch Resistance Museum. We liked them all.
Expect a long line at the Anne Frank house that time of day. We went after supper and there were far fewer people.