How to Spend a Great Day at Nelis’ Dutch Village
If you’re thinking about things to do in Holland, the first place to go to is Nelis’ Dutch Village.
From toddler to teen (and even adults), everyone will find something to love. You’ll enjoy visiting Nelis’ Dutch Village just about as much as the kids do!
For a full Dutch experience, especially during Tulip Time, watch the dancers, see how wooden shoes are made, learn about Delftware pottery, and listen to the presentations at the schoolhouse, weighhouse and family home.
Everyone who works at Dutch Village dresses in the traditional clothing of the Netherlands – right down to the wooden shoes – and they all wear something different.
For an immersive experience, grab a daily schedule and visit all the demonstrations and lectures including wooden shoe carving, Dutch dancing and cheese making.
If you want a laid-back day, play on the playground and slide, enjoy the rides, and race on the plasma cars and pedal pumper cars.
Read on to learn about our favorite things about Nelis’ Dutch Village!
What to Expect at Nelis’ Dutch Village
Dutch Village is a fun place for everyone, not just families with young kids.
There are so many things to love about Nelis’ Dutch Village, from an immersive Dutch experience to fun on the Ferris wheel and carousel. Almost everything is included with the cost of admission.
12 Things to Love at Nelis’ Dutch Village
My family has visited Dutch Village every summer for years, starting from the time my oldest was one year old.
But it’s not just for young kids! There’s things to do for older kids – even teens – so no one will be bored.
1 – Dutch Dancing May Be Your Favorite
Watching Dutch dancing may end up being your personal favorite thing to do. Some of the dancers wear up to 10 pairs of socks inside their wooden shoes! They also warn you to watch for flying shoes – and I have witnessed more than one sail off the foot of a high-kicking dancer.
The Dutch dancers – usually local high school and college students – typically perform at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM. (Check your schedule for that day’s times.)
Bonus: If you’re watching, you’re invited to learn some easy Dutch folk dances. Do it – it’s fun!
In between dancing, kids can dress up in Dutch costumes and dance in front of the organ with each other.
2 – The Demonstrations Bring the Netherlands to Life
In addition to dancers, there are several Dutch Heritage presentations on the schedule at Nelis’ Dutch Village.
The wooden shoe carving presentation is fascinating. It’s cool to see the process and hear about the history of wooden shoes in the Netherlands.
You can also see demonstrations related to:
· Delftware making
· Frisian Farmhouse & Barn
· The Kolean Museum
· Waaggebouw – where you can be weighed to see if you might be a witch!
· De Oude School – learn a few Dutch words in the one-room schoolhouse
· Cheese-making & discovering Dutch cocoa
Notes:
Demonstration times are noted in the schedule of events and there are signs outside of each building with the next presentation time.
Each presentation is usually about 20 minutes long and runs at least three times during the day.
All presentations and demonstrations are included with your admission. Cookie making and some extra activities may require a purchase.
Nearly all of the demonstrations throughout Dutch Village are indoors.
3 – The Rides are Fantastic Fun
When kids visit Dutch Village, their favorite part will probably be the rides. From the Ferris Wheel to the carousel, they’ll want to run from ride to ride all day.
The Dutch Chair Swing Ride is my daughter’s favorite.
“I love to fly through the air and sometimes they spray you with water!”
4 – Put the Pedal to the Metal
If your need for speed has you wanting to go a little faster than the plasma cars and the petal pumper cars, try out their newest attraction: Tractor Time!
Grown ups and kids alike will enjoy these go karts!
5 – Racing on the Plasma Track is a Low-Tech Blast
A plasma car “race track” is a recent addition to the park.
Kids can choose from about eight different plasma cars to ride around a small track.
6 – It’s Kids-Only at the Petal Pumper Cars
Petal Pumper Cars are a self-propelled train car ride.
The pump cars ride on rails, just like trains. Kids have to be strong enough to pump their own cars.
Most kids can usually take their first ride on the petal pumper cars when they are about three years old.
Note: Parents watch from outside of the fence. Nelis’ Dutch Village staff will give kids a push if they get stuck. (You can also have an older sibling take a car behind your younger kids in case they need to be nudged along the track.)
7 – Pirate Balloon Battles Happen Here
In 2019, Dutch Village added two life-sized pirate ship fronts to their attraction list.
They are facing each other, poised for epic water balloon battles.
This is an older kid and teenager favorite.
How battles work:
· Players receive a pail containing five balloons and then board one of the ships.
· Each ship is equipped with a huge slingshot.
· Players use their slingshots to launch balloons out of the hole in their ship, trying to make a splash landing in the hole of the other ship.
· If the balloons hit the target on top of the other side’s launcher, a depth charge tank in front will get them extra wet
· It takes skill to get the balloons to land precisely enough to drench your opponent, but even if you miss, it’s still seriously fun. No matter what, you will get wet!
8 – Kids Can Slide Out of a Giant Wooden Shoe
The wooden shoe slide is a long-time favorite and an awesome picture opportunity.
Climb up, play in the shoe house, slide down, repeat.
9 – The Petting Zoo is Top-Notch
After a tragic fire in 2022, the barn reopened in 2024 for many seasons to come!
Purchase a feed cone if you’d like to have the animals come right up to you. Kids will be thrilled by how much the animals all love it and come right up to the fence for a nibble.
You can also pet the pigs, goats, and chickens through their enclosures. Kids can go inside some of the pens with an adult.
Admission to the petting farm is included with your ticket.
10 – You Can Make a Stroopwafel Cookie
Every paid child admission comes with a coupon to make a Stroopwafel cookie. If you don’t have a coupon, it’s only $1 to make one.
Kids get to drop a roll of dough onto the waffle iron and hold it closed. After it’s cooked, cut, and separated, kids add syrup to the middle and then enjoy their delicious, warm, sticky treat.
11 – Picnics are Welcome
Another thing you’ll appreciate about Dutch Village is that you can bring in your own food.
Pack a picnic lunch and eat at one of the many tables available. Keep an eye on all the action while you dine at the stone tables near the shoe slide.
As long as the space isn’t rented, you can also eat at one of the dozens of picnic tables underneath the covered pavilion.
12 – You Can Dine on Dutch Food
No packed lunch? No problem! Check out the Hungry Dutchman Cafe, the onsite restaurant.
Kid-friendly meal and snack options, as well as a nice selection for adults, round out the menu.
Enjoy traditional Dutch foods like Metworst (pork sausage) or Kroketten (Fried pork & beef roll).
Adults will also like stopping at the Thirsty Dutchman Pub to sample some of the region’s best beers, wines, and ciders.
Or, opt for the Dutch Village wine, made from Michigan grapes and bottled locally.
Hard to believe, but there are even more fun play spots at Dutch Village to discover.
· Climbing Castle Play Structure
· Dutch Shuffleboard (located in the Children’s Corner)
Dutch Village Downtown
The park is generally open April-September. But if you want to visit in the off season, check out their storefront in Downtown Holland.
Located at 20 E 8th St, their Dutch Village Downtown store offers many Dutch gifts, souvenirs, and food items.
They have also added a tasting experience of over 20 kinds of Dutch cheeses and on-site personalization of wooden shoes.
FAQs – Nelis’ Dutch Village
When is Nelis’ Dutch Village open?
The park officially opens for the season on April 18, 2025.
Closing day is September 28, 2025.
In general, the park is open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM during the week, 10 AM – 6 PM or 7 PM on weekends and during the summer, with longer hours during Tulip Time and on certain weekends or during special events.
How long does it take to go through Nelis’ Dutch Village?
Plan to spend 3 – 4 hours at Dutch village.
Is Dutch Village dog-friendly?
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed inside most parts of Dutch Village (not the food shops or near the petting farm.)
Is Dutch Village just for kids?
Dutch Village has something for all ages, kids and adults included. Visit and learn what life was like in the Netherlands over 150 years ago through demonstrations, dances, hands-on experiences, food, and more.
Online Admission Tickets
Nelis’ Dutch Village
12350 James St, Holland, MI 49424
(616) 396-1475
| Ages 3 and up | $19 |
| 2 & under | Free |
Purchase your tickets in advance online and save $2 per ticket. (Your tickets will be sent to you electronically. There is no need to print them out if you bring a smartphone with the QR code when you visit.)
All presentations, demonstrations, petting farm, and rides are included with your admission.
Memberships are also available.
Spend the Day in Dutch Country
There’s no better place to immerse yourself in Dutch culture than Dutch Village.
Whether this is your first visit or your tenth, there’s always a new discovery to be made at Dutch Village!
Do you have insider tips for visiting? Let us know!
Good morning
Do you have anything for kids with special needs ( Autism) and if so what days.
Great article!!! Dutch Village is so fun.