After 2020's lack of access, the tulip fields were wide open again for 2021 and people we not shy about attending. So what looked different about this year's festival compared to others? Not much.
First off, what an incredible set of gardens and fields that make up Roozengaarde. There's a reason they own the tulip.com name and they live up to the expectation. That being said, Tulip Town is also great. Either one is a win.
Everyone was wearing masks outdoors as required. The gardens are not monitored for congestion so if you're uncomfortable being close to other bodies after a year without 'em, this is going to be weird. Roozengaarde could probably stand to do a better job about this.
I can't confirm this, but it didn't seem like there was a limit to the number of people going in and out of the site. Walk-up tickets were available, and I didn't see or hear of anyone getting turned away. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, but it didn't give off that vibe either.
The fields are still plagued by the same problem of people ignoring the signs literally next to them not to wander into the tulips for your influencer photos - "how am I gonna create a memorable experience if I don't get attention for it online?!" Also, here I am fishing for attention.
I hadn't noticed before, but there was def a flag waver patrolling the border of the fields near these signs literally waving a flag in front of people's cameras. Because some of us are the epitome of selfish Americans, as soon as flag-waver turned to shoo someone else, these turds would simply step back in for another photo op.
We made the trek on a weekday and it was packed. Sure the weather is beautiful, but I'm curious the impact it's had on people in the area who every year remind me online about how terribly tourists behave amongst them.
Snag your advance tickets here. The website says they expect the color to be at it's best until the 25th (dependent on weather). Here are a few more photos from our adventure!
