Welkom to our web site! Our tulips are still in bloom. With the cool and sunny days we are having, our tulips should be colorful throughout the rest of May. Of course when you visit us this spring, you will find that Nelis' Dutch Village is much more than tulips. Come and enjoy "the complete Dutch experience" here Nelis' Dutch Village.

Nelis' Dutch Village Theme Park is open every day through mid-October. This is a very special year for us. Fifty years ago, the Nelis family began the adventure that has become our well known theme park of today. In 2008, we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our theme park. We has provided an entertaining destination for visitors not only from Michigan and nearby mid-west states but for visitors from many foreign lands.

In addition to our theme park, our specialty shops are bursting with "all things Dutch" and are open seven days a week. It is worth the trip just to see our hand-painted Dutch delft collection. Our friendly staff will show you the kind of service that will remind you of days gone by.

We look forward to seeing you in 2008. A general description of our theme park is shown below:

Our theme park recreates a village from the Netherlands over 200 years ago, complete with authentic Dutch architecture, flowering gardens, canals and windmills. The history and culture of the Dutch come to life as our associates, dressed in native costumes including wooden shoes, demonstrate the crafts and life in those olden days.

Songs from our towering 25-bell carillon greet arriving visitors. While strolling through the park, relive days gone by when Amsterdam street organs bellowed your favorite waltzes and marches for family entertainment, and watch the klompen dancers kick up their heels to Dutch folk music. Learn how a Dutch family lived and farmed in the Frisian farmhouse and barn. Explore our wooden shoe factory where shoes are carved by hand and with antique automated machinery.

Everyone is encouraged to try on a pair of the Klompen (wooden shoes). Children will enjoy feeding the farm animals, sliding down the giant wooden shoe slide, and riding the Zweefmolen (a Dutch swing ride) and the restored antique carousel. Adults can step onto our Heksenwaag (a 200-year-old witches' scale) to find out who is guilty of witchcraft, hand crank an Amsterdam street organ, and sample Dutch specialty foods. Educational movies enjoyed by both adults and children are shown throughout the day. Our Klederdracht (costume) Museum features authentic costumes in typical settings, a diorama depicting a Dutch country scene, and a doll exhibit with 150 provincial costumes.

Each year we add new and popular family fun activities. In 2008, for the first time, we are showcasing Old Dutch Cheese making. Added in 2007 were Street Scrubbing, Cheese Tasting, and Choosing Delftware (for your collection). In 2006, the Petting Zoo, Dutch Dancing Lessons, and Walking Our Goat were added. There is convenient free parking for busses, motor homes or any vehicle. See our daily schedule of open hours. Want to know more about Dutch Village?
Read how our Dutch hospitality "made my day" for a travel writer visitor.

For more information on the Holland area and lodging properties, please visit www.holland.org.