If you can’t reach Holland’s tulip fields, the tulip fields at Burnside Farms in Virginia are a great alternative. Once a year, for about two weeks, Burnside Farms is transformed into a gorgeous garden filled with thousands of tulips in red, purple, pink, yellow, and white. You’ll even see a few patches of daffodils. It’s a great day trip from DC, so consider taking the short drive to go tulip picking.
Burnside Farm Tickets
Regular entry tickets start at $19 with dawn and dusk tickets at $23. Visitors must buy tickets online, as they are unavailable at the gate. I recommend buying in advance or purchasing an annual pass early in the season. Each ticket comes with the option to pick 5 tulips for free. Visitors can also use a flower basket free of charge, but I recommend bringing your own.
Where is Burnside Farms
Burnside Farms’ tulip fields are less than one hour from Washington, D.C., in a sleepy town called Nokesville, Virginia. You’ll find a few mom-and-pop-style restaurants in the area, but it’s in the middle of farm country with more cows than people. Most of the farms are family-owned and operated, and it’s quite a change from DC.
When Do the Tulips Bloom in Virginia?
Tulips in Virginia usually bloom in the spring, typically from late March to early May. Blooms usually last about 3 weeks but the timing depends on the specific variety and local weather conditions.
What to Wear to the Tulip Fields at Burnside Farms
You’ve probably scrolled through Pinterest to figure out what to wear to the tulip fields. From my experience, it’s all up to you. For Instagram-worthy photos, I recommend lightweight, flowy dresses. But I also saw women in cowboy shorts and jeans. Most tulips are red, pink, yellow, and purple so I recommend wearing colors to compliment that. The field can remain muddy days after the rain so wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. I wore a white dress, and although it got dirty, I loved the contrast.
My Review of the Burnside Farms Tulip Festival
Burnside Farms is definitely worth the trip. The Burnside Farms Tulip Festival is excellent for solo travelers, friend outings, or family trips. If you plan on coming a few times during the season, I recommend buying the Annual Passport from Burnside Farms. It includes unlimited visits, free tulips, and the ability to skip the line. It does get busy, so I recommend going early during the weekday.
Burnside Farms Photos
Burnside Farms is the perfect place for taking photos. Although they don’t have photographers on-site, professional photographers are allowed on-site for an additional charge. The walking path is quite large, allowing much space for photos. Tripods are not officially allowed, but this rule seems to be a bit lax as long as they aren’t inconveniencing others.
Are Drones Allowed at Burnside Farms?
Drones are not allowed at Burnside Farms.
The Festival of Spring
Burnside Farms has two major festivals: the Festival of Spring, which includes tulip-picking, and the Summer of Sunflowers. The Festival of Spring usually lasts three weeks and starts in late March. Many rainy days are in early April, so I recommend going as early as possible.
After picking tulips and taking 1,000 photos, I rested under the shaded pavilion with many seats and picnic tables.
Family-Friendly Things to Do at Burnside Farm
The Festival of Spring has lots of family-friendly activities like tractor rides, outdoor playgrounds, cornhole, basketball, etc. There were also a few food trucks, and the options were quite diverse. I saw taco trucks, soul food vendors, Indian food, and many desserts.
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