Let's start with the most popular option: The Keukenhof gardens (one of the largest in the world) are a beautiful option to see the tulips. They showcase what's new in the horticulture world, with cool hybrids and new colours every year. When I visited this spring, they'd even created peach colours that reflected the Pantone colour of the year!

A cheap and fun option is to take a public train that passes through farmers' flower fields. Some great routes are from Alkmaar to Den Helder (a 33 minute trip) that will have gorgeous views on both sides of the train, or Haarlem to Leiden (a 21 minute trip) with the best views around Lisse. Expect to pay about $20-$40 round trip.

This is my favourite recommendation: take a tulip photography workshop! I've taken this one, and the photographer takes you to private farmers' fields to hang out with the blooms, AND gives you tips for taking photos on everything from an iPhone to a professional camera.

You could even wander the streets of Amsterdam, where the city plants tulips in plant boxes across the city. Specifically, walk down the Damrak waterfront, which you'll recognize from most photographs of Amsterdam. 

Bonus: if you happen to be there in January for National Tulip Day, read this guide for your best chance to walk away with an armful of free tulips. Score.