4. Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Since its grand opening in 1995, Frederik Meijer Gardens http://www.meijergardens.org has grown out of its artistic apprenticeship and blossomed into the cultural, botanical and sculptural Mecca for Michigan residents and the greater Great Lakes region. The 125-acre attraction on Grand Rapids’ Northeast side is a year round experience comprised of wetlands, woodlands, meadows, indoor and outdoor botanical gardens, world-class sculptures and performances by nationally acclaimed musicians. The crown jewel of the indoor gardens is the five-story Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory, the largest facility of its type in the state and is home to tropical plants and flowers from five continents including 30’ high palm trees, coconut trees, bamboo, papyrus and vibrant orchids. The giant greenhouse also features a waterfall, gentle streams and is maintained at a delightful 75 degrees. Next to the conservatory, the Gardens’ indoor horticulture collection also includes a carnivorous plant house and desert and Victorian gardens. In 2000, Meijer Gardens opened three state-of-the-art galleries that have held the works of Picasso, George Segal, Mark di Suvero and Claes Oldenburg. The 35-acre outdoor sculpture park is filled with works by famous and world-renowned artists like Rodin, Henry Moore, Sansovino, Magdalena Abakanowicz and Jacques Lipchitz. Some of the works are colossal, the most famous of which is Leonardo Da Vinci’s American Horse, the 24’ bronze equestrian by sculptor Nina Akamu. Another one of the great assets of Meijer Gardens is its consistent variability. Year after year, season after season, visit after visit, there is always something new. Christmas time brings 300,000 lights twinkling indoors and out as “Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World” showcases the decorations, music and food of more than 40 countries and cultures. New galleries and exhibits are constantly being introduced. Construction and expansion are familiar themes. You will want to periodically visit online to get the scoop on the latest happenings. One constant is assured, you will not be bored at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Meijer Gardens is not just for grown-ups, kids can have endless hours of fun in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. Covering five acres, it’s one of the biggest children’s gardens in the nation with ten-themed areas like the Tree House Village, Butterfly Maze and log cabin. Kids can also play with boats in the kid-sized model of the Great Lakes, jump through fountains, build sand castles and dig for dinosaur bones. Quite literally everywhere you look, you are engaged in a rich cultural experience which stimulates and refreshes your senses, mind, body and soul. Quite obviously this Grand Rapids resident highly recommends Meijer Gardens as part of your West Michigan travel experiences. I just love the Gardens, I think you will too!