What to expect on a family visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan
One of the bonuses of our visit to Holland, Michigan’s Tulip Time, was that we had time on the way home to stop at Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids! I heard many great things about the garden, and they all proved to be true. What struck me was that this was more than just a garden, it was a destination! While our family spent only 2.5 hours in the gardens, we could have stayed much longer!
A little about the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
With over 158-acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows, plus an indoor conservatory with seasonal displays, visitors to this Grand Rapids garden are sure to find something that pleases the eye!
For art-minded visitors, the Sculpture Park is home to nearly 200 sculptures! Unfortunately, the Sculpture Park is a large area, and the children were wearing down, so we didn’t get to see many! For others that may not be up for walking, there is a narrated Tram Tour available from March- December.
Culture-lovers can find their zen in the 8-acre Richard and Helen DeVos Japanese Garden. The last week of April would probably be the best time to see the Cherry Blossoms – the blooms we saw were mostly on the ground.
Lena Meijer Children’s Garden
Families visiting the garden can spend hours within the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden. We practically had to drag my children out of this area! With a Butterfly Maze, Treehouse Village, Rock Quarry and Sensory Garden, kids of all ages can find something that suits them!
What impressed me most about this area was the staff that poured into our children throughout the visit. I was looking at the map for only a second before a staff member greeted me and explained all areas of the children’s garden! And even though our visit was on a weekday in early May, volunteers were ready to teach the kids about native birds and allowed them to have a “Bird Egg Hunt.”
If you’re visiting during the summer months, there is a splash table in the shape of the Great Lakes! Make sure to dress appropriately or bring a change of clothes.
Frederik Meijer Hours, Admission & More
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is open 7 days a week. Hours vary by the day so check the website for times.
Adult Admission is currently $14.50/per person. Children’s prices vary, but ours all fell into the $7 price point. I found this to be a reasonable price for as enjoyable of a time that we all had! I’ve definitely paid more for museums that no one liked. Lol.
While outdoor snacking is encouraged, visitors are discouraged from taking in a full meal. I find this policy a little confusing (especially for a mom who is always ready to picnic), but I’d stick with bringing in snacks that get your little one (or yourself!) through the morning or afternoon and plan on eating lunch before or after your visit. No one is permitted to bring in their own food to the Balk Cafe.
We didn’t bring our umbrella stroller to the garden, but the Frederik Meijer Garden is accessible! I would recommend bringing a stroller for those 4 and under!
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Have you visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens? What was your favorite part?
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Our family loves visiting Meijer Gardens! It looks like you hit all our favorite spots during your visit, too! We especially love the Japanese Garden, the horse sculpture, and of course, the children’s garden.
It is so beautiful! We really loved it! I wish we lived closer and could go more often.