A Michigan Day Trip to Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids
A Day Trip to Visit Frederik Meijer Gardens with Kids
One of my all time favorite places to visit is the incredibly scenic Frederik Meijer Garden’s and Sculpture Park. With thousands of butterflies in spring, Japanese's gardens with picturesque bridges and waterfalls, and towering sculptures, there is nonstop sights and experiences to keep you entertained. Kids will adore climbing the tree fort and splashing in the Great Lakes water tables and parents will appreciate the modern facilities. There is something to love in every season and there is a plethora of outdoor activities to entertain the family during your visit.
No trip to Grand Rapids is complete without stopping at the Meijer Garden’s and Sculpture Park. It ideal for all ages and is handicap accessible, plus kids will love all the exhibits. You can reserve your tickets here today.
Located in Grand Rapids, the beautiful gardens and sculpture park is a delight for the senses and highlights the beauty in all four seasons. Boasting 18 indoor and outdoor gardens, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is quite impressive. Although the 158-acre property is huge, don’t be overwhelmed. I’ve visited this gorgeous park dozens of times with my 4 children and can help you navigate the park. Here is everything you need to know before visiting. Let me be your guide to visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and give you all the best tips for a Michigan day trip with kids. Make sure you pin and save for later.
What to Expect When Visiting The Frederik Meijer Gardens
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is only 10 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. Here is some useful information you should know before visiting the park.
Time Allotted to Visit 3-5 hours
Since you can easily spend a half day exploring the park, we either bring a picnic lunch or grab food at the cafe.
Entrance Fee:
$20 per adult
$10 per child (3-13)
Meijer Gardens Hours: Monday thru Saturday, 9am-5pm (Tuesdays close at 9pm) | Sunday, 11am-5pm
Parking: Free onsite parking
Food An onsite café has a variety of food options from specialty sandwiches, salads and gourmet mac-n-cheese, plus kid-friendly menu options. Another option is to bring snacks and a picnic lunch and eat at the outdoor pavilion tables.
Other Features handicap accessible walkways throughout and courtesy wheelchairs are also available)
Tram Tours The narrated tram runs from March - Dec (for an additional fee)
No pets, alcohol, or smoking allowed
Must Do’s While Visiting with Kids
Explore the children’s garden with a handicap accessible tree fort, maze and sensory gardens
Venture into the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and view the butterflies
Hike the path though the Japanese Garden’s and enjoy the beautifully designed ponds, overlooks, waterfall and bridges.
Roll down the hill at the sculpture park by the giant horse sculpture and enjoy the flowers blooming.
Best Time To Visit The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is open year-round, and each season holds delightful features and special exhibits. Each season brings some new wonderous beauty to admire for both adults and children.
SPRING
Spring heralds in brightly colored tulips and exquisite flowering cherry blossoms in the Japanese Gardens. Every year the largest temporary tropical butterfly in the USA is on exhibit running from March - April.
SUMMER
Flowers are at their peak glory in Summer. Experience the Summer concert series which is held in the huge outdoor amphitheater. The Great Lakes water table brings a refreshing water element your children will adore.
FALL
Special programming is offered during the fall months. A stunning Chrysanthemum exhibit is a highlight. On Tuesday enjoy the Kids’ Tram rides that teach all about autumn. Journey through the Sculpture Park, enjoy family-friendly activities and participate in a fall-themed search and find. The experience ends at the Michigan’s Farm Garden for Tuesdays at the Farm.
WINTER
Need a little warmth and holiday spirit in your life? Frederik Meijer Gardens is bursting with Christmas and holiday traditions with folklore from around the world (November - January) Also the place is decorated for Christmas with thousands of sparkling lights transforming the park into a winter wonderland. Enjoy the Railway Garden that will have you reminiscing about your childhood Christmas’. ( Runs Nov 21- Jan 7, 2024)
Featured Areas You Don’t Want To Miss
Children’s Gardens
Frederik Meijer Garden’s is a magical place for children and adults alike! As you venture outside the wonder unfolds as you enter the Lena Meijer children’s garden through a miniature hobbit door. The gardens have been designed to foster learning through imaginative play and discovery. Some of the features of the gardens include:
Suspension bridge in the tree fort at Meijer Gardens
Tree House Village What kid doesn’t love a giant tree fort in the skies where you can traverse across the suspension bridge, sit in a giant birds nest and run and play, plus its handicap accessible.
Sensory Garden Awake all of your senses as you smell, touch, see and listen to the sounds of the gardens.
Great Lakes Water Tables The water structure is a miniature replica of the Great Lakes that children can splash and play with water, boats and toys. ( TIP bring a change of clothes or bathing suits because kids will get wet)
Rock quarry Dig, dig, dig in the sandy area for dino bones.
Maze Find your way through the hedge until you find the bell. Its a low growing maze ideal for little ones. (TIP Watch from up above by the picnic table area. )
Storytelling Garden An outdoor cozy hut is a fun spot to put on puppet shows. (story time runs from June -August.)
Japanese's Gardens
In my opinion, you don’t want to miss the Meijer Japanese's Gardens, which are one of the loveliest places in the entire park. Make sure to make the effort to head to this area which is located at the back.
Japanese Gardens at Frederick Meijer
The design and intricate layout was created by Hoichi Kurisu. Some featured areas include the circular hill that gives a bird’s eye view of the lake, arched bridges, trickling waterfalls, various sculptures, and a Zen rock garden. In Spring the cherry blossoms are simply stunning when in full bloom.
Indoor Exhibits
No matter what the weather, there are also indoor exhibits to enjoy. For example the Inside/Outside Exhibit that makes the outdoors come to life with eight different stations that kids can interact with through life sized photographs of nature and activity cards.
Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory
Be enveloped by warmth as you step inside one of the largest tropical conservatories in the US. Towering tropical palms and exotic flowers create a serene atmosphere, which is kept at 85 degrees. If possible visit in March or April to experience the Butterfly Exhibit, where you will be surrounded by over 7,000 butterflies. Learn hands on as you view all the stages of a butterflies life and metamorphous.
TIP Start in the indoor gardens next to the exhibit where you can spot the monarch eggs on milkweed plants and caterpillars inching along. Then head inside the tropical conservatory to be amazed at the butterflies. It’s a magical experience as Emperor Swallowtails and bright blue Common Morpho’s flutter around you. If you stay really still, you may even have one of these gorgeous creatures land on you! Hear are some additional tips while visiting.
Tips for Visiting the Meijer Garden’s Butterfly Exhibit in the Spring
Wear bright colors to attract butterflies
Wear layers because it gets warm inside the conservatory
Pack snacks and a picnic lunch and access the outdoor tables by the maze or there is a cafeteria inside that offers kid friendly options. at the gardens
Hit the butterfly exhibit in the afternoon for less crowds
Go during the week to avoid the longer lines
Always check your clothing prior to leaving to ensure no butterflies are attached to your body
Don’t skip the indoor gardens where you can spot the monarch’s eggs and caterpillars amongst the leaves.
The Butterfly Exhibit only lasts from March- April.
Sculpture Park
Massive towering sculptures from the 19th century to present day can be found throughout the gardens. The Grand Rapids Arch, Neuron, Mad Mom, Iron Tree and the towering American Horse are just a few of the impressive sculptures on exhibit.
Take the tram for an additional fee to learn all about these art pieces or chose your own self guided tour. There are also scenic wetlands, and nature trails at Frederik Meijer Gardens to explore.
Additional Events & Programming
In addition to ongoing exhibits, the Meijer Gardens offers a variety of camps, classes, and seasonal programming for adults and kids. For offerings check the Meijer Gardens Calendar.
Kids’ Tram: During the summer the Kids’ Tram runs 4 x’ daily on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In the fall the Tram also runs for fall fun activities and specific events.
1930’s Family Farm On Tuesdays visit the family farm and see what life was like back in the 1930’s.
Camps & Story Telling: During summer and spring breaks, Meijer Gardens offers discovery one and two-day camps. They also offer story telling times.
Classes: Monthly educational classes are held including making a mini-Japanese garden, amazing honey bees woodworking, all about owls.
Closing Thoughts
You’re bound to have a memorable time exploring all the beauty you can discover at Frederik Meijer Garden’s and Sculpture Park. With an abundance of outdoor activities and the beauty you may even be inspired to Plant Your Own Cut Flower Garden to attract your own butterflies to your home and enjoy homegrown bouquets.
As you plan your next Michigan day trip make sure to Pin and Save for later to make your job easier, plus share with a friend. If you found this helpful, follow Discovering Anew for more Michigan adventures. We’re constantly producing new content and strive to create honest reviews to help make planning your next trip easier. Check out this Instagram video of our trip to Frederick Meijer Gardens and Butterfly Exhibit.
Interested in starting your own cut flower garden but don’t know how to begin? Here’s the best tips for selecting easy to grow flowers, how to prepare your soil, planting guide, how to harvest flowers and extend the vase life of your bouquets. We’ve got all the best tips for growing a cut flower garden for beginners and kids.