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I used to think it didn't make sense to get a membership at Meijer Gardens - why would anyone visit there enough to make a membership "worth" it? But, then two years ago my husband and I heard about how spending time in nature was a simple way to benefit our health as we get older, so we decided to try a grandparents and a guest membership (we, our grandchildren 18 and under, and one guest are able to visit as often as we like). I have to say, this is the best "gift" we have ever given to ourselves! We visit Meijer Gardens nearly every Tuesday - they are open until 9 PM on Tuesdays, and each time we visit there is something new and/or different to experience.
We got our membership the end of February and were able to experience the amazing Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibit which happens at Meijer Gardens every March and April. Our entire family enjoyed the opportunity to see so many butterflies in the Tropical Conservatory - it is such a unique and beautiful experience!
The Spring and Summer brought a wonderful opportunity each week to take our grandchildren with us and explore a different area of the Sculpture Park - we especially love the Boardwalk where in the Spring we are able to see Swans and Geese nesting and then swimming around with their little ones, and the large Waterfall where my grands love seeing the Koi swim around, and the Japanese Garden with the beautiful Cherry Blossoms in the spring and the bonsai and waterfalls which are always wonderful to see!
While my grands are too old to play in the Children's Garden, it is still a beautiful area to experience no matter your age, with its boardwalk and sensory garden!
I especially love the Woodland Shade Garden in the Spring as Lenten Roses are one of the first flowers to bloom and these beautiful flowers line the walkway!
And, talk about flowers - the Iris', and Roses, and Mums, and Lilies are so beautiful up at the Farm House throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall!
If these were the only areas which we were able to enjoy at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, it would absolutely be worth the cost of the membership - but there is so much more! The actual sculpture park is filled with incredible sculptures with many nooks and crannies to explore and enjoy - after all, the entire campus covers 158 acres!
When I think about "nooks and crannies" at Meijer Gardens, I always think about their Roof-top Sculpture Garden - I am always amazed how many people I meet at the Gardens who do not know about this wonderful spot! I always give directions and encourage them to check it out - it is so well worth doing so!
Inside the main building along with the Tropical Conservatory - where there are two waterfalls, amazing plants, I especially love the Orchids all year and the Poinsettias at Christmastime, and my grands LOVE seeing the Chinese Painted Quail - there is a Desert area, Carnivorous Plants area, Victorian Garden, and the beautiful English Perennial Garden - with more than seven thousand plants and my favorite water feature - the Rill - and several unique additional sculptures.
All of these things are a lot, but they are still not all there is to enjoy at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - yes, there is still more! Twice a year the inside Sculpture Exhibition changes and provides opportunities to experience and enjoy interesting exhibits - currently David Smith's the Nature of Sculpture fills three rooms and extends onto the Rooftop Sculpture Garden - it is a fantastic exhibition!
Throughout the year there are interesting flower shows - I especially enjoy the Bonsai Show and Dahlia Show! Plus each year we get to enjoy the University of Michigan Health-West: Christmas & Holiday Traditions which honors cultures and holiday traditions from around the world with stunning presentations of winter plantings, the artistry of adorned Christmas trees, intriguing cultural displays, and the beloved Railway Garden. Venture outdoors and discover the beauty of nature with wintertime walks. Indoors and out, their magnificent grounds sparkle with 350,000 lights.
Each Fall Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are awash with color as their Mums & More exhibit fills the grounds and buildings with mums and pumpkins and gourds and so much more! And I haven't even mentioned the Summer Concert Series!
Yesterday when I wrote about ENLIGHTEN I shared many ways art and nature benefit all of us (you will find it at this link), so if you or someone you love live in or near the West Michigan area, I encourage you to seriously consider giving yourself and the ones you love a gift membership to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. There is SO much to experience and enjoy all year long and if you have the membership you will find you want to go and experience and enjoy all the things which make it what it is! So, check out the information on getting and giving memberships to Frederik Meijer Gardens at this link - it makes a gift which gives and gives and gives all year long - as they say, "Meijer Gardens offers joy to guests every season of the year." - they are absolutely correct!
There is so much to see and experience at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, it would take me years to write about each unique thing which combines to make this wonderful place. For now, let me say it is absolutely the best gift my husband and I have given ourselves - and the ones we love!
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