Gardens & Agriculture Itinerary

Located in the middle of one of the world’s finest growing regions, influenced by the horticultural prowess of our Dutch ancestors, Grand Rapids offers plenty of inspiration for visitors with green thumbs – and plenty of natural eye candy for everyone else.

Our Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a must-experience attraction for groups with a gardening interest. Named Michigan’s most beautiful garden by HGTV and America’s #1 sculpture park by USA Today, it’s a perfect blend of art and nature. You’ll encounter 200+ magnificent sculptures from international artists as you explore breathtaking themed gardens, including a Japanese garden, English perennial garden, Michigan farm garden, Victorian garden parlor, tropical conservatory, carnivorous plant house and more.

Visit the Grand Ideas Garden, created by Michigan State University Master Gardeners, for practical inspiration and advice home gardeners can use, and the St. Francis of Assisi Sculpture Garden for contemplative peace and healing. Make the 30-minute drive from Grand Rapids to Holland in spring to see millions of tulips in bloom, in formal gardens and throughout the city’s charming downtown.

Make time to visit the family farms and orchards of the Fruit Ridge, one of the world’s finest growing regions. Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery and Ed Dunneback & Girls farm offer comprehensive agritourism experiences, from u-pick apples, cherries, peaches, strawberries and more to crafted-on-site wines, beers and hard ciders to home-cooked meals and baked goods. Dozens of other destinations feature seasonal farm markets full of fresh-picked produce and fall harvest festivals that celebrate the area’s natural abundance.

You’ll find details on our gardens & agriculture itinerary suggestions below. You can combine them with selections from our art, beer, and/or hands-on activity suggestions for a more rounded Grand Rapids experience – for example, you might want to see how nature inspires our art, how locally farmed ingredients distinguish our beers and how you can put together your own meal using farm-fresh ingredients. There’s so much to see and do here that you might want to book one or more overnights – and when you do, every person on your coach will receive a Grand Gift.

Feel free to reach out to us for additional recommendations – there are many more possibilities beyond what we’ve listed here!

Gardens & Agriculture Extras:

Visit local garden centers, including Countryside Greenhouse, Michigan's largest retail greenhouse. Pick fresh lavender, shop for lavender-infused products, and enjoy lavender-inspired baked goods at Lavender Life Company. Tour beautifully manicured gardens outside magnificent 19th-century homes during June's Heritage Hill Garden Tour. Browse farm markets on The Fruit Ridge, a unique topographical land feature and agricultural mecca.