Grand Rapids City and Meijer Gardens Sculpture Park Tour
Sunday, July 28, 2013
We will depart from the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel at 10:00 a.m.
A local professional guide will begin our Grand Rapids City Tour upon leaving the hotel. We will first learn the history of Grand Rapids to include an architectural tour of the Heritage Hill District. The historic district is one of Michigan’s largest and finest concentrations of nineteenth and early twentieth century houses which includes nearly every style.
We will conclude our tour at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is comprised of 132 acres of natural wetlands, woodlands, meadows and display gardens. It is a year-round experience with indoor tropical, arid, carnivorous, Victorian and seasonal gardens, with changing sculpture galleries and exhibitions by international artists. The outdoor acreage features an internationally acclaimed Sculpture Park, Children’s Garden, Michigan’s Farm Garden, amphitheater for summer concert events, nature trails and boardwalks.
Lunch will be available, at your expense, in the “Taste of the Gardens” Café. The menu features sandwiches, salads as well as entrees and has a variety of beverages that included coffee, soft drinks, juices and wines that have been locally made.
Be sure to look at the café’s dazzling ceiling sculpture by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly which was named Lena’s Garden in honor of Lena Meijer, the sculpture, comprised of dozens of individual blown-glass pieces, spans the ceiling in a spectrum of colors.
After lunch you will experience a 45 minute narrated tram tour where you will learn how horticulture and sculptures flow throughout the site, uniquely blending both art and nature, setting it apart from other more traditional botanical gardens or art museum experiences.
We will return to the hotel is approximately 4:00 p.m.
This tour can be reserved by visiting here.
