Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park opened in April 1995 after 13 years of planning and fundraising by the West Michigan Horticultural Society. Our visit to Grand Rapids will begin with a narrated tram tour to experience the history and natural beauty of the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Next, we'll discover the Helen DeVos Japanese Garden. During our tour, we will see many highlights of the garden and will learn the history and tradition of Japanese gardens and structural elements. We'll meander the eight acres of winding pathways past waterfalls, the Zen-Style Garden, several sculptures by contemporary masters, and authentic traditional structures built by skilled Japanese craftsmen. This tour requires a half-mile of walking over some uneven terrain of crushed stone pathways and will last approximately one hour. Benches are located throughout the garden, and you are welcome to stop and rest rather than complete the entire tour non-stop. Lunch will be located onsite at Balk Café, where you will receive a $20 voucher. Following lunch, you will have some free time to explore on your own, or join our docent on a guided indoor tour that will discuss the indoor spaces of the Fredrik Meijer Gardens, conservatories featuring plants and displays from three different biomes. Before heading back to Saginaw, we'll make a stop at Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery for a sampling of house-made wines and hard ciders. Robinette's has been a popular destination since 1911. This trip package includes the garden tram tour, Japanese Garden tour, indoor sculpture tour, a $20 Balk Café lunch voucher, wine tasting at Robinette's Apple Haus & Winery, and motorcoach transportation.

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