Christmas at Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
This past weekend, our family spent a wonderful 2-3 hours at Meijer Gardens. I absolutely love Christmas, and everywhere we went there was another Christmas surprise. Best of all? It was our kids’ idea to go! If you’re looking for a family-friendly outing full of holiday magic, this place is a must-visit. Here’s a full recap of our experience with tips to make your visit just as magical!
Practical Tips Before You Go
Railway Garden Display at Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Duration: 2-3 hours was perfect for us, though you could easily spend more time exploring.
Layers: It was cold outside, so we wore plenty of layers. Instead of using the coat check (located at the opposite end of the building from the outdoor paths), we brought a backpack to store our extra gear while inside.
Stroller-Friendly: The gardens are extremely stroller-friendly, making it easy to navigate with little ones.
Nursing Mothers: There are nursing rooms available if needed.
Bathrooms: There are bathrooms all over the place, so you never have to walk far—always a win with kids!
Food: There’s a small café on-site where you can grab food and drinks. We typically bring our own snacks and lunches, but be mindful of the signs as they ask you to refrain from eating or drinking in specific indoor areas.
Christmas Highlights
Christmas and Holiday Traditions
Christmas tree representing the Slovak Republic
Every year, Frederick Meijer Gardens showcases Christmas trees representing various countries and their unique holiday traditions. My oldest loved stopping at each tree to admire the beautiful ornaments. We even saw another family playing a fun game where they tried to guess the country based on the decorations (like maple leaves on the Canadian tree!).
The trees are spread throughout the interior, making it feel like a festive scavenger hunt. The variety and detail this year were spectacular!
Christmas Carolers
While we were looking at the various Christmas trees, I was very excited to find Christmas carolers! My daughter was captivated by the beautiful songs, and we stopped to listen multiple times. It was such a heartwarming time during our visit.
The Railway Garden
While my daughter loved the trees, my son was all about the Railway Garden. He followed the trains on their loops for a solid 20 minutes and would have stayed even longer if we let him! The setup included miniature replicas of Grand Rapids and West Michigan landmarks, including some of our favorites, Big Red Lighthouse in Holland, MI, and Jersey Junction in East Grand Rapids, which made it extra special for us.
Exploring the Outdoor Gardens
After enjoying the indoor festivities, we headed outside. The recent snowfall made everything more serene, but the paths were easy to walk with just our regular tennis shoes.
Japanese Garden at Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
Highlights of the Outdoor Experience:
Reindeer Petting: The kids loved visiting the farm area to see and pet the reindeer, which came just for the afternoon.
Japanese Garden: We took the scenic route back through the Japanese Garden, where the kids ran up the viewing hill to take in the snowy views.
Winter Walks: The peaceful paths and snow-covered scenery created a beautiful winter adventure.
Bonus Fun: The Kids’ Room!
We also spent 15-20 minutes in the Kids’ Room in the basement. My son loved it and could have stayed even longer if we hadn’t run out of time! It’s a perfect spot to let little ones play and run free indoors.
A Membership Makes a Great Gift!
Tropical Conservatory at Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
If you’re still looking for a last-minute Christmas gift, a Meijer Gardens membership is a fantastic idea! We received one as a gift and absolutely love it. Here’s why:
Seasonal Variety: From the butterfly exhibit in spring to endless outdoor fun in the summer, there’s always something new to see.
Children’s Garden: The kids can spend hours playing in the Children’s Garden during warmer months.
Walking Paths: There are so many paths and exhibits that it’s impossible to do everything in one visit. Each trip feels familiar and new!
Final Thoughts
Our visit to Meijer Gardens was filled with lots of smiles, excitement, beauty, and happy memories. If you’re in West Michigan, I highly recommend checking out the Frederick Meijer Gardens Christmas and Holiday experience!
Happy Adventuring!
