Off the beaten track between Detroit, MI and Chicago, IL on the outskirts of  Grand Rapids, MI one can find the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture  Park.  It is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary year. 

Spider

Activities  began in January with the landmark exhibition, "Henry Moore: Imaginary  Landscapes".  This exclusive exhibition was six years in the making.  Moore  is renowned for his commitment to exploring the duality of man and nature in  his sculpture.  The exhibition featured 85 works including monumental  bronzes, pedestal sculptures, models, maquettes, drawings and related  prints, some of which have never been shown in the United States. Organized  by the Henry Moore Foundation in England, Frederik Meijer Gardens &  Sculpture Park is the only venue for this extraordinary exhibition. It was  thrilling to have the opportunity to view so many of Henry Moore's works in  one location.  The exhibit closes on May 8, 2005.

Tree On Stilts

Although the Moore exhibition was the impetus for a long drive from Chicago,  there were so many unusual and exciting attractions at the Frederik Meijer  Garden one could easily justify a trip there without the Henry Moore  exhibit.  The 125-acre garden and sculpture park features Michigan's largest  tropical conservatory; the nation's largest carnivorous plant house; one of  the largest children's gardens in the country; arid and Victorian gardens;  outdoor gardens; the Midwest's most comprehensive outdoor scultlpture  experience featuring world-class works by Rodin. Oldenburg, Moore, and  others; indoor galleries with changing sculpture exhibitions, as well as a  cafe and gift shop.  There are elements of a garden, a museum, an art  gallery and everywhere inside and out, there is sculpture large and small.

Horse

The half-mile walk around and through the monumental sculpture park is a  powerful experience that heightens one's sense of size, shape, and color.   Some of the pieces are large enough to be small houses!

Carnivorous Plants

Summer experiences in the park will include a sculpture exhibition by German  sculpture Dietrich Klinge.  There will be concerts in the Amphitheater and  ongoing tram tours.

Tropical Conservatory

To really enjoy being "off the beaten path", allow time to explore the towns of Saugatuck, Holland and other resort areas a short drive from Grand Rapids.  One can return home stimulated and rested after spending a couple of days in these areas.