GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, USA - "We paint with flowers." That intriguing sentence can be found in the written promotional material for the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.

It's not an understatement, the horticultural exhibits here, no matter what time of year you visit, are breathtaking. Each turn made in the gardens brings yet another feast for the senses.

As evocative as the flower painting sentence may be, it is but a small part of the wonders that await. After all gardens are only part of the attraction, the other half being sculpture park, a mind blowing 30 acre collection, the most comprehensive in the Midwest, of modern sculpture, including works by Auguste Rodin, Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Andy Goldsworthy, and Mark di Suvero among many other art world luminaries.

Both the gardens and sculpture park would be fabulous attractions in their own right, but combined they create a wondrous interplay that is more than the sum of their significantly substantial parts. The entire 125 acre gardens, both inside and out, are fully handicapped accessible. They are also entirely funded by private donations.

There's so much to see and do here, plan to spend, at bare minimum, a half a day. A whole day would be better. Highlights not to be missed include:

• The five story, 15,000 square foot Lena Meijer Conservatory features rock landscapes, topical plants from around the world including coconut palms, fig trees, banana trees and exotic orchids. The Conservatory also houses the United States' most comprehensive collection of carnivorous plants!
• The outdoor gardens are planted in such a way as to have interesting things to look at in all four seasons. Don't miss the New American Garden and the English Perennial and Bulb Garden.
• You'll find over 170 sculptures throughout the park including monumental sculptures exhibited outdoors throughout all areas of the property, as well as indoors in the conservatory, specialty gardens, and gallery.
• Of all the sculptures not to be missed - and it would be nearly impossible to miss it, is Nina Akamu's "The American Horse." The sculpture is based on designs done by Leonardo da Vinci for a sculpture he never actually got to complete. Inspired by DA Vinci's drawings, Akamu completed her work in 1999. The largest equine sculpture in the world, "The American Horse" stands 24 feet tall and weighs 15 tons. To get the full effect of its magnificence, stand below the sculpture and stare up into its flaring nostrils. To matter what time of year, from spring and summer with flowers in bloom, with the autumn shades on the surrounding hillsides, or covered in winter's snow, The American Horse makes a fabulous photo opportunity and site you will never forget.
• The enchanting Lena Meijer Children's Garden, one of the largest children's gardens in the nation, is really lots of fun for both children and adults. Encompassing almost five acres, the children's garden features magical sculptures and plants, a sensory garden, butterfly maze and woodland birdhouses. Perhaps most interesting of all is the interactive water garden - a series of pools sized to scale to represent the Great Lakes. The flow of the water in the garden is the same the water flows among from the lakes. The graphic representation makes for a fun geography lesson that is not soon forgotten.
• Families will also enjoy the 3 acre Michigan Farm Garden featuring orchards, gardens and figural animal sculptures set within in 1930s era Michigan farm setting complete with a 100-year old barn and a replica of Lena Meijer's childhood farm house.
• The Wege Nature Trail winds through a forested section of the park and fosters educational awareness of the West Michigan ecosystem, including bird watching opportunities, beautiful vistas , and natural prairie areas.
• Visitors can experience a natural West Michigan wetlands area from the Frey Boardwalk.
• The Gwen Frostic Woodland Shade garden commemorates the artistic influence of this well known naturalist artist and features woodland plants like ferns, bleeding hearts, hostas, rhododendrons, and azaleas.
• The Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater is perhaps one of the best venues in the country to see popular live music acts. This outdoor amphitheater, tucked amidst the breathtaking beauty and summer scents of the garden, adds the element of sound to the sensory experience. This is the stuff from which truly magical, lifetime memory making, summer nights are made. Seating just 1800 (and the way it is designed makes it seem even smaller), the amphitheater is a way to experience incredible music in an intimate setting. Artists who have performed at the Amphitheater include the likes of Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Bela, Fleck, Chick Corea, Los Lobos, The Robert Cray Band, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Cowboy Junkies.
• The Peter M. Wege Library offers extensive reference books and periodicals on horticulture and sculpture.

In addition to regular features, the gardens feature revolving traveling exhibits and special events. Check their website for the upcoming schedule.

With so much to see and do at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, you're bound to get hungry. The coffee shop here, headed by Chef Joe Pagano, who came from stints at Windows on the World in New York's World Trade Center and later Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, has come up with some creative sandwiches and light fare for the Taste of the Gardens Café. Of course Joe really gets to show his talents when catering for the many parties and special events regularly held at the gardens.

Practicalities

The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is located at 1000 East Beltline NE in Grand Rapids, MI 49525. Call toll free 1-888-957-1580 or click to www.MeijerGardens.org.

The Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau can help you plan any visits to the area. Call them toll free at 1-877-VISIT-GR or at 616-459-8387 or click to their website www.visitgrandrapids.com.

More on the Grand Rapids Area:

• Great Things To Do, See, and Eat in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Old World Elegance -- The 1913 Room - Michigan's ONLY 5 Diamond Award Winning Restaurant
• Everyday People Café - Anything but Ordinary
• Tasting America's Culinary Future at the Heritage Restaurant & the Culinary Education Program at the Grand Rapids Community College
• Hip & Trendy Grand Rapids Downtown Spots - Bar Divani, Mezze Café and Cabaret, San Chez Tapas Bistro
• Connecting with the Past at Crane's Orchards
• Casual Lunch Spots and a Foodie's Shopping Spree
• Exploring the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Photos (except for DaVinci horse) courtesy Grand Rapids Covention and Visitors Bureau.