Michigan’s Meijer Gardens Ranked Among Best Winter Garden Visits

If winter in Michigan were a personality, it would be gray, aggressive, and fully committed to ruining your mood by 4:47 PM. That's why this feels personal. Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids has been named one of the top seven botanical gardens in the entire country to visit in the winter. Yes, winter. The season we usually just try to survive.

RELATED: Will La Niña + the Polar Vortex Bring Michigan’s Coldest Winter Yet?

Why Meijer Gardens Stands Out in Winter

According to RT Fence's new study analyzing thousands of TripAdvisor reviews, the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park landed in lucky number seven with more than half of its reviews using words like beautiful, stunning, and breathtaking, which is impressive considering those reviews were written by people who willingly left their homes in Michigan between November and January.

While other states' flags feature palm trees and sunshine, Michigan said, "Hold my cocoa," and showed up with glowing gardens, massive sculptures, and indoor spaces that don't require three layers and a silent prayer.

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What You Can See and Do This Winter

Meijer Gardens' winter and holiday events put the place into a full-on light patch from seasonal sadness, complete with cultural traditions, interactive displays, and enough visual joy to temporarily make you forget your car hasn't been clean since October.

Meijer Gardens vs Typical Winter Weather

The real victory here is that Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park proves winter in Michigan doesn't have to mean hibernation and regrets. Sometimes it means wandering through a world of tropical plants, world-class art, and festive lights while the wind howls outside like it's mad at you personally.

RELATED: Michigan Wind Chill Myths: Why it ISN’T What You Think

So, if you're looking for something to do this winter that isn't doom scrolling, arguing about the weather, congratulations, Michigan has a nationally ranked excuse to leave the house. Here's a look at RT Fence's Top 10 US Botanical Gardens to Visit During the Winter:

1. Fioli
   1. Woodside, California
2. Longwood Gardens
   1. Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
3. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
   1. Boothbay, Maine
4. Bellingrath Gardens and Home
   1. Theodore, Alabama
5. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
   1. Sarasota, Florida
6. Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden
   1. Corral Gables, Florida
7. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
   1. Grand Rapids, Michigan
8. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
   1. Richmond, Virginia
9. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
   1. Fort Bragg, California
10. Chicago Botanic Garden
    1. Glencoe, Illinois