Events

After a comfortable bus ride from Grand Rapids, explore the Flint Institute of Arts with a guided tour through the state’s second-largest art museum and one of the nation’s largest museum art schools. A substantial collection includes art from the United States, Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. The museum holds abundant contemporary craft works, featuring glass and ceramics from the mid-20th century to the present. Included with our tour is an exclusive look inside the glass studio, complete with an exciting glass-blowing demonstration. There’s much to explore in this gem!

Next, enjoy a boxed lunch on the bus as we travel to Frankenmuth, Michigan’s Little Bavaria, known for its German architecture. Enjoy free time exploring charming shops and boutiques, including a massive cheese haus, quilt shops, woolen mills, and handcrafted sweet stores. Stroll across the Holz Brucke Covered Bridge—Michigan’s largest covered wooden bridge—with beautiful Cass River views. Optionally, catch the bus to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, known as the “world’s largest Christmas store,” to start your holiday shopping or cross the street to Grandpa’s Tiny Farm for cider, doughnuts, and pumpkin picking! Whatever you choose, you’ll enjoy the spirit of fall in this cozy town filled with fun things to do.

Afterward, catch a one-hour tour on the Bavarian Belle riverboat, an authentic stern-driven paddlewheel. Take in the fall colors as we glide down the Cass River, learning about the area’s interesting history along the way. Finish the day enjoying family–style dinner at Zehnder’s Restaurant, open since 1856 and famous for its delicious chicken dinners, before returning to Meijer Gardens.

Fee includes bus transportation, museum admission, tours, boxed lunch, dinner and all gratuities. Expect a fair amount of walking and standing.