Events

Join us for a relaxing day in Ann Arbor viewing exquisite plant specimens, beautiful gardens and amazing art! Start the day at the Matthaei Botanical Garden, with free time to explore the grounds—including the conservatory, built in 1964 and believed to be the largest free-span conservatory of its structural style. Take time to stroll through the gardens like The Great Lakes Gardens, featuring endemic plants found only in Michigan such as native orchids and woodland wildflowers, inviting up-close views of plants you might never encounter in the wild. As a bonus, take advantage of the opportunity to witness a special 10-year anniversary bonsai event showcasing world-class trees.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before the fun continues as we head over to the Nichols Arboretum for self-guided exploration discovering landscaping begun by O. C. Simmons in 1907, including native and exotic trees and shrubs crafted into a beautiful scenery. This picturesque landscape showcases its natural origins with complex glacial topography featuring vast panoramas, broad valleys, and intimate dales and glens.

Our last stop before dinner is the University of Michigan Museum of Art—one of the largest university art museums in the United States—for a guided tour of the collection and time to explore inspiring works by talented artists Alexander Calder, Jaume Plensa, Mark di Suvero, and others. End the day at Bourbons for a delicious Southern-inspired plated dinner before returning to Meijer Gardens. Fee includes bus transportation, admission, snack, tours, boxed lunch, dinner and all gratuities.

Dress for the weather and expect a fair amount of walking and standing.