A World of Springtime Fun and Beauty abound throughout Michigan’s West Coast

The Tulip Time Festival in Holland Celebrates Dutch Heritage

Revel in the season with springtime splendor and happenings from near and far all throughout Michigan’s West Coast.
Escape to a tropical rainforest as Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosts Foremost’s Butterflies Are Blooming, the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the United States, March 1st through April 30th. More than 6000 butterflies from more than fifty species of South American, Central American and Asian origin fly free in the 15,000-square-foot Lena Meijer Conservatory.
Experience the excitement of Disney, a spring break favorite, at the Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids where the hottest phenomenon is now on ice.  Disney's “High School Musical: The Ice Tour”, March 22nd through 23rd,  is the one and only live fusion of songs, dance and team-spirited fun inspired by the smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical”. 
Explore a multitude of exciting worldwide destinations all under one roof as the Public Museum presents National Geographic Maps, Tools for Adventure, February 2nd through May 11.  This intriguing exhibition invites explorers of all ages to search for sunken treasure, trek through the Congo, discover hidden shafts of pyramids and navigate a Mars rover..
Enjoy a Dutch treat as Holland hosts the 2008 Tulip Time Festival, May 3rd through 10th.  This unique festival features millions of brilliant blooming tulips along with parades, Klompen dancing, celebrity headliners and fireworks.

Events Mentioned

Click the title for complete details.

• Foremost's Butterflies Are Blooming

  March 1st through April 30th, 2008

  Time: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Tuesday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sunday Noon to 5:00 PM

  Location: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (map)
  

  Admission: Adults $12.00, Students & Seniors $9.00, Children, $4.00 to $6.00

  Meijer Gardens and Foremost Insurance Group present the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the United States. More than 6000 butterflies from more than fifty species of South American, Central American and Asian origin, in addition to some community favorites fly free in the Lena Meijer Conservatory. Special activities for families will be offered every Tuesday evening in conjunction with the exhibit.

  Tickets: Purchase at the door.

  For more information call 616-957-1580 or visit www.meijergardens.org or email rjensen@meijergardens.org.

• Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour

  March 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2008

  Time: 3/21 at 7:00 PM, 3/22 at 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM, 3/23 at 1:00 PM

  Location: Van Andel Arena (map)
  

  Admission: $55.00 (Front Row), $45.00 (Floor), $35.00 (VIP), $23.00, $17.00 & $12.00

  The hottest phenomenon is now on ice! Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour is the one and only live fusion of songs, dance and team-spirited fun inspired by the smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie 'High School Musical' and the much anticipated 'High School Musical 2'. Get'cha head in the game and celebrate the sounds, the songs, the bop and the pop in this all-new ice show starring a cast of world-class skaters. With the ice as a dance floor,this event will be sure to become a fan favorite

  Website: www.vanandelarena.com/schedule.asp

  Tickets: TicketMaster

  For more information call (616) 456-3333 or visit www.ticketmaster.com or email Groups of 20 or more: groupsales@smggr.com.

• National Geographic MAPS: Tools for Adventure

  February 2nd through May 11th, 2008

  Time: Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

  Location: Grand Rapids Public Museum (map)
  

  Admission: General Admission:Adult $8, Senior (62+) $7, Child (3-17) $3, Child 2 & under free. Special Exhibitions may require an additional admission fee.

  Come explore this exciting opportunity to immerse your family in the thrilling world of maps! Search the ocean floor for treasure, navigate a robot through a pyramid, create your own maps and learn about past and present explorers.

  Website: www.grmuseum.org

  For more information call (616) 456-3977 or visit www.grmuseum.org or email info@grmuseum.org.

• 79th Annual Tulip Time Festival

  May 3rd through the 10th, 2008

  Time: Visit website for schedule of events

  Location: Holland (map)

  

  Holland, located 30 minutes west of Grand Rapids, celebrates its Dutch heritage and the blooming of millions of tulips with parades, street scrubbing, costumed Klompen Dancers, musical shows and eight miles of tulip lanes.

  For more information call (800) 822-2770 or visit www.tuliptime.com.

Hotel Packages

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Country Inn & Suites East

Country Inn & Suites East
3251 Deposit Drive NE (I-96 @ East Beltline) Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (map)
Phone: (616) 942-7000 or toll-free (800) 456-4000
Fax: (616) 942-7855
Email: cx_grmi@countryinns.com

*$119 per night *Guest room accommodations in a Standard room (complimentary upgrade to a One Bedroom Suite if available) *2 tickets to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park (Value $24), *Complimentary Deluxe Hot Continental Breakfast Buffet, *Free Wireless Internet, *Free use of the beautiful indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, and game room

Crowne Plaza

Crowne Plaza
5700 28th St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 (map)
Phone: (616) 957-1770 or toll-free (800) 2CROWNE
Fax: (616) 957-0629
Email: grandrapidscrowneplaza@sunstonehotels.com

Discover the beauty and splendor of Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park. Your package includes (2) adult tickets, (2) breakfast coupons, transportation to and from Frederik Meijer Gardens and your overnight guest room. Rate and availability are subject to change, additional tickets are available at the park. $129.00 plus tax.

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