GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Feb. 9, 2026 — Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was nominated for the first time for Best Botanical Garden by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, complementing its current nomination for Best Sculpture Park that is still taking votes. Voting for Best Botanical Garden starts Feb. 9 and runs through March 9 at 11:59 a.m.
Supporters 18 years and older can help Meijer Gardens secure the top spot for both nominations by voting daily at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/frederik-meijer-gardens-sculpture-park-grand-rapids-michigan.
Meijer Gardens is one of 20 botanical gardens across the United States selected by the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards panel for Best Botanical Garden in 2026, and the only one in Michigan. Through a public vote, the list is culled to the 10 best botanical gardens in the United States for 2026 as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers.
“This nomination distinguishes Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as one of the nation’s most significant botanic experiences, recognizing our commitment to excellence and innovation in horticulture,” said Meijer Gardens Chief Operating Officer Carol Kendra. “What sets Meijer Gardens apart is how seamlessly we integrate art, culture, and nature into a single guest experience. Combined with our current nomination for Best Sculpture Park—which we’ve won for three consecutive years—these honors celebrate our unique duality as both a botanical display garden and sculpture park, fulfilling Fred and Lena Meijer’s vision more than 30 years ago.”
While Meijer Gardens has not been nominated for this award previously, it is not new to the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, awarded Best Sculpture Park in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and in the running in 2026 through Feb. 16. It also was ranked #3 for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights Display for ENLIGHTEN at Meijer Gardens Presented by PNC Bank.
Voting for Best Botanical Garden begins Monday, Feb. 9 and ends Monday, March 9 at 11:59 a.m. ET. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced Wednesday, March 18 at noon.
Voting for Best Sculpture Park ends Monday, Feb. 16 at 11:59 a.m. ET. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced Wednesday, Feb. 25 at noon ET.
“We are so grateful to our community for voting for Meijer Gardens in the past, and we ask for your continued support in voting daily for Meijer Gardens for Best Botanical Garden and Best Sculpture Park.” said Kendra.
The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations. Nominees for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards are submitted by a panel of experts. 10BEST editors narrow the field to select the final set of 20 nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers 18 years and older can vote once per category, per day. USA TODAY’s 10BEST Botanical Garden is an annual ranking that highlights outstanding botanical gardens across the United States.
