With acres of beautiful horticultural displays including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home and the first geodesic dome in the world to be used as conservatory, the Missouri Botanical Garden offers something for everyone.
Top Attractions at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Climatron
Opened in October of 1960, the Climatron is the first geodesic dome to be used as a conservatory. Enter the Climatron, designed on a tropical rain forest theme, and experience the tropics through the conservatory’s dense green foliage, a small native hut, cascading water, rocky cliffs, a river aquarium with exotic fish, and a bridge where you can view the forest canopy and associated plants. 2,800 plants including 1,400 different tropical species grow in the Climatron. As you explore the lush conservatory you will come across banana and cacao trees. In addition, the Climatron collection includes wild-collected plants, orchids and exotic, rare plants like the double coconut.
Japanese Garden
Dedicated in 1977, the 14-acre Japanese Garden is one of the largest in North America and represents an evolution of centuries of tradition and a wealth of distinctly Japanese cultural influences. As you meander through the Japanese Garden, you’ll discover carefully designed plantings, wonderful waterfalls, traditional Japanese bridges, beaches and islands.
Victorian District and Tower Grove House
Experience the Missouri Botanical Garden’s roots in the Doris Waters Harris Lichtenstein Victorian District, unifying and enhancing gorgeous gardens and striking structures from the Victorian era including Garden founder Henry Shaw’s country home, Tower Grove House.
Tower Grove House
Step into the 19th century during a tour of Garden founder Henry Shaw’s restored country residence and see where the Missouri Botanical Garden started. As you explore the Tower Grove House, timelines demonstrate how Tower Grove House has been used over the years and voices from the past tell stories of those who helped build Shaw’s Garden.
Victorian Gardens
The authentic Victorian Garden, Labyrinthine Maze and Herb Garden await you in the Doris Waters Harris Lichtenstein Victorian District. East of Tower Grove House, the Victorian Garden resembles an early garden built by Shaw. Delight in annual bedding plants of all varieties and colors throughout the year. At the center of the Victorian Garden you will find a white marble statue of Juno by Carl Nicoli. The Labyrinthine Maze re-creates a labyrinth constructed by Shaw in the 1800s. Get lost in sunken hedges of yew, or relax in the gazebo at the center of the maze. Located behind Tower Grove House is the St. Louise Herb Society Herb Garden where aromatic herbs are divided into culinary, medicinal, utility and fragrant sections.
Linnean House
The Linnean House is the oldest continuously operated public greenhouse west of the Mississippi River and the only remaining greenhouse at the Missouri Botanical Garden built during Henry Shaw’s time. Originally designed by St. Louis architect George I. Barnett, in the early 1880s, the Linnean House has undergone several major renovations. Today it provides new space for the botanical garden to further develop their sub-tropical plant collections from around the world. In the greenhouse’s northern half you will find dozens of camellia trees including Camellia japonica ‘Elegans’ and two specimens of Camellia japonica ‘Nobilissima.’ In addition, the collection includes rare and endangered camellias, Camellia petelotii var. petelotii. To the narrower southern half of the conservatory is an orangery. At the greenhouse’s center is merbaby, a statue sculpted by Wheeler Williams that depicts the Greek goddess Amphitrite as a merbaby.
Dining at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Begin or end your visit to the Garden at Sassafras Café. At Sassafras you’ll find a seasonal menu including Garden-themed salads, sandwiches, soups, snacks and daily specials. In addition the Terrace Café, situated near the Japanese Garden, is opened from April through October and serves sandwiches, snacks and deserts.
Shopping at the Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden boasts two unique shopping experiences. Stop by the Garden Gate Shop for gifts and souvenirs unique to the Missouri Botanical Garden. In Little Shop Around the Corner, vintage and antique furniture, artwork and jewelry are available to purchase.
- Manual wheelchairs and motorized scooters are available to check out on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket counter.
- Photography intended for personal use is welcome at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
- Guests who wish can experience the Missouri Botanical Garden by tram at an additional cost. Narrated tram tours run every 25 to 30 minutes and provide an excellent opportunity to see and learn about the many display gardens, sculptures and buildings in the Garden.