A Visit to Powell Gardens in NW Missouri
Powell Gardens, located about an hour outside of Kansas City in Kingsville, MO, hosts an attractive display of plants along 1.5 miles of paved trails.
For those who like spending time outdoors, Powell Gardens makes a great family-friendly day trip. The gardens are separated into smaller themed gardens, each of which is made up of its own variety of labeled plants. Currently available are:
- Perennial Garden
- Rock and Waterfall Garden
- Wildflower Meadow
- Island Garden
- Terrace Garden
- Courtyard Garden
- Fountain Garden
The much anticipated Harvest Garden is coming soon!
Treasures of Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens is kept pristine, down to the finest detail. There are unique, attractive plants growing in the rock wall bordering some of the paths, and there has been a rare appearance of a large catfish in the lake near the pavilion in the Perennial Garden. There are several other treasures, too, some hidden and some not-so-hidden :
- Overlooking the gardens sits a beautiful chapel, which can be rented for weddings.
- West of the visitor center is a 3 ¼ mile hiking trail.
- There are short off-path trails in the Rock and Waterfall Garden.
- The kids can play in the fountain at the Fountain Garden.
Yearly Themes
Powell Gardens offers a new theme each year. Each theme is incorporated throughout the entire gardens. The past exhibits included themes such as “Tree Houses” and “Dinosaurs.” This year’s theme, Chapunga, features stone sculptures that tell the stories of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, Africa. The sculptures, which are placed along the paths and even in the water, add to the beauty of the gardens.
Special Events
There are many large and small special events throughout the year at Powell Gardens. These include sales events and workshops. The “Booms and Blooms” is a popular Independence Day fireworks event, and the “Butterfly Festival” in August is a must-see for any butterfly enthusiast. There is a caterpillar petting station for kids, where they can purchase a Monarch caterpillar or chrysalis.
Accessibility
There is a drop-off drive for easy entrance to those who have difficulty walking the distance from the parking to the main entrance and visitor center. The gardens are made more accessible by the trolleys, which offer free rides to and from each of the gardens and the chapel.
Visitor Education Center
The visitor center provides an air-conditioned sitting area, a gift shop, and a restaurant. Many of the children’s activities also take place in the building, including crafts and puppet shows.
Hours of Operation and Pricing
The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April to October. They close at 5 from November to March. The chapel is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The cafe is only open during lunch hours.
Admission prices vary by season:
- April to October: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $3 for children 5-12
- November to March: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $2 for children
Powell Gardens also offers memberships for a reasonable price at tiered levels.
