Hours & Admission

There are plenty of reasons to visit in all seasons. Peruse the Garden calendar for current event information.

The Gardens

With seven themed Gardens and nearly 100 botanical acres, there are limitless opportunities to explore at Powell Gardens.

Dining & Shopping

Find garden-inspired gifts, beverages, and grab-and-go food at reFresh in the Missouri Barn and the Perennial Lounge in the Visitor Center.

Know Before You Go

Check out our frequently asked questions page for the Dos and Don'ts before you visit.

Explore The Gardens

PHOTO STREAM – #POWELLGARDENS

View

Fortopia Spotlight: Skully the Pirate Ship (designed by the preschool children of UMCK’s Berkley Zoo Room). ⚓
.
This immersive fort structure transforms an open grassy lawn into a sea to be traversed by ship using found and reclaimed materials, and a little imagination. Skully the Pirate Ship entices visitors of all ages to climb on and interact with it. Sea monster’s tentacles rise out of the grass to wrap around the ship and provide a variety of climbing and hiding opportunities.
.
Fortopia is included with general admission through October 16, 2022. Click the link in bio to purchase admission. #powellgardens #fortopia #skullythepirateship #forts

View

Save this post if you want Dark Forest tickets! @quixoticfusion brings Dark Forest to life at Powell Gardens October 21-23 & 27-30. Ticket drop details below.
.
🔮 Members receive early access via email on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. To receive member pricing on tickets, make sure you’re logged in before checking out.
.
🔮Email subscribers will receive access via email at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. (Subscribe to our email list by clicking the link in bio.)
.
🔮Tickets will be available to purchase on the Dark Forest webpage at noon on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.
.
Mark your calendars so you don’t miss your chance to purchase tickets to this seasonal showstopper. More information can be found in the link in bio.
.
#darkforest #powellgardens #quixotic #spookyseason #kansascity

View

Register for upcoming classes and events by clicking the link in bio. Check out the lineup below!
.
🐶 Dog Day (8/21, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
🐟 Pond Management (9/10, 10-11 a.m.)
🌵 Gardening 101: Propagation (9/10, 1-2 p.m.)
🥃 Garden to Glass: Moonshine Edition (9/17, 3-4 p.m.)
📚 Author Talk: Sara Dykman (9/22, 6:30-8 p.m.)
🎨 Lunchtime Lecture: Interactive Nature Journaling (9/24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

View

The Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden is INCREDIBLE this time of year. We love this spot for its aquatic plants, peaceful nooks, and views of the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel.
.
Powell Gardens is open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Purchase tickets by clicking the link in bio. #powellgardens #islandgarden #aquaticplants #summer #kansascity #botanicalgarden #botanicgarden #garden #getoutside

View

Fortopia Spotlight: Cover/Uncover (designed by James Walls and Kristopher Dabner of the Greensman).

The design of this labyrinth fort stretches the imagination. Drawing inspiration from the large Corten steel sculptures of artist, Richard Serra, the winding paths and high walls of this fort commands a slower pace of movement. Engaging visitors’ other senses due to the walls being visible obstacles to the horizon, visitors are encouraged to appreciate the landscape in new ways.

Fortopia is included with general admission. Purchase tickets online by clicking the link in bio. #powellgardens #fortopiakc #coveruncover #thegreensman #forts #kansascity

View

Pack a lunch and enjoy it in the updated Vineyard seating area. New succulent containers and seating options make this the perfect picnic spot.

View

Have you ever even SEEN Missouri’s prairies? 👀🌿💖
.
#powellgardens #nativeplants #conservation #grownative #sownative #prairie #tallgrassprairie #botanicalgarden #garden

View

We can't get enough of Liatris pycnostachya (commonly called Prairie Blazing Star)! The texture, height, and vibrant color of this plant make it a star in the Midwest landscape. This perennial plant is native to tallgrass prairies.

View

View

Powell Gardens is home to the Byron Shutz Trail System, including the 1-mile Family Discovery Loop and 3.25 mile Prairie Ridge Trail. This section of Powell Gardens is undergoing extensive renovations in the coming years, with noticeable improvements already completed!
.
🌳 Two Ozark Chinquapins have been planted on the property. Though they are less than 12 inches tall, they have leafed out. The Ozark Chinquapin Foundation is dedicated to the survival of this species; we are proud to partner in this work.
.
🌵 Staff is working towards restoring the native population of Eastern Prickly Pear along the Prairie Ridge Trail. The overall restoration project will take several years, but is in good shape with strategic improvements led by our staff conservationist.
.
#powellgardens #trail #trailrestoration #plantnative #easternpricklypear #ozarkchinquapin #kansascity #botanicalgarden

View

Fortopia Spotlight: Portal (designed by Brandon Kirmer).
.
As one travels through Portal they will experience the transformation, as if venturing off to a different land. The progression exists through the transformation of the different materials, starting within a “blanket” fort and moving through and out into a natural log fort, as if one’s imagination really did take over.
.
The surrounding landscape from the beginning to the end of the pathway also strengthens the idea of being in a different place suddenly. You start in an opening and end right next to the trees. Where will the portal take you next?
.
Fortopia is included with general admission. Click the link in bio to purchase tickets. #powellgardens #fortopia #portal #brandonkirmer

View

Powell Gardens is open Tuesday-Sunday (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Purchase general admission tickets from the link in bio. Don’t miss the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden during your next visit! #powellgardens

View

Today is the LAST day to visit Festival of Butterflies! Here’s how we suggest you spend it:
.
💚 Family: Plan for a whole day of summer fun! Don’t miss caterpillar beds in the Children’s Garden, Fortopia, Pollinator Playground, and splashing in the Fountain Garden.
.
🍃 Solo Explorer: Bring a book, watercolors, or headphones to enjoy as you walk around the Lotus Pond.
.
🦋 Best Friends: Take selfies at the Lepidoptera Personality Test and spend the afternoon catching up at Basecamp Bar + Bites.
.
🎵 Date Night: Listen to live music from Forrest McCurren (4-7 p.m.) and take a sunset stroll through the Butterfly Meadow.
.
Purchase tickets by clicking the link in bio. #festivalofbutterflieskc #powellgardens #summerbucktlistkc #kansascity #kc #midwestspirit #butterfly #livemusic #datenight #familyfun #kansascityfun

View

Don’t forget to enter your favorite #festivalofbutterflieskc photo in this year’s photography contest! Click the link in bio to learn more and enter. (If you haven’t snapped a photo yet, visit this weekend from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.) #powellgardens

View

Party at the Lotus Pond! American Lotus: One Night Only is a one night only event (Saturday, 5-8 p.m.) celebrating the 25th anniversary of Festival of Butterflies featuring live music, art and beautiful blooming lotus against the backdrop of the Midwest sunset. Click the link in bio to purchase tickets.
.
Featured musician, Heidi Phillips, lead vocalist of local pop-punk/post-grunge band, Frogpond, will perform live setting the ambiance for the evening. Grab a signature color-changing Lotus Root cocktail at the Missouri Barn, leisurely stroll through the gardens and appreciate American Lotus a new body of site-specific sculptures by Monarch Glass Studio.
.
Local fiber artist Meagan Condon will be on the scene showcasing how fiber can be spun from the plant’s stems sourced from the Gardens’ botanic collection.
.
Your ticket includes event admission, Festival of Butterflies admission, 2 drink tickets (choice of wine, beer, signature cocktail, or non-alcoholic beverages), Lotus snack, live music, and artist demo.
.
#powellgardens #festivalofbutterflieskc #lotuspond #americanlotus #onenightonly #datenight #livemusic #lotuscocktail #signaturedrink #lotus #lotusofinstagram #plantsofinstagram #massplanting #pondparty #pond #lotusfiber #artistdemonstration

View

Powell Gardens works with @goatsonthegokcsouth as part of an active effort to manage our grassland. The goats help restrict invasive species propogation, support species diversity, and cycle nutrients.
.
#powellgardens #goatsonthego #landmanagement #grassland #prairie #tallgrassprairie #moconservation #conservation

View

We’re holding onto summer at Powell Gardens as long as we can. Don’t miss After Hours (5-8 p.m.), the perfect time to enjoy drinks on the patio, a cool breeze, and perfect date night selfie spots.
.
Live music this week includes performances from Erica McKenzie (Thursday, 6-8 p.m.), Heidi Phillips of Frogpond (Saturday, 6-8 p.m.) and Forrest McCurren (Sunday, 4-7 p.m.). Purchase tickets by clicking the link in bio.
.
#powellgardens #festivalofbutterflieskc #afterhours #livemusic #kansascity #datenight #summerinkc #midwestsummer #outdoormusic #beertent #sunsetstroll

View

🍻🍓 Try it here first! @cranebrewing will release their new Strawberry Lassi to the public tomorrow, but we have it at Festival of Butterflies TONIGHT. Made with Madagascar vanilla, this brew is perfect for summer evenings.
.
Purchase festival admission by clicking the link in bio. #festivalofbutterflieskc #powellgardens #cranebrewing #newrelease #tryitherefirst #beerrlease #kansascity #kcbeer #kansascitybeer #cranebrewing

View

Okay nature enthusiasts, drop your hypothesis in the comments. 🦋🤘💫
.
#powellgardens #wanderermonarch #monarch #monarchmigration #botanicalgarden #gardengalleries #kansascity #garden #butterfly #supportpollinators

View

This weekend at Festival of Butterflies is all about the Lotus Pond! Located on the 1-mile Family Discovery Loop, this spot features a mass planting of American Lotus and three new decks to enjoy pond-side.
.
Visitors enjoying the pond will spot a new body of site-specific sculptures created by Tyler Kimball, owner and founder of Monarch Glass Studio, in celebration of Powell Gardens’ 25th anniversary of the Festival of Butterflies.
.
Don’t miss lotus focused education and special events! Register for Gardening 101: Lily vs. Lotus (Saturday, 8/6, 10-11 a.m.) and American Lotus: One Night Only (Saturday, 8/6, 5-8 p.m.) by clicking the link in bio.
.
#powellgardens #americanlotus #lotuspond #midwestforaging #festivalofbutterflieskc #monarchglassstudio #onenightonly #kansascity #botanicalgarden #botanicalcollection #massplanting #lotus #lotusofinstagram

View

Like this if you want our recipe for butterly brew. 🦋🍻🍌🥭 #powellgardens #butterflies #butterfly #whatbutterflieseat #botanicalgarden #festivalofbutterflieskc

View

The Lotus Pond is looking spectacular for it's time in the spotlight this weekend! Don't miss artist demonstarations, live music, and lotus cocktails and snacks at American Lotus: One Night Only (link in bio.)
.
Wondering why we're so excited about the Lotus Pond during Festival of Butterflies? It has a unique pollinator story involving beetles and bees! 🦟
.
#powellgardens #festivalofbutterflies #lotuspond #lotus #americanlotus #kansascity #onenightonly

View

#MidwestForaging: Each month, the education and horticulture departments feature a foraged item found on Powell Gardens’ property. Learn about how these plants grow, where to find them throughout the Midwest, and what to do with your harvest. In August, we’re focusing on the American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea).
.
This perennial aquatic plant grows best in full sun and produces pink, white, or yellow flowers. Lotus roots can be harvested from late summer through mid-fall and grow buried at the bottom of ponds. The tubers are linked, so when you do forage, cut between the linked tubers to remove those you want for cooking. Be sure to wash the lotus root, then cut each end off and make sure that the hollow tubers are clean. Rinse out if there is mud. Do not confuse water lilies with American Lotus!
.
This vegetable is great deep fried (it has quite a crunch) or in soups and stews. The young leaves can be prepared like spinach, and you can eat the seeds raw or cooked. (As with all wild edibles, make sure you can identify the American lotus before ingesting.)
.
At Powell Gardens, you can see this plant in the Marlese Gourley Lowe Island Garden and on the 1-mile Family Discovery Loop.
.
Click the Festival of Butterflies link in bio to learn more and register for American Lotus: One Night Only. #festivalofbutterflieskc #powellgardens #americanlotus #lotus #lotusflower #lotusplant #plantsofinstagram #lotusofinstagram #onenightonly #specialevent #kansascity

View

Admission to American Lotus: One Night Only (August 6, 6-8 p.m.) includes two drinks, including the event's signature cocktail! Sake, pear vodka, and lotus root combine to make this color changing cocktail. Perfect for a summer evening at Powell Gardens!
.
Purchase event tickets by clicking the link in bio. #powellgardens #festivalofbutterflies #lotuspond #lotus #americanlotus #onenightonly #datenightkc #kansascity #botanicalgarden #garden #cocktail

View

We love a coneflower moment. 👀🌿❤️
.
#powellgardens #coneflower #coneflowers #echinacea #nativeplant #grownative #kansascity #botanicalgarden #midwestspirit

View

TAG A PHOTOGRAPHER. Powell Gardens’ Festival of Butterflies photo contest is open now through August 28, 2022. Click the “Festival of Butterflies” link in bio to learn more and submit your photos. #festivalofbutterflieskc #powellgardens #photocontest

View

These color changing cocktails will be served at American Lotus: One Night Only (August 6)! To make one at home, combine 1 ounce sake, 1 ounce pear vodka, 1 ounce lime juice, and 1/2 ounce simple syrup. Pour over ice and add lotus garnish on glass lip. Pour 1/2 ounce lotus garnish syrup for color change effect. #cocktail #lotus #mixeddrink #cocktails30sec #homebar #powellgardens #gardentoglass

View

SAVE THIS DATE NIGHT IDEA. We’ve got your next date night covered. Powell Gardens is open 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. through August 7, and we’ve planned the perfect evening for you!
.
🦋 Check out free flying butterflies in the Martha Jane Phillips Starr Conservatory.
🍻 Grab a drink from Basecamp Bar + Bites to enjoy in the Fountain Garden or on the Visitor Center Terraces. Live music on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday!
📸 Take a golden hour stroll through the Butterfly Meadow and grab an Insta-worthy date night selfie.
🌤️ Climb to the top of the Silo to see the sunset across the Gardens.
🛍️ Shop The Marketplace for a dessert to share on the way home and pick up a dessert, puzzle, or something else to share on your next date night!
.
Click the link in bio to purchase admission. #powellgardens #festivalofbutterflies #datenight #kcdatenight #kansascity #botanicalgarden #afterhours

View

Need some inspiration for including native plants in your green spaces? Stroll through the Butterfly Meadow and look for prairie favorites like Rattlesnake Master, Gray Headed Coneflower, Compass Plant, Butterfly Milkweed, and Prairie Blazing Star. After you’re sufficiently inspired, show the Sow Wild Native Plant sale (Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)!
.
Click the link in bio to purchase admission ahead of your visit. #powellgardens #festivalofbutterflieskc #sowwildnatives #plantsale #nativeplants #butterflymeadow #grownative

View

Festival of Butterflies has something for everyone this weekend!
.
🌼 Garden enthusiasts will love shopping the Sow Wild Natives plant sale (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) on Saturday and Sunday.
🐦 Kiddos can learn all about birds and their role in pollination from Lakeside Nature (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.) on Sunday.
🎼 Couples and music lovers have lots of options for a special evening at Powell Gardens. Live music includes Jared Hicks (Saturday, 6-8 p.m.) and Tre Venti (Sunday, 5-7 p.m.).
.
Purchase tickets by clicking the link in bio. #festivalofbutterflieskc #powellgardens #thisweekendatpowellgardens #kansascity #thingstodothisweekend #botanicalgarden #garden #festival #datenight #kidfriendly