Lush Botanical Gardens and Fresh Eats in the
Show-Me State

Missouri is a colorful, vibrant place, just like its plant life. The Show-Me State is home to sprawling botanical gardens where visitors may immerse themselves in native and exotic plant life. Early summer is the perfect opportunity to get out and see spectacular flowers and the architecture that complements them.

There are also gorgeous places galore that grow ingredients for delicious dishes, not to mention nearby farm-to-table eateries where you can see and taste the culinary creations firsthand. It all goes to show that Missouri’s natural bounty is a feast for the eyes as much as for the stomach.

Missouri Botanical Garden

The sweeping 79-acre Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis has been a mesmerizing sight since it was founded in 1859, boasting an extensive collection of flora. There’s also the Victorian District, which offers visitors a glimpse of founder Henry Shaw’s vision through curated vegetation and historic 1800s architecture.
The site features three conservatories, 23 demonstration gardens, formal and international gardens, and more than 27,000 plants on permanent display. There are colorful sights for everyone at the oldest botanical garden in the U.S., including innovative displays like the Climatron, the first geodesic dome made for use as a conservatory.

Bowood by Niche

During a visit to St. Louis to tour the Missouri Botanical Garden, travelers can stop at a nearby farm-to-table restaurant to find more nature on their plate. Bowood by Niche, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Gerard Craft, serves up thoughtfully prepared meals made with local ingredients. It’s a prime stop for breakfast or brunch in a lively cafe space.

Dig into a sandwich, salad, breakfast dish, or pastry for a taste of something special. The eatery, nestled inside Bowood Farms, takes inspiration from nature itself and combines local ingredients and flavors with true hospitality. Sit, savor, and enjoy a unique space built on food and community.

Powell Gardens

Across the state near Kansas City, Powell Gardens stretches across 970 acres of lush hills and meadows. Located in Kingsville, Powell Gardens features gorgeous display gardens, architecture, and a nature trail. Don’t miss the perennial gardens, indoor conservatory, ever-changing grounds, and natural plantings. Special events and family-friendly classes are offered year-round.

Powell Gardens is also well-known for its unique structures, such as the serene Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel, designed by Fay Jones, apprentice to famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Jones also created the Visitor Education Center and the Meadow Pavilion, accentuating the garden’s splendor. Guests can bring a reminder of their visit home with them from the center’s Perennial Lodge and Marketplace, which sells gifts, snacks, and more.

Then there’s the Heartland Harvest Garden, the country’s largest edible landscape, showcasing fruit trees, herbs, grains, vegetables, and more. The site educates visitors about where their food comes from and the nourishment these ingredients hold.

The Farmhouse

The Farmhouse, located in the Kansas City River Market, prides itself on supporting local producers and whipping up delicious brunch. Farmers from Kansas City and surrounding areas take their produce to the restaurant in the early morning, and those fresh ingredients make it onto customers’ plates later in the day. Family-owned and steered by locals with plenty of experience in the restaurant industry, the eatery brings an elevated brunch vibe that stands out.

The Farmhouse features a rotating menu built around community and sustainability. Don’t miss out on the omelets, country fried steak, smashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy, or the variety of chicken sandwiches. There are also seasonal cocktails, like Bloody Marys and mimosa towers, to enjoy.

There’s plenty of nature to see and taste in the Show-Me State. Whether it’s a day out in an expansive garden or a farm-to-table meal shared with friends and loved ones, Missouri’s the place to be for botanical beauty and unforgettable flavor.