Missouri Botanical Gardens (closes at 5 pm)

Admission Fee: $12 adults (ages 13 & over)

Children (ages 12 & under) have free admission.

Parking: Free. Parking lot could get full.  Might need to find street parking and walk a little farther. 

Location: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110

Description:  The 79 acres of splendid horticultural display at the Missouri Botanical Garden offers something for everyone. Outstanding displays include the Chinese Garden, English Woodland Garden, Ottoman Garden and Victorian District. 

A vibrant tropical rainforest thrives inside the Climatron conservatory, while the adjoining Temperate House is home to a multitude of Mediterranean species. The Japanese Garden covers 14 acres, making it one of the largest Japanese strolling gardens in North America.

More than 4,800 trees live on the grounds, including some unusual varieties and a few stately specimens dating back to the 19th century, when Garden founder Henry Shaw planted them.