The Missouri Botanical Garden is giving visitors more opportunities to enjoy the beautiful blooms this spring and summer with our extended evening hours.
Visitors are invited to take a sunset stroll around the Garden while sipping a drink from Sassafras Cafe, enjoy dinner on the patio of Sassafras Restaurant, and explore our nature-based playground in the Doris I. Schnucks Children’s Garden.
When are extended evening hours?
In 2024, extended evening hours at the Garden are being held on Thursday nights through September 26.
Extended evening hours will run from 5 p.m.–8 p.m. Last entry will take place at 7:30 p.m. Guests who are already in the Garden at 5 p.m. can remain in the Garden.
Do I have to buy a ticket?
Admission to the extended hours are priced the same as regular daytime admission.
- General Adult Admission (13+) | $16
- Seniors Admission (65+) | $16
- All Children’s Admission (12 and under) | Free
- Garden Member Admission | Free
- St. Louis City and County Residents (proof of residence required) | $6 or $4 for seniors (65+)
Purchase Tickets in Advance
If you are already in the Garden when extended hours begin at 5p.m., you do not need to purchase a separate admission ticket.
Tickets can be purchased at the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center or online.
What is open during extended evening hours?
Visitors can enjoy all of the outdoor areas of the Missouri Botanical Garden during extended evening hours. This includes the Doris I. Schnucks Children’s Garden.
The Garden will be keeping its indoor conservatories, gift shop, and restaurants open during the extended hours.
Doris I. Schnucks Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden is open during extended evening hours until 7 p.m., and admission is included with your Garden admission ticket.
The Splash Pad inside the Children’s Garden is open Memorial Day weekend–Labor Day weekend.
All children must be accompanied by an adult in the Children’s Garden. Glass and alcohol are not permitted inside the Children’s Garden.
The Brookings Exploration Center will be open for guests to pass through, but will not be offering any programming during extended hours. Restrooms and a Calming Corner will still be available for visitors.
The PlantLab located adjacent to the Brookings Exploration Center will not be open during extended hours.
Climatron® and Emerson Conservatory
All conservatories at the Missouri Botanical Garden will be open to the public during extended hours including the Climatron® and Emerson Conservatory.
These conservatories are home to plants from around the world and are climate-controlled to create hospitable environments. Though they are each a great spot to visit any day at the Garden, they are especially nice on cooler or rainy evenings.
What about the Temperate House? The Temperate House is currently closed for remodeling. Stay tuned for more details.
Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center and Garden Gate Gift Shop
The Visitor Center and the giftshop will remain open during extended evening hours.
Along with the ticket counter and guest services, visitors can also find restrooms, a calming/nursing room, drinking fountains and access to Sassafras Restaurant at the Visitor Center.
Sassafras Café and Sassafras Restaurant
Sassafras Café, which is located in the Central Axis across from the Climatron®, will be open during extended evening hours at the Garden until 8 p.m. Visitors can grab a some food to take on the go or a drink to bring with them as they stroll the Garden.
Sassafras Restaurant, located inside the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center, will take orders until 6:30 p.m. during extended evening hours. Visitors can enjoy dinner inside the restaurant or on the patio.
What is Closed during extended evening hours?
While we want to keep as much of the Garden open to the public as possible during our extended evening hours, some daytime services and experiences are not available in the evenings.
Tower Grove House and The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum
Both Tower Grove House and the exhibits inside the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum will be closed during extended evening hours.
Guests can access the restrooms, drinking fountains, and soda machine inside the ground floor of the Sachs Museum during extended hours.
Guests can visit Tower Grove House during daytime admission Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission to Tower Grove House is included in daytime Garden admission.
Guests can visit the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum during daytime admission Sunday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Admission to the Sachs Museum is included in daytime Garden Admission.
The Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum will be closed through May 2 for installation of the 2024–2025 exhibition. It will reopen on May 3.
William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening
Walk-in home gardening services will not be available during extended evening hours.
Guests can access the outdoor gardens surrounding the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening as well as the restrooms and drinking fountains inside the building.
Guests can visit the Kemper Center during daytime hours Sunday–Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Access to the Kemper Center is included in Garden daytime admission.
Can I purchase food during extended evening hours?
Both Sassafras Café and Sassafras Restaurant will be open during extended evening hours.
- Sassafras Café open until 8 p.m.
- Sassafras Restaurant open until 6:30 p.m.
Picnicking is not permitted anywhere in the Garden, including during extended evening hours. The only time picnicking is welcome is during the Whitaker Musical Festival.
What spots should I visit?
Visitors have access to all of the Garden’s outdoor spaces and indoor conservatories.
If you need help deciding where to go in the Garden, check out our Facebook and Instagram to discover what is in bloom. We also update what is in bloom on our website.
Will Trams Tours be running during extended hours?
The Missouri Botanical Garden will be offering narrated tram tours during extended evening hours.
Rides provide an excellent opportunity to learn about our displays, buildings, and gardens to explore during your visit.
Trams tickets can be purchased on site and are valid for the entire day.
Where to can I park?
The Garden offers parking outside of the Visitor Center, including several EV charging stations.
There is no charge for parking at the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the event that the parking lot is full, visitors should use the free parking at the overflow lots at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and Vandeventer.
As leaders in sustainability, we are also big fans of walking, biking and public transportation. We offer biking parking near the Visitor Center and are conveniently located near two Metro bus stops.
Plan your visit Today
Jessika Eidson | Public Information Officer
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