As summer reaches the Midwest, Powell Gardens celebrates pollinators and the power of play. Festival of Butterflies (July 20-Aug. 6, 2023) and Fortopia (May 25-Sept. 4, 2023) encourage you to rediscover the magic of butterflies, pretend play, fort building, and outdoor discovery with your family.
Check out these recommended itineraries for a day (or night) of exploring! Purchase your admission tickets online at powellgardens.org and check in at the Visitor Center.
For the Outdoors Enthusiast
- Head northeast from the Visitor Center through the Conifer Garden and Fountain Garden and arrive at the Byron Schutz Nature Trailhead.
- Hike the Family Discovery Loop (1-mile loop) or the Prairie Ridge Trail (3.25 miles).
- Participate in Midwest Foraging (April 15-Oct. 15, 2023) by looking for blue plant tags in the Heartland Harvest Garden and Butterfly Meadow before or after your hiking adventure or along the Family Discovery Loop during your hike.*
- Head back over to the Fountain Garden and enjoy the refreshing splash pad.
Visit Value-Add: Visit during Festival of Butterflies (July 20-Aug. 6, 2023) and add Fortopia and Midwest Foraging to your visit. Three major activities for the price of one!
*Foraging is not permitted on Powell Gardens property. In the interest of public health, safety, and in respect of our conservation efforts, all participants are expected to appreciate this tour for the educational content provided.
For the Budding Botanical Enthusiasts
- Journey to the East Lawn for Fortopia. Enjoy the Visitor Center Terrace beds along the way!
- After discovering a city of forts, head over to the Children’s Garden with a special stop by the Pollinator Playground for additional play.
- After reaching the Children’s Garden, walk on garden tool balance beams, plant your own garden, and climb up in oversized Adirondack chairs for a photo opportunity. Close by are eight raised beds with different themes each year.
- After a day of play, cool off with the Fountain Garden’s splash pad.
Visit Value-Add: Visit during Dog Days (July 16 and Aug. 20, 2023) to enjoy a day of play with your pooch!
For the Curious Collector
- View the terrarium display in the Visitor Center Grand Hall (now-Oct. 15).
- Take the scenic route across the bridge to the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden, where you’ll find our lotus and waterlily collections certified by International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society.
- Head back across the bridge toward the Millstone Fountain, where you will pass through the Conifer Garden, a certified reference garden by the American Conifer Society. Don’t forget to search for the newest additions to this space — bonsai trees and shrubs!
- The last stop on your list should be Garden Galleries, at the entrance to the Heartland Harvest Garden, where you can view the new crevice garden filled with cacti and succulents along with expertly designed succulent walls.
Visit Value-Add: Visit during Waterlily Wonders (Aug. 12 and 13, 2023) to celebrate one of our many collections at Powell Gardens.
For the Love Birds
- Day:
- Stock up on snacks, water, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in The Marketplace. Grab a self-guided tour booklet from the front desk, featuring either an art or architecture focus.
- Stroll the expertly designed Visitor Center Terraces to The Dennis & Annette Young Magnolia Walk and The Dogwood Walk, where our magnolia collection (certified by the American Public Gardens Association’s North American Plant Collections Consortium) and dogwoods reside.
- While following the self-guided tour route, stop by the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden, featuring a wonderful display of aquatic plants and surrounding planted beds.
- After the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden, take in the scenic view only the Wildflower Meadow near the Meadow Pavilion and Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel can provide.
- •Grab lunch from the Marketplace and cool off in the Perennial Lounge overlooking the Visitor Center Terraces or step back outside for a drink on the patio.
Night:
Recommended for Second Saturdays (July 8 and Aug. 12, 2023), when Powell Gardens is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Take a golden hour stroll to the Wildflower Meadow while enjoying the scenic views of the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden.
- Sign up for an educational class featuring new ways to enjoy botanical topics (additional fees apply). For a full class list, visit powellgardens.org/calendar and make sure to subscribe to our RSS feed.
- To end your Second Saturday visit, be sure to enjoy live music, wine and spirits, snacks, and more!
Enjoy the great outdoors with Kansas City’s botanical garden!
