| Big cities often seem to afford no 'escape,' while | | | | about the role of plants in various ecosystems. The |
| others pleasantly surprise with treasures of natural | | | | conservatory simulates an actual tropical environment, |
| beauty; St Louis certainly demonstrates the latter. Right | | | | with plants such as banana, cacao and coffee trees, |
| in the heart of this bustling city rests 79-acres of | | | | as well exotic species of flowers, such as orchids; it's |
| serene beauty; the Missouri Botanical Garden, | | | | even home to a number of animals, including a variety |
| renowned for its natural splendour and history, has an | | | | of tropical birds. Furthermore, the Missouri Botanical |
| immense amount to offer anyone who roams its | | | | Garden holds the Linnean House, which is the oldest |
| grounds. Founded in 1859, it is not only one of the | | | | continuously operating greenhouse conservatory in the |
| oldest botanical gardens in the United States, but a | | | | United States, and the Tower Grove House, which |
| National Historic Landmark as well. It draws over | | | | was founder Henry Shaw's country home. |
| 750,000 visitors each year to experience the vast | | | | Aside from the range of enchanting attractions, the |
| range of ecosystems and animal species which it | | | | Missouri Botanical Garden boasts an established |
| houses, and to take part in the Missouri Botanical | | | | botanical research center. A center not only for |
| Garden's mission: 'to discover and share knowledge | | | | botanical research, but for science education, it aims to |
| about plants and their environment' and 'to preserve | | | | emphasize the importance of plants to the balance of |
| and enrich life.' | | | | life on earth. Events and classes are also held on the |
| The Missouri Botanical Garden holds a number of | | | | grounds, emphasizing interests such as garden design |
| incredible attractions in which visitors may take delight, | | | | or exotic plant care. |
| from a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden to the | | | | If you'll be visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden from |
| impressive Climatron Conservatory. The Japanese | | | | out of town, you'll need to book accommodation; there |
| garden - named Seiwa-en, which means 'pure, clear | | | | are a host of terrific options to consider when it |
| harmony and peace' - is the largest Japanese garden | | | | comes to hotel accomodation in St. Louis, such as the |
| in the Western hemisphere. It includes a 4-acre lake | | | | centrally located Hilton Homewood Suites. What's |
| strewn with beautiful bridges and waterfalls, and is full | | | | more, the Missouri Botanical Garden is an attraction |
| of native Japanese cherry blossom trees, lotus | | | | which you and your family can happily visit several |
| flowers and peonies. Visitors can even feed the | | | | times, even in a single holiday, because its serene |
| gorgeous Koi fish which swim in the lake and | | | | surroundings are so consistently inviting. Pack a picnic |
| surrounding pools. | | | | lunch, take a book to read or simply stroll through the |
| The Climatron Conservatory, a half-acre greenhouse | | | | beautiful surroundings; you're sure to leave the grounds |
| dome, has become a famous symbol of the Missouri | | | | refreshed, relaxed, and with a clear perception of the |
| Botanical Garden. It houses over 1,200 species of | | | | garden's purpose to 'enrich life. |
| plants in a natural setting, and aims to educate visitors | | | | |