A Teen's Perspective of Powell Gardens

Are you looking for a new attraction?  Try visiting Powell Gardens (1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061)

     Some interesting must-sees in Powell Gardens are listed below:

• VISITOR CENTER:  Home to an indoor garden retreat with glass doors and a penny-pond, the Visitor Center is home to a gift shop, maps, and the Cafe Thyme.  It also has wheelchair access and a First Aid Station.
• POWELL GARDEN'S Nature Connects: LEGO Brick Sculptures: thru Sept. 29, 2013 Made from 500,000 Legos, these breathtaking, larger-that-life sculptures are scattered around the park.  There are 27 scenes in all.  Walk by an 8-foot tall hummingbird, admire a 7-foot rose, go nose-to-nose with a 5-foot butterfly and watch an oversized LEGO® koi leap from the pools of the Island Garden. Inspired by nature and built from nearly half-a-million LEGO® pieces, this summer exhibit features 27 larger-than-life sculptures that represent  the complex and amazing network that interconnects all living things on Earth. Ranging in size from 6 inches to nearly 8 feet, a variety of creatures are represented in the exhibit, including a tiger swallowtail butterfly, a green darner dragonfly, a hummingbird and even a gardener. The largest sculpture is a mother bison made from 45,143 bricks.
• THE HIKING TRAILS: My personal favorite is the Rock and Waterfall Garden--you can see a lovely array of flowers and the waterfalls are beautiful.  The Island Garden is also a charming trail; it gives you the refreshing feeling of being at sea and has a variety of plants from every continent, save Antarctica.  If you just can't get enough of Powell Garden's beautiful lake, visit the lakeside arbor in the Perennial Garden.
• BOOMS AND BLOOMS CELEBRATION: On July 3rd, Powell Gardens invites you to join them for a fireworks display, food, picnicking, and a performance from the Lee's Summit Orchestra.
• HEARTLAND HARVEST GARDEN: Admire fruits, vegetables, and the like growing in the garden, then head over to the Tasting Section if the fresh foods are making your mouth water.  If you are still hungry, check out their nearby Outdoor Cafe.
• HE SILO: A spiraling stair case leads you to the top of a silo towering 45 feet from the ground, where you can see the full view of the Heartland Harvest Garden's patchwork design.  There are elevators for those who would rather not climb the many steps.   
• THE CHAPEL: The half-mile walk through the Wildflower Meadow brings you to a lovely chapel with a stained-glass window.  [NOTE: Powell Gardens allows weddings to be planned at the chapel!]
• THE FOUNTAIN GARDEN: Of course I can't forget the 42-foot fountains, which are a hit for adults and children alike!  The rising and falling fountains are the perfect place to cool off, and Powell Gardens doesn't mind you doing so.  There are benches nearby if you would rather admire the flowers, and watch the fountain's display without getting drenched.  [NOTE: I recommend bricnging a swimsuit!]

Enjoy your trip, and don't forget the sunscreen!

A few photos from my visit to Powell Gardens:

Anny Hiestand, Teen Blogger