Gardens Gone Wild: Powell Gardens
If you have been reading my work for KC Parent for long (or even just a week) you may have noticed somewhere along the way that I have a few "especially favorite" places in the Kansas City area that I love to write about and mention often (making certain new readers discover these much-loved gems!). Powell Gardens is one of those places.
I adore Powell Gardens. Many of my fondest childhood memories were formed at Powell Gardens (I still remembering catching the "First Fish" at a fishing derby when I was in elementary school - an event they no longer host). My daughters consider it to be one of the most beautiful and magical places in the area to explore and they love to bring their cameras and sketch pads on the adventure. We love the Heartland Harvest Garden, Rock & Waterfall Garden, and wooded paths. Every year we attend the Festival of Butterflies (which lands close to my oldest daughter's birthday - an extra-special tradition as she is a butterfly aficionado having memorized the characteristics of dozens of butterfly species as she studies her books, posters, and documentaries). For our family, Powell Gardens is a beautiful place to simply enjoy nature, fresh air, and the great outdoors... and on more than one occasion I have found myself wandering in the woods at Powell Gardens to rejuvenate my creative juices and resolve writer's block.
This summer, Powell Gardens brings something extra special to enjoy... an exhibit showcasing a beautiful marriage between art and nature, Gardens Gone Wild showing through Oct, 5, a collection of exquisite sculptures beautifully displayed in the acres of gardens at Powell Gardens. Adding to the fun, the staff at Powell Gardens prepared an Amazing Animal Quest for kids to enjoy their exploration of the sculptures and learn more about their favorite animals. My girls adored the animals (especially the bears) and they had fun learning more about them and mimicking their behaviors with the Animal Quest prompts.
Tip: Take photos when you visit! Make sure you add #GardensGoneWild when you post your photos to Facebook and Instagram. Get at least three of the photo opportunities listed in the guide for a chance to win a great prize! Powell Gardens will draw names for monthly prizes, including free passes for a future visit and other goodies. At the end of the summer, they'll draw from all participating accounts to award a Kansas City Adventure prize pack with tickets to favorite family attractions--from The Kansas City Zoo to Schlitterbahn!
This summer at Powell Gardens visitors can journey through wetlands, woodlands, tropics and more to discover 26 bronze animal sculptures by nationally acclaimed artist Dan Ostermiller.
Set in nine adventure zones representing animal habitats both familiar and exotic, the sculptures make art accessible and fun for all ages. Meet a 12-foot elephant playing and spraying into the Fountain Garden; a pair of wrestling bears near a hollow log kids can explore and even encounter farm animals such as Priscilla, a 5-foot-tall hen making her home in the Heartland Harvest Garden’s Fun Foods Farm!
The Eagle
Spread your Wings like an Eagle
Act like a Bison
Feed a Chicken
Gather Chicken Eggs
An Example of the Educational displays throughout the Exhibit
Petting Pigs
Feeding Pigs
Elephant at the Fountain
One of many great educational displays: Square Foot Exploration
Square Foot Exploration
The Chapel at Powell Gardens
Mother/Daughter Moment: Enjoying one of our favorite places!
One of the Fairy Forts remaining at Powell Gardens... our favorite!
Bears.... Brielle's FAVORITE! (It was raining during part of our visit)
More Bears!
Love the Bear!
Crazy about bears! Did we mention... lots of bears!
Making deer antlers.
Another deer
Tips for Your Visit to Powell Gardens
- Check their calendar in advance for wonderful events including Booms & Blooms (Independence Day Celebration), Festival of Butterflies, classes, and family programs.
- You will be outside walking, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
- Remember sunscreen.
- Bring strollers or wagons for little ones.
- Pack bottled water and snacks.
- One picnic area is offered in the gardens. We like to see the Heartland Harvest Garden, then picnic (as the picnic area is geographically on our way from the Heartland Harvest to the Rockwall Garden), then explore the rest. You could easily reverse that plan, simply dividing the gardens into two large sections and breaking to eat between the two.
- Lunch may be purchased at Cafe Thyme in the Visitor's Education Center (open 11am - 2pm).
- Trolley Rides are offered for $1/person to offer a break from walking.
- There is a fountain children like to play in - you may want to dress with that in mind. Bring towels to dry off.
- There are sandboxes for play, be prepared.
- Bring a camera!