Christmas at the Missouri Botanical Garden and Butterfly House

Every year, the Missouri Botanical Garden puts on an amazing show called the Gardenland Express. It is an flower and train show and indoors, as one could imagine. You never know what St. Louis weather may have in store, which makes this event a pleasure all the more. From November 22nd through January 4th, there are several G-scale trains on display, along with several flowers including but not limited to poinsettias, begonias, hibiscus, etc. It is decorated quite amazingly! Every year is different, and the people that help to make it happen put in a lot of very hard work.

Children and children at heart love to come and look around at all the magical wonderlands. The little villages are quite charming, and often full of little surprises. You will catch yourself smiling at all the child like wonder that is in the air, for sure!

If it is cold in the St. Louis area, there is more to do at the garden than just this. There is also the Climatron with all kinds of tropical flowers and plants, and so much to be educated on. There is also the temperate house, full of all other kinds of plants and a beautiful courtyard. There is also the Linnean house, full of beautiful other plants and shrubs and fountains as well. These things I have mentioned, are all indoors! So you need not worry if you are trying to stay warm, or out of the elements. If weather does permit however, I highly recommend seeing the other amazing gardens full of little joys and delights of all kinds. Like the many meandering paths, and mazes, etc.

The annual Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden started in 2013. I wasn't able to make that event, and really regret that, but hope to never miss it again! I have heard amazing things about this event, and hope to make it this year with my family if schedules permit. The Garden Glow is a lovely light filled event, where you meander throughout the garden at night, to see many of the wonderfully lit displays for the holidays.

Evidently, it is quite magical, and the pictures from the first year make me excited in anticipation for this event. The whole outdoor garden is not lit up, but a good portion of it is. The Climatron is even lit up, as is the maze area near Henry Shaw's Old Victorian Home. Evidently, all very beautiful!

There are places along the way, where you can get some hot chocolate, and other spots that include s'mores, and that sort of thing. There are warmers along the path here and there. I have a friend that went last year and she said it was a very bitter cold night. She said it did not matter, however, because they were dressed for it and had a simply wonderful time!

They have expanded upon what they had the year before, even more lights evidently! As a gentle reminder, no monopods or tripods are allowed, but cameras are. Why not go and make a memory with your family or friends, that you will never forget?

The Garden Glow runs from November 22nd through January 3rd. I would check out the website for more details, because the prices change for adult, the closer it gets to Christmas. The prices for children remain the same. They are spacing out the visits of people as well, to not have too many coming at one time. I would highly recommend considering this amazing event!

Henry Shaw's Victorian home is now located on the property of the Missouri Botanical Garden Property. It is called the Tower Grove House, and is usually closed to the public during the days at the garden. It sits in and among the beautiful gardens there, and fits right in beautifully. It is a great piece of architecture in and of itself, and worthy of seeing during the day. Imagine it at night however, completely decked out for Christmas time. It is simply stunning.

There is a tour that can be taken of this house inside, to see how it might have been decorated during the holiday season. I have been inside before, but not during Christmas time. I hope to see it, but have seen photos of it, and it is simply lovely. There are even story times, where the house is opened up for a unique peek. Children and adults alike will enjoy what is offered there.

During the Garden Glow, if it is cold outside, one can find warmth inside the Tower Grove House as well. I highly recommend checking it out. What a neat piece of history to see there.

Winter Jewels is an event that runs November through Early January. It is a fun event for the whole family, but geared in particular to kids. That said, adults are allowed to the treasure hunt and there is a prize for adults as well at the end, if completed. Let me explain. When you arrive at the butterfly house and gain admission, you will be presented with the opportunity to do the Winter Jewels treasure hunt. Especially if you have any children in your party!

There are clues on the treasure map, and the goal is to fill in a few words, which completes a saying. On this "journey" you will see a gnome forest, and fairy gardens, along with a lot of jewels throughout! There is even an area with battling cockroaches, evidently, with a pirate theme. It is really very cute.

The children have opportunity to learn all kinds of things, play games and do crafts as well. There is of course the conservatory where there are all kinds of tropical butterflies flying all around. It is simply wonderful! I highly recommend making a visit to the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly house in Chesterfield, which is one portion of the greater Missouri Botanical Garden. It is well worth your visit, and there is a little prize to win at the end, if you partake in the Winter Jewels event.

Did you have to do a double take on this idea, "Supper with Santa?" Yes, it is as it suggests, a time with supper with Santa Claus! It is a very cute idea indeed! These are 6 nights in December, dedicated to the little ones and their families, that is helped to be made possible through lots of planning and volunteer help.

You do have to sign up in advance, and the nights are on the last Saturdays and Sundays before Christmas. You sign up and pay in advance. What is included is a little gift bag, crafts, games, getting to hold and learn about all kinds of critters like hissing cockroaches (if you are up for that, and ok if not!), and most of all, supper with Santa Claus! There is a fun pasta dinner in an outdoor, heated tent area. It is very nice, with a cute little lit up candy cane lane directing you to the eating area.

There is time to get a picture with Santa Claus, that you can take home and is included in the price of the event. Perhaps the most beautiful of all, is all of the magic that comes with the butterflies in the conservatory. Something special here is that you might seem some butterflies that are active at that time, that normally are not in the day time hours of normal operation.

There is face painting as well, for children and adults alike. Its really a magical time for young and old, and memories are made to last a lifetime. I would highly recommend going to it, from what I know of it. The dates fill up quickly, but you can ask to be put on a waiting list, if that is the case.