The Garden Glow

The Garden Glow is a nighttime event at Missouri Botanical Garden. It is an annual event, with this year marking it second year. So it is relatively new, and I was so disappointed to miss the first year. Basically, there are tons of colorful lights on a garden glow path throughout the garden. This isn't all however. There are carolers at one point along the path, as well as music at intervals throughout.

Henry Shaw's Victorian era house, is simply stunning. The decorations inside and out are worth looking at, alone. You can tour inside the home, which a nice and refreshing thing to do especially if it is cold outside! You can warm up. It is a relatively quick tour inside the house.

You will find stations along the way, where there are snacks, hot cocoa, s'mores, etc. It doesn't cover the entire garden, as it is very large, and would be nearly impossible. It does cover a much larger section than I thought it would!

Tickets are sold for this event, and begin in November, through January. This gives a false sense of security, that you will find some extra time to go, but I wouldn't put it off! The time flies through the holidays as you know, and this is an event you don't want to miss.

Our experience was amazing at the Garden Glow. We had advanced tickets, and you arrive at a particular time. They have arranged it in such a way that the most people get the maximum benefit out of the event, without having overcrowding issues, etc.

Upon arriving, you drive into the entrance to see lights that make it look as if snow is falling down around you on either side. I have never seen lights like this. When we saw that, we knew it was going to be great, because just that was impressive, before we even got into the door!

Some had spoken of the recent protestors in the news in St. Louis, being at the garden entrance, but this was no longer the case the night we went there. I couldn't have imagined it anyway, but there really is no need to worry about that aspect of it.

Upon going inside, you are directed to the entrance to the garden, where you immediately see beautiful lights all around, and particular displays are already breathtaking. You head down the path to the right, and there are colorful lights lighting up the path on the way to the Climatron building. It is was all lit up, as the photos show, in green lights. You no sooner curve around the Climatron, than you see a lit up tunnel, which was simply magical!

The tunnel was lit in red lights mostly, and was lovely to experience. We spent a little time i there, and it was so much fun. It was a good spot to get a couple of pictures!

Then, you curve on and around toward Henry Shaw's house. The outside is simply gorgeous and classy, but the inside is dressed up also for the holidays! You are able to take a tour into Shaw's home. Even if the line looks long, it is actually very quick to get inside and go through the halls to peek into the different bedrooms. Life was so much simpler, and unique, and things reflect that.

Upon leaving Henry Shaw's home, you enter into the herb garden, and around to the side of the house. There is a beautiful angel there, whose shadow is cast high up onto the side of the building. It is pretty stunning to see! Up in the trees nearby, are these neat lights that are very classic looking, and illuminate a tree. We decided we want some of those for our trees in the future!

You continue along the garden glow path, to where you see a mirrored building, that is reflecting lights from the other side of the garden. The building opposite is lit up beautifully, and through the trees you get more of that magical feeling that many of us love during the holidays!

Staying along the path, meant everyone was walking in the same direction, which was nice. You came next to more lights near a fountain area, then a neat gazebo with carolers! There were four carolers, two men and two women. They were taking requests from people in the crowd, and seemed to be singing mostly Christmas songs that people requested. They sounded simply heavenly! I will try to post a video I took of one of the songs I taped. There were many musical parts of the night, but this was live, and just about my favorite.

Next, we came to the part where you get to more of the Victorian area, where the human sized maze is. There are beautiful structures there in the vicinity. The lights really brought it to life. I wish I could have captured it better with my camera.

This took us along a path and back out towards the entrance. Before we got there however, we passed the Climatron and pool area, where we saw a better view of it. It was remarkable, and probably my favorite part of the evening. My husband got some really neat shots with his camera phone, that were impressive.

We saw more trees lit up, and we went around to the side where the Ottoman garden is, and the Linnean house and the lights danced to the music there. It was incredible. This then led us back toward the front of the garden, where there was the best of all the "photo shoot" areas. There was a human sized, walk in snow globe, for a photo op! People were lined up to get their photos taken in there, but it was such a busy night that we decided against it.

We had had the best time. It was much more enjoyable than I had even anticipated! Upon leaving the garden, we drove through the lights of "falling snow", which were beautiful, magical.

After this, we decided to have dinner on the Hill, the historical, Italian part of town. It has many bakeries and restaurants. We went to one of our favorite places, "Anthonino's", which was newly reopened. It was a wonderful dinner!

As for recommending this event, the Garden Glow, I cannot recommend it enough! I hope if you ever were to get the chance to be in the area as I was, that you could also get the chance to go. I don't think you would regret it. I just recommend calling in advance, to make sure they have openings in the time slot you want. It's a relaxing, fun, beautiful evening for the family or with friends, or a date night. I am so thankful for this Botanical Garden, and all its offerings.

I have put several pictures in thumbnail form, and to see them all simply double click on one of the images. This will allow for you to view them all in an easy manner, and to get a better feel for the garden glow at Missouri Botanical Garden. This wonderful event runs through January third, so if you can make it, do try! Thank you for your visit, and I wish you a Merry Christmas or however you like to enjoy the holidays. Happy Holidays to you and yours!