Midwest Garden Trail

Day 1: St. Louis

Your garden adventure begins as you board your comfortable motorcoach and head south through rolling Wisconsin landscapes. Our first stop is Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison - a serene oasis of blooms, fountains, and the elegant Thai Pavilion, gleaming with gold leaf amid lush greenery. Breathe in the scent of lilacs and fresh spring air before we continue to St. Louis, where your evening unfolds at the Drury Inn & Suites. Settle in, stretch your legs, and enjoy the hotel’s signature Kickback - hot food, cold drinks, and the start of new friendships.

Day 2: Poplar Bluff

Wake up refreshed and ready for color and charm. Our morning takes us to the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical institutions in the U.S. Discover over 79 acres of beauty as you wander themed gardens, tropical conservatories, and the tranquil Japanese Garden. Your included tram tour offers a comfortable overview of this living museum. Lunch is on your own at the Garden Café before we travel through scenic southern Missouri to Poplar Bluff. Check into your hotel and unwind with another Kickback reception as the day fades into a soft southern evening.

Day 3: Little Rock

Today we journey south to Little Rock, Arkansas, where history and hospitality blend in perfect harmony. Visit the Clinton Presidential Museum, an inspiring tribute to leadership and legacy, with time to explore at your own pace. Enjoy lunch on your own at Restaurant 42, offering panoramic river views and locally inspired cuisine.
Later, we gather for the Murray Dinner Matinee, combining down-home dining with live entertainment - a local favorite full of laughter and warmth. This season, "Ken Ludwig's Baskerville" will relive the comic genius and this joyful, mischievous, comedy thriller where 5 actors deftly portray over 40 characters!

Day 4: Bentonville

After breakfast, the road leads us into the countryside for a visit to Moss Mountain Farm, the breathtaking home and gardens of designer P. Allen Smith. Stroll through terraced rose gardens, peek inside the charming Greek Revival farmhouse, and learn about sustainable design and farm-to-table living. A farm-fresh barn lunch awaits, served with sweeping views of the Arkansas River Valley. Afterward, we continue northwest to Bentonville, a town where art, gardens, and hospitality thrive together. Spend the evening at leisure - perhaps stroll the quaint downtown square or relax at your hotel.

Day 5: Kansas City

This morning, immerse yourself in a fusion of art and nature at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Your guided one-hour tour introduces masterpieces housed within breathtaking architecture that seems to float over woodland streams. Afterward, enjoy time to explore and have lunch on your own at the Eleven Café, where walls of glass frame views of forest and sky. In the afternoon, we travel north to Kansas City, where your Drury Inn offers the perfect spot to unwind with an evening Kickback.

Day 6: Des Moines

Start the day surrounded by blooms at Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s botanical treasure. Enjoy a private horticulture presentation that brings the gardens to life, followed by an included lunch among the vibrant seasonal displays. After a full day of beauty, we continue north to West Des Moines for our final overnight stay. Enjoy one last Kickback and reminisce about the week’s unforgettable sights, scents, and experiences.

Day 7: Home

After a final breakfast together, we begin our leisurely return home - hearts full, cameras full, and minds refreshed. You’ll return with not just photos of gardens, but memories of warmth, laughter, and wonder along the Midwest Garden Trail. You're neighbors will be wondering how you developed your green thumb!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner