Accessibility Accommodations

The Missouri Botanical Garden welcomes all to visit our family of attractions and experience our classes and programs.  We are committed to providing all with a beautiful and serene visitor experience and an environment free of discrimination or harassment, where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. 

This guide will assist you in navigating the Garden and includes information for visitors with accessibility accommodations. 
 

Wheelchairs, Scooters and Strollers

A limited number of manual wheelchairs, motorized scooters and strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the ticket counter during normal Garden hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Wheelchair rental is free. Stroller rental is $3. A photo ID is required as a deposit.

Motorized scooters are available for rent to visitors age 18 and over with a valid driver’s license. Motorized scooter rental is $25 plus a $25 refundable deposit. During days of high demand, including some signature events, motorized scooter rentals may be limited to a specific window of time, to allow for recharging between uses.

A limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis on Whitaker Music Festival performance evenings. Motorized scooters and strollers are not available for rent on Whitaker performance evenings. We apologize for any inconvenience. For more information or to inquire about specific days, please call (314) 577-5101.

Service Animals

No pets allowed, please. Service animals are welcome at Missouri Botanical Garden. The following guidelines will help you enjoy your visit with your service animal:

  • All service animals must remain on a leash or harness at all times and may not be left unattended.
  • You are responsible for controlling your service animal's behavior. You are also responsible for cleaning up after your service animal. 
  • If at any time your animal's behavior becomes a threat to the safety or well being of other visitors, the Garden reserves the right to ask you to enjoy the Garden without your service animal present. 
Amenities
  • Accessible parking spaces are located on both the east and west parking lots at the Ridgway Visitor Center. View Garden map

  • An elevator is located in the Ridgway Visitor Center.

  • Accessible restroom stalls and changing tables are located in the Ridgway Visitor Center restrooms. A family restroom is located in the Spink Pavilion. View map

  • The Garden tram is manual wheelchair-accessible. Due to safety concerns, we are not able to accommodate personal motorized equipment on our trams. Visitors are welcome to leave their motorized equipment at the tram shelter until the end of the tour and may transfer to a complimentary wheelchair to enjoy the tour. A printed copy of the tram script is available upon request for visitors with hearing impairments. Please ask a visitor services tram attendant or pick up a copy at the visitor services desk in the Ridgway Visitor Center. Learn more

  • The Zimmerman Sensory Garden features raised beds planted with multi-sensory plants just waiting to be touched and smelled. Each plant is labeled with Braille, raised letter and large-print signage for visitors who are blind and visually impaired.Learn more

  • The Garden for All in the Kemper Center for Home Gardening is devoted to individuals with physical disabilities. Learn more

  • Braille and large-print menus are available at Sassafras for visitors with visual impairments. Please request a braille menu at the restaurant counter.

  • Braille handouts available for classes. Please contact (314) 577-5140 at least 2 weeks prior to start date of class.

  • Please note: Due to its historic nature, Tower Grove House is not wheelchair accessible. Explore Tower Grove House virtually and learn more about the history of Henry Shaw's former home.

  • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is offered at all Whitaker Music Festival concerts. 

  • Pre-visit tools for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other sensory concerns: 
    Parent/Caregiver Narrative
    Children's Pre-Visit Guide
    Visual Schedule
  • A calming corner — a quiet, comfortable room for nursing moms and for children who need a quiet space to take a break — is located in Edward Jones Hall near the Brookings Exploration Center and Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden. 
    Learn more
Multilingual Visitor Guides
Downloadable PDF versions of the Garden’s Map and Visitor Guide are available in Bosnian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish and Vietnamese.
 

We hope your visit to the Garden is an enjoyable and meaningful one! If at anytime during your visit you have questions or concerns, Garden staff will be happy to assist you.

If you would like to offer feedback regarding this guide, or have suggestions about how we can more effectively accommodate guests with special needs, please email accessiblegarden@mobot.org. 

For questions about accessibility or a specific accommodation, please call (314) 577-5101. Please allow two weeks notice prior to date of accommodation need.