Accessibility for Visitors

The Missouri Botanical Garden strives to make all visitors feel welcome. We are committed to providing all visitors with a beautiful and engaging experience within an environment free of discrimination or harassment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
 

Wheelchairs, Scooters and Strollers

Manual wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Visitor Center 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.

During Whitaker Music Festival , a limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. 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

Service animals are welcome, but no pets please. "A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that benefit an individual with a disability" per the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, Title III 2010 Revised Regulations-36.104. Emotional support animals are not recognized as service animals and are not permitted at the Garden, Shaw Nature Reserve, or Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. 

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
  • Parking: Accessible parking spaces are located on both the east and west parking lots at the Ridgway Visitor Center. View Garden map
  • Elevators: A few of our buildings are multiple levels. Elevators are located in the following:
  • Restrooms: All restrooms are accessible to visitors. Family/Companion Assist restrooms are located at:
    • Spink Pavilion
    • Museum
    • Exploration Center and PlantLab
    • View map
      • Manual flush toilets for those with sensory needs are located at the Family/Companion Assist restroom next to the Exploration Center and PlantLab
  • Exploring the Garden by tram: The Garden tram is manual wheelchair-accessible. Due to safety concerns, we are not able to accommodate personal motorized equipment on our trams at this time. 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. Please ask a visitor services tram attendant or pick up a copy at the visitor services desk in the Ridgway Visitor Center. Learn more
  • Unique Display Gardens:
    • 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 or visually impaired.Learn more
    • The Garden for All in the Kemper Center for Home Gardening highlights innovative ideas for individuals with physical disabilities. Learn more
  • Large Print, Braille, and American Sign Language:
    • Braille and large-print menus are available at Sassafras. Please make request at the restaurant counter.
    • Braille or large print handouts available for classes. Please contact (314) 577-5140 at least two weeks prior to start date of class.
    • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is offered at all Whitaker Music Festival concerts.
  • Pre-visit Tools:  The Children's Garden is a place for families to discover, explore, pretend, observe, and have nature adventures together. A visit to this special garden offers a variety of sensory experiences that encourage socialization, motor skill development, and foster a love of the natural world. These pre-visit tools were developed to help make a child’s experience a more meaningful and comfortable should they be living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other sensory disorders:
  • Calming Corner: A comfortable room for nursing moms and for young visitors who need a quiet space and relief from sensory stimulation. Located in Edward Jones Hall near the Brookings Exploration Center and Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden, the room is purposefully designed with soft lighting, soothing colors, and comfortable seating. Calming activities in the room include books, tactile toys, plush forest critters, and soft mats. The room is available on a first come –first serve basis. Learn more 
  • Low Sensory Areas: Visitors in need of a less stimulating environment in the Garden are encouraged to visit the English Woodland Garden, Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Brookings Exploration Center before 10am and after 4pm, and the Children’s Garden before 10am or after 2pm most afternoons.

 

  • Please note: Due to its historic nature, Tower Grove House is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Explore Tower Grove House virtually and learn more about the history of Henry Shaw's former country home.
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 or call (314) 577-5101