Know Before You Go

Getting Here

Powell Gardens (1609 US-50 E, Kingsville, MO 64061) is easily accessible throughout the Kansas City metro area, conveniently located twenty miles east of Lee’s Summit and twenty miles west of Warrensburg.
Powell Gardens Location

2025 J-Turn Construction on 50 Highway and Visiting Powell Gardens

Powell Gardens is open and ready to welcome you! Beginning September 2, 2025, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MODOT) will begin construction on U.S. 50 Highway near our entrance. This project may affect travel routes, but rest assured—Powell Gardens remains fully accessible. 

Below are answers to common questions to help you plan your visit. 

What is happening on Highway 50 near Powell Gardens? 

MODOT is starting an intersection improvement project (KR0134 – MO 50 Project) to increase safety along this stretch of highway. The project will add safer turning lanes and improve traffic flow.  

Construction is expected to last from September 2 through December 31, 2025, weather permitting. 

MODOT Project Page 

Traveler Information Map 

Will Powell Gardens remain open during construction? 

Yes! Powell Gardens will be open throughout the project. Events, festivals, classes, and daily visits will continue as planned. We encourage you to allow extra travel time and review your route before heading our way. 

Powell Gardens is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. through November 2, 2025. Evening hours occur on select dates during Dark Forest and Evergy Festival of Lights.  

How do I get to Powell Gardens if I am traveling eastbound on Highway 50 (from Lee’s Summit, Kansas City, etc.)? 

• Follow posted detour routes.  

How do I get to Powell Gardens if I am traveling westbound on Highway 50 (from Warrensburg, Sedalia, etc.)? 

• You can still make a right turn directly into Powell Gardens as usual. 

How do I exit Powell Gardens during construction? 

• Eastbound (toward Warrensburg/Sedalia): Exit Powell Gardens by turning right (west). Follow posted detour routes.  

• Westbound (toward Lee’s Summit/Kansas City): Exit Powell Gardens by turning right onto westbound 50 Highway, just as you do today. 

Why is this project necessary? 

Traffic along this stretch of Highway 50 has tripled since the 1960s, and recent years have seen several serious accidents. MODOT’s improvements will add safer turn lanes and reduce dangerous cross-traffic, creating a safer long-term solution for Powell Gardens visitors and the community. 

What should I do before visiting? 

• Allow extra travel time, especially for fall festivals and holiday events. 

• Review MODOT’s Traveler Information Map for real-time updates. 

• Follow Powell Gardens on social media for visitor updates. 

Powell Gardens is open and excited to welcome you! While your route may look a little different this fall and winter, our Gardens, events, and experiences are ready for you to enjoy. 

Transportation Partner

Group transportation is available through CharterUP, offering reliable bus rentals in Kansas City and to Powell Gardens from anywhere in the nation. Kansas City Charter Bus Company also provides transportation to Powell Gardens for convenient transportation for any group event.

Prepare for Being Outdoors

Powell Gardens is a place for outdoor discovery. As with all outdoor experiences, we recommend that garden goers come prepared to enjoy their visit by wearing comfortable and protective clothing, shoes, sunscreen, and bug spray.

All visitors should follow signage to stay on designated paths, walkways, and trails to avoid poison ivy and ticks. With no shortage of pollen and pollinator friends, we recommend those with allergies take their medication prior to arrival and to carry their epinephrine pen at all times in the event of an emergency.

Bring everything you need for the day or stop in The Marketplace to snag what you forgot before you head outdoors. First aid supplies, food, and beverages can be purchased in the Visitor Center. Drinking fountains are also located in the Visitor Center and Heartland Harvest Garden.

Come prepared to have fun while staying safe!

Inclement Weather

The safety and comfort of visitors, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. While Powell Gardens generally remains open, there are times when inclement weather may create an unsafe environment. In the event of inclement weather, the Gardens may choose to close and cancel scheduled events.

If a class, event, or festival is cancelled, Powell Gardens will alert ticket holders via email. Any closures impacting guests will also be posted on social media, as well as noted online at www.powellgardens.org. (Follow Powell Gardens on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss any important updates.)

When possible, rain out dates will be provided. Impacted ticket holders should review the information communicated via email for next steps.

Admission

Powell Gardens is open seasonally. Check our hours of operation on our Hours & Admission page. Pricing varies by event.

Membership

Powell Gardens offers nine membership levels with a range of benefits. Members receive free general and festival admission for as many as their membership allows. Check the membership page for more information.

Reciprocal Admission

Powell Gardens is a proud supporter of the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). All Powell Gardens members enjoy select benefits at more than 330 botanical gardens around the country.

To enjoy this benefit, simply present your current membership card at one of our partner institutions. To visit Powell Gardens as a reciprocal member, please present your membership card at a participating Garden to our staff upon arrival to Powell Gardens.

Visiting members from other participating RAP gardens may only use the RAP benefits during general admission time. RAP benefits may not be used for Powell Gardens festivals, special events, or classes.

Military Discount on General Admission

Active-duty and retired military personnel receive a discount on general and festival adult admission with proof of valid ID, excluding special events, classes/workshops, etc. Please call 816.697.2600  or purchase tickets in person during operating hours to take advantage of this discount.

Admission Pricing

Powell Gardens is a Blue Star Museum, offering free admission to military personnel. See Hours and Admission for more information.

Food & Drink

The Marketplace (located in the Visitor Center) is open daily with boxed lunches (while supplies last), sweet and savory treats, and drinks for purchase. Look for seasonal offerings during special events.

Guests are welcome to bring coolers with picnic items (food and nonalcoholic beverages) to Powell Gardens.

Photography Policy

Powell Gardens is known for its 175 acres of signature Midwestern landscape and iconic architecture by E. Fay Jones, making it a desirable location for photography and videography projects. Powell Gardens encourages visitors to take photos and videos throughout the Gardens for personal use, including social media, as long as they abide by the policies outlined in our photography policy.

When visiting Powell Gardens, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the premises, you consent to your image and likeness being used and published, without compensation, for advertising and promotional purposes. You voluntarily release Powell Gardens from any liability regarding any such publication, whether now known or hereafter devised, on account of such usage. Thank you.

View Photography Policy

For all other types of photography, additional fees may be applied. Contact the special events department for scheduling and fees.

Please note, Powell Gardens is not currently accepting requests for commercial photography. 

Garden Explorer

If you’re interested in learning more about Powell Gardens’ collections before or during your visit, check out Garden Explorer on your phone or computer. Check out Garden Explorer!

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at Powell Gardens. Pets are not allowed unless otherwise specified.

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Service Animals should remain on a leash at all times and may not be left unattended.
• Please clean up after your service animal and dispose of waste in a trash receptacle.

Smoking & Weapons Policy

Powell Gardens is a smoke-free facility. Firearms or weapons of any kind are not allowed.

Accessibility

Our paved paths are ADA accessible.