The Missouri Botanical Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis for over 154 years. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.  With 22 distinct gardens and other attractions, they’ll be many things to see and do.  We will have 4 hours at MOBOT with 2 hours of guided tours.  Also at MOBOT will be the Greater St. Louis Daylily Society Show & Sale where you’ll be able to buy new cultivars and old favorites sold by the area’s top growers, who will be on hand to answer questions and give plant care advice.

We’ll have dinner at the highly reviewed Firefly Grill in Effingham, Illinois.  The menu is American fare and wide ranging, serving from premium steaks and seafood to wood-grilled pizzas.  Self-described as “… a motley crew of passionate restaurant folk who are dedicated, body and soul, to providing you with a wonderful Firefly experience. Niall and I (Krisite) are grateful to have such an amazing team, from dishwasher to server, Chef to busser, our team is devoted to you, our customers. We want you to feel welcome and at home in our home.”

Schedule for the trip is to depart at 7:00 am on Saturday from the KMART West Bloomington parking lot (Hwy 37 & W 3rd St - park against the Hwy 37 side of the lot), then take a short rest halfway at Starbucks to arrive about 11:30 am at MOBOT.  You will have 4.0 hours total to tour MOBOT gardens, have a lite lunch, and shop the Daylily Sale.  Departure from MOBOT will be at 3:30 pm heading back towards Bloomington and stopping half way for dinner.  Dinner will start at 5:15 at the Firefly Grill with a select menu ranging from $12 for a pizza to $42 for a premium steak.  Departure for the final leg back to Bloomington will be at 6:45, Bloomington arrival at 9 pm.  Cost for bus travel with admission & tour fees is $79/adult, $65/child (12 and under) and includes drinks, snacks, and breakfast items on the bus.  Lunch, dinner and Starbuck’s are at your own cost.

Tickets - contact info@ldhsclub.com