The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden

The location is quiet and peaceful with lots of water fountains to go with the ambience! It holds TONS of gorgeous plants and an adorable cat named Busy! He seems to usually be in the greenhouse snoozing, but he's a very kind kitty when he's up and around. Overall a very beautiful location! Go here at least once!

This pmaceis small but FANTASTIC. My daughter and I went over the weekend, and we loved every second of it. There is a lot of seating to just hang out and chat. Clean restrooms and water fountain.

Beautiful garden for a stroll or appreciation of flora. Good for meditating or finding quiet solitude. Admission is free. The facility is overseen by a cat who appears to be lying down on the job most of the time. He seems to get saturated with attention.

I loved walking through this garden! There’s a large variety of flowers, trees, and bushes and the water features make it even more peaceful and serene. Perfect place to go for a date or to enjoy a nice portion of the day!

Tulips and Crabapples are in full bloom. It’s just so gorgeous to look at. We visited on a late Saturday afternoon. The door was still open and there were not many people. Can’t believe this garden is free to visit.

Beautiful spot to explore. Nice little botanical garden, lovely area to take a break and recharge.

Free entry. No portrait photography allowed for people, but are welcome to photograph the grounds. A serene, small space to relax in. There are multiple sitting areas to enjoy the scenery from.

It's a little early this week. The bulbs need 1-2 more weeks. It's well maintained and provides multiple areas of seating for singles and small groups. A quiet lunch on a warm day would be a perfect reason to stop by.

Kauffman Gardens is such a peaceful gem in the city. I visited just after a heavy rainstorm the night before, and the whole place felt fresh, calm, and extra lush. The fountains were flowing beautifully, adding to the already relaxed vibe. I took my time walking through the gardens, viewing everything from different angles. There's something grounding about being surrounded by flowers, greenery, and the soft sound of water. It is the perfect stop to slow down and unwind after a busy morning and/or afternoon. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quiet, beautiful spot to clear your head, or just sit and be still.

Ewing and Muriel Kauffman created this beautiful oasis in the middle of the city as a homage to parks they visited throughout their world travels - specifically in Europe. I've been known to take off work on a pleasant Spring or Autumn morning and casually stroll through the garden before going out for breakfast or an early lunch. The venue is open year-round, which allows the grounds crew to change the plant beds at least four times per year to keep up with the seasons. Most of the time it's nice and quiet, so you can enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Saturdays can be busy - especially when the weather is nice and it's close to Homecoming and Prom.

If you were looking for a place that can express the persona of Kansas City, then Kauffman Gardens might just be that place. The Gardens are relaxing, beautiful, exquisitely maintained, and open to all. Tucked in between the front lawn of the Nelson and the grounds of UMKC, this is a botanist's dream. Annuals and perennials alike are meticulously planted and cared for and the grounds are kept immaculate. Relax on a wooden bench near the reflecting pool and listen to the gurgle of the fountain or the splash of the jetted water. Enjoy the birds and the scents of spring or summer, tour the paths, and maybe take a photo or two. It is simply spectacular. Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman were as close to Kansas City royalty as any couple in my lifetime. But they would *never* accept a title like that as their legacy of philanthropy lives on in our fair city. Both are interred here and maybe this is as beautiful of an eternal resting spot as they could have chosen. The Gardens, along with dozens of their other civic donations, live on in their memory. Parking is easy and access is open to all. Just know that pets are not allowed and photo shoots/ops are discouraged as well. You want a few snaps of the foliage or your loved ones? Sure, that can happen, but please don't bring a tripod and changes of clothing thinking this will be the backdrop. The Gardens are special and quiet and meant to be the serene enclave that encapsulates our city.

This is one of Kansas City's best hidden jewels! If you need a pick-me-up or a place for quiet contemplation, come here any time of the year. This was alate summer visit, and the garden was spectacular! Monarch butterflies were flooding along with old-fashioned bumblebees and honeybees. Entrance and parking are free, and it closes at sunset.. The only caveat is you cannot take any kind of portrait photography, even with your cell phone, in this garden because it was being overused for that and taking away from the joy of just visiting for many. If you have out-of-town guests, don't miss this beautiful peaceful place given to Kansas City by Ewing and Muriel Kauffman, for whom this was the final resting place.

What a beautiful, peaceful, relaxing garden oasis and it's free! My husband and I visited the garden this weekend and really enjoyed ourselves. I love that it has parking and we easily found a spot and it wasn't too busy. The weather happened to be perfect while we were visiting. We walked throughout the garden and inside the atrium and then sat on a bench and enjoyed the main garden with the waterworks display. We will definitely go back and would recommend.

Had to stop by for tulip season - Kauffman Garden is absolutely stunning and very well-kept. It's a small area, has a parking lot and free entry. I came during my lunch break and it was so beautiful and relaxing!

This garden is build by Ewing and Muriel Kauffman foundation. Both husbands and wife are very gracious for building this garden. The garden is not big. But it is beautiful during spring time. Especially during the tulip blossom time. We got this opportunity to view the multi color tulip in the garden especially the fountain area. The tulip is planted with pattern next to the fountain. It is great place for a walk in the morning. Ewing Kauffman is a great baseball fan in Kansas City who own the Major League Baseball team. He is also related to Florida because he build a baseball academy at Sarasota. As a Floridian, I am appreciating his gift to community.

I hesitate to share how amazing this place is because part of what I like is how secluded and private it feels even though it's in the middle of the city. You can hear birds chirping, you'll spot a bunny or two, and in the summer, it is very fragrant with all the different flowers in bloom. Just a peaceful, quiet place to be.

Really beautiful space and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon without spending any money.

What a beautiful place. Very small but intimate seating areas, water features and calming environment. It is in transition from spring blooms to summer so not as spectacular of colors last night but absolutely lovely.

Such a beautiful place that is special to my wife and I. We first visited on one of our first trips together, before we lived here in Kansas City. It's small and intimate and peaceful, with a calming pond, beautiful plants/flowers, and a good amount of benches to sit to take in the beauty you're surrounded by. Raven found out the chrysanthemums are in full bloom there here in the heart of fall and they really are gorgeous. We enjoyed spending time here and comparing our photos to when we came in the summer a few years ago. The garden is fairly small so it doesn't take long to see in its entirety but you can spend as long as you like (for free!)

Very Beautiful and neat! Loved seeing the different fruit trees!! Went with family on vacation and to waste time before going to eat!

It was a pleasant surprise to see so many beautiful tulip blossom in the garden. The river of red , bright orange tulips and the accompany colorful flower were carefully planted and the whole composition looked very balanced and impressive. At the side of the main garden , there were pretty stone fountains and I also loved the white dogwoods blossom and the red eastern red buds blossoms. The 3 girl fountain statues artistically located in the central pool , catch every visitor's attention. It's the second week of April, so nice to visit this beautiful garden in spring time.

On prom night, I was met by a very disrespectful "security" guard. You would have suspected me of robbing a bank by the way he was yelling "No photography! You need to leave!" A simply discussion would have been fine. i was unable to find anything on the property or website indicating pictures were not allowed. Will not be coming back.

A beautiful garden that doesn't take much time to go through. Many of the flowers were pretty to look at and there were plenty of fountains to look at for the garden's size. Too bad some flowers weren't there probably due to not being in-person. Regardless, it was a good experience and there was even an indoor portion too.

Very small and cute little garden! The bathroom was nice, very clean, and easily accessible. The fountains are beautiful and the layout is really nice. My family and I enjoyed walking around reading all the names of the plants and trees and my kids especially enjoyed throwing the beautiful fall leaves around! Overall, I recommend this place if you want a quiet, cute, small little space to enjoy and kill time!

This is a very small garden. It is not a place to go if you are looking for a mile long brisk walk. It is free to enter. Don't expect the size and elaborateness of a paid entry garden. That said, it is amazing and peaceful for being free. It is a small enclosed and gated garden. It has public restrooms and a building thats kind of a greenhouse. We went during the winter; so, of course there were no outside flowers. Inside the building was full of pots of poinsettias and a lot of citrus trees. I found out the hard way that is closes around 4:30 during the winter.

Peaceful hidden gem! Wonderful place to stroll through with plenty of benches to just sit and enjoy the beautiful gardens. So well maintained and flowers change seasonally. They have a small indoor palm house with beautiful orchids. And best of all.....it's FREE!!!

Such a beautiful place - there are plenty of seating options to sit and relax or chat with friends. The fountains also feature pretty statues. The grounds are well maintained and the signage allows you to learn about the plants and flowers, if you're inclined. We saw dozens of butterflies and that thrilled the kiddos. When we were there, there were a few others there, although the multiple vignettes did offer space in a "corona" world. (Love that it's free, too.)

My family went here yesterday, and the garden staff had a very rude, angry young large woman working there. She told two preschool kids (not mine) to move out of the way so she could place her water-hose near where they were sitting. The kids were hot and tired, and she could've waited for them to leave. While everyone else at the garden was having a good time, I saw her walk around with an angry attitude. She really needs to find a different job.

SPEECHLESS. This garden has so many little curves, twists and nooks in the pathways. So well maintained with lots of variety, right in the heart of urban neighborhoods. Paved pathways for strollers and bikes. No motorized vehicles or skateboards allowed. We'd love to come again for another evening walk!

One of my favorites KC garden because of the flowers, plants, layout of this memorial garden. They open from dawn to dusk. Plenty of parking spots on the week day. It's not that big but it's pretty roomy and you can enjoy a nice walk and take your time to check out this spot. It's so beautiful, anyone can enjoy it here! This is a good spot to just relax and just enjoy. You will forget you are in the city. I love how they also change their flowers each year too. Different seasons, different flowers or plants to enjoy. Check it out KC!

Sometimes you need to find an oasis in the middle of the city to really bring you back to the beauty of nature. This ABSOLUTELY FREE botanical garden is by far my favorite local gem I've found in KC. It's a gorgeous place to take a walk, sit & read or just breathe in the fresh air while you watch the monarch butterflies flutter around. The garden is well kept with a huge variety of flowers and plants. An absolute must see (especially if you are in the area). Make a day out of it, and become a tourist in your own city (go to the Nelson Atkins right down the street, the country club plaza & of course this garden)

What a beautiful memorial garden! We went to see the tulips in full bloom and were not disappointed. A perfect Spring stroll in the middle of Kansas City. And unlike other botanical gardens in the area, this is free!

Came here on a weekend afternoon to walk around, really nice! Love the lake, not too many people, plenty of parking. Really relaxing and peaceful although there's a bit of street noise.

Came across this Beautiful garden on my walk around the area! well maintained , enjoy the plants and the fountains and quiet ambiance as you stroll thru this garden!

The surrounding area of the Kauffman Memorial Garden includes the Nelson-Atkins, gigantic green spaces, the Kauffman Center, and the UMKC campus... Definitely heaven for all you KC lovers out there. The gardens here are the place to be once you get to late April and May, aka one of the best times in our fair city. Serene, relaxing and loads of different plants and flowers. My only knock here kinda goes two ways. One is that photographers are (as of this writing) not allowed to take pictures here which is lame. However, it makes sense because the times I've been there I've seen people trampling flowers and being pretty disrespectful just to get the right shot. So until these dueling sides can work it out, you'll have to shoot your engagement photos elsewhere. (Never fear, again you have the Nelson, Loose Park, the Plaza fountains all within a mile or two). Nice place for an after dinner stroll on the warm, longer spring days.

This is a beautiful place to come in the spring and summer. I love to walk through it. If I lived closer it would be a great place to come with a book or my paint and pad and read or paint something. They take really good care of it and there is so much variety in the plants. It feels like you are in The Secret Garden.

Every visit to the Kauffman Memorial Garden feels like therapy - I leave feeling recharged and at peace. The plants and flowers themselves are all well cared for and the variety is refreshed seasonally. When I have guests in town, this is a must-see stop when we're going around town AND it's free. The Kauffman Memorial Garden is one of the many reasons I'm proud to live in Kansas City.

Wonderful small garden, with many different varieties of plants. Very pleasant spot to visit and it's free. Gardens are very well kept.

Nestled along Brush Creek, just a short drive or walk from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, this garden oasis is open year-round and features well-manicured garden beds, trees and well-maintained water features. Stop by for a stroll to check our local flowers and shrubs. Stay for the serene environment located in the city. Park benches and covered verandas provide a good space to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you and relax in nature. This space features a modest main building, which has public bathrooms and a breathtaking glassed in room. Parking is located nearby and this space is great for wheelchair access and ideal for ages. Displays may vary from season to season.

A true hidden botanical garden gem just east of the plaza and north of umkc in kansas city and it's free. Not a large place but they do an amazing job with what they have. Traquil and beautiful. You can see it all in about 30 min. Or just hangout and enjoy the peace. Easy access for handicap or wheel chairs. Plenty of places to sit. If you're lucky you might see the resident cat who ensures the rodents stay away.

This beautiful little oasis is proof that a garden/park doesn't have to be big in order to be completely wonderful. Kauffman Memorial Garden is one of the most moving and exquisitely lovely places in all of the downtown Kansas area. We went in spring and were treated to a small hidden garden filled with one colorful flower after another. I'd seen pictures of the graceful statuary of dancing ballerina type girls but was still not prepared for just how serenely beautiful the real sight would be. I honestly didn't want to leave - if I thought I could've gotten by with it, I think I'd have set up a tent and camped on the grounds. I did prolong my visit by walking around the lovely neighborhood, before returning for a second walk through of the garden. How nice is it that there's no admission charge to come into this beautiful spot???? This is the kind of place where you can choose to walk the grounds or just sit and take in everything around you. Before heading out, you might do as I did and stop at the graves of Muriel Kaufman and her husband. Maybe you'll even feel the inclination to silently thank them for caring enough about our city to bequeath such a sweet and visually stunning little oasis of beauty.

The Kauffman Memorial Garden, quite possibly one of the most beautiful and touching parks that I have ever visited, is a timeless, verdant oasis filled with color and peace in the midst of a busy city. This free park is a welcomed escape for all... KCMO residents and tourists, children and adults. It serves as an enduring reminder of the life of Muriel and Ewing Kauffman, benefactors of Kansas City and many positive social causes. Modeled after the manicured parks of Northern Europe, this green space is both a fitting reminder of their legacy and a beautiful celebration of life in general. I visited this park in the heat of September and it served as a refreshing respite amidst the hustle-bustle. In a quiet little corner, I paid respect to the final resting place of the Kauffmans, who are buried side-by-side amidst bowing flowers and sentinel shrubs. When visiting this unique park, please keep a few things in mind: 1) stay off the grass and flower beds, 2) professional photography is not allowed so as to keep people off delicate areas, and 3) gates open at sunrise and close at sunset. What a treasure! This memorial park is a must for both residents of and tourists to KCMO. My recommendations are to: 1) take a moment to sit on a park bench and reflect, 2) don't forget to offer respects to the Kauffmans' grave site, and 3) please be a considerate visitor and heed the rules.

Small, beautiful space which is a nice, calm spot within the city. I visited during winter, so most of the outdoor plants were dead, but the garden is still designed wonderfully. I took a very short stroll through the serene space, but there were benches for people to sit. There's also the plants indoors, most notably the orchids. Another surprise was the place has a resident cat there, who immediately welcomed me once I walked it (and very verbally too for a quiet space). I've seen pictures of this cat, so I think he/she is part of the charm of the garden :) Definitely somewhere to come during spring when things are in bloom, but still a pleasant visit in other times of the year as well.

A great place to go for a walk on a nice day out. The garden is really beautiful, and I like how all the plants and flowers are neatly labeled making it easy to tell what you're looking at. The garden isn't very large, so it's pretty easy to make a whole loop around the garden in less than 15 minutes, all while admiring the different flowers and plants. However, please note that photo sessions, individual photos, and group photos, are not allowed here. Inside the building onsite, there are a couple more flowers to be found, as well as the garden's resident cat. Please make sure not to feed her though because a sign posted inside the building states that "she is getting lazy because of too much food." I wouldn't doubt that since she didn't budge at all while I was inside the building, and even allowed me to get really close and take pictures of her. I definitely recommend visiting KC to make a stop here. There isn't an entry fee, and after you're done here, you can make your way over to the Nelson Atkins Museum!

Lovely garden! I cannot believe there was no fee to enter. The flowers were stunning and the area was so well maintained. I had my camera with me and there was an array of photo opportunities. They did have a sign that said new rules for photography includes no organized photo shoots. This is a must see for anyone visiting KC. My favorite experience in the city so far.

Absolutely beautiful and a wonderful collection for the north. Not too large so not overwhelmed as some major gardens can do. Enjoy for a wonderful hour!

Beautiful place. See photos. It's free to go in. Plenty of cook land exotic plants and trees to look at. It's very peaceful.

This is a beautiful tucked away little garden that was made by the Kauffman's. Who wanted a place for people to relax and enjoy nature which they succeeded in making. It is also perfect for pictures though I noticed this last visit they have signs asking people not to do that. Which I understand as some people did without taking care of the nature around them and caused damages but it's still a shame. If your lucky you will see the fat garden cat sunbathing. This hidden gem is always well maintained and kept clean.

Truly one of my favorite places on Earth. We are so lucky to have this beautiful garden in KC. It's just a short distance from midtown, The Plaza, Brookside, etc- and so worth a trip any time of year and anytime I have a few spare minutes. Going to Kauffman Gardens perks me up and relaxes me and makes me smile. It's open every day, from dawn to dusk, and it's completely free of charge. I cannot recommend it more highly!!!

This beautiful garden, in which Ewing Kauffman and his wife are laid to rest, is a small little treasure just to the east of the Nelson Museum's sprawling front lawn. It's just big enough to take a casual stroll around in and take in the beautiful flora and fauna from all around, and it's just small enough to sit and have a quiet conversation with a friend. Don't be surprised if you see people taking wedding photos or amateur photographers looking for that great shot. And don't come if you are afraid of bees and butterflies. They are here for the oasis too. As always in KC, there are fountains. They are the finishing touches to this place.

This garden is beautiful and immaculate. I love photographing there and on that note, please remember when photographing in the garden to stay on the paths. I witnessed a "photographer" there plopping her subject down amongst the flowers in a flower bed... DON'T DO THAT! It's tacky, disrespectful, and they will chase you out in a heartbeat. I came here to photograph several times this summer and I must say, I am completely impressed at the dedication and hard work of the staff. This garden never looked anything but stellar even in the middle of a drought and a scorching hit summer this year. Amazing, amazing, amazing garden!

This garden is a must visit for anyone who's visiting the Plaza, UMKC, or Downtown Kansas City. It's free, takes only 10 minutes to enjoy, and offers relaxation. I find gardens and parks very enjoyable. And this is one of the best in KC. The garden is not overwhelming and can be enjoyed in under 10 minutes. This makes it very appealing to me because I find it rejuvenates me more than bigger gardens. There is so much too taken in when you visit a huge garden. The Kauffman Memorial Garden is simple and enables you to reflect on whatever is happening in your life. If you're in a romantic mood, the garden also small corners to sit on a bench while visiting. It's a great location to visit for free before/after a date at any of the Plaza's great restaurants. Can't recommend visiting enough!

After many more visits here, I must say...I love it more each time. It's quiet, peaceful and free! Well...peaceful on some days. Saturday's are a nightmare, with countless groups doing endless photos. Any other day, though...peaceful! The lovely plants just keep getting better each time, as the weather brings out new blooms and endless colors. When the fountains are up and running, it's even better. Honestly, I just can't say enough good things about this place!

I came here last week with my daughter's senior picture photographer for our final stop on our photo extravaganza. I had no idea this little gem existed. I nabbed a brochure on the way in. It opened in 2000 and we moved from the plaza area in 1999. What a find! It is small and quaint, has great architecture with the stone walls and wrought iron gates and it's FREE! There are fountains (obligatory in the plaza area) and bronze sculptures by Tom Corbin. The trees, shrubs and perennials are labeled and they switch out annuals four times a year. I can't wait to bring my mom the next time she is in town. There is an Orangery (European conservatory with only south-facing windows) which houses orchids and other fragrant/seasonal plants, some benches and bathrooms. Am I really so cultured that I know what an orangery is? No, silly. I read the brochure. Anyway, you should run, not walk, over to this place. You can spend an amazingly tranquil 30 minutes walking around inside looking at all the plants. The final resting place of Ewing and Muriel Kauffman is also tucked in a corner. It's open 8 am to dusk. No pets allowed inside. Also, for you suburbanites, this IS in the city, so just be aware of your surroundings. When we arrived on a Wednesday around 6:30, there were 2 police cars and an ambulance just leaving the parking lot (free parking also) and they had just put someone in the back of one of the police cars. Other than that, no sketchy characters except a cub scout pack that was having a rousing game of bean bag toss. Enjoy!

This picturesque two acre garden is the ideal location for wedding proposals, photographs, meditation, picnics, and to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's beautifully maintained by Powell Gardens and showcases over 7,000 plants. Admission is free and it's open from 8 AM to dusk. I regret not visiting this gem sooner as it's the most beautiful and zen location in Kansas City. The landscape of beautiful flowers and plants is also perfect for testing out the macro mode on a camera. I posted some of the photographs from my point and shoot camera. The location of the garden is ideal as the Nelson-Atkins, Kemper, and the Plaza are within walking distance. Perfect for taking out-of-town guests or a wonderful morning/afternoon to yourself.

My husband and I have lived in KC our whole lives and never knew about this gorgeous park! It's a smaller park but very well-maintained with beautiful flowers & greenery. There is a nice walking path and a little indoor exhibit as well. The pictures will speak for themselves! If you are looking for a short outing, this is a great place. We took my husband's elderly grandmother while she was visiting from out of town, and it was the perfect park size for someone who has trouble walking long distances. Entry is free and there is plenty of parking (also free)!

This is a lovely little oasis in Kansas City. We came to the city for a concert but after realizing we came to early, we wanted to find something to do. We saw this garden near by and came to check it out. Parking and garden entry are both free. Parking was easy and very open. We were 2 of maybe 5 people in the whole garden. Very peaceful. Garden is lovely and very well-maintained. Plants are clearly labeled. Water fixtures are gorgeous too. There is an atrium inside that was nice to relax in. Oh and the bathrooms are immaculately clean!! There is also a grounds cat that my boyfriend fell in love with - very sweet cat! Really great little place and would recommend to people for a visit.