Brookings Exploration Center

Name: Brookings Exploration Center
Address: 2000-2030 Alfred Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA, St. Louis, MO, US
Telephone: (314) 577-5100
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

2000-2030 Alfred Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA

Overview

Category:New Year's Eve Kids Activities

Location:St. Louis, MO

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Brookings Exploration Center offers a unique blend of interactive, educational, and hands-on fun in a comfortable and well-decorated environment, catering to children of all ages with a variety of engaging stations and exhibits. It stands out for its thoughtful parent amenities and surprisingly low crowd levels, especially during winter.

Key Highlights

✓Neat and comfortable decor creates an inviting atmosphere.
✓Abundant educational materials presented in a fun, engaging manner for kids.
✓Wide variety of interactive stations including games, books, toys, and hands-on learning opportunities.
✓Displays and small creature exhibits change seasonally, offering new experiences with each visit.
✓Consistently described as a great place for hands-on learning and play.
✓Rarely crowded, particularly noted for low crowd levels during winter visits.

Standout Features

⭐A nice, big family restroom is available, enhancing convenience for parents.
⭐Features a dedicated 'calm room' for nursing or for comforting an overtired toddler having a meltdown.
⭐Offers quiet spaces for adults to escape to during the week, providing a break for caregivers.
⭐Seasonal changes to displays and small creature exhibits keep the experience fresh and new for repeat visitors.

Perfect For

Highly suitable for children of all ages, as noted by the 'wonderful variety of interactive stations for children of all ages'.

Provides engaging activities for a broad range, from toddlers (calm room for meltdowns mentioned) to older kids (educational materials, hands-on learning).

Ideal For

Families looking for educational and interactive entertainment on any day.

Cold or inclement weather days (e.g., 'polar vortex') when indoor activities are preferred.

Parents needing a comfortable and supportive environment for nursing or managing toddler meltdowns.

Families with children across different age groups, as activities cater to a wide range.

Weekdays for adults seeking a quiet space while children play.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

→Consider visiting during the winter months for a less crowded and more relaxed experience.
→If visiting with younger children or those who might become overstimulated, utilize the calm room for a quiet break.
→Parents seeking a moment of peace can take advantage of the quiet adult spaces during weekday visits.
→Plan for multiple visits throughout the year to experience the changing seasonal displays and exhibits.

Price & Value

Pricing details are not mentioned in the reviews, making it impossible to assess value from the provided information.

♿Accessibility & Special Needs

•Includes a nice big family restroom, suggesting accessibility for families with diverse needs.
•Features a calm room, which can be beneficial for children with sensory sensitivities or those needing a quiet space.
•Offers quiet spaces for adults, implicitly supporting a more relaxed environment for some caregivers.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

•Food and drink policies are not mentioned in the provided reviews.

🚗Parking Info

•Parking information is not mentioned in the provided reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

•Known to be 'never crowded...in the winter', suggesting that winter months offer a consistently low crowd experience.
•No specific information about crowd levels during other seasons or on weekends is available, but the winter experience is notably uncrowded.

🛡️Safety Features

•Safety features are not explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews.

⏰When to Avoid

• No specific situations or times to avoid were mentioned in these universally positive reviews.

Pricing/Package/Events

Pricing & Packages

Individual Membership

$55

Duration: 12 months

Admission for 1 adult and any children 12 and younger.

Includes:

•Free general admission to the Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, and Shaw Nature Reserve
•Discounted admission to Garden Glow, festivals, and other signature events
•A set of personalized printed membership cards (with a digital membership card option)
•Exclusive previews and early entry to floral shows, plant sales, and signature events
•Reciprocal privileges at 300+ gardens across North America
•Invitations to members-only events
•10% discount at all retail locations (does not apply to sale merchandise)
•Valuable savings on education classes, workshops, and family programs
•Free subscription to the Bulletin, member e-news, and education catalog
•1 named cardholder and membership card

Ages: 1 adult and any children 12 and younger

Garden Membership

$85

Duration: 12 months

Admission for 2 adults and any children 12 and younger.

Includes:

•Free general admission to the Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, and Shaw Nature Reserve
•Discounted admission to Garden Glow, festivals, and other signature events
•A set of personalized printed membership cards (with a digital membership card option)
•Exclusive previews and early entry to floral shows, plant sales, and signature events
•Reciprocal privileges at 300+ gardens across North America
•Invitations to members-only events
•10% discount at all retail locations (does not apply to sale merchandise)
•Valuable savings on education classes, workshops, and family programs
•Free subscription to the Bulletin, member e-news, and education catalog
•2 named cardholders and membership cards

Ages: 2 adults and any children 12 and younger

Friends and Family Membership

$140

Duration: 12 months

Admission for 4 adults and any children 12 and younger. Includes unlimited access to Children's Garden and tram tours.

Includes:

•Free general admission to the Garden, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, and Shaw Nature Reserve
•Discounted admission to Garden Glow, festivals, and other signature events
•A set of personalized printed membership cards (with a digital membership card option)
•Exclusive previews and early entry to floral shows, plant sales, and signature events
•Reciprocal privileges at 300+ gardens across North America
•Invitations to members-only events
•10% discount at all retail locations (does not apply to sale merchandise)
•Valuable savings on education classes, workshops, and family programs
•Free subscription to the Bulletin, member e-news, and education catalog
•Admission privileges and benefits for 4 adults and any children 12 and younger
•2 named cardholders and membership cards
•Unlimited entry to the Children’s Garden and free tram tours on every visit (April–October; capacity limits apply)

Ages: 4 adults and any children 12 and younger

Festival Membership

$260

Duration: 12 months

Enhanced Friends and Family benefits with additional tickets and discounts.

Includes:

•All Friends and Family benefits
•Admission privileges and benefits for a total of 6 adults and any children 12 and younger
•6 free tickets to Garden Glow and selected summer exhibits
•6 free tickets to festivals, including Chinese Culture Days, Japanese Festival, and Best of Missouri Market
•An extra 10% discount at all retail locations (20% total)

Ages: 6 adults and any children 12 and younger

President's Contributor Membership

$600–$999

Duration: 12 months

Upper-level membership with increased privileges and involvement.

Includes:

•All General Membership benefits
•Admission privileges for a total of 8 adults and any children 12 and younger
•8 complimentary passes to Garden Glow, festivals, and selected exhibits (no timed tickets required)
•Invitation for 2 to Garden Glow and Orchid Show Donor Previews
•Invitation for 2 to annual President’s Society Reception
•Invitations to exclusive Spotlight Series events and additional learning programs

Ages: 8 adults and any children 12 and younger

President’s Circle Membership

$1,000–$1,999

Duration: 12 months

Highest level of President's Society with premium benefits.

Includes:

•All President’s Contributor privileges
•Admission privileges for a total of 10 adults and any children 12 and younger
•A total of 10 complimentary passes to Garden Glow, festivals, and selected exhibits
•1 complimentary Garden-level gift membership to give to a friend
•A complimentary Missouri Botanical Garden wall calendar (mailed in the fall)

Ages: 10 adults and any children 12 and younger

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

Spirits in the Garden

Friday, October 24 (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM)

Not included in general Garden admission; separate pricing applies (not specified).

Annual All Hallows' Eve celebration. Enjoy tastings from local distilleries, wineries, and breweries, as well as a costume contest, spooky tunes, and other spirited activities across Garden grounds.

Around the World Wine Dinner: Germany

October 15, 2025 (6:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Not specified.

Ghouls in the Garden

October 26, 2025 (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Not specified.

Event is SOLD OUT.

Advance Inquiry Program Online Information Session

October 29, 2025 (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM)

Not specified.

Shaw Nature Reserve Centennial Celebration

Throughout 2025

Not specified.

Special events and activities commemorating 100 years of this unique destination for all who love the great outdoors.

Member Speaker Series: The Social Lives of Birds

October 14, 2025 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

Not specified.

Event is SOLD OUT.

Member Appreciation Days 2025

November 10 - November 16, 2025 (12:00 AM - 12:00 AM)

Not specified.

Member Speaker Series: A Conversation with Dr. Lúcia G. Lohmann

November 10, 2025 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)

Not specified.

Garden Glow Member Preview Night

November 14, 2025 (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM)

Not specified.

Member Speaker Series: Holiday Decorating: Designing Christmas with Laura Dowling

December 03, 2025 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)

Not specified.

Member Speaker Series: Holiday Decorating: Designing Christmas with Laura Dowling

December 03, 2025 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

Not specified.

The St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale Member Preview

April 23, 2026 (5:00 PM - 7:30 PM)

Not specified.

The St. Louis Herb Society Herb Sale

April 24, 2026 (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

Not specified.

🍎Food Policy

• Picnicking is listed as a 'Things To Know' topic, suggesting specific rules, but details are not provided in the content.

🛡️Safety Policy

• Visitors asked to depart for inappropriate or offensive behavior.
• Visitors held accountable for any damage caused to Garden's property.

📅Booking Policy

• Advance e-ticket purchase or reservations recommended for general Garden admission.
• Walk-up tickets are available at the ticket counter on the day of your visit during operating hours.
• Garden accepts cashless payments (credit/debit) only.
• ZMD free tickets are available onsite for walk-ups only and cannot be reserved online in advance.
• ZMD resident free admission is subject to availability.
• Free and early morning hours do not apply on holiday or event weekends, including Labor Day weekend.

🚗Parking Information

• No charge for parking at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
• Main parking lot available.
• Overflow lots at the corner of Shaw Boulevard and South Vandeventer Avenue.
• No parking available along Tower Grove Avenue between Shaw Blvd. and Magnolia Ave. due to ongoing road construction.
• Visitors should refrain from parking on residential streets or private lots to avoid towing at owner's expense.

Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Oct 15, 2025

Photos

What People Say

What's Great

Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Cass

6 years ago

Love it! The decor is so neat, and comfortable. There's lots of educational materials that are fun for kids. Games, books, toys and interactive fun. There's also a nice big family restroom as well as a calm room for nursing or chilling out an overtired toddler having a meltdown.

Michael Banvard

5 years ago

A wonderful variety of interactive stations for children of all ages. Displays and small creature exhibits change seasonally. During the week, there are quiet spaces for adults to escape to.

Janette Hurley

6 years ago

Fantastic year 'round but this polar vortex weather has given me another excuse to enjoy all of the activities here with my granddaughter. It amazes me that it's never been crowded here in the winter when I've come!