Traveling can be stressful, but a stroll through a peaceful Japanese garden or an oasis of beautiful flowers can bring you to one with nature and cause you to find a deeper meaning in life. Or, it can just be pleasant way to pass the time. Whether you’re looking for Zen or you just want to enjoy a nice St. Louis afternoon, head to the Missouri Botanical Garden – one of the oldest botanical institutions in the country and a National Historic Landmark. If you’re an avid gardener, channel your inner Martha Stewart by exploring the Kemper Center for Home Gardening. On-staff experts and eight acres of display gardens will give you an edge on your neighbors back home. If you’re just in the mood to surround yourself with a little natural beauty, the Missouri Botanical Garden is 79 acres of lakes, waterfalls, fountains, woodlands, bridges, footpaths and, oh yeah, flowers. Serenity will be your middle name by the time you leave.