This spring marked a historic moment for Eckert’s Farm, and for visitors across the St. Louis region. For the first time in more than 185 years of farming, Eckert’s introduced a brand-new pick-your-own experience: tulips. And judging by the turnout, color-filled fields, and community excitement, the inaugural tulip season was nothing short of a blooming success.
A Historic First for Eckert’s Farm
When Eckert’s planted 300,000 tulip bulbs for its first-ever tulip season, it wasn’t just about adding something new. It was about continuing a legacy nearly two centuries in the making. Since 1837, the Eckert family has evolved alongside the seasons. From adding small-batch cider production and an outdoor music venue, this spring marked another meaningful step forward in that evolution.
Opening The Tulip Trail on March 27, the farm welcomed guests into a new kind of pick-your-own experience, blending the beauty of blooming flower fields with the hands-on traditions Eckert’s is known for. The response from the community was immediate and overwhelming. Ten thousand tickets sold within 24-hours, and cut-your-own tulips sold out in just one weekend. This was a testament to how deeply the experience resonated with visitors, and the team is so grateful the community loved it just as much as they did.
For the Eckert family, the debut of tulips reflects a thoughtful balance of innovation and heritage. The family is staying rooted in agriculture while continuing to create new ways for families to connect with the farm year after year. If this first season proved anything, it is that the community embraced this new chapter wholeheartedly.
The Tulip Trail Experience
Throughout the season, guests experienced the Tulip Trail as more than just a walk through flowers. The visit began with a wagon ride from the main farm, where guests were picked up and driven out to the fields, building anticipation along the way.
Upon arrival, visitors stepped into rows of vibrant tulips in full bloom, wandering through waves of reds, pinks, yellows, and purples. The trail invited guests to slow down, take photos, and fully take in the beauty of spring in a peaceful farm setting.
Along the way, many stopped at the field bar to enjoy a glass of Eckert’s small batch cider or picked up a picnic basket to enjoy lunch right in the tulip fields. Whether relaxing among the blooms or continuing to explore, the experience felt both immersive and uniquely seasonal.
Of course, the highlight for many was cutting their own bouquet. Guests carefully selected their favorite stems, creating custom arrangements to take home. With flowers in hand and a wagon ride back, visitors left with a little piece of spring and a memorable day at the farm.
The Tulip Trail quickly became one of the most talked-about spring attractions near St. Louis, and it is easy to see why. From start to finish, the experience combined tradition, beauty, and hands-on fun in a way that resonated with guests across the region.
More Than Just Flowers
Eckert’s elevated the experience beyond the blooms with a full lineup of seasonal events and activations designed to appeal to families, couples, and groups alike. Highlights included:
- Mimosa Mornings in the Tulips, where guests sipped drinks while strolling the fields
- Hot Air Balloons in the Tulip Fields, offering a one-of-a-kind photo backdrop
- Paint & Sip experiences, blending creativity with the beauty of spring
- Rudy’s Flower Truck pop-up, adding even more floral flair to the fields
- Picnic baskets in the field, perfect for a relaxed spring outing
The season also overlapped with Eckert’s beloved Easter Egg-Citement, bringing even more family-friendly energy to the farm with egg hunts, tractor rides, and visits from the Easter Bunny.
A New Spring Tradition Near St. Louis
From weekday strolls to sold-out weekends, the response to Eckert’s tulip season was overwhelmingly positive. Guests traveled from across the region to experience what quickly became one of the best spring activities near St. Louis.
The combination of immersive farm experiences, photo-worthy scenery, and thoughtful programming made the Tulip Trail more than just a visit. It became a memory-making destination.
As the final blooms fade, one thing is clear: Eckert’s tulip season has planted the seeds for a new annual tradition. With such a strong debut, it’s safe to say the Tulip Trail will be a highly anticipated event for years to come.
For those who joined this inaugural season, you were a part of our history. And for those who missed it, next spring offers another opportunity to experience one of the Midwest’s most vibrant seasonal events!
