The Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden, having been established in 1859. The National Historic Landmark is 79 acres of horticultural wonders, research and science education, with a 14-acre Japanese garden.

Take a culture break in the Design Museum and Design Gallery. These cover everything from industrial and commercial to historical design, and have the visitor wondering (as happens every few minutes or so in Japan): 'Just where does this astonishing creativity come from?'

Shrine in Marija Bistrica became the national shrine in 1715 when the Croatian parliament built a big votive altar at the church in Marija Bistrica. As Marian devotions grew and many prayers got answered by seeking intercession of Saint Mary of Bistrica, the shrine’s church became tight and too small so Bistrica’s parish priest Juraj Žerjavić had the church and the parish house with arcades extended and reconstructed following the designs of architect Friedrich von Schmidt and his student Hermann Bollé. The new church was built in Neo-Renaissance style.

Our Lady of Snow in Belec is one of the most dazzling pearls of the baroque period. Thanks to Father Pavao Kunek ability to attract respectable and powerful donors allowed this church to become the best-known monument of the baroque period in Croatia.