St. Louis is known as the home of the Arch and the path of Lewis and Clark as they opened the American West. But, if you have a day to spend in St. Louis with the family, make time to visit Forest Park. “A park?” You say, “Couldn’t I see a park in my own area?” Sure, but not like this one. Forest Park, located on the west side of the city, encompasses 1293 acres and is bigger than Central Park in New York City. It’s filled with a treasure trove of activities and best of all, they are mostly free. Here are some of the sites you don’t want to miss in Forest Park.
Must Visit Sites in Forest Park
1. Architecture and Sculpture in Forest Park – The beauty of the grounds in Forest Park is enhanced by the architecture and sculpture located throughout the park. Unlike most sculpture and architecture that has large “Do Not Touch” signs, most of the park has a hands-on policy. You’ll find children frolicking in the fountains or climbing on the sculptures to pose for pictures. Be sure to check out the Apotheosis of St. Louis, a statute representing Louis IX of France, who lived from 1214-1270), and is the namesake of the city. Created by W.R. Hodges and unveiled in 1906, this statute was the symbol for the city until the Gateway Arch was completed in 1966. The statute is located directly across from the St. Louis Art. Museum.
2. St. Louis Art Museum-Originally built as the Fine Arts Palace of the 1904 World’s Fair, the Museum offers a broad selection to appeal to all art lovers. Think your children won’t enjoy art? Visit the Arms and Armor section, a collection of weapons from the 15th through the 18th centuries. There are enough swords and armor to satisfy any boy’s curiosity. Other exhibits range from Ancient American Art to Contemporary Art. With over 33,000 objects you’ll find something that appeals to everyone. Although admission to the Saint Louis Art Museum is free, stop by on Fridays for free admission to featured exhibitions which regularly cost extra. Be aware the Art Museum is closed on Monday.
3. Forest Park Zoo– dating back to 1891, the Forest Park Zoo is an example of one of the finest zoos in the country. The zoo houses more than 14840 exotic animals, many of whom are rare and endangered, and over 603 species. There are plenty of outdoor exhibits to explore including Big Cat Country, home to lions and tigers, oh my, and Fragile Forest the outdoor summer habitat for orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. When you need to cool down, visit the Butterfly Wing, and enclosed dome filled with all species of butterflies and the Penguin and Puffin Coast. Those exhibits barely scratch the surface of all the zoo has to offer. You could easily spend an entire day here with the kids. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Note: Some activities, such as the train and carousel are available for a fee.)
4. The Muny —is the onsite Municipal Theatre. They offer Broadway shows from mid-June until mid-August. They offer 1500 free seats for every show, but they fill up fast. If you want to see a show, your best chance is to buy tickets. Prices range from $14-$90 each, and concessions can be bought on-site. Shows change several times a season, and range from classics to smash hits. Parking fills up quickly near the Muny, so you will want to arrive at Forest Park early. Expect traffic after the show. Although we have seen shows at the Muny, during our last visit we had a picnic at one of the tables near the amphitheater and listened to their practice.
5. Missouri History Museum is located near the entrance to the park in the Jefferson Memorial Building. First built to honor Thomas Jefferson, with funds from the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition and World’s Fair, this space now captures Missouri’s history. With exhibits ranging from colonial days, the Plains Indian cultures, and items connected with Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic “Spirit of St. Louis” flight, there are hands-on exhibits for the children to help them recreate the past. (And, they are kind of fun for adults too!) The building is like a walk through time as it begins in the past and leads up to the not so distant past. Be sure to visit the special History Clubhouse for games, reading, and more. Note: Admission is free, but some special exhibits might include a fee.
6. St. Louis Science Museum & James S. McDonnell Planetarium -want to practice those STEM activities with the kids this summer in a way they won’t know they are learning? Visit the St. Louis Science Museum. There are more than 600 exhibits on subjects like ecology, the environment, aviation, space, and technology. With three floors of exhibits, kids can explore the human body, learning how our brains, senses, and bodies work or stop by one of the amazing science demonstrations to watch experiments in action. And that’s just a fraction of the activities! Admission to the Science Center is free. The James S. McDonnell Planetarium features space exhibits, a star projector and more. Some activities, such as Planetarium shows and special exhibits are available for a fee.
7. Turtle Park is a great place for the kids to explore. Filled with statues of giant land turtles created by sculptor Robert Cassilly, parents can relax while the kids have a blast crawling over the turtles. Turtle Park can be found at the northwest corner of Tamm and Oakland avenues.
8. The Jewel Box is as beautiful inside as it outside. Surrounded by rose gardens, lily ponds, statuary, monuments and seasonal flower displays, this is a nature lovers paradise. Designed by William Becker and opened in 1936, this glass-enclosed greenhouse is open to the public from 9 AM until 4 PM Mondays through Fridays. Although admission is $1, it is free to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM.
Tips To Know Before You Go:
*Parking is at a premium and most of it is parallel parking. Be prepared to walk.
* The Park is Massive. If you don’t want to walk around the park, you can take the trolley. During the months of April through September, the trolley operates from 9 AM until 7 PM. It runs every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. All day passes which allow unlimited on and off again privileges cost $2.00 for adults and $1 for children ages 5-12, Seniors and Disabled visitors. *If you purchase your tickets when boarding the trolley, exact change is required.
* You can download an app featuring a map of the park or stop by the visitors center for a paper copy.
Have you visited Forest Park in St. Louis? What is your favorite activity?
We have a Forrest Park,GA too! This looks like an interesting place full of activities!
I haven’t been to St. Louis before. I would love to visit Forest Park someday. It does look like it promises a lot of activities, museums to visit and parks to relax in.
It certainly doesnt look like your every day park, seems to have so much more exciting and lovely things to see compared to my local.
I thought the snake was alive hehe. I wish my family will be able to go see that place.
I’ve never been to St Louis but have wanted to go. I’d love to see Forest Park as well as the zoo.
These places are so beautiful. I should explore more of St. Louis when I visit sometime in September. I thought that was a photo of a real snake! I almost screamed. I am so scared of reptiles.
I love Forest Parks! My family and I go there at least once a year.
Wow, how beautiful! I have never been to St. Louis but I just recently had a good friend move there, so we will be going down to visit her. Love seeing all there is to do there!
Wow looks like lots to do! Would be a really fun day. Never been to St. Louis myself before!
SO love the fact that there are plenty of museums and parks here! I’d love to go there and just explore and have fun getting lost in the attractions. I really appreciate this list!
St. Louis Science Museum & James S. McDonnell Planetarium would be my pick for these places. My daughter would love it there.
What a great place to spend a weekend! I am sure my kids will enjoy here!
Wow Forest Park looks like it has so much to offer. I will have to get there someday, perhaps on a summer break with the family and enjoy it. Such beautiful photos!
I’ve never been to St. Louis, but it looks like they have so much to offer. I’ve not been to a Planetarium since I was a kid. That would be so much fun to visit.
This looks like a beautiful vacation spot! I love zoos so I would definitely visit the Forest Park zoo!
St. Louis is a destination on my bucket list. This park looks like a place my family would choose to visit! So much to see.
St. Louis Missouri we went to when I was very young to see relatives. I didn’t know that they had the Forest Park which sounds amazing. We will have to stop here if we ever get that way. It has so many amazing things to see that I know we would enjoy like the museums. Thanks for sharing the information.
Forest Park looks so beautiful! I would love to be able to take a trip here and explore and experience it all for myself.
This Forest Park is great. I love forest park! They have so many free museums, theaters, row of mansions, beautiful fountains. It is a beautiful park and safe for bike riding, exercising or many activities around the park. The free STL zoo by forest park can’t be beat!
I had no idea there was so much to do there. I think I might take the trolley 🙂
The kids and I would love to explore the t. Louis Science Museum. I cannot believe they have so many exhibits!
I love going to parks and bring the kids with me, unfortunately some parks around here is not that people friendly. Sad that the city neglects protecting and maintaining parks. Your visit look so interesting!
My cousin lives in Maplewood, MO, but I’ve never been there. St Louis seems like it is a fun city.
Definitely a can’t miss park if I am near St. Louis. So many museums and a zoo my kids would love it and I think you need a few days there.
This park looks awesome! Missouri is far away from our place. But I’m glad I got a glimpse of it from your blog.
I haven’t been yet, but it seems like it has so much to offer. My kids would love the museums and zoo. I think I’d like to stroll around The Jewel Box.
I’d love to check this out! What a cool place to be. My daughter would love that zoo. I wish we lived closer to this.
It’s funny because we have a Forest Park Zoo here too! I’ve never been to Missouri in all my years. I would love to get there and to this park. My kids would look for the statues!
I’ve only been to Missouri once when I was in high school. The only thing we did do is see the arch. I love to check out small towns that have all sorts of interesting little things. At some point I hope to go back to Missouri and check out some the places that you mentioned here.
Wow what an amazing place to visit, I would love to see the zoo I think and just explore the area as a whole. It sounds like there is so much to do.
I have never been to St Louis. I like to visit different zoos when I travel. One of the first things I do is see if my destination has a zoo nearby.
There is so much beauty there. I’ve never had the opportunity to visit St. Louis, but this has me thinking the family needs to plan a trip.
It sounds like the most amazing place to take a family trip and somewhere,where there is something for everyone no matter what they like to do.
it’s so beautiful there! I’d love to spend some time at Forest Park with the kids. There’s nothing like getting out and enjoying the beauty of nature.
This looks like a wonderful place to explore. If I am ever in the area I would love to checkout the Forest Park Zoo and Turtle Park.