Forest Park

Gateway Arch

People gather on Art Hill in Forest Park to watch films al fresco.

Take a tram ride to the top of this gleaming, 630-foot monument. After you squeeze.

St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Get Your Head in the Game

Sports fans, rejoice! St. Louis gives us something to cheer about all year long. Dress.

Take a Thrill Ride at Six Flags St. Louis

Catapult into the air. Fly like a bat. Soar to new heights. Splash through whitewater.

360 Rooftop Bar

Spend a Night on the Town

Looking for a fun night out? St. Louis’ entertainment districts – think Armory STL, Ballpark.

Climb Aboard at St. Louis Union Station

In its heyday, St. Louis Union Station was one of the largest and busiest passenger rail.

The Magic House Children's Museum in St. Louis

Unleash Your Imagination at The Magic House

An epic adventure for preschoolers and young children, The Magic House offers hands-on interactive exhibits.

World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park

Immerse Yourself in the Culture of Forest Park

Did you know that Forest Park in St. Louis is approximately 500 acres larger than.

Experience Art Al Fresco

St. Louis has approximately 200 days of sunshine a year, giving you ample time to.

The original Anheuser-Busch Brewery is in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis.

Raise a Pint to St. Louis’ Brewing History

In St. Louis, great beer is a way of life. Ours is a city built.

Saint Louis Zoo

Encounter Animals in the Heart of America

From the furry to the flying to the fishy, St. Louis has an abundance of.

An exterior view of City Museum in St. Louis.

Connect with Your Inner Child at City Museum

City Museum invites visitors to explore the unexpected. Housed in a 600,000-square-foot former shoe company.

Deep-fried and stuffed with ground beef, toasted ravioli is one of St. Louis' most emblematic eats.

Eat Your Heart Out

Recently named one of America’s next great food cities by Food & Wine, St. Louis.

Things to Do in St. Louis_Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Embrace Spirituality Through Creative Expression

St. Louis offers unique, alluring and artistic ways to embrace spirituality. Nestled in the Central.

Saint Louis Science Center

Geek Out Over Science

Science is cool, and St. Louis makes it easy to go on journeys of discovery.

The National Museum of Transportation has one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the world.

Indulge Your Inner Gearhead

Start your engines! At Victory Raceway, the electric go-karts reach speeds up to 45 miles.

The Apotheosis of St. Louis, a statue representing King Louis IX of France, sits in front of the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Appreciate Art, from Classic to Contemporary

In St. Louis, you’re sure to find art that will leave an impression. Boasting one.

Grafton Zip Line

Have an Outdoor Adventure

From nature walks to float trips to treetop tours, St. Louis has outdoorsy fun for.

Women Shopping in St. Louis

Shop ’til You Drop

St. Louis has no shortage of unique places to shop. From locally owned boutiques to.

A fountain in front of the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.

Take an Interactive History Lesson

Throughout St. Louis, historic sites and museums tell stories of the region’s past, present and.

Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Rock Out at a Live Show

St. Louis is your ticket to great music. From small stages to sold-out stadiums and.

Missouri Botanical Garden Climatron

Stroll Through the Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden has long been a place of beauty, serenity and discovery, as.

River City Casino

Try Your Luck at a Casino

While St. Louis casinos have plenty of places to play blackjack, craps, roulette and slots.

Let Live Theater Fill You with Wonder

Have you caught the Broadway bug? Luckily, dazzling musical productions make their way to The.

Saint Louis Art Fair in Clayton, Missouri

Attend a Festival

Every year, fairs and festivals enliven St. Louis’ event calendar, with signature events such as.

Sign at the Entrance to The Grove Neighborhood

Visit the Neighborhoods of St. Louis

St. Louis is often referred to as a city of neighborhoods. Each one has its.

Two boys get craft at MADE for Kids.

Cool Kids

St. Louis is an impressive place, especially for families with kids. The region is brimming with free, world-class attractions, engaging events and flourishing public parks, making it an unrivaled choice for a weekend getaway or a lengthier stay.

St. Louis Neighborhoods

On sunny days, residents and visitors alike enjoy spending time in Carondelet Park in St. Louis.

Carondelet

Over the decades, Carondelet has managed to blend its historical significance with a newfound independence.

In the Central West End, the world’<a href=s largest chess piece stands in front of the World Chess Hall of Fame." width="1600" height="800" />

Central West End

The Central West End has an elegant feel, eclectic attitude and endless energy, along with.

Riverside Antiques is a treasure trove of unique items on Cherokee street.

Cherokee Antique Row

Cherokee Antique Row offers six blocks of independently owned and operated establishments, from antique shops.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations draw residents and visitors alike to Cherokee Street in St. Louis.

Cherokee Street

With the largest concentration of Hispanic-owned and -operated businesses in St. Louis, Cherokee Street boasts.

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is one of the top attractions in Chesterfield.

Chesterfield

Don’t let the suburban setting of Chesterfield fool you – this residential area encompasses world-class.

The skyline of Clayton gleams with high-rises.

Clayton

Clayton has a skyline of gleaming high-rises where you’ll find local boutiques, vibrant galleries, celebrated.

The Gateway Arch rises above the downtown St. Louis Skyline.

Downtown St. Louis

Downtown St. Louis starts at the banks of the Mississippi River, where you’ll find Gateway.

The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka promotes the conservation of Mexican wolves and American red wolves.

Eureka

Eureka offers fresh air and outdoor adventure – plus, an amusement park, gift shops, restaurants.

Forest Park is one of the best places to get outdoors in St. Louis.

Forest Park

Home to world-class attractions and stunning natural spaces, Forest Park has been voted the Best.

Located in the Grand Center Arts District, Jazz St. Louis is marked by a neon saxophone.

Grand Center Arts District

Recognized as the region’s epicenter for the arts, Grand Center Arts District is chock-full of.

When in Kimmswick, stop by The Blue Owl for a Levee High Apple Pie.

Kimmswick

The tiny river town of Kimmswick acts as a living museum, with historic structures, unique.

Kirkwood is home to STAGES St. Louis, a local theater company that performed Newsies in 2024.

Kirkwood

The suburban landscape of Kirkwood is dotted with family-friendly attractions, playful parks, independent shops and.

Laclede’s Landing, a riverfront district in St. Louis, combines 19th-century architecture and 21st-century entertainment.

Laclede’s Landing

St. Louis started at Laclede’s Landing, a nine-block riverfront district that combines 19th-century architecture and.

In Lafayette Square, you can marvel at meticulously restored 150-year-old Victorian mansions.

Lafayette Square

With a history as colorful as its trademark homes, Lafayette Square is an interesting intersection.

Maplewood is on the original Route 66.

Maplewood

With everything from independent bookstores to local breweries, every day feels like Small Business Saturday.

RYZE Adventure Park has an adventure tower with more than 100 obstacles.

Maryland Heights

Lovingly referred to as St. Louis’ backyard, Maryland Heights blends indoor and outdoor activities in.

In North County, visitors can explore off-the-beaten-path attractions such as Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum.

North County

Featuring some of the region’s most beautiful parks and conservation areas, North County also offers.

People throw beads from a float during Mardi Gras in Soulard.

Soulard

Soulard, one of the oldest – and most charming – residential neighborhoods in St. Louis.

Steve's Hot Dogs has a location on South Grand in St. Louis.

South Grand

Dine around the world on this six-block stretch of South Grand Boulevard – before or.

Neon signs light up the iconic attractions in the Delmar Loop.

The Delmar Loop

Live music electrifies the Delmar Loop, which boasts a mixture of entertainment venues, eclectic shops.

Annually, GroveFest brings thousands of revelers to The Grove to celebrate the vibrant community.

The Grove

Colorful, trendy, diverse and inclusive, The Grove is a cultural, dining and nightlife hub where.

Anthonino’s Taverna serves classic toasted ravioli.

The Hill

Eat well, live happy – that’s the mantra on The Hill, where you’ll find rich.

Located in The Ville, Sumner High School was the first school west of the Mississippi River to provide secondary education for Black students.

The Ville

By the 1920s and 1930s, The Ville had become a cradle of Black culture, attracting.

Bar manager Jeramy White mixes drinks at Olive and Oak.

Webster Groves

Bursting with creativity, Webster Groves encompasses internationally recognized arts institutions, edgy lifestyle boutiques and irresistible.

What to See and Do in One of the World’s Most Beautiful City Parks

Did you know that Forest Park in St. Louis is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City?

Home to world-class attractions – most of which are also free! – it’s considered one of the best urban parks in the country. You can spend hours, even days, enjoying cultural institutions such as the Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo and The Muny, an outdoor theater that has filled Forest Park with the sounds of Broadway for more than 100 years.

The park also allows visitors to connect with nature. In recent years, Forest Park Forever, a private nonprofit conservancy and the steward of this treasure, has made a concerted effort to rewild the park, restoring and reinvigorating the native beauty and ecological diversity of the environment.

More than 30 miles of walking and biking trails traverse Forest Park, which also boasts more than 190 acres of nature reserves that encompass old-growth forests, restored forests and woodlands, wetlands, tallgrass prairies and savannas. These habitats form a corridor across the park that both wildlife and visitors utilize. Together, the nature reserves provide a positive environmental impact, natural balance, educational opportunities and appealing aesthetics, all within the heart of a highly urban area.

If you like sports, you’re in luck. The park has two golf courses, tennis courts, racquetball courts, a skating rink and a cricket field. There are now plans to add basketball courts, as well. Their inclusion to the park’s offerings will make it an increasingly diverse and dynamic place to gather.

Annually, Forest Park also hosts epic events, from the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, which begins in late May, to the Great Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race, which takes place during the third weekend in September.

Taking all this into consideration, we believe Forest Park is the perfect place to wile away a vacation day with family or friends. Read on to learn more about the park’s main attractions.

The Boathouse at Forest Park

A family uses a paddle boat to explore the Emerson Grand Basin in Forest Park.

The Boathouse at Forest Park offers tasty fare for hungry visitors. Here, you can also rent paddle boats, canoes and kayaks in spring, summer and fall to embark on a miniature expedition of Post-Dispatch Lake.

The Jewel Box

Constructed with cantilevered glass supported by arched steel beams, the Jewel Box holds hundreds of flowers.

Boasting a magnificent Art Deco design, the Jewel Box’s unique construction of cantilevered glass supported by arched steel beams was a groundbreaking technical achievement when it debuted in 1936. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of flowers in bloom, ready for their close-up.

Missouri History Museum

An aerial view shows the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.

Explore the storied history of St. Louis, from its founding in 1764 to the 1904 World’s Fair to the present day. The Missouri History Museum’s exhibits occasionally change, but they’re always well done. You might also find the Missouri Historical Society’s See STL walking tours interesting. With an infectious enthusiasm for the area and its exciting progress, the tour guides mix engaging storytelling and historical knowledge to create an unforgettable experience. Each tour lasts two hours, and topics range from St. Louis neighborhoods to LGBTQ+ community life to the sound of St. Louis.

The Muny

Thousands of theatergoers watch a Broadway performance at The Muny.

During summers in St. Louis, the limelight shines on The Muny. For more than 100 years, the outdoor theater has filled Forest Park with the sounds of Broadway, attracting out-of-town professionals as well as local talent for memorable musicals ranging from As You Like It (the very first production ever mounted at what would become The Muny) to Kinky Boots. Every season features first-rate productions that stir up audiences – think Chicago, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Footloose, Jesus Christ Superstar, Legally Blonde and Rent. The shows are enchanting, electrifying and empowering, and every night, there are free seats available on a first-come first-served basis, so everyone can experience the magic of live theater.

Nature Playscape

The Nature Playscape in Forest Park has distinct areas that engage visitors

You’re never too old to play in the dirt. At the 17-acre Nature Playscape in Forest Park, visitors of all ages can connect with nature and engage their senses as they explore nine distinct areas, including sandy spaces, rocky boulders, willow tunnels, stump steppers, water pumps and more. The experiential play space features diverse species that also encourage discovery.

Saint Louis Art Museum

A couple experiences arts and culture at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Travel across time, places and cultures at the Saint Louis Art Museum. Boasting one of the country’s leading comprehensive collections, the free museum perched atop Art Hill inspires discovery and elevates the human spirit. If you dig the colorful paintings and ancient artifacts, take a deeper dive into the artwork with an audio guide. On select Sundays, the museum also offers family-friendly tours with hands-on activities. Each Family Sunday features a different theme and art project.

Saint Louis Science Center

A young boy pretends to be an astronaut at the Saint Louis Science Center.

Another fantastic and free attraction, the Saint Louis Science Center specializes in “Aha!” moments. As you test the laws of physics, sneak by a life-size, animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex, explore the night sky and build a replica of the Gateway Arch, you’ll ask and answer hundreds of questions. You might also consider paying for a special exhibition or a film at the OMNIMAX Theater if something sparks your interest.

Saint Louis Zoo

Families watch the sea lions and seals play at the Saint Louis Zoo.

A leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation and education, the Saint Louis Zoo should be at the top of your travel bucket list. On any given day, you might see bears splashing in plunge pools, monkeys swinging through the trees or penguins squawking for more fish. Got questions? Look for dedicated education volunteers and docents throughout the zoo, as they’re always happy to share their wealth of knowledge about the animals, their care and the Saint Louis Zoo’s conservation efforts. If you’re traveling with little ones, consider a ride on the Emerson Zooline Railroad or the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel – the latter features 64 hand-carved wooden animals that represent some of the protected and endangered species at the zoo. The thrills never stop, so plan to spend a good chunk of time here. General admission is free, as is street parking.

Steinberg Skating Rink

In winter, people zoom around Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park.

To warm up in the winter, both shaky skaters and seasoned professionals enjoy taking laps around Steinberg Skating Rink. Situated in the sprawling acreage of Forest Park, it’s the largest outdoor skating rink in the Midwest. After you glide around the festively lit venue, snuggle up with hot chocolate by a fire pit.

World’s Fair Pavilion

The World

Although the World’s Fair Pavilion wasn’t part of the 1904 World’s Fair, it was built in 1909 with proceeds from the event. Sitting atop Government Hill, the open-air pavilion commands a dramatic view of Forest Park, making for a picturesque place to picnic in between other activities.

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