It’s no secret St. Louis is one of the best cities in the country when it comes to free stuff to do. We’re not talking about the small stuff you’ll find in other cities, but major attractions like the world-class St. Louis Zoo.
But don’t forget there’s also the Science Center, the Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum. Each offers their own brand of fun and educational experiences for children and adults alike. It doesn’t matter if you’ve lived in St. Louis all your life or you’re new to the area, these top attractions can be a hit with families and are worth a visit.
The World-Class St. Louis Zoo
St. Louisans are very proud of their zoo. Not only is it considered one of the top zoos in the country, it’s free! And, as home to more than 5000 animals, each visit to the Zoo can be a unique experience. Whether you’re there to see the residents of the Penguin & Puffin Coast, or to welcome new baby elephants in the River’s Edge, it’s hard to beat a day at the Zoo.
Although admission to the Zoo is free, some attractions have a small admission fee. These fees are relatively low, and in the case of the $4 ticket price for the Children’s Zoo, definitely worth the costs. Where else can your kids go down a slide through the middle of an otter pool?
The St. Louis Zoo is located at One Government Drive, just north of Highway 40 in Forest Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a. m. to 5 p.m.
The St. Louis Science Center
The St. Louis Science Center is truly a hands-on experience for the whole family. You can test your knowledge of fossils and dinosaurs, clock the speed of cars on Highway 40 with a radar gun or experience what it’s like to travel to outer space in the planetarium. There’s also The Discovery Room for toddlers and young children.
The Science Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The planetarium closes at 4:30 p.m. each day. Admission to the Science Center is free, but you must buy tickets to special exhibits and the OMNIMAX Theater. The Science Center is located at 5050 Oakland Avenue in Forest Park.
The St. Louis Art Museum
Tell an eight year old that the St. Louis Art Museum has more than 30,000 paintings, drawings and sculptures and you’ll probably be met with a blank stare. It probably won’t help to tell him that the museum also boasts one of the world’s top collections of 20th century German paintings.
So how do you get your kids to love going to the Art Museum? Take them on Sunday afternoon when the museum offers plenty of activities geared just for kids. They’ll even like the kid-friendly tour of the actual galleries.
Family Sundays, which are free, are from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. The museum’s main hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. On Fridays, the museum is open until 9:00 p.m. The St. Louis Art Museum sits atop Art Hill in Forest Park.
The Missouri History Museum
Whether it’s the 1904 World’s Fair, Lewis and Clark or Charles Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic, the Missouri History Museum has it covered. The museum provides a look back at key events that shaped St. Louis through the centuries, with plenty of artifacts, exhibits and other neat stuff to capture a kid’s imagination.
Admission is free and special exhibits are free on Tuesday. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Tuesday when it stays open until 8:00 p.m. The Missouri History Museum is located at the corner of Skinker and DeBaliviere in Forest Park.
