FREE Things to do in St. Louis

May 31, 2016October 26, 2016 Category: News Posted by Kelley Atchison

If you are coming to St Louis before Family Conference or staying after…check out these fun things to do in St Louis.

City Garden – Downtown: This outdoor garden includes art, plants and several water features.  The water features include a splash pad and two wading pool areas. This is approximately a 25-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

St. Louis Zoo – Forest Park: Enter the zoo during the first hour of the day and the  Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, Children Zoo  and Conservation Carousel are all free. For the rest of the day, the zoo is still free admission but the attractions listed above cost money.  Plus, you can bring your own food and drinks into the zoo and have a picnic.  Zoo opens at 8 a.m.  Parking is $15, but if you are lucky you can find street parking.  This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.

St. Louis Art Museum – Forest Park: The St. Louis Art Museum attracts art lovers from around the country. The museum’s collections and special exhibits showcase a wide variety of paintings, sculptures and more. The museum also hosts many family-friendly events throughout the year. Some exhibits may have a fee.   This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Missouri History Museum – Forest Park: The museum is filled with exhibits about St. Louis, past and present. It also welcomes special exhibits, and hosts free special events during the year. This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Saint Louis Science Center – St Louis: The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the U.S., serving 1.2 million visitors annually. The complex includes a 4-story OMNIMAX Theater and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium.  Parking is $10 per car and additional fees may apply for certain exhibits or shows. This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Lone Elk Park –  Eureka: Take a drive through Lone Elk Park where you can see bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Motorcycles are prohibited. Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle. This is next door to the Wild Bird Sanctuary. This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel. Website.

World Bird Sanctuary – Eureka: World Bird Sanctuary rests peacefully on 305 acres of Missouri hardwood forest, next door to Lone Elk County Park and the Chubb Trail. You’ll always see Bald Eagles, Red-Tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Eurasian Eagle Owls, Great-Horned Owls, Barred Owls, Barn Owls, White Pelicans, Thick-billed Parrots and Sand Hill Cranes. During the summer you’ll also see Brown Pelicans, a Laughing Kookaburra, Turkey Vultures and a Black Vulture. This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Endangered Wolf Center – Eureka: A private, nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the wolf and its place in the natural ecosystem through education, research.  Lone Elk Park and the World Bird Sanctuary are approximately 10 minutes from here.  This is approximately a 30-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Grant’s Farm – St. Louis: Grant’s Farm is the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, named for Ulysses S. Grant who originally worked a portion of the land. The Farm is a refuge for more than 900 animals, representing more than 100 different species. Parking is $12 per car and some activities have a fee associated with them.   This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Laumeier Sculpture Park – St. Louis: Laumeier Sculpture Park is an outdoor art museum in South St. Louis County. You will find dozens of pieces of art spread out among the park’s 105 acres. There are also indoor galleries, special exhibits and family events. FYI: No climbing on the sculptures. This is approximately a 20-minute drive from the Family Conference hotel.  Website.

Additional Resources on things to do in St. Louis (some items will be repeated between lists)

• 25 free places to go in St. Louis this summer
• St Louis Kids Out and About

NOTE:  This information is subject to change.  Please contact the St Louis attraction to insure the information is accurate.

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