This article is about some of the many attractions in Forest Park. It’s a huge park in St. Louis city. Forest Park was the site of the 1904 World’s Fair. Whether people go for sports, a casual picnic, schedule their family reunion, or to go to one of the featured attractions, it is definitely the backdrop for St. Louis life.
Missouri History Museum
A visit to the Missouri History Museum will give you all the information on the history of Forest Park and the World’s Fair. There is a semi-permanent exhibit with information about the countries that attended, the food exhibited and a map of the park as it looked during the Fair.
The museum is free and there is a a free paring lot next to the museum as well as free parking along the streets in Forest Park.
Every time I visit the park, I like to go to the history museum to see the temporary exhibits which have previously included an exhibit about Josephine Baker, Missouri’s connection to Mexico, and pulitzer prize winning photojournalism.
Disabled access notes- there are limited disabled parking spots in the parking lot but I had no problem getting one. There is a wheelchair ramp and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy.
Special notes- If you love architecture, be sure to drive along Lindell Boulevard (the street just outside the park that the museum faces). There are historic homes of just about every kind.
The St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo is consistently ranked one of the top zoos in the country AND IT’S FREE! There are a couple attractions that have a minimal charge but you can have a complete experience while visiting for free.
There is a paid parking lot at the south entrance (Wells and Tamm) but it is free to park along the street in Forrest park.
Disabled access notes- The best place to park for disabled people is probably the paid lot. The streets around the zoo are very steep. There are wheelchair rentals. If you have any difficulty walking distances at all and don’t own a chair, I recommend renting a chair because the hills in the zoo are very steep. There are wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy as long as the zoo isn’t crowded (which it often is).
Special notes- If you have small children, be sure to visit Turtle park (Tamm and Oakland). It’s an architectural playground that is a great play and photo opportunity.
The St. Louis Science Center
St. Louis is a leader in science; whether in medicine, aerospace technology or other fields. The St. Louis Science Center is an experience you won't want to miss and it's also free. There are a couple attractions that hare paid but you can have a complete experience while visiting for free. Paid exhibits include the Omnimax theatre and several aerospace/ NASA attractions.
There is a paid parking lot but it is free to park on Oakland (alongside SLUH)
Disabled access notes- The best place to park for disabled people is probably the paid lot. The street is moderately steep and street parking is extremely limited. There are elevators, wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy as long as the science center isn’t crowded (which it often is).
Special notes- Be sure to visit the bridge over highway 40 even if you choose not the for to the aerospace museum. On the bridge, you’ll find an exhibit with the history of the arch. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you’ll want to continue on the bridge to enjoy the view of the highway. There are speedometers to see how fast cars are going on the highway and glass cut outs in the floor to see cars pass under your feet.
Conversely, if you are afraid of heights and are unable to cross the bridge but you do want to see the aerospace/ NASA museum, you can enter from the other side of the highway by driving over.
The St. Louis Art museum
The St. Louis Art Museum is world renowned AND IT’S ALSO FREE! There are a couple exhibits that have a minimal charge but you can have a complete experience while visiting for free. The views from the top of the hill (Fine Arts Drive) and the bottom of the hill (Lagoon Drive). The hill the Art museum sits atop is affectionately called Art Hill. When it snows, thousands of people from the St. Louis area lead down the Art Hill.
There is a free parking lot with ample disabled parking.
Disabled access notes- There are wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy.
Special notes- The museum is huge. If you love art, you may want to spend several hours there. I suggest going to the Art museum before the History museum because the History museum is open later.
Honorable Mention:
The Muny
The Muny is a historic amphitheater in the park that features Broadway caliber shows in the summer. I didn’t go but I have been. It’s an experience any theatre lover will want to experience. If you plan your visit to St. Louis, I suggest going to the website and checking ticket availability.
Missouri History Museum
A visit to the Missouri History Museum will give you all the information on the history of Forest Park and the World’s Fair. There is a semi-permanent exhibit with information about the countries that attended, the food exhibited and a map of the park as it looked during the Fair.
The museum is free and there is a a free paring lot next to the museum as well as free parking along the streets in Forest Park.
Every time I visit the park, I like to go to the history museum to see the temporary exhibits which have previously included an exhibit about Josephine Baker, Missouri’s connection to Mexico, and pulitzer prize winning photojournalism.
Disabled access notes- there are limited disabled parking spots in the parking lot but I had no problem getting one. There is a wheelchair ramp and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy.
Special notes- If you love architecture, be sure to drive along Lindell Boulevard (the street just outside the park that the museum faces). There are historic homes of just about every kind.
The St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo is consistently ranked one of the top zoos in the country AND IT’S FREE! There are a couple attractions that have a minimal charge but you can have a complete experience while visiting for free.
There is a paid parking lot at the south entrance (Wells and Tamm) but it is free to park along the street in Forrest park.
Disabled access notes- The best place to park for disabled people is probably the paid lot. The streets around the zoo are very steep. There are wheelchair rentals. If you have any difficulty walking distances at all and don’t own a chair, I recommend renting a chair because the hills in the zoo are very steep. There are wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy as long as the zoo isn’t crowded (which it often is).
Special notes- If you have small children, be sure to visit Turtle park (Tamm and Oakland). It’s an architectural playground that is a great play and photo opportunity.
The St. Louis Science Center
St. Louis is a leader in science; whether in medicine, aerospace technology or other fields. The St. Louis Science Center is an experience you won't want to miss and it's also free. There are a couple attractions that hare paid but you can have a complete experience while visiting for free. Paid exhibits include the Omnimax theatre and several aerospace/ NASA attractions.
There is a paid parking lot but it is free to park on Oakland (alongside SLUH)
Disabled access notes- The best place to park for disabled people is probably the paid lot. The street is moderately steep and street parking is extremely limited. There are elevators, wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy as long as the science center isn’t crowded (which it often is).
Special notes- Be sure to visit the bridge over highway 40 even if you choose not the for to the aerospace museum. On the bridge, you’ll find an exhibit with the history of the arch. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you’ll want to continue on the bridge to enjoy the view of the highway. There are speedometers to see how fast cars are going on the highway and glass cut outs in the floor to see cars pass under your feet.
Conversely, if you are afraid of heights and are unable to cross the bridge but you do want to see the aerospace/ NASA museum, you can enter from the other side of the highway by driving over.
The St. Louis Art museum
The St. Louis Art Museum is world renowned AND IT’S ALSO FREE! There are a couple exhibits that have a minimal charge but you can have a complete experience while visiting for free. The views from the top of the hill (Fine Arts Drive) and the bottom of the hill (Lagoon Drive). The hill the Art museum sits atop is affectionately called Art Hill. When it snows, thousands of people from the St. Louis area lead down the Art Hill.
There is a free parking lot with ample disabled parking.
Disabled access notes- There are wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. The exhibits are wide making traveling through the exhibits easy.
Special notes- The museum is huge. If you love art, you may want to spend several hours there. I suggest going to the Art museum before the History museum because the History museum is open later.
Honorable Mention:
The Muny
The Muny is a historic amphitheater in the park that features Broadway caliber shows in the summer. I didn’t go but I have been. It’s an experience any theatre lover will want to experience. If you plan your visit to St. Louis, I suggest going to the website and checking ticket availability.
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