St. Louis: Gateway to Family Fun & Free Attractions
Planning a family trip is always a challenge. Every city in the offers major attractions worth visiting for those on an unlimited budget. But for families looking for places to go that will not break a budget, options are few and far between. Theme parks, museums, attractions of all kinds can cost far more than the trip itself. There is one city, however, that offers its best stuff free.
Located in the heart of on the west bank of the Mississippi, St. Louis is called the “Gateway of the West.” It’s at the crossroads of several interstates, I-70, I-44 and I-55. The city’s most famous attraction is the magnificent Gateway Arch, towering above the Mississippi, visible for miles, welcoming travelers to the city. The Arch represents St. Louis’ historic role as the “Gateway to the West.” Whether it’s road, rail or river, ‘s heartland converges at St. Louis.
Beneath the Arch St. Louis presents a beautiful riverfront, the first and most obvious attraction in this heart-of-America, family friendly city. The arch sits upon land managed by the National Park Service. At its base there’s a visitors’ center, shops, theaters and the Museum of Westward Expansion. Admittance to the visitor center and the museum is free of charge.
Sight-seeing along St. Louis’ historical riverfront is complimented by the story told in the Museum of Westward Expansion. Focusing on Louis and Clark’s venture to discover what lies west of the big river, the museum strives to give a complete and balanced view of American history in the 19th Century. American Indians, explorers, trappers, buffalo hunters, soldiers and more have their story told in pictures, exhibits and by life-size animated figures who speak for themselves. The Museum is a must for every American History buff.
There’s also a section of the museum that describes construction of the Arch and pays tribute to its primary architect. Designed by Eero Saarinen, a Finnish architect, the Arch stands 630 feet tall. It was completed in 1965 and dedicated in 1968.
The Gateway Arch is only part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Up the hill from the arch stands one of the most historic courthouses in . The courthouse, built in 1928, is open to the public today as a museum telling an even more detailed and interesting story about the American west and 19th Century History.
The Old Courthouse is a monument to the struggle for freedom and equality. It’s where the Dred Scott case originated, a landmark lawsuit eventually settled by the U.S. Supreme Court and often given as a major cause of the American Civil War. Dred Scott, a slave, sued for freedom in the Old Courthouse. Scott won initially but eventually the Supreme Court ruled slaves were inferior and could never be citizens of the -the infamous Dread Scott Decision. (For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dred_Scott_v._Sandford)
Another important case that greatly affected American history was one brought by Virginia Minor. Minor and her husband sued for her right to vote in 1874. Like the Scott case, Minor’s case began at the Old Courthouse and ended in the Supreme Court. Also like the Scott case, the Court rejected Minor’s arguments, eventually leading to passage of the Fourteenth Amendment. (For more information on this case see http://www.answers.com/topic/minor-v-happersett )
The Old Courthouse served the city of St. Louis, the county, and the state for more than a century. It was a centerpiece of government and society in St. Louis. Eventually government functions moved on to new facilities. The building has been operated as a museum by the National Parks Service since 1943.
St. Louis’ Expansion Memorial is one of the best free attractions in the country. The beauty and rich history that is is all there. The Memorial is only one reason to visit St. Louis. There are others. Not far from the Memorial is Union Station.
St. Louis was once a primary hub for rail traffic. From 1894 to 1978 millions of passengers came and went beneath the stations massive beams, once the largest train depot in the world. In the 1980’s Union Station underwent a complete renovation. A hotel, shops, restaurants, a theater, a lake with pedal boats, and much more lie beneath the Station’s roof. The Grand Hall, restored to its former glory, and the “Memories Museum” located in the midway on the second floor, provide glimpses into the glorious past of American rail service. Union Station is one of the most visited attractions in St. Louis. Like the Expansion memorial, visitors can gawk at the huge Grand Hall, drift into the past at the Memories Museum, and walk beneath the massive train shed absolutely free.
A third, less known jewel in St. Louis’ crown is the St. Louis Zoo. The Zoo rivals some of the best zoos in the country but unlike most of them, visitors may enjoy all the exhibits without spending a penny. The Zoo is just one more example of St. Louis hospitality. It’s no small collection of duck ponds and monkey cages. The zoo presents an amazing collection of animals from all around the world. Habitats are large, many are unique, giving visitors amazing views of the world’s diverse animal life. The big cat exhibits are designed so that visitors look down into the habitat rather than experiencing the usual cats in cages display. Seals play in a large pool, delighting children with their antics, especially at feeding times.
A favorite attraction is the frigid confines of Penguin Cove, the first indoor exhibit of its kind in North America. Two vaulted ceilings house an amazing indoor exhibit where penguins, puffins and other birds from both hemispheres play in frigid waters. The temperature is kept below fifty degrees inside the habitat. Astounded visitors can watch the birds waddle over replicas of their native home, float in the cool pools and even dive beneath the water in aquarium-like tanks. Outside the cove a 22-foot waterfall plunges into a pool where more water fowl play. Nearby a Polar Bear whiles the day away, next to an exhibit of Grizzly Bears and another of Black Bears.
Penguin Cove is located in an area called “The Wild,” one of six different areas within the zoo. Another area, “Historic Hill,” delights visitors with one of the newest renovations in a historic Flight Cage that dates back to the 1904 St. Louis
World’s Fair. Zoo guests travel along a boardwalk inside the cage to observe a diversity of birds, wildlife and plants. The zoo sits within a park which was the location of the 1904 Fair. Purchase of the cage by the city after the fair closed led to creation of the St. Louis zoo, the first zoo in the world supported by a local municipality.
The St. Louis Zoo more than a place to see rare animals. It’s winding walkways, exhibits, displays, and activities all focus on learning and preservation. Huge elephants, giraffes, and hippo’s delight and enthuse. “Discovery Corner,” at the north zoo entrance, houses indoor exhibits kids can’t resist. An animated Darwin tells about the Origin of the Species. An insectarium thrills little boys while giving chills to their mom. The Mary Ann Lee Butterfly Wing, a sealed geodesic dome, houses not only a beautiful waterfall in a tropical setting but is also home to several species of butterflies, drifting freely past visitors seeking a branch or a piece of fruit to dine on.
Exploring the St. Louis Zoo completely will take a full day. Plan on lots of walking, bring bottled water, don’t forget the camera! The zoo is a place every kid can be delighted, excited, and inspired to discover and learn more about their planet. St. Louis’ pioneering efforts to develop a world-class zoo are highly commendable. That the city offers such a grand attraction free to all is unprecedented. Rather than limiting exploration of the zoo’s many entertaining and educational exhibits to those who can afford to buy tickets, St. Louis has chosen to support the zoo through donations, corporate sponsors, and through sales of merchandise and food within the zoo.
Few cities offer the kind of free attractions to budget-minded families like St. Louis. It’s one of the few places low-income families won’t find themselves on the outside looking in at all the fun wealthier folk are having. Forest Park, site of the 1904 fair and home of the St. Louis Zoo also offers the opportunity to investigate the St. Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Art Museum, all with free admission. There’s plenty of open spaces, picnic areas, walkways, and walking trails in the park. Moreover, Forest Park is only one of many parks within St. Louis where fun and frolic is absolutely free!
Some things to do in St. Louis have prices attached, of course, but are worth considering if possible to compliment a visit to the city. At the top of the list should be a round-trip on the Metro, St. Louis’ commuter rail. A two-hour pass costs only a couple bucks for adults, much less for children, and affords the opportunity to get a quick view of the city along the rail route. Exit the train on the Illinois side at the first stop, climb the ramp to the top of the bridge, enjoy an amazing view of the river, the arch, and downtown St. Louis. Jump off at Union Station to shop or grab lunch. Save gas and see the city on the Metro.
For those who can afford it there’s a tram ride to the top of the arch, or two films and plenty of shopping in the visitor’s center. St. Louis’ Zoo offers entertaining films, a train ride, gift shops and snack bars for visitors. Gifts, clothes, pizza or fancy meals can be had at Union Station from the Budweiser Store, the food court, Hard Rock CafÃ?©, or other stores and restaurants. There’s gambling boats on both sides of the big river. Nightlife, especially on weekends, is fast and lively at Laclede’s Landing.
St. Louis is no different than any city, offering an abundance of opportunities which could quickly drain a pocket book. Frugal travelers, though, can take advantage of the plethora of free attractions and never miss those they can’t afford. Whether vacationers have a well-funded travel account or are relying on the few bucks they could spare for a family getaway, St. Louis is always one of ‘s best destinations.
