Best Places To Explore In Saint Louis

*Collaborative Post

St. Louis, Missouri, is home to over 100 parks featuring sports arenas, playgrounds, picnic spots, and lakes. The Forest Park is about 1,293 acres, twice as large as Central Park, New York. Few people know about it, but the city is a hidden gem with many attractions and places to explore, such as the Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse, etc.

If you plan to visit Saint Louis, here is a lowdown on some of the best places to visit.

Missouri Botanical Garden

Laid out by botanist and businessman Henry Shaw in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden includes a herbarium, rose garden, a Climatron as tropical plants, and a Japanese garden. Spread over 79 acres of land, the park has some breathtaking horticultural displays. These aspects continue to inspire young minds to venture into the field of floriculture even today.

Forest Park

Home to institutions such as the Jefferson Memorial, Missouri History Museum, City Art Museum, The Jewel Box, Highlands Golf and Tennis Center, St. Louis Science Center, and the St. Louis Zoo, the Forest Park attracts scores of visitors. The biggest park in the U.S. boasts 12 million visitors every year. It has something for everyone, and you should not miss it when in St. Louis.

The Gateway Arch

The Statue of Liberty is about 50% shorter than the Gateway Arch. The city calls the arch its gateway to the west. It is the tallest structure in the U.S. and offers a stunning view from the top. It has eight elevators that take you to the viewing platform.

Once you have purchased the tickets at the Gateway Arch Ticketing and Visitor Center in the Old Courthouse, you can access the center. Buying the tickets a day before is recommended to avoid the rush.

Saint Louis Zoo

Located inside Forest Park, the zoo is home to more than 500 species and over 12,000 residents. The best part is that you can visit the zoo for free. And for a small fee, you can watch educational shows, such as high dives and flipper walks.

The most innovative animal homes in the zoo are the hippo and polar bear pools. You are separated from these animals only by thick glass. So the experience can be pretty realistic.

Magic House

Located at 516 South Kirkwood Street, the Magic House is a museum that provides different kinds of themed attractions for children. With calming corners, rooms filled with activity to keep those busy minds engaged, the St. Louis Children’s Museum offers a variety of food to children taking a break from their hectic academic schedule.

Downtown Saint Louis has many places to stay that fit every budget. They are close to the Gateway Arch and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park. The city has many more attractions and leaves you wanting to extend your vacation so that you can explore St. Louis more thoroughly.

Book the right hotel to enjoy your stay in the city. On an online booking portal, you can compare and choose top family, pet-friendly, or luxury hotels. These websites allow you to find the right hotel and book your accommodations at the best prices.

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