Be a Tourist in our Own Town! Explore These Little Known Treasures of St. Louis
Be a Tourist in Our Own Town! Explore These Little Known Treasures in St Louis
We all know about the big, well-known attractions for families around town. But you might not know about these great spots sure to be a hit with your families!
1. Shaw Nature Reserve, an extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden, includes 2,400 acres of natural Ozark landscape and managed plant collections. It serves as a nature reserve, has trails for hiking and studying nature, and offers educational programs.
Hwy. 100 & I-44, P.O. Box 38, Gray Summit, MO 63039; http://www.shawnature.org/
2. Missouri History Museum - The museum has several unique programs for school-age children and classroom groups, including the History Echoing through the Galleries and the Learning through Artifacts and Activities programs; Teens Make History theatrical productions; and weekly Storytelling in the Galleries. Don't miss History Clubhouse, a space where families can step back in time, explore, discover, and play in some favorite St. Louis places in a welcoming environment where nothing is hands-off - opening June 27.
Lindell Boulevard and DeBaliviere, St. Louis, MO, 63112; http://www.mohistory.org
3. Citygarden is an urban park and sculpture garden covering 2 city blocks in downtown St. Louis. Open year-round with no admission fee; features two dozen works of modern and contemporary sculpture by some of the world's highly regarded artists. It also features a large video wall for video art and movies; a glass-walled café; and a stunning, serpentine “meander wall” capped in polished granite. Its water features include a six-foot waterfall and a spray plaza, where 102 nozzles will shoot water as much as six feet into the air in thousands of patterns and colors — and where children can play. Enjoy Wednesday Summer Lunch Concerts throughout the summer.
801 Market Street, St. Louis, MO, 63101; http://www.citygardenstl.org/
4. Big Joel's Safari- See over 60 different animal species, both big and small. Big Joel's is a family-owned farm and attraction, open to the public from April through October. Offerings include birthday parties, educational tours for schools, camel rides, parakeet shack, and several events throughout the season.
13187 State Hwy M, Wright City, MO, 63390; http://www.bigjoelsafari.com
5. The Historic Daniel Boone Home & Heritage Center is located in beautiful wine country in Defiance, Missouri. Guided house and/or village tours, as well as Self-Guided tours are available daily, on the hour. Group and School groups are also welcome. Summer Camps and Special Events offered throughout the year.
1868 Hwy F, Defiance, MO, 63341; http://www.danielboonehome.com
6. World Chess Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization committed to building awareness for the cultural and artistic significance of chess. WCHOF is the only institution of its kind and offers a variety of programming to explore the dynamic relationship between art and chess, including educational outreach initiatives that provide context and meaning to the game and its continued educational impact. Take advantage of unique programming for little ones: Breakfasts with Babies (birth -2y) and Rookie Readers (2-5) on Tuesdays, and Saturday Family Days.
4652 Maryland Avenue, Saint Louis, MO, 63108; http://www.worldchesshof.org/
7.Endangered Wolf Centerpreserves and protects some of the most threatened species of wolves in the world and assists the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in reintroducing them to the wild. Offers daytime tours and evening wolf howls, summer camps, and special events throughout the year.
6750 Tyson Valley Road, Eureka, MO 63025; http://www.endangeredwolfcenter.org
8. Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis features local, national and international, well-known and newly established artists from diverse backgrounds, working in all types of media. Features an ever-changing series of exhibitions in our Main Galleries and in The Front Room. Stroller Tours (birth - 2y) and Morning Play Dates (2-5 y) are offered for free the first Wednesday of every month.
3750 Washington Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108; http://camstl.org/
9.Suson Park & Animal Farm-Known for its working animal farm complete with horses, pigs, cows, chickens and more, Suson Park houses a large playground as well as lakes for fishing, stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Look for Suson Farm Fridays - May 22, Jun 5 & 19 and Sep 11, ideal for kids 12 and under.
6073 Wells Road, Saint Louis, MO 63128; http://stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/ParkPages/Suson
10. Foundry Art Centre is a visual/performing arts center for the greater St. Charles/St. Louis Community. A rotation of traveling exhibits, juried competitions and curated exhibits representing all media forms are shown in the multiple galleries. Children's programming includes Family Fun Days, Summer Camps, and Children's Book Club.
520 North Main Center, St. Charles, MO, 63301; http://www.foundryartcentre.org/
11.World Bird Sanctuary - located on 305 acres in St. Louis County and features outdoor animal exhibits, static collections indoors, a wildlife hospital, reading room and activity center, and hiking trails and picnic pavilions. Family Friendly special events offered year-round; Keeper Talks weekends all year, Amazing Animal Encounters weekends, Memorial Day-Labor Day.
125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park, MO 63088; http://www.worldbirdsanctuary.org
12. Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit big cat rescue, providing homes for abused and neglected big cats rescued around Missouri. Crown Ridge offers many types of tours for all ages to see the cats and learn about tiger conservation. Tours and family-friendly special events offered throughout the year.
19620 Crown Ridge Rd, Sainte Genevieve, MO, 63670; http://crownridgetigers.com