Activity Overview
Forest Park has been a central part of the St. Louis landscape since June 24, 1876, and includes a huge number of attractions for you and family. Whether you live in St. Louis or are just visiting, you and your family should make sure to make time to visit it! In addition the attractions currently in place at the park, the park also played host to important events including the Olympics and Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904.
The huge park is one of St. Louis' most popular attractions and more people visit it each year than some of the city's other most popular attractions including the Busch Stadium (the home of the St. Louis Cardinals MLB team) and the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (which includes the iconic Gateway Arch).
Things to Do
- Visit the St. Louis Zoo. Entry to both the park and the zoo is free and is highly recommended for animal lovers and families with children of all ages.
- Do you and your family love art? The St. Louis Art Museum is fully contained within the park and, just like entry to the park and zoo, is completely free!
- If you want to learn more about the city of St. Louis and the state, the Missouri History Museum is another free attraction in the park.
- The St. Louis Science Center is also ready to welcome you and your little ones without charging you a single penny!
- Walk around the park. The park is huge and absolutely beautiful. Don't miss out on seeing the park itself because you've been too distracted by all the free and amazing stuff to do there!
Forest Park Insider Tips
- The featured exhibitions at the St. Louis Art Museum are free on Fridays so if you feel like checking out even more art at the museum, make sure to do it on Friday.
- With so much to do and a number of popular free attractions, the parking in and around the park is often busy. Make sure you get there early, particularly on days when the weather is nice.
- Save money on food by taking your own picnic. There are plenty of places in and around the park to sit down and eat!
