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Nature & parks in Saint Louis

THE 10 BEST Parks & Nature Attractions in Saint Louis

Nature & Parks in Saint Louis

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What travelers are saying

  • SuBanKolkata
    Kolkata (Calcutta), India252 contributions
    Lots of animals
    It’s a nice attraction specially if you have kids in the group. We took the train which took us around the whole zoo. Its a daily pass and you can hop on and hop off if you have members not able to walk throughout. It was a warm day. So couldn’t see the lion or the bear. The polar bear was a nice attraction. So were the penguins. There are about 6 categories and each one of them have eateries or snack shop. Its a free zoo. But has a parking fee. Get there early. It gets full on a weekend
    Review of: St. Louis Zoo
    Written June 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Birthday-Gal
    Springfield, IL1,019 contributions
    The Gardens, the Art Work, and the Relaxation!
    We went on a Sunday night while the Chihuly Glass exhibit was there interspersed through the gardens. It was magical! Seeing the exquisite glass pieces floating in the ponds or hanging above your head in the Climatron or interspersed with the beautiful perennials and annuals in the gardens. They had benches along the way to rest and they had beverages being sold throughout the pathways. We did not get through it all but what we saw was a once in a lifetime event. They also had a documentary being shown in an air conditioned building to sit and watch and learn more about the man who created the art work you were seeing. Well Done! And I need to go back just for the relaxing walk and learning more about the flowers and trees. And during the special show they even had musicians playing live for you to enjoy!
    Review of: Missouri Botanical Garden
    Written June 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carol M
    Saint Louis, MO12 contributions
    Beautiful gem in St. Louis
    Forest Park truly is one of St. Louis's highpoints. The zoo is spectacular, the entire park is stunning and well-maintained and well-used (it's kind of good to actually see people using a park), and the Muny is a gem in itself.
    Review of: Forest Park
    Written February 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • fredinmn
    Woodbury, MN294 contributions
    Spirit of St Louis
    The National Park area is well maintained and very walkable. I was impressed with the museum as it was well put together and was informative. Some museums can be outdated, but this one wasn't. It is right next to the waterfront which had trails as well. I would recommend visiting this National Park.
    Review of: Gateway Arch National Park
    Written May 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Carol M
    Saint Louis, MO12 contributions
    a gem in St. Louis
    Lone Elk Park seems to be one of those places that WAY too few people know about, but maybe that's a good thing in a selfish way. It's a relaxing drive, animals are everywhere, and the staff was nice.
    Review of: Lone Elk Park
    Written February 27, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Puppeteergirl
    5 contributions
    Free art
    Art sculptures in a clean, well kept park. Most of the sculptures were abstract which makes them less likely to touch people in the way art should. It was a nice day and there were benches around the park. I think it would be amazing if one of the sculptures doubled as a playground for children or if more of the sculptures were interactive in some way.
    Review of: Laumeier Sculpture Park
    Written May 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • John M
    Prairie du Chien, WI21 contributions
    Beautiful
    This park is a "hidden gem" in the middle of the bustling city. The grounds are clean and maintained. Great relaxing place to visit.
    Review of: Tower Grove Park
    Written September 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • stulimom
    Bonita Springs, FL887 contributions
    Nice outdoor place and great museums
    We were looking for some outdoor fun over Thanksgiving and found it on the large concrete patio outside one of their museums where the kids enjoyed inline skating and the young one on her scooter. Be sure to bring these along! Then we stopped into 2 of the museums with wonderful military uniforms and displays of early battle equipment. They are free though a donation was well worth it. And the view of the Mississippi and the St Louis Arch from that patio was great. It was a bit hard to locate just where the outdoor play area was but we did find this patio and enjoyed it.
    Review of: Jefferson Barracks Historic Park
    Written December 2, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VeganMadeEasy
    Glen Ellyn, IL1,540 contributions
    Bootlegger’s run hiking trail
    We went on Easter Sunday afternoon. Although the park was busy the trail was rather quiet. For the most part we had it to ourselves. There was only the occasion hiker and biker. It’s a nice trail meandering through the woods.if you are up to it, there is also a Tree Adventure Park.
    Dogs are allowed on a leash.
    Review of: Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
    Written April 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • asjdwf
    Hillsboro, MO20 contributions
    Could spend hours upon hours here
    This review is late but I must say that this is one of the most beautiful and serene places I have ever been. I took my wife and children here and was blown away that I had never heard or been. The indoor educational portion is well done as well.
    Review of: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
    Written June 27, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lynn S
    Swansea, IL205 contributions
    Worth seeing once.
    I expected to be disappointed after reading so many negative reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised by the attraction. Yes, it is small for a "major" aquarium. I think the key to enjoying it is to go on a less crowded day. My husband and I (mid-50's) went on a Thursday in May, before schools are out for the summer. We walked up and bought our tickets at the desk. During busy times you probably need to buy ahead of time online. BRING YOUR PARKING TICKET INTO THE AQUARIUM WITH YOU! They have a machine that stamps your ticket so you get a discounted parking rate.

    The aquarium is in the restored Union Station train station, but if you are interested in seeing much of the Station history you are out of luck. I asked around and was told that you have to be a paid guest of the Union Station Hotel to get in and see the restored train station Grand Hall.

    Playing on the train theme, the Aquarium visit starts with a pretend "train ride" to the aquarium. It was sort of cheesy, but cute enough. The aquarium part has several larger tanks, a few small ones hidden in the walls, and several "touch" tanks. Even as old jaded adults, we had a blast! My advice is to read the info on the displays, sit a while to see the animals, participate in the touch tanks, and bring a sense of childlike wonder. The employees at the tanks are very helpful and love to talk about their animals. Forget that you paid $25 to see it - every tourist attraction is overpriced. No, this is not as big/nice as the aquarium in the Smokies and probably not as big/nice as some of the other major ones. But it is a good distraction for a couple of hours if you have not seen it before. They have a couple of kid areas that we didn't mess with because we did not have kids with us, but someone with toddlers to around 8 years old can let them burn off some energy.

    Will we go again? Meh...... not anytime soon, but it was worth seeing once. Does it replace a trip to the St Louis Zoo? Absolutely not! If you have to pick either the Aquarium or the Zoo, definitely pick the Zoo. And there are several acceptable places to eat, just steps away in the Station so you don't have to mess with parking again. All in all, a good half-day time killer.
    Review of: St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
    Written May 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Richard G
    54 contributions
    Great family park
    A great park for the whole family. Trails, fishing pond, ball fields, tennis courts and more. During the summer there is a snack shack that is open .
    Review of: Kirkwood Park
    Written February 3, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Katie D
    Saint Louis, MO21 contributions
    Nice park in south county
    This is a great park in South County. There are walking paths, picnic areas and it is well maintained. It's a good place to go for a walk.
    Review of: Suson Park
    Written July 18, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lisa K
    Ringle, WI39 contributions
    Spring break adventure
    We were looking for a way to spend 15-20 minutes before heading to eat dinner and this was a nice way to pass the time. Even my pre-tee daughters enjoyed climbing on the turtles!
    Review of: Turtle Playground
    Written March 24, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Taylor B
    Chicago, IL8,568 contributions
    Significant for its architecture and engineering
    Compton Hill Reservoir Park is to St. Louis what the historic Water Tower is to Chicago. One difference: You can climb to the top of the St. Louis landmark. Located at Grand and Russell Avenues, in the Compton Heights neighborhood, near Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden, it is a 36-acre public park located on one of the highest elevations in the city and surrounds a 28-million-gallon reservoir used to provide water for many of the city's residents. It stands 179 feet high and is 130 feet around the base. Designed by nationally known architect Harvey Ellis, it was constructed in 1898. It was declared a St. Louis Landmark in 1966 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, a significant structure for its architecture and engineering. It was an immediate tourist attraction and a highlight for visitors to the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904. It was retired in 1929. Saved from demolition by preservationists, the tower was saved by a $19 million restoration project in 1999. Today, it is open for tours every Saturday from April to November and for special events. Another popular attraction, located south of the water tower, is the statue The Naked Truth, unveiled in 1914 and moved to its present location after I-44 was constructed through the northern edge of the park. It was a gift to the city by the German-American Alliance in honor of Carl Schurz, Emil Preetorius and Carl Daenzer, editors of a German newspaper in St. Louis.
    Review of: Compton Hill Reservoir Park
    Written October 13, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Saint Louis

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Forum posts were selected by looking for forum titles asking specific questions and taking the top showtopic page by total pageviews as the optimal topic.
What Can we do with our dog while in St. Louis? Activities? Restaurants? Traveling with our dog and 2 teens.

Thanks for reading!
Answer: I recall a similar question some time ago, and was a bit puzzled: what does one normally do with dogs besides go for walks, throw a ball, and run around in dog parks? But then I remembered one unique attraction that St. Louis has that's pet friendly. The Museum of the Dog allows you to bring your dog.

http://www.museumofthedog.org/

I can't say I'd be terribly thrilled if I was a dog to go to an art museum with dog-themed art...but it's something different!
Note that forum content are individual perspectives of forum posters and not the opinion of Tripadvisor