Grant’s Farm Summer Nights
Select weekend nights starting Memorial Day – Labor Day
Summer Nights has returned bigger and better than ever! Friday and Saturday evenings along with select Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, we invite you to join us in the Bauernhof Courtyard for great food, cold drinks, and live music. Grant’s Farm in the Sky: A Drone Show Spectacular returns for its second year, now better than ever! Now with more drones and a longer running show time, this show features drones performing a choreographed visual tribute to St. Louis and Grant’s Farm all new and revamped for the 2024 season.
Summer Nights Admission Ticket required after 5pm. Parking must be purchased separately if arriving by vehicle. Arrive anytime between 5:00pm-8:30pm. Ages 3 & under are free.
Laumier Sculpture Park
Kick off your summer weekends at Laumeier Sculpture Park with their Finally Friday Series. Each Friday this summer, you’ll find food and beverage vendors onsite at the Park from 4-8 p.m. So grab a drink and a bite and celebrate that it is finally Friday!
Sauce Food Truck Friday
May 17 // 4 – 8 pm
June 14 // 4 – 8 pm
July 12 // 4 – 8 pm
August 16 // 4 – 8 pm
September 20 // 4 – 8 pm
Trucks line up along Southwest Drive between Kingshighway Boulevard and Center Cross Drive. Southwest Drive is closed to personal vehicle traffic during the event. Please note that drivers CANNOT ENTER at Kingshighway Boulevard. Please enter the park on Magnolia Avenue or Arsenal Street. Directional signs in the park will show the way.
Twilight Thursdays at the Missouri History Museum
May 23 – Teena Marie Catalog
6 – 8 pm
Catch the final Twilight Thursday at the Missouri History Museum! This popular, free outdoor concert series takes place on the North Lawn and brings a lineup of spectacular shows from local musicians and bands. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic basket, and listen to music under a beautiful Forest Park sunset. Some of the area’s best food trucks will also be on hand each week.
Bring family, friends, and food, and revel in the music as the sun sets. Museum galleries are open late, and some of the area’s best food trucks will be on hand.
Opera Theater of St. Louis 2024 Festival Season
May 25 – June 29 The Barber of Seville
June 1 – 30 La bohème
June 9 – 28 Julius Caesar
June 15 – 29 Galileo Galilei
IMAX Movies at the St. Louis Science Center
May 26 – June 4, 2023
Experience the re-imagination of the movie-going experience at the OMNIMAX Theater featuring IMAX® with Laser. This state-of-the-art theater provides the sharpest images, unmatched sound quality and 40% greater color range than traditional theaters. The five-story, 80-foot-diameter dome will fill your entire field of vision providing a truly immersive experience.
Tickets for OMNIMAX films are available online, at the Science Center, or by calling our box office at 314.289.4400.
Summer 2024 Lineup Includes:
- The Blue Angels
- D-Day: Normandy 1944
- Blue Whales Return of the Giants
5050 Oakland Avenue, St Louis, MO 63110
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
As You Like It
May 29 – June 23, 2024
Forest Park: 6604 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
In this spontaneous romp, the brilliant and resourceful heroine, Rosalind, and her friends, exiled from the confines of city life to the Forest of Arden, are free to explore new identities, friendships, and (of course) love. Nancy Bell’s production is romantic, lusty, funny and full of heart and longing for a sweeter life. Featuring live music and new songs from St. Louis indie singer-songwriter Beth Bombara, with a lavish gilded age setting. Performance schedule: Tuesday-Sunday, nightly at 8 p.m. at Shakespeare Glen in Forest Park
Shakespeare in the Park is always free to attend; no reservations are required. A limited number of paid reserved seats and blanket spots are on sale now!
Whitaker Music Festival at Missouri Botanical Gardens
Wednesdays, May 29 – July 31
Music begins at 7 pm
Last entry at 8:15 pm
The open-air Whitaker Music Festival presents free Wednesday evening concerts under the stars every summer. To date, more than one million people have participated in this cherished St. Louis summer tradition.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic supper, baskets or coolers. Glass is prohibited. Picnic fare, beer, wine, soda and sno-cones are also available for purchase onsite.
Play Day in the Park
Saturday, June 1, 2024 // 9:30AM – 2:30PM
Forest Park Visitor’s Center Parking Lot, 5595 Grand Drive St. Louis, MO, 63112
To kick off this summer, The Magic House and Forest Park Forever along with Spire, St. Louis Public Library andSt. Louis County Library, invite you to participate in Play Day in the Park, a FREE family-focused community event to be held in Forest Park on Saturday, June 1.
Come explore a variety of engaging activities, from bubble play and outdoor art to parachute games, sports, and STEM Lab explorations! Plus, you won’t want to miss out on signing up for STL Summer Adventure, a community summer learning program powered by St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library.
Working together to build a more playful community, over 25 organizations are coming together to showcase the importance of play in and reading in children’s lives.
Pack a picnic lunch or purchase lunch from a food truck!
Play Day in the Park will be held rain or shine.
Kimmswick Strawberry Festival
June 1-2, 2024 // 10AM – 5PM
The Strawberry Festival will be bursting with fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries, strawberry cheesecake, and strawberry iced-tea. Enjoy your favorite festival foods, too, like kettle corn, shish kebobs, funnel cakes, onion blossoms, BBQ, hamburgers and hotdogs and roasted corn on the cob along with many others.
Parking will be at Windsor Intermediate and High School campus on Highway 61/67 for a small fee. Bus Shuttles will run throughout the day to bring you back and forth. Handicap parking spaces at the Windsor Elementary School in Kimmswick are very limited. There is also parking at the two fields on each side of Hwy K and you can walk in from there. Weather permitting, of course.
Summer Storytime in the Nature Playscape
Nature Playscape in Forest Park
Join us for Summer Storytime in the Nature Playscape on Monday mornings at 10:00 a.m. from June 3 to July 22. Our St. Louis Public Library partners lead stories and songs in the Meadow. Bring your imagination, and we’ll bring snacks, water and picnic blankets!
Summer Family Fun Series
Missouri History Museum : 5700 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63112
Thursdays throughout the summer
Join us on Wednesdays and Fridays every week in June and July for summer fun. Enjoy a variety of family activities, including crafts, performances, and scavenger hunts on Wednesdays, and then visit us again on Fridays for Storytelling in the Museum and Cuentos en el Museo programs at 10:30am, followed by a two-hour drop-in craft workshop. The Summer Family Fun Series is great for children ages 2–12!
In the Library with Louie (from the STL Blues)
Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 2:00PM
St. Louis County Library (Florissant Valley Branch)
Meet Louie, the St. Louis Blues mascot. Learn what it’s like to be the mascot and what it takes to get ready for the season. Louie will sign autographs and pose for photos. Ages 5-11.
Circus Flora
June 6 – 23, 2024
Inspired by the allure and mystery of a deserted island, “Marooned!” transports audiences into a world of adventure, discovery, and enchantment. Witness the resilience and ingenuity of our world-class acrobats and other circus performers as they navigate the challenges of the unknown, bringing to life a tale of survival, camaraderie, and the enduring spirit of the human heart. Will our circus castaways survive? Join us to find out!
3401 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63103
Webster Arts Fair
June 7 – 9, 2024
June 7 – The Fair begins at 6:00 pm! This year we will be open until 10:00 pm, plenty of time to enjoy the music and food and art from 100 national artists.
June 8 – The Fair will open up at 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Art activities for all ages in the Studios tent, live music and plenty of art – stop by and enjoy!
June 9 -Open 12 pm to 4 pm, stop by the Youth Makers Market featuring the artwork of artists ages 6-18. Music, food, and art await!
Golf at the Galleries
June 14 – August 11, 2024
The Sheldon Art Galleries presents the 7th annual Golf the Galleries interactive exhibition, June 14 – August 11, 2024, sponsored by UMB Bank. The playable, artist-designed, nine-hole mini golf installation will again be in the Sheldon Art Galleries space and is designed to be inclusive, family-friendly and accessible. The nine unique mini golf holes are designed by St. Louis area artists, architects and creative agencies. Tickets are $12 adults / $10 children 12 and under. Golf the Galleries is open Tuesday – Thursday, 12 – 5 p.m.; Friday, 12 – 8 p.m.; and Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. No advanced reservations will be offered this season. Sales will be accepted at the door only for maximum flexibility. All proceeds from Golf the Galleries support The Sheldon’s visual arts programming, which offers local and national artists opportunities to share their work with the St. Louis community through free gallery exhibition and education programs.
3648 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108
Juneteenth in Soulard
June 15 – 8 am – 5 pm
Soulard Park: South 8th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104
Join Neighbors Impacting Communities to planning to celebrate Juneteenth from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Soulard Market Park in St. Louis, Mo. This third-annual event is still in the process of being planned to include free entertainment and activities for patrons of all ages. Bandstand line-up is being planned to include music, dance, singing and more.
The Muny
Catch a family-friendly show at the nation’s largest outdoor theater! If you haven’t seen a show on the Muny stage yet, you don’t know what you are missing. Bringing in national talent and blending it with the local talent of STL area teens and kids creates a one-of-a-kind experience for theater-goers.
2024 Season:
June 17 – 23: Les Misérables
June 27 – July 3: Dreamgirls
July 8 – 16: The Little Mermaid
July 19 – 25: Fiddler on the Roof
July 30 – August 5: Waitress
August 9 – 15: In the Heights
August 19 – 25: Anything Goes
1 Theatre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112
Juneteenth “Free-Dome”
June 19
3rd Annual Juneteenth “Free-dome” Celebration
Fireflies & Friends Festival at the Butterfly House
Faust Park Butterfly House: 15193 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63017
June 21, 2024 // 4 – 9PM
Celebrate the bugs of summer at the first ever “Fireflies & Friends Festival”! Great for all ages, the evening will be filled with live music, fun activities, and hand-ons exploration as you learn about dragonflies, cicadas, fireflies, and more! See roosting butterflies in the Butterfly House’s Tropical Conservatory or stroll amongst nature’s “living lanterns” with real entomologists. Grab a bite to eat or listen to music in the Native Butterfly Garden. Children will enjoy glow games and crafts while adults 21 and older have the option of purchasing a drink-tasting band, allowing them to sample local brews and spirits. Remember, it’s BYOF (Bring Your Own Flashlight!)
$12 Members | $15 Nonmembers | Children 2 and under Free
Pond-O-Rama
June 22 – 23
This year’s tour features 24 beautiful water gardens and features throughout the St. Louis area.
PrideFest
June 29 – 30, 2024
A two day festival that is one of the biggest Pride events in the Midwest.
- vendors
- performers
- Grand Pride Parade
Let them Eat Art
Historic Downtown Maplewood
Friday, July 12, 2024 // 6 – 10PM
6 pm – 10 pm
Let Them Eat Art is a celebration of the arts and a whimsical tribute to Bastille Day. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Let Them Eat Art, featuring live art demonstrations, musical performances and kids’ activities, plus food and drink from Maplewood restaurants. There will be plenty of shopping along the way, Maplewood retailers will have extended hours and offer special event-only promotions.
Art Hill Film Series
July 12 – Back to the Future
July 19 – Meet Me in St. Louis
Join us this July when the Museum’s front yard is transformed into the city’s biggest cinema during the Art Hill Film Series, a St. Louis tradition of films, food, and music. Music, food trucks, a cash bar, and more preshow festivities start at 6 pm. The featured film will be shown at 9 pm. No tickets are required for the event.
St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase
July 19 – 21 + July 26 – 28
The St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, an annual presentation of the nonprofit Cinema St. Louis, serves as the area’s primary venue for films made by local artists. The Showcase screens works that were written, directed, edited, or produced by St. Louis natives or films with strong local ties.
The film programs range from full-length fiction and documentary features to multi-film compilations of fiction, documentary, and experimental shorts. The programs with feature films include post- screening Q&As with the filmmakers and/or subjects.
Bluey’s Big Play
July 20, 2024 / Saturday 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, Saturday 5:00 PM
July 21, 2024 / Sunday 1:00 PM
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. Bluey’s Big Play is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co.
St. Charles County Fair
July 23 – 27, 2024
Livestock
Fair Queen Pageant
Rides
Motorsports
Rotary Park: 2577 W. Meyer Road, Foristell, MO 63348
Pig and Whiskey Festival
July 26 – 28, 2024
Featuring some of the area’s most beloved BBQ joints, national and local bands, craft cocktails, lots of Schlafly beer, and of course – whiskey, bourbon, scotches, and more. Pig & Whiskey is family friendly complete with interactive games for all ages, bounce houses, a vendor village, bull riding, and more! Adults can stroll down Whiskey Row, or get new recipe ideas from our local mixology and chef stage.
Taste of St. Louis
August 2 from 4 – 10 pm
August 3 from 11 am – 10 pm
August 4 from 11 am – 6 pm
Ballpark Village – 601 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63102
The Ultimate STL area Food Festival. This year’s theme is Spice Wars.
Blues at the Arch Festival
August 9 – 10 – Concerts
August 11 – Blues Brunch
Mark your calendars and plan to join us at the North Gateway of Gateway Arch National Park. The Festival will be from Friday, Aug. 9 through Saturday, Aug. 10, with an incredible Blues Brunch (ticketed) on Sunday, Aug. 11 to cap off the weekend.
Grub and Groove
August 10
2 – 10:30 pm
Grub & Groove is a free annual festival in Francis Park showcasing the best STL food, music, and more!
Tennessee Williams Festival
August 8 – 18
Grandel Theatre: 3610 Grandel Square, St. Louis, MO 63103
A festival celebrating Tennessee Williams and his works.
Festival of the Little Hills
St. Charles Main Street: 230 S. Main Street, St Charles, MO 63301
Friday, August 16 // 4 – 10PM
Saturday, August 17 // 9AM – 10PM
Sunday, August 18 // 9AM – 4PM
Midwest’s Premier Arts and Craft festival, complete with a Kids Corner!
St. Louis African American Artifacts Festival + Bazaar
August 17
1 – 7 pm
Celebrate the history and culture of people of African descent. Featuring art, music, dance, food, vendors, and children’s activities.
Festival of Nations
Tower Grove Park: 4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
August 24-25, 2024
Our region’s largest multicultural celebration features more than 40 booths, non-stop dance and music, arts and crafts, and an international bazaar with unique gifts from around the world.
Gateway Cup
August 30 – September 2
The best professional and amateur cyclists in the US are coming to put on a show over Labor Day Weekend! Four full tilt races in four of STL’s coolest neighborhoods.
Each Day features an all day program of racing that includes amateur races, kids races, that builds up to the men’s and women’s professional races.
Japanese Festival
August 31 – September 1 from 9 am – 9 pm
September 2 from 9 am – 5 pm
Missouri Botanical Garden: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
Experience the thunderous pounding rhythms of the taiko drums, thrilling samurai sword performances and more at this three-day cultural adventure right here at the Garden.
For more than 40 years, the Missouri Botanical Garden has produced the annual Japanese Festival in conjunction with the Japanese Activities Committee, a coalition of several Japanese-American organizations that provide art, dance, food and entertainment for thousands of visitors each year.
Balloon Glow at Brookdale Farms
September 13 & 14, 2024
Hot air balloons take over Brookdale Farms every summer for two nights! They gather in our fields and create a magical glow in the sky – followed by a beautiful fireworks display!
Join us to enjoy a dozen glowing balloons, bulls, & barrels at the most exhilarating night-time summer event!
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
Saturday, September 21, 2024 // 7PM
Sunday, September 22, 2024 // 2PM
Director Steven Spielberg’s heartwarming masterpiece, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, follows the moving story of a lost alien who befriends a ten-year-old boy named Elliott. Experience all the mystery and fun of their unforgettable adventure in the beloved movie that captivated audiences around the world while your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ Academy Award®-winning score live to film.
Evolution Festival
September 28-29, 2024
Forest Park
Tickets are on-sale now to see Beck, The Killers, Blondie & more. This elevated music festival experience returns to St. Louis in September 2024!
Metro East
Bellevue Summer Concert Series
Concerts at the Square
10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220
June 3: Tommy Tunes Band
June 13: Friends of Bluegrass
June 17: Waterloo German Band
June 27: Little Known Fact
July 8: Shortlist
July 18: Left Hand Cowboy
July 22: Magnificats
August 8: Vince K
Concerts at Bellevue Park
401 Bellevue Park Drive, Belleville, IL 62226
“Enjoy the summer nights and great music outdoors at our historic park. Every Thursday evening, different bands will entertain the public FREE, starting at 7 pm.”
Eckert’s Events in Belleville
Adults and kids alike will find much to do this summer at Eckert’s! With live music, their Bites + Flights events pairing food with their hard cider, kids eat free events in their restaurant, a Father’s Day Luau Bash, and more … Eckert’s is the place to be this summer!
951 S. Green Mt. Road, Belleville, IL 62220
Alton Summer Night Market
June 6 – July 25, 2024
Jacoby Arts Center – 627 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002
Join us every Thursday night from 7-10pm, June 6th through July 25th for the Night Market ~ an awesome summer series where you can enjoy live music in an outdoor setting, plus artwork and other handmade/homegrown products, as well as vintage & hip thrift items! The event will take place both indoors in the gallery of Jacoby Arts Center (627 E. Broadway) as well as outdoors in the neighboring pocket park which bring the 600 block of Broadway to life. Walk next door to have dinner at FLOCK food truck park!
International Horseradish Festival
Friday, June 7 // 11AM – 10PM
Saturday, June 8 // 11AM – 10PM
101 W. Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234
“Come to Collinsville, Illinois to be a part of the fest devoted to all things horseradish celebrated the first weekend in June in Uptown Collinsville on Main Street.
Where else can you learn how to prepare your own horseradish, join in any of the classic Horseradish Festival Contests, visit the Craft Village, or just sample the food and listen to the Live music.”
Edwardsville Arts in the Park
Edwardsville City Park- 101 South Buchanan St., Edwardsville, IL 62025
“Bring a picnic and a blanket while you meet your neighbors and friends to one or all of Edwardsville most treasured summer events – June to September enjoy arts, entertainment, and activities in Edwardsville City Park.”
Includes Children’s Art in the Park, Concerts in the Park, Movies in the Park, Summer Symphony Series, and Shakespeare in the Park
June
8 – Route 66 Festival
14 – Steve Ewing Concert
15 – Children’s Art
21 – Butch Wax and the Hollywoods Concert
22- Children’s Art
25 – Edwardsville Symphony
July
12 – Hudson and the Hoo Doo Cats
13 – Children’s Art
19 – Peebles and the Moonlighters Concert
20 – Children’s Art
26 – Dueling Pianos Concert
27 – Children’s Art
30 – Edwardsville Symphony
August
16 – Shakespeare in the Park “The Tempest”
23 – Opera Edwardsville
24 – “Despicable Me” Movie Night
25 – Edwardsville Symphony
September
14 – “Beethoven” Movie
22 – Edwardsville Symphony
Tour de Belleville
Friday, July 12, 2024
Rides begin at 11 am
Festivities and Ride begin & end at The Campus (Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus) 2300 West Main Street, Belleville, IL
The Tour de Belleville is a family-friendly, non-competitive bike ride that will have you and your family/friends pedaling through the streets of Belleville. Ride Begins at 8:00 p.m. 6 Miles or 11 Miles Route Options. Festivities and Ride begin & end at The Campus (Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus) 2300 West Main Street, Belleville, IL
Outdoor
Bee Tree Park
2701 Finestown Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63129
Located on the Mississippi River, Bee Tree Park offers gorgeous views and lots of fun. Families can enjoy the 10-acre lake that is stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation, five hiking trails, a playground, and numerous picnic sites.
Big Muddy Adventures @ The Boathouse (Forest Park)
“We know why you really came to The Boathouse at Forest Park. The food was a bonus, but you came here to live out your childhood dream as a pirate or a naval commander. Well, we won’t burst your bubble. We can’t offer you the high seas, but Post Dispatch Lake is a fantastic place to launch a mini-expedition on our paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards. Our boats may not be the USS Constitution, but we can promise they’ll float.
We open every morning, and close around sunset each night. Rent our boats by the hour to explore Forest Park from an entirely new perspective. Stay up to date on special events like moonlight picnics and paddleboard yoga.”
6101 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Castlewood Stables
Dates are scheduled out one month at a time. Check website often for new dates to open up!
Check out their parent-and-me events on select weekends throughout the summer! At these events, horses and ponies are saddled up and available in the arena for kids to ride. To ensure you don’t spend all morning standing in lines waiting for horses, they also have a petting zoo with everything from a wallaby to a mini bull and so many other animals to feed and interact with, and a fun craft. You’ll have two hours at your own pace to spend the morning as you wish!
15811 Jedberg Lane, Ballwin, MO 63021
Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Creek Road, Ballwin, MO 63021
The park has hiking and mountain biking trails that range from those great for first-time riders to ones that even the most experienced will return to time after time. Good fishing, broad meadows filled with wildlife, and plenty of recreational facilities make the park a favorite for people who want an adventure or just to get away.
Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
“Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park is 2,145 acres in size. Located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, it is the largest park in St. Louis County parks system. You will never run out of stuff to do while visiting the park because there is something for everyone. In the warmer seasons, guests can rent boats or bicycles to spend the day adventuring. Getting out on the water is a blast if you rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. If you just want to take in the breathtaking view of the lake, try the 3.8 mile asphalt trail that surrounds the lake. This loop trail is ideal for walkers, runners, bikers, or other activities like rollerblading. Pets are also welcome as long as they are kept on a leash.”
13725 Marine Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63146
Eckert’s for Strawberry + Peach Picking
Take the family to pick-your-own strawberries and peaches! Strawberry season is typically late April – June and peach season is typically late June – August, but check the website for exact dates!
951 S. Green Mt. Road, Belleville, IL 62220
Endangered Wolf Center
“The Endangered Wolf Center is a non-profit wildlife facility in Eureka, Missouri, United States, near St. Louis that is dedicated to preserving and reintroducing to the wild critically endangered species of wolves. It is certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.”
6750 Tyson Valley Road, Eureka, MO 63025
Forest Park
“Forest Park, which is owned and operated by the City of St. Louis, is considered one of the nation’s greatest urban public parks. The Park’s 1,300 acres feature beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams, as well as five of the region’s major cultural institutions and endless opportunities for recreation. Forest Park attracts 13 million visitors each year, making it the sixth most visited urban park in the United States.
Forest Park truly offers something for everyone — amazing destinations and institutions that challenge the mind, a Dual Path system that invites both leisurely walks and intense workouts, quiet places to picnic and read, and a variety of popular festivals and events — all set in the background of a city oasis, a place to escape it all.”
Within Forest Park, you will find the Missouri History Museum, The Muny, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center. You will also find athletic fields, and a golf course.
Forest Park Nature Playscape
“An exciting new Forest Park destination is now open to the public. Funded by donors to Forest Park Forever and completed in partnership with the City of St. Louis, the Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape is a 17-acre experiential play space with natural landscapes that include native and diverse species. Featuring nine distinct activity distinct activity areas, the free destination includes sand play areas, willow tunnels, stump steppers, boulders and rocks, hand water pumps and much more. The goal: Encourage visitors — especially kids — to connect with nature as they engage their senses as they explore, discover and learn.”
Located in Forest Park between the World’s Fair Pavillion and the Jewel Box.
Concourse Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Go Ape! Zipline
“Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park takes scenic to new levels, literally, up to 45 feet in the trees. Our aerial adventure offers amazing views of the natural lake and surrounding woodlands. Our high-ropes course takes between 2-3 hours to complete.
So much more than a canopy tour, the Go Ape Treetop Adventure will have you navigating 31 crossings with suspended obstacles, jumping into our Tarzan swings and flying from the treetops to the ground on one of our five ziplines.”
13219 Streetcar Drive, Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Grant’s Farm
“Grant’s Farm celebrates America’s past with a commitment to the future. Honoring both the 18th president of the United States and the Busch family legacy, the Farm is a refuge for more than 900 animals, representing more than 100 different species.” A popular St. Louis destination since 1954, Grant’s Farm is the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, named for Ulysses S. Grant who originally worked a portion of the land. Take a tram ride through the deer park, feed baby goats, ride a camel or a carousel and finish the day off with an ice cold Budweiser!
10501 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
Lone Elk Park
Drive through wildlife park, free to the public, however donations are encouraged. “Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Motorcycles are prohibited. Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle.”
1 Lone Elk Park Road, St. Louis, MO 63088
Meramec Caverns
Beneath the fertile rolling hills of the Meramec Valley, lies a complex of mineral formations and color as rare and unique as they are beautiful. These jewels of nature which took thousands of years to grow, are preserved in the spectacular sights of Meramec Caverns.
Guided tours by trained rangers are conducted along well-lighted walkways. Learn how an ancient limestone “Wine Table” and an entire 7-story mansion were formed… all underground. On tour you will see both the rarest and largest cave formations in the world.
Best part? The caves are a cool 60 degrees, year round … what better place to spend a hot, sticky, humid summer day than at Meramec Caverns? Yes, it’s a bit outside of the St. Louis area limits, but it’s well worth the drive.
1135 Hwy W., Sullivan, MO 63080
Missouri Botanical Gardens
A greenhouse dome, a Victorian home & gardens, a butterfly house & more spread across 79 acres. There’s also a children’s garden open from April to October. Tickets are available online or when you arrive.
4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110
The Muny
“What began as a grassy spot between two oak trees has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. The Muny’s storied history is one of vision, perseverance and commitment to culture and community. Think of The Muny as a blank canvas to a memorable night out. You’ll always see a great show, but the rest of the experience is entirely up to you. Picnic in the grass or a cocktail in the pavilion? Suit and tie or Saturday shorts? Date night or group outing? At The Muny, the answer is always yes!”
1 Theater Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112
Rockwoods Reservation
2751 Glencoe Road, Wildwood, MO 63038
Explore the springs, caves, and rock formations as you hike the trails at Rockwoods Reservation. Kids can have fun splashing in the creek beds and searching for the various animals and plants that call the reservation home. The Rockwoods Reservation Visitor Center is currently closed to the public.
Six Flags St. Louis
Come experience Missouri’s largest, most thrilling theme park filled with over 45 exciting rides, shows, & attractions!
4900 Six Flags Road, Eureka, MO 63025
St. Louis City SC
Catch a soccer game at one of the St. Louis City SC’s home games! And don’t forget about the City2 games (City SC’s reserve team) which offer families a more affordable yet still family-friendly option for catching a game at City Park!
326 S. 21st Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
St. Louis Zoo
“Home to over 12,000 animals, representing 500 species, the St. Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research, and education. One of the few FREE zoos in the nation, the St. Louis Zoo attracts approximately 3 million visitors annually and is the most visited attraction in the region. And, as a free zoo, visitors are encouraged to come back again … and again!
1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
Wabash, Frisco, + Pacific Railroad
1:00am – 4:00pm on Sundays only
First Sunday in May through the last Sunday in October
The Wabash, Frisco, and Pacific Railroad invites you to come aboard our 12 inch gauge steam railroad! The ride is a two mile round trip lasting about 40 minutes and travels along the scenic Meramec River.
101 Grand Avenue, Glencoe, MO 63038
World Bird Sanctuary
“World Bird Sanctuary is both a unique St. Louis attraction and entertaining environmental education opportunity. With over 305 acres and over 200 animals in our care, we offer a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience. World Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to preserve, protect and inspire to safeguard bird species as part of the global community for future generations.” … “World Bird Sanctuary bustles with activity on 305 acres of Missouri hardwood forest, featuring our public buildings, avian exhibits and five hiking trails.”
125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road, Valley Park, MO 63088
Metro East
Pere Marquette State Park
13112 Center Lane, Grafton, IL 62037
Located on the Great River Road just north of Grafton, Pere Marquette State Park offers miles of hiking trails and bike trails, equestrian trails, fishing spots, and campgrounds. The lodge at the state park is a great place to relax and enjoy the view of the Mississippi, play a game of giant chess, or sample some Missouri wines at the winery on site.
Starved Rock State Park
2678 E 875th Road, Oglesby, IL 61348
Starved Rock State Park is about a 3-hour drive from St. Louis, but definitely worth the drive. Amazing waterfalls are active in the spring and after heavy rains. There 13 miles of trails to explore and the Illinois River offers fishing (ice fishing, too), boating, extraordinary views and great places to relax. Visit the Lodge and see the largest two-sided fireplace in Illinois!