Wild Lights at the Zoo Sparkle This Season
Posted on November 29th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
The St. Louis Zoo goes a little wild and crazy with the holiday lights every year. The U.S. Bank Wild Lights is a colorful light display that features more than 500,000 Christmas lights and animated light displays, which visitors can view while walking through the exhibits. There are also plenty of activities for the kids,
including making Christmas ornaments, a holiday puppet show and carousel rides. Adults can do some shopping at the Holiday Zootique (visitors receive an automatic 10 percent discount on purchases during Wild Lights with St. Louis Zoo Members receiving a 20 percent discount on such purposes). The Wild Lights display is open Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-23 and 26-30. Tickets are $4 for St. Louis Zoo members and $5 for non-members (children under 2 are free). Parking is free at the Zoo’s South Parking Lot. Come out for a roaring good time and spectacular light display.
For more information, visit http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/wildlights.
Tags: Forest Park, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Holidays, St. Louis Zoo
You Can’t Beat Free!
Posted on September 23rd, 2010 by Alicia McColl
One delightful feature about visiting St. Louis is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on some of the most endearing attractions.
Take the St. Louis Zoo, for example. You get about 18,000 animals (700 species) on 90 acres in Forest Park any day of the year (except Christmas and New Year’s days). The miniature train and admission to the smaller Children’s Zoo and Sea Lion show, but these features are just a small fraction of what makes up this roaring attraction without paying a cent at the gates. Zagat Surveys U.S. Family Travel Guide rated it as the #1 zoo.
Another gem in Forest Park is the St. Louis Art Museum, home to a comprehensive collection of 19th and 20th-century European
and American art, modern, pre-Columbian and American Indian, Oceanic, Islamic, Asian, African, photographs and much, much more. There are even a couple of mummy displays and an awesome sword collection that kids really seem to enjoy. Again, there’s no cost to get in. (Hold on to junior’s hand, though, around some exhibits so it doesn’t cost to get out either.)
The Missouri History Museum is another outstanding attraction. Also in Forest Park it offers a detailed account of the St. Louis region, how the past shaped the present with the Seeking St. Louis exhibit. History buffs will also need to see the Charles A. Lindbergh and 1904 World’s Fair continuing exhibits. And if the kids need some time to go wild for a while, there’s a neat playground practically next door.
The Saint Louis Science Center and Planetarium features more than 700 hands-on exhibits including a gallery on structures, where visitors can build a miniature Arch, life-size animated Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex and a bridge over Hwy. 40/64 with a couple of see-through floor patches right over the lanes. There is a c
harge for tickets for special, limited-time exhibits, the Space Show, Llego Mindstorms and IMAX movies, but the Amazing Science shows are free and there is still a whole days worth of fun to see and do without added costs. Admission, zero dollars; wow factor, priceless.
Out in the county Grant’s Farm is across between a farm and a zoo with a historic 1855 cabin that belonged to Ulysses S. Grant and his bride. Visitors get a tram ride through Deer Park and glimpse of Bison, deer and buffalo before entering the Tier Garten where there are more animal exhibits and shows. The Clydesdale Stables usually has about 25 horses on site. Standing face-to-face, or face-to-nostrils (theirs), one realizes just how regal and impressive these 2,000-pound animals are. The only catch with visiting Grant’s Farm is that there’s an $11 charge per car for parking and no drop offs or convenient side streets like the other attractions. If you do get corralled in, it’s still a bargain for a family of four or more.
Farther west in Gray Summit Purina Farms only requires that visitors call and reserve a tour time. Here, there’s a visitors center with a fairly detailed exhibit about how Purina produces their animal feed. Outside there’s a small arena where visitors are treated to a dog show, two larger canine competition areas (check web site for event and show schedules) and a barn with farm animals where if you arrive at the right time, you can help
milk a cow. This fall Purina is opening an 84,000 square-foot indoor show facility which will make this an even more popular place.
Downtown, the view from the bottom of the grand Gateway Arch is no-cost as is the Museum of Westward Expansion at its base and a tour through the architecturally significant Old Courthouse (site of two Dredd Scott trials) just up the street. A two-hour tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery is no cost, and they provide samples of their products at the end.
Make sure to put these attractions on your must-see list before word gets out that they are way undercharging for this stuff.
Tags: Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour, Downtown St. Louis, Forest Park, Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis On a Budget, St. Louis Zoo
Casual Lakeview Dining
Posted on September 17th, 2010 by Alicia McColl
Every once in a while the weather seems to cooperate and beckons diners to restaurant patios across the area. Two local cafes include a bonus – a lakeside view within scenic St. Louis parks.
The Boathouse in Forest Park, a manageable walk from the zoo, serves an identical lunch and dinner menu with a variety of salads, burgers, pizzas and specialty items to choose from. The menu includes a Salmon BLT for $8.15, Boathouse Baby Back Ribs (half-slab for $9.99 and full for $18.99) and a Black Bean & Corn Veggie Burger ($7.99) to name just a few of the popular options. A kids menu offers tot-friendly items such as chicken fingers, pb&j and turkey and cheese plates for $4.15. Sunday brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., features an a la carte menu that includes a hearty Boathouse Breakfast Platter with eggs, bacon, sausage links, hash browns and cheddar biscuit, for $8.15, and Smoked Salmon & Smoked Trout Salad Platter for $8.99.
There are tables inside or out, alongside the Post-Dispatch Lake, and in the Beer Garden, where bands perform Friday and Saturday evenings weather permitting. (See www.boathouseforestpark.com for schedule.) If you feel inclined to work off lunch or dinner, you can rent a paddle or row boat ($15-$20 per hour) and explore Forest Park’s Grand Basin. Thursdays through September there’s even a Moonlight Paddleboat Picnic option for $32 per person that includes a basket with wine, cheese spread and flatbread, your choice of wrap, popcorn, fruit and chocolate biscotti and a boat until 10:30 p.m.
The Boathouse is located in Forest Park at 6101 Government Dr.
The Creve Coeur Lakehouse is on Creve Coeur Park’s smaller lake, a popular walking and bicycling destination. Many people park here to access the paths which wind around both lakes. There’s a bar and small sitting area inside, but the attraction is the large patio facing the lake where diners can have a bite to eat and a cold drink. The appetizer menu includes a heaping Chicken Nachos Plate that’s $9.49, Stuffed ‘Bellas (portabella mushrooms filled with spinach, artichoke, melted provolone cheese and roasted red pepper) and Pretzel Bites for $6.99. Wraps, salads and sandwiches such as the Lakehouse Bleu, two chicken strips, melted Swiss with sliced ham with mayo and bleu cheese on the side for $8.99, fill the menu for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is now served on the weekends.
There are no boats to rent here, but a few words of caution if you are not an animal lover. It is possible to look up from the menu and see a Marmaduke-like creature seated next to you. Well-behaved dogs are allowed to accompany diners here on the patio and bowls filled with water appear next to some tables for just this occasion. Bands perform Friday and Saturday evenings (see www.cclakehouse.com for a schedule).
The Lakehouse is located at 2160 Creve Coeur Mill Rd., just off the Maryland Heights Expressway.
Tags: Forest Park, St. Louis Dining
A Year in the Life of Forest Park
Posted on March 8th, 2010 by Erin Callier
As spring approaches (It’s almost here! It’s almost here!) Forest Park is on the cusp of its busiest season. As locals and tourist head out of hibernation and toward the wonders of this gigantic urban oasis, the paths will be packed with bikes, the many free attractions will nearly burst at the seams, and the grassy knolls will be strewn with sunbathers and picnic baskets galore. 
Open every day of the year, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. and no matter what the season, offers an unquantifiable number of wonders and attractions. None knows this better than St. Louis-based photographer, Edward Crim, whose blog, Forest Park 365, chronicles a year in the life of this phenomenal park.
If you’ve ever visited or plan on visiting Forest Park, a troll through this prolific and often stunning photo blog is a must. Crim captures the essence of Forest Park with breathtaking images, whimsical family moments, wacky wildlife, creepy wildlife (insert shudder here), happy parkgoers, romance and many intimate glimpses of the creatures who call Forest Park home. Day and night , rain or shine, winter, spring, summer and fall, Forest Park 365 is a virtual masterpiece.
For those planning a trip to Forest Park, Crim’s site is a great opportunity to see all the wonderful ways to spend a day, or two, or three in the park. Rent a paddle boat, take a Segway tour, go fishing, bike, golf, take in a match, visit the zoo, attend one of the many events hosted in the park or simply stroll and watch the sunset.
On Fri., April 30, Norton’s Fine Art & Framing will host a free art event with Edward Crim and the 68, 492 photos from his year in Forest Park. Stop in from 5-8 p.m. and hear readings by Crim, a slideshow and the chance to win some of Crim’s work.
Credit: All photography by Edward Crim.
Tags: Edward Crim, Forest Park, Forest Park 365, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center Segways, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Zoo
Time to Lace Up at The Steinberg Ice Rink
Posted on November 13th, 2009 by Erin Callier
The season is upon us! Although the weather in St. Louis is nowhere near icy, the Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park has already fired up the Zamboni and spread a frozen sheen of fun for the winter months. 
Open every day (including holidays) until February 28th, the Steinberg Rink is located on the eastern edge of Forest Park. Just a short walk from the Saint Louis Science Center and many other Forest Park attractions, the Steinberg Rink is ideal for a family outing.
Or, if your sights are set on a more romantic venture, the Steinberg is open until midnight on Fridays & Saturdays, and is within walking distance to the vibrant Central West End neighborhood’s multitude of intimate eateries, dark and cozy lounges and brick paved streets designed for strolling hand-in-hand. Is it just us, or does this sound the like makings of a seriously romantic movie montage? Wait, did Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks from like 15 years ago just glide by?
If the family is gathering in St. Louis over the holidays and you’re looking for a scene that is more Christmas Vacation than romantic-comedy, the Steinberg Rink is not only open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s, but is staying open until midnight everyday from from Nov. 25-28 and Dec. 18-Jan.3. So lace up your rentals and let the holiday-themed family fun begin!
Admission to the Steinberg Skating Rink is $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for kids 12 & under. Skate rental is an additional $3.
Regular Hours:
Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-Midnight
After you’ve worked up an appetite doing your best Tanya Harding impression, grab a bite at the Steinberg’s Snowflake Cafe, the Boathouse Cafe in Forest Park or any of the plentiful restaurants in the Central West End.
For more information on all there is to see and do in Forest Park, check out CP’s comprehensive Forest Park Guide.
Like being in-the-know on all the St. Louis happenings? Follow CP on Twitter!
Tags: Central West End, Forest Park, Holidays in St. Louis, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Family Friendly, Steinberg Skating Rink, The Boathouse Cafe
Let the Segways Lead the Way
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Erin Callier
Time is running out to glide around town in style on the Science Center Segways. Saturday, October 31st marks the last day of the Science Center’s 2009 Segway tour season.
On Saturday, rise and Segway in Forest Park on the Sunrise Segway tour from 7 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Meet in in the James S. McDonnell Planetarium and start with operational training (you’ll get the hang of it in no time), then glide off toward the Forest Perk Cafe to grab breakfast before continuing on the tour. Cost: $95 per person.
Or, opt for the Glided Tour of Forest Park on Saturday or Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.-4 p.m.). Atop your Segway you will see the Park from a different perspective, while your tour leader offers a brief history of the park and its world-class attractions. Ticket cost: $80 per person.
For a shorter glide, there is Segway 101 on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet in the Exploradome Lobby in the Science Center and master the Segway basics. At the end of this 1 1/2 hour tour, you will walk away with your own personalized Segway Operator License. Cost: $35 per person.
The newest, and possibly best Forest Park Segway tour is the Nature Glide Brunch Tour on Sundays, where Segwayers will glide through the Park for brunch at the Boathouse Cafe, then head off into the Kennedy Forest and more–experiencing the natural side of Forest Park. Cost: $95 per person.
All Segwayers must be 16 years or older (just 12 years or older for Segway 101). Click here for more information and a complete Segway tour schedule.
Tags: Forest Park, James S. McDonnell Planetarium, Saint Louis Science Center Segways, St. Louis Attractions, St. Louis Tours
Dancing With the Prodigal Son
Posted on September 3rd, 2009 by Erin Callier
Itching to experience something new? Need a diversion from the mundane? Then, local performance artist Tom Brady of the ANNONYArts consortium, dancer Monica Newsam and many others have just the thing for you. This dynamic group of artistic visionaries have concocted a “fully integrated art experience” that is, put simply,the telling of the prodigal son parable through music, movement and high-energy media. From September 3-5 and 10-12 Prodigal will light up the “Shakespeare Glen” in Forest Park, just northwest of the Saint Louis Zoo.
With Prodigal, ANNONYArts offers a “secular” look at this well-known parable that explores the depths of family and self-discovery. This event is free to the public and definitely unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Performances will begin each night at sundown, around 8:30 p.m. It’s free, outside in one of St. Louis’ most beautiful settings . . . check it out. You have nothing to loose. Except maybe your tired perspective on this classic tale.
Click here for more information on this unique event.
Tags: Dance, Forest Park, Prodigal, St. Louis Culture