Summer in St. Louis

Saint Louis Zoo

Go to the Zoo! The St. Louis Zoo was recently voted Best Zoo and one of America’s Top Free Attraction. The Zoo features more than 17,000 animals and a lot of them are rare or endangered.  Although admission to the zoo is free, there are low-cost fees for some attractions ranging from $3 to $7.95 per person. There are activities and events throughout the year for visitors of all ages. Some summer events include the Father’s Day BBQ, Jammin’ at the Zoo and Shark Week. 

City Museum

Visit the City Museum. This museum is not your typical museum. Visitors can zoom down a 10-story slide and explore a cave system. The museum exhibits are built from recycled materials ranging from Twinkie pans to old airplanes.  Even if you’ve already been to the museum, go back and see what has changed. “We are always in the process of building and changing,” says Executive Director, Rick Erwin. From Mid-March to Labor Day, the Museum is open seven days a week. Plan on spending a few hours at Museum and be sure to wear appropriate clothes for climbing and staying active.

Try Local Fare

When in St. Louis, do as the St. Louisians do! Indulge in toasted ravioli, a fried, local delicacy oozing with cheese and filled with meat. Some of the top restaurants for toasted ravioli include Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, Anthonino’s Taverna on the Hill and Trattoria Marcella. If you prefer sweet to savory, head on over to Park Avenue Coffee where you can try another St. Louis favorite, Gooey Butter Cake. “What’s more local than Gooey Butter Cake??” says Park Venue Coffee owner Dale Schotte. This coffee shop is serving up 73 flavors of Gooey Butter Cake, including seasonal flavors—but be sure to try Mom’s Traditional, the original recipe. The most interesting thing about Toasted Ravioli and Gooey Butter Cake? Both treats were created by accident.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Visit the home of America’s most popular beer. This original site of Budweiser provides guests with an abundance of attractions. Visitors can see the entire 7-Step brewing process. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the historic stables where visitors can see the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses, stars of many iconic Super Bowl Commercials. Other Budweiser attractions include The Biergarten, serving up a full menu of delicious food and 18 draft Anheuser-Busch beers, and Grant’s Farm, the ancestral home of the Busch family and home to more than 900 animals.

The MUNY

Experience American’s largest and oldest outdoor musical amphitheater. Located in Forest Park, this theater hosts a variety of musical performances throughout the summer. Hosting just under 12,000 seats, the back section of the theater is always free.  The 2017 Season features classics such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, A Chorus Line, Newsies and more. Check their website for a full schedule of programs.

- By Ettractions Digital Content Editor PAULA MARINO