City park, Historical landmark, Park, Tourist attraction
Forest Park
Roughly 1,300 acres of lakes, woods and lawns laid over the grounds of the 1904 World's Fair, Forest Park holds the city's zoo, art and history museums, the Muny outdoor theatre and long walking paths.
The story
Forest Park has been part of St. Louis for 150 years and is larger than New York's Central Park. Canals and ponds left from the World's Fair now carry paddle boats. Around them are the Jewel Box, golf courses, racquetball and handball courts and a stepped, man-made waterfall, all set among shaded lawns and trails. A paved dual pathway loops through for runners and cyclists. Volunteers replant Kennedy Forest each autumn on Forest Restoration Day, and the Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape gives small children room to explore. Weekly games at the Nicholas J. Booker basketball courts, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race and a new mural by local artist Joseph Mueller fill out the year. The Glade, designed with the community, is due to open by the end of 2026.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦The Metro runs from Lambert Airport to the park, making it an easy outing during a long layover.
- ✦Distances are long, so park close to where you are headed; walking from the golf course to the zoo takes a while.
- ✦Paddle boats can be rented on the lake, and restrooms and water points are spread around the park for long walks.
Plan your visit
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