Area Attractions

"Dedicated to Art and Free to All" is the inscription atop the museum's Beaux-Art style building, designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert and dating back to the 1904 World's Fair. The Museum's long-standing commitment to free admission makes it possible for everyone to visit some of the 100 galleries with over 30,000 works of art. Through generations of public support and private benefaction, the Museum has assembled one of the finest comprehensive art collections in the country.

Saint Louis Zoo has been rated by Zagat Survey and Parenting Magazine America's number 1 zoo - and it's free! Established in 1910, the St. Louis Zoological Society was provided 77 acres in Forest Park along with a subsequent legislative mandate that stated "the zoo shall be forever free." Today, the zoo houses more than 11,000 exotic animals; it features habitats like Jungle of the Apes, Big Cat Country and icy cold Penguin and Puffin Coast. The Children's Zoo gives visitors opportunities for up close and personal contact with the animals. In addition to the first class exhibits, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized as an international leader in animal management, research, conservation and education.

St. Louis Science Center offers more than 700 hands-on exhibits including a construction gallery, a dinosaur exhibit, an ecology exhibit and science demonstrations. There are shows in the Omnimax Theatre, the Planetarium as well as traveling exhibitions in the Exploradome. Ever popular, the Science Center offers an overnight camp for school age youths through grade 6 and their parents.

"Although many stars have appeared on stage at The Muny, one essential truth has remained about the nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre; its story is the story of St. Louis - and of St. Louisans… this magical place, a truly unique American experience". The Muny was built in 1916 in 49 days, minus seven days lost to rain---from scratch. The massive stage was constructed, an orchestra pit built to hold up to 200 musicians, all the concrete was poured and dressing rooms built behind the stage for the principal performers. Broadway musicals, performed by well known casts are produced every summer mid-June through mid-August. It is a St. Louis tradition, one not to be missed.

About 10 years ago, a group of St. Louisans had the idea of producing professional Shakespeare theatre outdoors in a city park, free and for a diverse audience and to provide education through schools and community outreach. In 2001, the first production, Romeo and Juliet, was unveiled in Forest Park. And from that time hence, the annual Festival was born - Shakespeare is performed the way he intended - over a fortnight in June and free to all.

Opera Theatre was founded in the spring of 1976 by a small group of opera-lovers who were determined to bring festival-quality opera to the St. Louis area. Each Spring, Opera Theater offers a festival season of quality productions, sung in English by the best young American singers all accompanied by members of the Saint Louis Symphony.

Dance St. Louis has been bringing great dance - from American Ballet Theatre to STOMP - to St. Louis audiences for 41 years. It all started with a small group of dance enthusiasts meeting in each other's living rooms to figure out how to enable St. Louisans to enjoy more modern dance performances. From these informal gatherings, Dance St. Louis has burgeoned into one of the cultural treasures of St. Louis. Performances are held at many venues throughout the area.

Grant Center is a four block district in mid town St. Louis, near the campus of St. Louis University, which provides home to 12,000 theatre seats, 12 galleries and museums and over 1500 cultural events.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1866 on the belief that great music should be available to everyone. Under the guidance of Music Director, Dave Robertson, SLSO is recognized internationally as an ensemble of the highest caliber, performing a broad musical repertoire with skill and spirit. With a capacity of 2,689 seats, exquisite Powell Symphony Hall is one of world's finest concert halls.

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, located in the Grand Center neighborhood, is a leading institution for contemporary art exhibitions in an innovative environment.

The world headquarters of Anheuser-Busch is located in the city's historic, 100-acre brewery just minutes from downtown. Clydesdale paddock and stable, the beech wood cellars, historic Brew House and Bevo packaging plant are on view during the free tour.