The St. Louis Zoo is one the the largest zoological parks in the
nation. Enjoy a beautiful day at the Zoo by strolling past the lazy
polar bears, watching the baboons monkey around or feeding the
sealions. You can watch the hippos and elephants swim and play in
their habitat at the River’s Edge exhibit or discover the new
Penguin and Puffin Coast, which opened in Summer 2003. Did we
mention that the Zoo is free?

Forest Park is also home to two museums: the Missouri
Historical Society and the St. Louis Art Museum.

The St. Louis Art Museum is also free, although special exhibits
require a pass that students can purchase for $8. The museum offers
an extensive collection of African, Asian, American, Ancient,
European and modern art, as well as prints, drawings and
photography. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except
Fridays, when it is open until 9 p.m.

Currently the History Museum is presenting “Seeking St. Louis,”
a special exhibit that features 200 years of city history. In 2004,
the museum will feature “Lewis and Clark” The National Bicentennial
Exhibition. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except
for Tuesdays, when it is open until 8 p.m.

One could spend all day walking around the St. Louis Science
Center. The Science Center has interesting hands-on exhibits
that help you understand more about our bodies, the solar system
and physics. The Omnimax Theater has shows daily. The exhibits in
the main museum are free, but the renovated Planetarium costs $6
for adults. The Science Center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday through Thursday and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on
Fridays, and 11:30 to 4:30 on Sundays.

If recreation is what you’re looking for, Forest Park has
everything. There are numerous biking, running and rollerblading
trails that run throughout the park and pass some of its most
beautiful areas.

Three public golf courses are situated in the park. Triple A’s
18-hole course is the best course among the three, but it is a
little more expensive.

Forest Park Golf Course has a flat nine-hole that is great for
beginners as well as an 18-hole course that is cheap to play, but
is as well-maintained as Triple A’s course.

Handball courts are located behind the Forest Park Golf Course’s
clubhouse, and the cricket field is just across from the Clubhouse.
Dwight D. Davis Tennis Center is also across from the FPGC
Clubhouse. The tennis center has a hard-court surface.

Plenty of soccer and baseball fields also dot the park. Some are
often reserved for high school or grade school games.

Steinberg Skating Rink is open from November to March.
The rink is one of every St. Louisans’ favorite activities during
winter, especially during the Christmas season. On Friday and
Saturday nights from 10:30 to midnight, skaters 18 and older get to
enjoy the rink all to themselves, without little kids diving in
front of them.

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race will be held Saturday,
Sept. 20, this year. This annual event includes a “balloon glow,”
the night before, on Friday, when the balloons are inflated at
night and each puts off a spectacular glow.

Hayrides are available in the park from Friday, Oct. 3 to
Saturday, Dec. 13. Reservations with the Parks Department are
required, so call 289-5330. Tractors take the wagons on a 45-minute
ride, followed by a bonfire. Unlike some park attractions, the ride
is not free–a wagon of 20 people costs $80.

Forest Park was the location of the 1904 World’s Fair and the
Olympics. The only buildings that remain from the Fair are
Brookings Hall at Washington University, the Art Museum and the
Bird Cage in the Zoo.

The World’s Fair Pavilion is another one of the few
structures left from the 1904 World’s Fair. The view is a perfect
culmination to a romantic walk through the park. It is also a
popular picnic spot.

The Boathouse offers boatrides for everyone. You can row
the boat by yourself in a rowboat, paddle yourself and a friend
through the lakes and make your way to the Art Hill Basin and watch
the golfers tee off on the majestic fourth hole, or you and your
significant other can relax as you ride in a gondola that’s steered
by a boatsman.

Art Hill is also a popular destination for sledding
during wintertime, but be careful, icy snow can make dangerous
conditions. A statue of St. Louis IX overlooks Art Hill, and has
become the symbol of the city of St. Louis.

The Jewel Box, which reopened after a $3.5 million
renovation, features hundreds of flowers in a beautiful setting.
The building is made of glass, allowing sunlight to flow in,
creating a spectacular sight. The Jewel Box is located on 17 acres
in Forest Park, and is listed on the National Historic Register as
a landmark. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday
and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $1.

Forest Park presents a plentitude of activities and recreation
for both rain and shine that anyone from the art buff to the
workout guru can appreciate. Next time you’re bored, check out the
amazing things the Central Park of St. Louis has to offer.