St. Louis...Home of Free Stuff To Do (Gray Summit, Center: buy, tax)

[CarNutCass]

For those of you who are contemplating a move to the St. Louis Region, or those who have lived here forever and just don't know, be advised that St. Louis is home of "Free Stuff To Do."

- St. Louis Zoo - Rated #1 in the US in a few different publications...FREE
- Forest Park - Huge park in the city where 1904 World's Fair was hosted. 500 acres larger than Central Park in NYC.
- Science Center - Awesome.....FREE...Special exhibits and OmniMax cost extra.
- History Museum - Awesome.....FREE
- Art Museum - .........FREE
- Museum of Gateway Expansion - Underground museum beneath the Arch....FREE. Costs a few buck to actually ride to the top of the Arch.
- Lone Elk Park - A drive through wildlife park with Bison, Elk, Turkey, deer, etc...FREE
- Laumaier Sculpture Park - Huge sculptures ...FREE
- Powder Valley Nature Center - FREE

Just thought you might like to know. Raising a family can be expensive!

[photobuff42]

I am super excited about the zoo, the art museum and the history museum. We don't have that stuff here in Vegas...

[WalnutPark829]

why doesnt st. charles have to pay the zoo-museum tax? seems a little unfair since a lot of people in that area use these "free" things st. louis has to offer.

[timelesschild]

How about the Botanical Garden?

[sgresident]

you forgot to include grant's farm and of course, the brewery! we love coming to st.louis. our son is a student at wash u.

[CarNutCass]

Originally Posted by WalnutPark829

why doesnt st. charles have to pay the zoo-museum tax? seems a little unfair since a lot of people in that area use these "free" things st. louis has to offer.

Are you my new e-stalker?

Residents from many counties outside St. Louis County visit the St. Louis Zoo. It's not their fault the city is unable to manage it's money and charges you a tax for something you may or may not use.

When my family and I visit the St. Louis Zoo, rest assured that we leave quite a bit of money there to support it. That goes for the area around it as well.

We pay for parking, special attractions (Children's Zoo), we ride the train, and buy souvenirs. I'd be willing to bet we spend more on a single visit than St. Louis residents pay in 10 years of any "Zoo Tax" imposed. We usually conclude our visits by patronizing a local restaurant like Seamus McDaniels, Southwest Market & Deli, O'Connell's, or the like.

[CarNutCass]

Originally Posted by sgresident

you forgot to include grant's farm and of course, the brewery! we love coming to st.louis. our son is a student at wash u.

Those places are great as well. Thanks for the additions to the list.

[illini84]

Nice thread--10 more reasons why St. Louis is great! There is NEVER a lack of things to do. Also, St. Louis has those free concerts and excellent fireworks down on the riverfront in the summer. They draw some pretty big names, too (Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls, Cyndi Lauper, Colbie Caillat).

[goat314]

Originally Posted by CarNutCass

Are you my new e-stalker?

Residents from many counties outside St. Louis County visit the St. Louis Zoo. It's not their fault the city is unable to manage it's money and charges you a tax for something you may or may not use.

When my family and I visit the St. Louis Zoo, rest assured that we leave quite a bit of money there to support it. That goes for the area around it as well.

We pay for parking, special attractions (Children's Zoo), we ride the train, and buy souvenirs. I'd be willing to bet we spend more on a single visit than St. Louis residents pay in 10 years of any "Zoo Tax" imposed. We usually conclude our visits by patronizing a local restaurant like Seamus McDaniels, Southwest Market & Deli, O'Connell's, or the like.

St. Chuck still should pay in my opinion, every county in the St. Louis metro should pay because it would make the Zoo, Museums, and Forest Park that much better. We could probably even get a world class aquarium built in Forest Park to compliment the Zoo, if this region worked as a unit.

[northbayeric]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

How about the Botanical Garden?

No, you have to pay an admission to see the Missouri Botanical Garden, but I think it's worth every penny. Normal tickets are $7.00 for ages 13 and up, and $3.00 for 12 and younger. There's also reduced prices if you're a "garden member."

Another can't miss attraction is the Shaw Nature Reserve, off of I-44 in Gray Summit. MBG: Shaw Nature Reserve Adults pay 3 bucks to get in, seniors pony up $2.00, and kids 12 and under get in for free, as well as Shaw Nature Reserve members. Figure to spend all or at least most of the day at each of these places--there's that much to see and explore!