Parks & Recreation - Parks And Recreation
St. Louis has almost as many intriguing green spaces within its metropolitan borders as it has unique and exciting attractions. Those who enjoy outdoor activities such as running, walking, hiking, and biking can find plenty of places to get in a quick workout, and folks who prefer boating and fishing or tennis and golfing won’t have to look too far to find a place to get out and play. In addition to the gloriously scenic, paved, and tree-lined route through the Gateway Arch grounds, there are more than 170 parks throughout the area that offer a great way to commune with Mother Nature. Hikers and bikers can explore a variety of trails—both new and old—on the region’s expanding network, including the popular Riverfront Trail along the mighty Mississippi River and Grant’s Trail in south St. Louis County. Grant’s Trail leads trekkers down an adventurous path to the Grant’s Farm wildlife preserve and White Haven, former home of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. There are also loads of other recreational options, including bowling, canoeing, horseback riding, hunting, skating (in-line and on the ice), and swimming.
1. Parks
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
4. Creve Coeur Park Marine Avenue And Dorsett Road
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 615-5454
Description: Creve Coeur Park has 1,200 acres of green space and outdoor activities, including fishing, tennis courts, a Frisbee disc-golf course, an archery range, four playground areas, a wildlife area, a sand beach, and a 320-acre lake. While swimming is not allowed in the lake, sailboat captains take to the waterways, along with a competitive powerboat race each summer. The park also has a polo field, 12 picnic sites equipped with barbecue pits and picnic tables, and the Dripping Springs waterfall along the lake’s southeast shore. Picnic shelters can be reserved by calling (314) 615-4FUN.
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 533 Grant Road
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
7. Meramec State Park
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (573) 468-6519, (888) MERAMEC
Description: The beauty of the Meramec River and its surrounding bluffs, caves, and forests have pleased visitors since the park opened in 1927. This popular 6,896-acre park offers year-round access to camping, picnicking, and trails, as well as seasonal tours of Fisher Cave, one of more than 40 caves in the park. Water enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, fishing, rafting, and canoeing in the Meramec River. Additional facilities include a park store that offers raft and canoe rentals, 210 campsites (including 3 group sites), 20 rental cabins, 22 motel rooms, and a conference center. The visitor center has a mix of educational exhibits, including large aquariums that display the amazing variety of aquatic life found in the river.
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
10. Missouri State Parks
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (800) 334-6946
Description: For more than 80 years, the Missouri state park system has preserved and made available the best of the state’s natural and cultural resources. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the state’s most outstanding natural landscapes and cultural landmarks and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities. State parks and historic sites provide outstanding opportunities to camp, hike, picnic, swim, fish, and relive Missouri history.
11. St. Louis City Department Of Parks, Recreation And Forestry
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 289-5300
Address: 5600 Clayton Road
Description: The St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry maintains the amenities that make the city a good place to live, work, and play. The Parks Division’s 105 parks located throughout the city provide pavilions for picnicking, lakes for fishing, ice for skating, and paths for jogging. The Recreation Division offers free access to seven area swimming pools and ten recreation centers; it also runs camps during the summer months and sponsors sports activities throughout the year. You can reserve a picnic pavilion at almost any St. Louis County park. Call (314) 615-4386 for reservations and permits.
12. Flamingo Bowl
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 436-6666
Address: 1117 Washington Avenue
Description: One of the newest hot spots in downtown St. Louis, Flamingo Bowl is the ultimate bowling alley/nightclub. In addition to lots of hot pink decor, the swanky 12-lane alley features a diverse menu of specialty cocktails and snacks, along with some of the best people-watching in town. Open daily until 3 a.m.
13. Pin-Up Bowl
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 727-5555
Address: 6191 Delmar Boulevard
Description: The sister “cocktail alley” to downtown’s Flamingo Bowl, Pin-Up Bowl is St. Louis’s original martini lounge/bowling alley. There are eight bowling lanes, a fantastic digital jukebox, a kitchen, a full bar, and an extensive menu of classic, modern, and signature martinis. A favorite hangout for such local celebs as hip-hop stars Nelly and the St. Lunatics, the “alley-bar” was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s inaugural “Hot Nights” list. Open daily until 3 a.m.
14. Meramec State Park
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (573) 468-6519, (888) MERAMEC
Description: Water recreation opportunities abound here, and visitors can float down the river in a canoe or raft and enjoy the scenery along the way. Canoe and raft rentals are available in the park’s store, and the rental fee includes shuttle transportation, paddles, and life jackets. Weekday floats typically offer substantially more solitude than weekends, as the park is a popular destination for locals looking to “get away from it all.”
15. Forest Park
City: St. Louis, MO
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (314) 552-2976
Description: The Forest Park bike path is a 7.5-mile-long, multi-use asphalt trail used for bicycling, in-line skating, jogging, and walking. The path accommodates two-way traffic, and those using the trail are asked to stay to the right of the center stripe to accommodate oncoming traffic. There is also a second “soft path” that is designed for the exclusive use of walkers and joggers.