Travel

The Frank Lloyd Wright House

120 North Ballas Road
Kirkwood, MO 63122
Phone: (314) 822-8359

The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park is a unique and significant residence. This 1,900-square-foot residence built for Russell and Ruth Kraus was the architect�s first building in the St. Louis area, and is one of only five Wright designs in Missouri. It is an excellent example of Wright�s democratic vision, intended to provide middle-class Americans with beautiful architecture at an affordable cost. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its significance in American architecture of the 20th century. The public tour fee is $10 per person and tours of the house last approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Phone reservations are required for all tours.

Laumeier Sculpture Park

12580 Rott Road
St. Louis, MO 63127
Phone: (314) 821-1209

The Laumeier Sculpture Park hosts several exhibitions and a multitude of cultural events each year. More than 80 works of contemporary sculpture within a 105-acre natural landscape are free and open to the public year-round. The museum opens daily from 8am - sunset. The Indoor gallery opens Tue - Fri, 10am - 5pm and Sat - Sun, noon - 5pm. No admission fee.

Missouri Botanical Garden

4344 Shaw Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: (314) 577-5100

Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. The Garden is a center for Page 4 of 10 botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. Open from 9am to 5pm. Admissions fee is $8 with free parking.

Gateway Arch - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

St. Louis Riverfront
St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: 314-982-1410

The Gateway Arch Riverfront attracts more than four million guests each year. You can go to the top of 630 foot tall arch and see unforgettable views of the city and the Mississippi River. Open from 9am to 5pm. Admission fee $10.

Museum of Westward Expansion - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: (314) 655-1700

The Museum of Westward Expansion preserves some of the rarest artifacts from the days of Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806). Through the exciting exhibits, you can explore the world of the American Indians and the 19th century pioneers who helped shape the history of the American West. It is located underneath the Gateway Arch. Open daily from 9am to 6pm. Admission fee $10.

Old Cathedral - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

209 Walnut Street,
St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: (314) 231-3250

The history of the Old Cathedral and the early history of the City of St. Louis are intertwined. This was the first Cathedral built in the west part of the Mississippi River and until 1845 it was the only parish church in the city of St. Louis. The Old Cathedral Museum, located on the west side of the Cathedral, contains many artifacts and relics from the early days of the Catholic Church in St. Louis and also historical information. "The Old Cathedral" stands in the center of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial as a reminder of the expansion of faith throughout the west.

Historic Old Courthouse - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

11 N. Fourth St.
St. Louis, MO 63102
Phone: (314) 655-1600

The majestic Old Courthouse is one of St. Louis' most prominent architectural landmarks. The Old Courthouse is linked with the story of the Underground Railroad, and consequently with slavery. The Old Courthouse was the site of hundreds of suits for freedom, one of which gained notoriety; The Dred Scott Decision which hastened the start of the Civil War. In 1847, Dred Scott, with his wife Harriet, sued for, and were granted, their freedom. The Courthouse is also where Virginia Minor's case for a woman's right to vote came to trial in the 1870s. Open daily from 8am to 4:30pm. No admission fee.

Eads Bridge

Mississippi River
St. Louis, MO

The Eads Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis, connecting St. Louis and East St. Louis, Illinois. The bridge is named for its designer and builder, James B. Eads. When it was completed in 1874, the Eads Bridge was the longest arch bridge in the world, with an overall length of 6,442 feet (1,964 m). On 14 June 1874, John Robinson led a test consisting of leading a herd of circus elephants towards Illinois to prove the bridge was safe. The Eads Bridge was an iconic image of the city of St. Louis, from the time of its erection until 1965 when the Gateway Arch was constructed. Today the road deck has been restored, allowing vehicular and pedestrian traffic to cross the river.

The City Museum

701 North 15th Street.
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 231-2489

The City Museum opened for visitors in 1997. The museum is a huge playground built in an old warehouse made largely out of architectural artifacts from around St. Louis collected by an eccentric millionaire. There are concessions inside the museum as well as bar service by the local brewery, Schlafly. The City Museum is full of mazes, obstacle courses, tunnels, airplanes suspended in mid-air, and chutes and ladders. Open Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri-Sat 9am-1pm and Sun 11am-5pm. General admission fee $12 with a parking fee of $5.

The Sheldon Concert Hall

3648 Washington Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 533-9900

The Sheldon Concert Hall was designed by architect Louis C. Spiering and built in 1912 as the home of the Ethical Society of St. Louis. Musicians and public speakers throughout the years have enjoyed the perfect acoustics of the Sheldon Concert Hall. Well-known singers and ensembles have performed at The Sheldon, and speakers such as Albert Einstein, Dwight Eisenhower and Ernest Hemingway have spoken from its stage. Today The Sheldon Concert Hall is the site of over 300 events and exhibits of art and music each year. The Sheldon is said to be haunted, supposedly by the ghost of the architect. Employees report strange noises and weird effects with lights and the elevators, particularly late at night. Hours vary.

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis

3750 Washington Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 535-4660

The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis is one of the leading voices in the world of contemporary art. The Contemporary is dedicated to exhibiting the visual arts and artists of our time and to producing nationally recognized education programs. The Contemporary was founded on the Mississippi riverfront in 1980 by a group of civic, cultural, and educational leaders to bring visual-arts programming and cultural activities into the downtown core. In 2003, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis moved into new permanent space in midtown St. Louis, an area known as the Grand Center Creative and Cultural District. In this location, the museum has served as a significant partner with other cultural organizations to revitalize and develop the area. Museum opens on Wed- Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (New Cathedral)

4431 Lindell Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108
Phone: (314) 373-8240

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, also known as the Saint Louis Cathedral or the New Cathedral, was completed in 1914, as the archdiocesan replacement for the Cathedral of St. Louis, King of France. Although workers began clearing ground for the building on May 1, 1907, dedication of the Cathedral and its first mass did not take place until October 18, 1914, when the superstructure was completed. Consecration of the church took place more than a decade later on June 29, 1926. The Cathedral was designated as a basilica by Pope John Paul II on April 4, 1997. The church is known for its large mosaic installation, burial crypts, and the addition of an outdoor sculpture to promote racial harmony. The Cathedral opens every day from 7am to 5pm. They offer tours daily between 10am and 4pm. No admission fee.

Forest Park

Bounded by I-64, Kingshighway, Lindell & Skinker
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: (314) 289-5300

Forest Park opened for visitors in 1876. It is one of the largest urban landscape parks in the United States created during the late 19th century. At 1,371 acres, it is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City. In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the greatest of the World�s Fairs, drew more than 19 million visitors from around the world to this park. Recently renovated, the Forest Park contains the Art Museum, Science Center, Zoo, Jewel Box Greenhouse, History Museum, The Muny Theatre, 7.5-mile biking, jogging and skating path, skating rink and lakes. No admission fee.

Missouri History Museum

5700 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63112-0040
Phone: (314) 746-4599

The Missouri History Museum is located in Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The museum is operated by the Missouri Historical Society and was founded in 1866. The main galleries of the museum are free through a public subsidy by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District. Its newest building, the Emerson Center, features a ground-to-roof southern glass faade and contributes substantially more exhibition space, as well as an auditorium, classrooms, a restaurant and gift shop. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday from 10am to 8pm. No admission fee but some special exhibitions requires a fee.

St. Louis Art Museum

One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park,
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: (314) 721-0072

The Saint Louis Art Museum was founded in 1879 and was then called the St. Louis School and Museum of Fine Arts, an independent entity within Washington University. The Museum was originally located in downtown St. Louis but relocated in Forest Park following the 1904 World's Fair. Designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert, the Museum's Beaux-Arts style building bears the inscription dedicated to art and free to all. The Museum includes exhibitions and galleries open to public. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-9pm. Close on Monday. No admission fee.

Saint Louis Zoo

One Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110
Phone: (314) 781-0900

The St. Louis Zoo is recognized as one of the top five zoos in the nation. The zoo has both indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a childrens petting zoo. There are several centers for in-depth exploration and learning. Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Admission to the Zoo is free although there are fees for some attractions.