Top 5 Things to Do in St. Louis

Whether you live in St. Louis or are visiting the area, there are plenty of fun and amazing things to do. Gather the family and visit these top five spots and attractions in and around the St. Louis area.

1. The Gateway Arch - Towering 630 feet above the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is a fascinating attraction. Get your ticket to ride the tram all the way to the top for a bird's eye view of Missouri and Illinois. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors with a National Park Pass, $5 for children ages 3 - 15. Prepare to spend at least 1 hour on your visit in the nation's tallest man-made monument. Trams leave approximately every 10 minutes. The Gateway Arch - Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is located at the city's riverfront. Parking is available next to the arch and shuttles run daily. Hours of operation are 8am - 5pm September through May and 8am - 9pm June through August. For more information, check them out at www.gatewayarch.com.

2. Grant's Farm - This farm was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant, but thanks to the Anheuser Busch company, it has been a favorite attraction in St. Louis for over 50 years. It is home to over 1,000 different species of animals where kids and adults alike can get up close and personal with giraffes, elephants, and camels, to name just a few. Admission is completely free to everyone. Grant's Farm is located at 10501 Gravois Road just off of Interstate 270. For hours of operation, please check them out at www.grantsfarm.com.

3. St. Louis Art Museum - Nestled in Forest Park, the St. Louis Art Museum is home to over 30,000 pieces of fine works of art. Here you will find pieces from American and European artists that date back to the 19th century. Chinese Bronzes are also on display and are just one in a long list of favorite pieces that adorn the museum. The St. Louis Art Museum has hosted fascinating exhibits from around the world such as pieces from the Tombs of Ur Collection, Monet in the 20th Century, and Missouri Made Quilts, to name just a few. Admission to the general museum is always free and special exhibit admission is free on Fridays. Exhibit admission fees vary. You can find out more about the St. Louis Art Museum by visiting www.slam.org.

4. The Magic House / Children's Museum - Discover your inner child at the Magic House located at 516 South Lindbergh Blvd in St,. Louis. There are hundreds of hands-on exhibits that will help your child to discover or you to rediscover the fun of science and art. This is a wonderful place for people of all ages. Admission is $8.50 for everyone except children under the age of 1. Their admission is free. Learn more about the Magic House / St. Louis Children's Museum by visiting www.magichouse.org .

5. St. Louis City Museum - This former home of the International Shoe Company is now home to the 600,000 square feet of hands-on fun. Inside, visitors will find the Enchanted Caves, a series of tunnels and walkways to walk and crawl through. There is also the Tiny Train Town Model Railroad where each miniature is intricately detailed to mock a real town. There are so many things to do at the City Museum that there is no way to mention them all here. Admission is $12 per person. For visitor information and the full story of all the things to do at the City Museum, visit www.citymuseum.org .

These are just a few of the wonderful and exciting things to do in St. Louis. Pack a picnic lunch and head on out to the Gateway to the West for a day or more of fun and thrills.