Outdoors in St. Louis

There are a wide variety of exciting activities offered in the St. Louis area. Touring the Arch, visiting a museum, or viewing a concert at Powell Symphony Hall are all great options to keep your group busy. Many of these indoor locations are fun and educational, but if the weather permits it, there are many outdoor activities that are a great choice as well. Let you group run off some of their excess energy at one of these great locations.

Start out with a visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden. This is one of the oldest Botanical institutions in America, and is located on 79 acres. Thousands of plants can be viewed, and your group will especially enjoy visiting in the spring when roses, tulips, irises and much more are in bloom. Students will enjoy visiting an English rose garden, and the Climatron, where many tropical plants are grown. Other popular sites include a large bush maze and the Japanese strolling garden. Here guests can view a beautiful Zen garden and feed hundreds of large goldfish that live in the pond. Student discounts are available.

If your group is into animals, then be sure to check out Grant’s Farm. This farm was once the home of Ulysses S. Grant and visitors will notice his original cabin at the ground’s entrance. Now however, the farm is home to over 1,000 animals with many opportunities to see them up close and personal. Students will want to be sure and see one of the animal shows. One of the most popular shows is the elephant show, where guests will watch two trained elephants doing tricks. There is also a parrot show, and one featuring reptiles and other mammals. The shows combine the entertainment with information on the animal’s behavior patterns, and what it takes to train them for an educational twist. There is a petting zoo where students can bottle feed a goat, or give corn to a flock of hens, if the group is inclined to touch some of the animals. Also be sure to check out the Clydesdale horses. Grant’s farm breeds these horses, and tours of their stables are available.

One last place to consider visiting is Cahokia Mounds. Located just eight miles outside St. Louis City in nearby Illinois, these mounds are easily accessible. They were built as early as 800 A.D. by Native Americans, and it is assumed that they were used for religious and ceremonial purposes. Students will enjoy climbing Monk’s Mound, the largest existing mound, and getting a nice view at the top. There are several other mounds that are easily accessible by way of a trail, as well as Woodhenge; a group of wooden posts that were used for astronomical purposes. Cahokia Mounds also has a museum that will be of interest to those wishing to learn more about the history and building of the mounds. Group tours are available and students will enjoy the documentaries display, and even exhibits that feature artifacts dug up by archaeologists. Entrance to the Mounds is free, although a donation of @4 per child and $4 per adult is accepted.

These are a few activities to do if the weather complies. Make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch and get ready to soak up some rays!