Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and is, one could argue, the heart of St. Louis. The park was, perhaps, once the site of Native American mounds. Then, it was the setting for the 1904 World’s Fair. Today, it is a popular place for St. Louisans and visitors alike to explore.

Many of the buildings that were built for the World’s Fair were temporary structures torn down soon after the fair had ended. However, one of the buildings became home to the St. Louis Art Museum, which now stands atop Art Hill near the west end of the park. In front of the museum stands a statue of Saint Louis IX overlooking the Grand Basin, a beautiful pool with fountains. On the far western edge of the park sits a golf course across the street from Washington University in St. Louis. To the east of the art museum is the St. Louis Zoo, one of the best zoos in the United States. As you move east from the zoo, you will come across the World’s Fair Pavilion, a lovely Spanish/Italian style building that is often used for events, such as weddings. A little further down is the Boathouse, a nice place for a meal, especially a date. As the name suggests, the Boathouse also has paddleboats that can be rented so that patrons can paddle around the Grand Basin and the canals around it. Just down the street is The Muny, the largest outdoor theater in the country and home to several Broadway-level musicals each summer. If you’re willing to wait for just a bit, The Muny has free seats in the back at every show.

Near the middle of the park sits the Missouri History Museum, adjacent to the Forest Park Visitor Center, which provides restrooms, a small cafe, and park information. Across from the visitor center sits a tennis center. On the southern side of the park sits the Jewel Box, a lovely greenhouse from the World’s Fair that is a treat for the eyes in the spring on account of its plethora of flowers. On the eastern side of the park, there are sports fields, another golf course, and large green areas with plenty of foliage. If you enjoy ice skating, Steinberg Skating Rink is open during the winter months. Near the skating rink is the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, which is attached via a skybridge over the interstate to the St. Louis Science Center. Finally, be sure to look around the northern edge of Forest Park, as there are large and ornate homes left over from the World’s Fair. There is a single house in Forest Park, the Cabanne House, which was the first farmhouse west of the Mississippi. The current house was built later, however, and now serves as an event venue.

Forest Park is not only a great green space to enjoy and explore, but features a number of attractions that are among the best in the country. Perhaps best of all, these attractions are all free. It is also important to note that, in addition to its permanent attractions, Forest Park also features many events and festivals throughout the year, including the annual Shakespeare Festival in the spring and the Balloon Race in the fall.

While there are plenty of things to see and do in Forest Park, one of the best remains simply walking around, spending time in nature, and seeing all the sites in and around the park. You can hang out around the Grand Basin if you’d like to people watch, or if you prefer, walk to some of the more secluded areas of the park for some solitude. In one direction you might find a calm pond with lovely trees and a gazebo; in another direction, a grand edifice of a museum; in another, a stately home. Forest Park offers a panoply of sights and sounds.

Whatever you are interested in, Forest Park probably has something for you. Whether you live down the street or are in St. Louis for the weekend, it’s a great place to visit.