Randall Murphree

AFA Journal editor

April 2016 –  “It’s absolutely free!” boasts Barry. “And that’s something you’re going to hear a lot today!” Barry is driving a Fun Tours Trolley named Charlotte as he proudly narrates a tour around town for guests in his beloved St. Louis.

And he is right. Again and again, Barry points out the city’s attractions, often followed by “Annnnd …it’s absolutely free.” Visitors to this Missouri city may be startled to discover how many St. Louis family-friendly attractions offer free admission. (Note, however, many free attractions also host special exhibits or events for which there is a charge.) Still, the city proves to be a haven for families eager to find exciting and economical options for summer fun.

Finding freebies
Perhaps the most surprising free stop for families is the 90-acre St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park. It features 600 species of animals. One highlight, debuting just last year, is its 40,000 square-foot Polar Bear Point where the bears come right up to the glass to greet their guests (above).

Also free in Forest Park is admission to the Missouri History Museum. This summer, it will host “Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis,” events and exhibits celebrating the storied highway often called America’s Main Street. American Bus Association has already named it among North America’s top attractions for 2016.

“I love Route 66 and its history,” says Rusty Pugh, of American Family News (AFR radio). “I try to go to some spot on Route 66 every year. This event in St. Louis should be a great experience.”

The world’s largest collection of Charles Lindbergh artifacts is housed at the museum. The “Spirit of St. Louis” plane Lindbergh flew in his history-making cross-Atlantic flight was financed by St. Louis businessmen.

Back on the trolley, Barry zips around the park pointing out children and families playing (legally) in – yes, in – the fountains and pools in the 1,293-acre Forest Park, where all sorts of dramas, concerts, and events occur year-round, many of them free.

Finding history
St. Louis often claims the moniker “Gateway to the West,” and Gateway Park on the Mississippi River is home to the iconic Gateway Arch, centerpiece of the city’s tourist traffic. Visitors brave enough to climb into a tiny, crowded pod can ride to the top of the Arch for spectacular panoramic views of the city and beyond.

The Arch, 630 feet high and 630 feet wide (post to post), is a monument to President Thomas Jefferson and his dream of extending the United States westward. A documentary shows fascinating film footage covering the 1965 construction of the Arch.

At its Museum of Westward Expansion, the Arch commemorates the place where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark resumed their exploration into the west.

“The Gateway Arch is a magnificent monument,” says Bryan Fischer, host of Focal Point on AFR Talk radio and a longtime student of Lewis and Clark history. “I’m glad to see the museum’s commitment to preserving the Lewis and Clark legacy.”

“The museum at the Arch is my favorite thing in St. Louis,” says AFA president Tim Wildmon. “Well, that and the Cardinals!” With great fondness, he recalls going to occasional Cardinals games as a child and as a teen. Now, he goes with his sons and looks forward to taking his grandsons.

Another era of U.S. history – the end of slavery – has significant roots in St. Louis. On his trolley tour, Barry points out the Old Courthouse where Dred and Harriet Scott sued for freedom from slavery and won in 1850. Unfortunately, appeals delayed the outcome until the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the decision in 1957.

The courthouse is listed in the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network based on the work of Rev. John and Mary Meachum, former slaves who helped others escape slavery.

St. Charles, a suburb west of St. Louis, offers a real-life history lesson for anyone who takes time to find its 10-block, brick-paved Main Street. There, visitors are sure to take note of the historic Boone Colonial Inn and discover how frontiersman Daniel Boone left his footprint in the area.

“St. Charles! Oh, I love St. Charles!” exclaims Joy Lucius, teacher and occasional writer for AFA Journal. “The unique shops, horse-drawn carriages, great restaurants. It’s like walking through American history.”

Finding more fun
Among other family attractions are nearby Grant’s Farm and the Purina Farm, both of which offer free admission, though some activities inside have nominal fees. For example, at Grant’s Farm carousel rides cost $2 and camel rides $5. At the Purina Farm, pet lovers will thrill to wagon rides, cow-milking demonstrations, a baby animal petting area, and more.

Think of any outdoor activity you enjoy – hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, camping, biking, caving. It’s available in or near St. Louis. The variety of the area’s family offerings is just about inexhaustible.

On the trolley again, Barry points to the City Museum near Forest Park, a must for kids. It’s not free, but this urban funhouse has creative interactive experiences for all ages, unique – maybe even bizarre – things like an eight-story tunnel system to explore.

“We can’t wait to get to City Museum when we go to St. Louis,” says Ron Shank, former co-host of JJ and Ron in the Morning, on American Family Radio. He, his wife, and their three sons always enjoy the wacky and weird activities there.

Also near Forest Park, is the acclaimed St. Louis Science Center with Omnimax theater, planetarium, and wide range of stellar exhibits. Admission and many exhibits are …

Well, as Barry says – “It’s absolutely free!” And he’s just scratched the surface of what his hospitable hometown offers to entertain its visitors.  

St. Louis stands out

▶ Top 10 Most Charitable Cities – Charity Navigator
▶ Top 10 Baseball Parks – Trip Advisor
▶ STL Zoo One of Best – Travel & Leisure
▶ Top 10 Main Streets – American Planning Institute
▶ Top 3 Botanical Gardens in World – Huffington Post
▶ Top City for Homebuyers – Money Magazine
▶ Top 10 Cities to Start a Business – Kiplinger
▶ Coolest City Parks – Travel & Leisure
▶ Top 10 Cities for Romance – Foursquare

The St. Louis Visitors Commission (explorestlouis.com, 800-916-0092) is eager to help families plan a getaway, whether it’s two days or ten.