Considered by some to be the best zoo in the country, the Saint Louis Zoo houses and cares for more than 6,600 animals and has experienced a bit of a renaissance in recent years. Newer exhibits include winding pathways, hippos, and always-entertaining elephants at The River's Edge, The Fragile Forest habitat for orangutans and chimpanzees, and The Penguin & Puffin Coast. Tried and true family favorites include the Zooline Railroad, Children's Zoo, Conservation Carousel, Stingrays at Caribbean Cove and the Monsanto Insectarium, which is every bit as creepy-crawly as it sounds.
Visitors to the Zoo cannot miss the breathtakingly unique sculpture, Animals Always, which depicts over 60 different animals featured at the Zoo. The purposefully rusting steel animals who peek out from behind sculpted flora and fauna are the work of sculptor Albert Paley, who chose to depict several endangered species in an effort to inspire future generations to protect Mother Nature.
The Zootennial Exhibit, celebrating the zoo's 100 years of rich history, is open in the newly renovated Peabody Hall. Photos, videos and interactive pieces will demonstrate how the zoo has changed over the past century.
For more information, visit the Saint Louis Zoo website, or call 314-781-0900.
Hours: 9 a.m - 5 p.m. daily
Summer hours: Fri. - Sun. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Mon. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Memorial Day & Labor Day 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Admission: free, additional attractions do have an additional cost:
Children's Zoo - $4, ages 2 and under are free; free first hour the zoo is open
Conservation Carousel - $3
Zooline Railroad - $5 per person per round trip ticket, ages 2 and under are free
Sea Lion Show - $3 per person, ages 2 and under are free
Motion Simulator - $3
3-D Movie - $3
URL: www.stlzoo.org
Phone: 314-781-0900
Neighborhood > Forest Park
Categories > Entertainment & Attractions
Type > Points of Interest - Entertainment, Family Attractions, Outdoor, Nature