Web site explores St. Louis attractions

Alestle Staff Report

The Web site stltoday.com rated the top 10 attractions that St. Louis has to offer. The attractions meet every adventurer's needs. Nature lovers can grab a nice spot in the park to enjoy their favorite book while go-getters will want to explore every nook and cranny in the city's museums. The Web site has picked up some of St. Louis' must-see attractions and most of them are free to the public.

The Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis is the city's best-known and most visited site. This 630-foot stainless steel arch has a wide variety of exhibits as well as a tram ride to the top. A barrel-shaped tram car, which seats five, takes visitors to the top for views of the Mississippi River and downtown St. Louis. Under the Arch is the Jefferson National Expansion Museum, which features exhibits telling the story of the exploration and settlement in the West. A documentary about the construction of the Arch is also well worth the time. The Arch also holds the Odyssey Theatre, which has a four-story screen and full-range sound. The Arch's hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The tram operates from 9:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. Price for the tram is $6. For more information about the Arch, visit its Web site at www.stlouisarch.com.

Forest Park, site of the 1904 World's Fair, is the home of several of St. Louis' cultural attractions, including the History Museum, the Science Center and the St. Louis Muny, an open-air theater used for summer stage productions. Other attractions include the Jewel Box, the World's Fair Pavilion and the St. Louis Zoo. Forest Park has a total of 1,293 acres and is open 24 hours.

The St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park is one of the oldest and largest in the country, with more than 3,600 animals. Highlights include the Living World education center, the Children's Zoo, the sea lion show and the 228-foot-long free-flight aviary. A railroad makes access to all parts of the zoo relatively easy. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free. There is a paid parking lot at the zoo and free parking along the roadways. Visit the zoo's Web site at www.stlzoo.org for additional information.

The St. Louis Science Center houses a wide variety of experiments and exhibits that children as well as adults can take part in. Visitors can perform optical experiments, build an arch and check the speed of passing vehicles with a radar gun. The Science Center also holds a theater that shows Omnimax films. The Science Center hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is free parking on the north side of U.S. Highway 40 and by the McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park across U.S. 40. Paid parking is next to the Science Center. Omnimax films are $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and children. For information concerning exhibits or shows, visit the center's Web site at www.slsc.org.

The St. Louis Art Museum includes a permanent collection and special exhibits that feature works from artists around the world. Each year, the museum presents three to five major exhibitions and at least 10 smaller ones. The museum hours are from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is free to the public. Charges vary for special exhibits. Visit the museum's Web site at www.slam.org for information concerning art exhibits.

Although it is sometimes overlooked, the Missouri Botanical Gardens offers beautifully landscaped gardens and an excellent place to spend the afternoon. The Climatron is a geodesic dome enclosing a rain forest, which is sure to capture visitors' attention. There is also a Chinese Garden and the largest Japanese Garden is North America. A tram takes visitors to various parts of the 79-acre garden. The garden also has gift shops and a restaurant. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The price is $7 with senior discounts available.

The Fox Theatre presents some of America's most beloved musicals, dances and concerts. In the '80s, the Fox Theatre, a movie palace of the Depression Era, was restored and reopened as a stage venue. It has 4,500 seats and some of the latest technical equipment for the stage. Tours of the theater are available. Visit the Fox's Web site at www.fabulousfox.com for more details on upcoming shows.

Tower Grove Park is one of St. Louis' most visited parks. Elegant architectural pieces including gates, footbridges, statues and gazebos are found throughout the park, modeled after Victorian parks that builder Henry Shaw recalled from his native England. A statue of William Shakespeare stands in one section. Tower Grove Park has a wide variety of trees - more than any other urban park in America - Picnic tables, baseball fields, playgrounds and tennis courts.

St. Louis Union Station was built in 1894 and was the largest train station in the country until it closed in 1978. It was restored and opened as a shopping mall and hotel. Visitors can walk through the Grand Hall at the Hyatt Regency. Special events include train car displays and holiday celebrations for Christmas and St. Patrick's Day. Free concerts are held under the old train shed in the summer.

The Cathedral Basilica houses the largest mosaic art in the Western Hemisphere. Some 83,000 square feet are covered with mosaics created by 29 artists. It was constructed from 1907 to 1914 in the Byzantine-Romanesque style. A museum beneath the church features exhibits that document the building process. The New Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis. For more information about the church, visit its Web site at www.cathedralstl.org.