Forest Park Forever

Forest Park in St. Louis is one of the great urban parks in America — and for families, it might be the single most valuable free resource in the entire city. At 1,300 acres (larger than Central Park), it houses world-class free museums, a working boathouse with rentable paddle boats, multiple playgrounds, miles of bike and walking paths, and enough open green space that you could spend an entire weekend here without running out of things to do.

Forest Park Forever is the nonprofit that helps fund the park's restoration and programming, and their work shows — the park is remarkably well-maintained, the trails are clean, and seasonal events and improvements keep rolling out year after year.

For families with young kids, the park hits different depending on the age group. Toddlers and preschoolers love feeding ducks at Post-Dispatch Lake, running on the massive open lawns, and playing at the playground near the skating rink. Elementary-age kids gravitate toward the Science Center, the history-themed carousel, and bike rides along the main loop path.

Tweens and teens can explore the Art Museum's permanent collection (free), rent kayaks, or catch a concert during summer events.

The three major free museums inside the park — the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, and the Saint Louis Science Center — are all free for general admission (Missouri residents especially). Planning a Forest Park museum day lets you see world-class collections without spending a dollar on admission.

Summer evenings in Forest Park are legitimately magical — free concerts at the Muny (standing room), fireflies, and the occasional hot air balloon launch over the grounds. Parking is free in most lots throughout the park. Pack a cooler with lunch and plan for a full day; you'll use every minute of it.