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The magnificent parks in and around St. Louis, MO, offer visitors an endless amount of sports and recreational activities, art, culture, and history. The city boasts one of the best and urban open spaces in the country and scenic trails that meander through forests, meadows, and along the banks of lakes and streams where wildlife is in abundance. 1. Forest Park The 1,300-acre oasis, the city's greatest civic treasure, is considered one of the country's best urban spaces. The park boasts various historic landmarks, statues, and monuments, and the region's most important cultural institutions: The Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and James S. McDonnell Planetarium, Saint Louis Zoo, and The Muny, an outdoor musical theatre. In addition to the wide range of cultural and sports activities, the lakes and lagoons offer excellent fishing opportunities, and scenic paths that wind through forests, nature reserves, over meadows, and past lakes and streams. 2. Castlewood State Park The park runs for 5 miles along the Meramec River that cuts through majestic white limestone cliffs, oak and hickory forests on the north side, and past a rare indigenous bottomland forest on the south side. On the hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that wind through the park, nature lovers often spot white-tailed deer, kingfishers, great blue herons, and wild turkeys. The river is popular with paddlers and anglers who regularly hook largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. The World Bird Sanctuary in the park showcases a range of bird species and interpretive displays on birds of prey. more 3. Creve Coeur Park Discover the park's history and indigenous fauna and flora on miles of trails that wind through the park. Hike on the six-mile Water Trail across the lake and up the creek, or take a scenic stroll to the Dripping Springs waterfall. The park's 320-acre lake is the perfect place to fish, boat, paddle, and soak up the sun on the sandy beach along the northeast shore. The lake is teeming with fish and regularly stocked by the Missouri Department of Conservation and one of the prime fishing destinations in the region.  Play tennis, disc golf, swing among the trees on a Go Ape Tree Top Adventure and test your skills at the archery range.  Enjoy a scenic picnic at one of the many shelters or dine at the Lakehouse Restaurant. 4. Carondelet Park The historical park was established in 1875 and is the city's third-largest park. It's a popular destination for sports enthusiasts and offers a wide range of recreational activities, from baseball, soccer, softball, and tennis to horseshoes, swimming, fishing, and boating. There is a recreational center, pool, boathouses, playgrounds, lovely paved walking and jogging paths, and picnic areas with pavilions. While you are enjoying the activities in the park, visit Lyle House, a Civil War mansion that belonged to the family who was the original owners of the land. You don't have to wander far to enjoy beautiful scenery, view wildlife, and participate in a wide variety of recreational activities. It's all right here, on your doorstep. Visit Bommarito Chevrolet South County today and our factory-trained technicians will ensure that your vehicle performs optimally.

St Louis, MO is known for its iconic gateway arch that rises 630 feet from the ground. The area also has attractive golf courses, and if you fancy playing the gentleman's sport, here are a few places to check out. Glen Echo Country Club The Glen Echo is one of the oldest golf clubs west of the Mississippi because it was opened in 1901. Another historic and unique fete the club is known for is being the only one to have hosted the Olympic golf games in the US. Held in 1964, this was the third Olympic games tournament after the event launched in 1896. Currently, you can join via regular, corporate, junior, social, or gold medal membership to enjoy the pristine golfing facilities. There's also a swimming pool, tennis court, a wide variety of dining options, and grounds for weddings or private events. Forest Park Golf Course This facility is only 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis, and it is the only public golf option in the area. It is located in the gently rolling hills of Forest Park, which is the second-largest municipal park in the country. The actual golf course is named Norman K. Probstein, and it boasts of being one of the best in mid-America. It has three par-35 9-hole layouts (27 in total) that you can play in different combinations. This makes it ideal for fun or competitive playing for golfers of all ages. At the same time, you get a beautiful backdrop with mature trees, natural water features, and undulating greens. more The Highlands Golf & Tennis Center The Highlands Golf & Tennis Center is also located in Forest Park, but on the southeast corner (opposite Forest Park's Norman K. Probstein). It boasts of zoysia fairways, Bermuda roughs, A-4 bentgrass greens, and nine par-34 holes stretching for 2,700 yards. This configuration is a bit challenging for scratch golfers, which is why they offer four sets of tees for each hole. Combined with strategically placed bunkers, this makes it easy for golfers of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the course. As the name suggests, there are also tennis facilities, plus dining options and special events services. Tower Tee Golf Inspired by famous par-3 holes from around the world, Tower Tee features an exciting 9-hole par-3 course. It was redesigned recently by Art Schaupeter, and now it has greens that match USGA specifications. Additionally, it has minimal hazards, no water features, and well-placed bunkers so that you can enjoy less intimidating rounds with few lost balls. Newbies and pro players can only expect the challenge of undulating greens and gauging the wind. Apart from the course, other amenities include: Golf instruction Golf driving range Toptracer range Short game precision and practice areas Footgolf Bocce ball Putting course Batting cages Inviting spaces for family and corporate outings There are a lot of acres of greens to check out in St. Louis. While at it, visit Bommarito Chevrolet South County to get your Chevy serviced, get new parts for it, or trade-in for an instant cash offer.

If you haven't considered St. Louis as a craft beer destination, then you should take a good look around. This city has a flourishing beer scene with many established breweries that have been producing for years. New, smaller craft brews keep popping up right in the downtown area, and many are just a short cab ride away. Here are some of the must-visit breweries in St. Louis. 2nd Shift Brewing You'll find 2nd Shift Brewing in an industrial area north of the Hill neighborhood. It has a large taproom and a wide range of beers on draft. Some of the highlights include the Cat Spit Stout, Hibiscus Wit, and their flagship Art of Neurosis. The staff continuously rotates the taps, so if you go and don't see your favorite beer, all you need to do is wait a bit and go back, and you will probably see it again. You can also get the beers in four-packs to go. Choose your favorites and grab them to take home for later. 4 Hands Brewing Company Head to the Soulard neighborhood to visit 4 Hands Brewing Company. This brewery is a popular spot for locals who love the City Wide pale ale and the pilsner. They also have some unique brews such as the peanut butter chocolate milk stout, which they call Absence of Light, and the Divided Sky, which is a rye IPA. Several of the beers stay on tap year-round, but you can also try some of the seasonal brews when you want something new. Spend some time in the taproom, and courtesy of two local restaurants, you can also grab some brats, seafood, and a selection of snacks to go with your beer. more Urban Chestnut Brewing Company If you prefer German-style beer, then make sure to check out Urban Chestnut Brewing Company. This is where you'll find zwickel lagers and Berliner Weisse bocks. Stop by the brewery for the German bierhall experience as you sit at long tables with lots of other beer lovers. You can sip on a lager and snack on schnitzel and bratwurst. Head across the street to the Urban Research facility for a sample of the test batches, and if you like to sit outside while you sip on your cold brew, then head to the Urban Chestnut location in the downtown area where there is an outdoor biergarten. Schlafly The first Schlafly opened up in 1991 on Locust Street and was the first new brewery in St. Louis in over 50 years. Over the years, it grew from a small brewpub to a popular beer maker, and there is now a second location: the Bottleworks in Maplewood. The Tap Room  on Locust Street features a wide selection of beers on tap, excellent food, and live music every Thursday through Saturday. If you can't make it to either of the Schlafly locations, you can find many of their beers at local restaurants. St. Louis has a booming beer scene with small craft breweries and large breweries in every part of the city. Stop by a taproom and try a new beer or stick with the brews you know and love.

Museums play a valuable role in preserving society's history, art, and culture. There are museums dedicated to serious subjects like science and technology, and there are some that capture the more entertaining side of life. Quirky and oddly-themed museums offer a glimpse into the more whimsical side of life today. It is these we'd like to introduce to you now. Laclede's Landing Wax Museum Wax museums fit the profile of quirky. Creating life-like representations of famous figures, both past and present, is wildly entertaining to look upon. The Laclede's Landing Wax Museum has done a tremendous job of reproducing some of your favorite movie stars, presidents, and mythical creatures. They've also captured some of the scariest monsters and villains throughout history and legend. Located in the center of Laclede's Landing, the museum covers over 5,000 square feet in five levels of wax creations. You can view the Life of Christ exhibit chronicling the man responsible for Christianity, or you can wander through the Chamber of Horrors and see the gruesome work in animatronic action of torture throughout history. A Movie Monsters exhibit brings to life your favorite monsters from the big screen in a terrifying fashion. War history enthusiasts will enjoy the World War II exhibit, while those comic book lovers can gaze upon their childhood heroes in the Superhero exhibit. With over 250 life-size figures to see, Laclede's Landing Wax Museum offers a truly unique museum experience anyone can enjoy. The Awakening Sculpture While not technically a museum, The Awakening Sculpture is a fantastic piece of art and an absolute must-see attraction. It was originally cast in aluminum by artist J. Seward Johnson, Jr. in 1980 for an art exhibition in Washington, D.C. This second casting is a permanent fixture in Chesterfield's Central Park. more The sculpture is of a giant in distress trying to free himself from the ground. A small portion of his right leg and left hand protrude from the ground while his right arm is fully extended and his left knee and leg are exposed. Yet it's the agonizing face of the bearded giant that captures the imagination. The Lemp Mansion The Lemp Mansion provides a unique look back at one of St. Louis' oldest buildings. Once the home of the Lemp family, one of the Beer Barons of St. Louis, it is now an inn and restaurant where you can have dinner and spend the night. Just be warned, the building is considered one of the most haunted buildings in the world. Ghost hunters flock to the Lemp Mansion to experience other-worldly activity daily. Tours are available throughout the week, and they host a Mystery Dinner event and ghost hunting adventures for those who want an up-close and personal view of paranormal activity at its finest. If you love a good scare, you can book a night in one of the original family bedrooms, though it might be difficult to sleep. There are some truly unique museums in the St. Louis area. The next time you feel like exploring the weirder side of life you should check out one of these three places. Image via Pixabay.

Visiting fun and fascinating attractions can be expensive, especially with children. But, if you're on a tight budget, many of the best attractions in St. Louis, Missouri, are well priced or even free to enter. Here are some of the city's low-cost locations to visit. Gateway Arch National Park For a whole day's entertainment, the Gateway Arch National Park is an oasis in downtown St. Louis. At its center is the city's most prominent landmark, the Gateway Arch, which at 630 feet, is America's tallest man-made monument. The park, set along the banks of the Mississippi, features 5 miles of tree-lined walking and biking trails. You can have picnics among the diverse plant life, enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi River and two reflecting ponds, and marvel at the majestic Arch. In the park's interactive museum, you can trace the history of the Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers who helped make America's Western expansion possible. Admission to the park and museum is free. If you want to take the tram ride to the top of the arch to enjoy the spectacular views, you should buy tickets in advance that start at $12 for adults. Forest Park The 1,300-acre Forest Park is considered to be one of America's greatest public urban parks. It features beautiful forest-sprinkled landscapes, streams, lakes, and nature reserves that will take you many hours to explore. Within the park are the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center, and the Saint Louis Zoo, all of which offer free admission. more Saint Louis Zoo The Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park is the region's most-visited attraction and one of the few free zoos in the country. It is globally recognized for innovative approaches to animal care, wildlife conservation, research, and education. The zoo is home to more than 13,000 animals and has six zones that highlight unique animal habitats. Visit the River's Edge, The Wild, Discovery Corner, Historic Hill, Red Rocks, and Lakeside Crossing. Reserve your free tickets in advance. Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House Located in Faust Park in nearby Chesterfield, Missouri, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is set in a towering 8,000 square foot glass-domed conservatory. Kept at 80 to 85 degrees, the Butterfly House is home to almost 2,000 tropical butterflies representing around 80 species. The beautiful creatures are free to fly around and settle on the 150 species of tropical plants. Seeing a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis is a rare and magical moment, but it can be seen every day in this fascinating environment. Admission is just $8 for adults and $5 for children aged 3 to 12 years of age, and advance tickets are required. Faust Historic Village Also within Faust Park is the Faust Historic Village, a collection of preserved 19th and early 20th century buildings and gives you a taste of village and farm life from that period. Admission to the village is free, but you can choose to enjoy a guided tour for $4. At most of these attractions, you could while away whole days. With entry that costs little or nothing, you can return as often as you want. Image via Pixabay.