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Have Fun For Less in St. Louis

A black and white butterfly on top of small red flowers. | Fun activities in St. Louis, MO.
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.

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.
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Several trees and a man-made pond in a park. | Parks in St. Louis, MO

4 Great Parks in and Around St. Louis, MO

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Golf course with lots of greenery. | St. Louis, MO

4 of the Best Golf Courses Near St Louis, MO

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.