Forest Park was established in 1874 as one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It officially opened to the public in 1876 and was the location of the 1904 World's Fair (the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904). Several structures from the Fair still exist today, the St. Louis Art Museum and the 1904 Flight Cage in the St. Louis Zoo. In 2004, the City of St. Louis completed a $100 million face-lift to Forest Park to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the 1904 World's Fair.
Forest Park attracts more that 12 million visitors each year. It is home to some of the region's cultural attractions including the St. Louis Art Museum, the MUNY, and the Missouri History Museum. Other attractions include the Jewelbox, the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, the St. Louis Zoo, Steinberg Skating Rink, Dwight Davis Tennis Center, the Boathouse, and the Probstein and Highlands golf courses. Forest Park hosts the annual "Great Forest Park Balloon Race" every September and the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival in early summer each year. Cyclist, joggers, walkers and nature lovers equally enjoy the paths, trails and open green spaces of Forest Park as a natural "oasis' in the city of St. Louis.
Amenities: 1370 acres of parkland with picnic site and pavilions, playgrounds, Steinberg Skating Rink (seasonal), an archery range, racquetball courts, paved trails for walking or biking, softball fields, volleyball courts, handball courts, rugby fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, many lakes which cover 45 acres of land (some stocked), as well as the above listed attractions.
defined by Skinker Blvd on the west, Lindell Blvd on the north, Kingshighway on the east and I-64/40 on the south.
St. Louis, Missouri 63110
314-289-5300 (St. Louis Parks Department)
Forest Park Forever Organization Website, St Louis City Parks Webpage
Inside the MUNY! Link
Missouri History Museum in Forest Park Link
Forest Park in St Louis Link
The 250th Birthday Cake for the Missouri History Museum Link
Nathan Frank Bandstand in Pagoda Lake Link
The St Louis Art Museum Link
The James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park Link
The Jewel Box in Forest Park decked out for Christmas! Link
Norman K Probstein Golf Course in Forest Park Link
James S. McDonnell Planetarium Link
World's Fair Pavilion in Forest Park Link
Forest Park Visitor's Center Link
Dwight Davis Tennis Center Link
The Spirit of St Louis in McDermott Hall in the Missouri History Museum Link
The Visitor's Center in Forest Park Link
Art Hill in front of the St Louis Art Museum Forest Park St Louis
Norman K Probstein Golf Course Link
The Emerson Center-Missouri History Museum Link
Steinberg Skating Rink Link
A gallery in the St Louis Art Museum Link
St Louis Zoo Living World Entrance Link
Great Forest Park Balloon Race Link
The Boathouse on the Post Dispatch Lake in Forest Park Link
Dwight Davis Tennis Center in Forest Park Link