Anytime you visit St. Louis is a good time but the fall is special. And this latest distinction just tells everybody what we in St. Louis already knew. The St. Louis Zoo is extraordinary. Not every city even has a zoo but among those that do, St. Louis is a world leader.
It’s recognized as a leader in animal management, research, conservation, and education and that’s no small thing. But to the average visitor, whether you’re 7 or 70, this place is cool.
It was built for the 1904 World’s Fair. The Smithsonian Institution constructed a walk through bird cage for the fair. Afterward the City of St. Louis bought the exhibit and it was the first piece of what has become this incredible zoo. It’s still there and you can still walk through it!
I remember going to the zoo 4 or 5 times every year while I was growing and every time, there was always something new. And Lee and I have taken our kids as many times over the years with so many great memories. Bren was even a junior zookeeper one day. You can't live in St. Louis without it being a part of your life.
The zoo is a collection of zones, the Rivers Edge, The Wild, Discovery Corner, Historic Hill, Red Rocks and Lakeside Crossing. Each of these were designed to conserve the 600 species of animals and their habitats and to educate. Because one of its missions is to be a safe haven for threatened and endangered species, you’ll see animals that you won’t see anywhere else.
Come by for one of the fall events, Hump Day Happy Hour, Primate Palooza, Ottertoberfest or Boo at the Zoo. Who knew animals could be so much fun?
Did I mention entrance to the St. Louis zoo is free? There are some exhibits that charge a small fee but there is plenty to see without spending a cent. I am so proud of our zoo and I hope you'll come and see for yourself this fall.
Want to know more, visit stlouiszoo.org or download the app.
The Saint Louis Zoo now has an app! Complete with features like a GPS map and pins that help you find your favorite animals, the Zoo app is now ready to download on iTunes and Google Play. The app also features a photo booth, detailed information about our animals and more. Be sure to download it today so you can plan your next visit!