St Louis Zoo
1 Government Drive
Saint Louis Missouri
314-781-0900
St Louis Zoo is one of the few free zoos in the United States. Saint Louis Zoo is a great zoo which has more than 6,000 animals from more than 700 different species located on more than 90 acres of land. The Saint Louis Zoo also boasts one of the largest reptile and amphibian collections in the world. Parking at the zoo is very easy and handicap friendly. Best of all it is close to public transport. Without a doubt St Louis Zoo is one of the crown jewels of St Louis.
Saint Louis Zoo
St Louis Zoo was established during 1916 and has had the approach of wanting to create a naturalistic feel and look to the zoo. This has been achieved in numerous ways. At St Louis Zoo the barriers are lower so you can view the animals over the barriers and not through the barriers. The signs at St Louis Zoo are easier to read and children can get safely closer to the animals.
During 1995 the Saint Louis Zoo expanded the by adding a new children’s zoo which also includes an aviary where children can feed the parrots by hand. Kids can also bring along their swimsuits to play around in the children’s zoo as there are many random geysers which sprout at St Louis Zoo. they've also added a 10 acre exhibit called the Rivers Edge, which allows visitors to view animals in their habitat by following a waterway to view animals indigenous to Africa, Asia and South America. Now you can watch Hippos underwater or even watch rhinos playing in the mud. This is the closest you will get to watching animals in the wild.
Other popular attractions at the St Louis Zoo are the insectarium which includes a walk through collection of butterflies. There are 20 major exhibit areas and more than 100 species of live insects in this part of St Louis Zoo. There is also the Sea Lion Arena, which has been the St Louis Zoo’s most popular attraction since the 1970’s. Now you can see the sea lions jump and flip. Get there before feeding time as it can become crowded. This is most entertaining for both children and adults. No wonder it has been St Louis Zoo’s best attraction! During 1999 the elephant area was redone where you can view Raja the now famous elephant with his mother Pearl. They have also been an ever growing attraction.
Saint Louis Zoo is well laid out, paved and shaded. There is also the Zoo line Railroad, which takes you past the most popular exhibits at the Saint Louis Zoo. The route is well over a mile long and over the past 40 years it has transported more than 27 million visitors around the St Louis Zoo. There are also trams for the disabled and the foot paths are paved.
What you will like about the St Louis Zoo, is that there are few if any caged animals. The animals are enclosed in what would be their natural habitat. St Louis Zoo has, over the years, evolved well. The commercial side is well hidden, as there are occasional foods carts and the gift shop is secluded in the visitors centre. Even though St Louis Zoo is free, there are small extra costs to visitors to such exhibits such as the children zoo or the insectarium. The costs are however minimal!
It is best to visit St Louis Zoo during the fall as during the summer it can become hot. During the heat of the summer months, most of the animals hide in the shade. St Louis Zoo is a great place for both the tourist and even the budget traveller. It is the only place where you can have an experience closest to visiting the African or South American jungles and plains.