A Forest Park Appreciation Post
If it weren't for Forest Park, my life would be completely different. In 2015, I was very ready to give up on St. Louis and move somewhere – anywhere – and start over. A job offer from Forest Park Forever came at exactly the right time. It allowed me to start over right where I was. As a way of honoring the impact Forest Park has had on my life, here is my own take on the country's most beautiful city park.
Let's start with the obvious: Forest Park is home to some of the most iconic places in St. Louis. There is a reason countless wedding and prom parties queue up to take their photos at the Grand Basin and Art Hill. Such a vista! And then there are also five of the city's biggest cultural organizations (that would be the Missouri History Museum, The Muny, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and Saint Louis Zoo for those unfamiliar with STL) all housed nicely within the Park's borders – plus they're all FREE. As a visitor, the park is sure to have something for you regardless of your interests. Forest Park is basically your best bet for getting the most out of a St. Louis tourist experience in a single destination.
But my reasons for loving Forest Park veer into the less obvious. At 1,300 acres, there is so much park to explore. Everyone knows about the World's Fair Pavilion, but what about Council Circle? Art Hill is a popular picnic spot, but I'll take Murphy Lake or Round Lake any day. Forest Park is in the middle of the city, but wander through Kennedy Forest and you might forget that. While working in the Park, I was able to take lifelong St. Louisans on tours and show them places they had never seen before. Forest Park is so much a part of most people's lives in this city, and yet there are still new places for them to discover. That's pretty magical.
After almost three years of spending most of my days in Forest Park, here are a few of my hot tips:
- When the magnolias start to bloom, take a walk behind Steinberg Skating Rink. The magnolia grove there has one of the prettiest groups of saucer magnolias in town.
- Cherry blossoms are always short lived, but the grove in the park's northeast corner looks amazing if you can catch it at the right time.
- The prairie boardwalk just past Steinberg provides a beautiful and secluded stroll – plus it'll lead you to the Victorian Bridge, one of my favorite spots in the Park.
- Looking for a centrally-located picnic spot without the crowds? Head to Picnic Island.
- The Saint Louis Art Museum's main galleries are always free, but their featured exhibition is free on Fridays – and they stay open late on Friday nights.
- Riding bikes along the Dual Path is a great way to get around the park. The perimeter path is roughly six miles.
- Rent a paddleboat at the Boathouse; it's surprisingly fun.
- Looking for a little help as you explore the park? Pull up Forestparkmap.org for info on every destination, parking lot, bathroom, statue, and more.