Forest Park (St. Louis)

Forest Park is a large municipal park in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, covering roughly 1,300 acres. It is a major cultural and recreational center for the region and was the site of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

The park contains several major institutions and attractions located within its boundaries, including a large public zoo, an art museum, a science center and outdoor performance spaces. Visitors also use miles of trails, lakes, golf courses and picnic areas; the park supports both passive and active recreation across its area.

The park was established in the late 19th century and later hosted the 1904 World’s Fair, which led to construction of several cultural buildings and landscaped features. Over the 20th century the park evolved to accommodate museums, a large zoo and public amenities while retaining extensive naturalistic landscapes.

Situated within the city limits of St. Louis, Forest Park lies west of downtown and is surrounded by established residential neighborhoods, providing immediate urban access to large green space.

• Size: Occupies about 1,300 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
• Free attractions: Several major cultural attractions within the park offer free general admission, including the zoo and the city art museum.

What to See #

• Major institutions: Home to major cultural and educational institutions including a large free zoo, an art museum with free general admission and a science center, all located within the park's boundaries.
• The Muny: The Muny outdoor amphitheatre sits on the park's eastern side and is one of the largest outdoor theatres in the United States, with roughly 11,000 seats.
• Size and recreation: Extensive paved and unpaved trails, several lakes and golf facilities spread across the park's roughly 1,300 acres, providing space for year-round recreation.