The 5 Things You Must See In St. Louis, MO Before You Start College

By Gretchen Kernbach on July 19, 2016

Coronado Place and Towers is proud to partner with the Salvation Army to collect clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances for donation to benefit our community. All proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

The few months before college begins makes for a great time to travel and explore what our country has to offer, specifically in St. Louis, MO. Whether you live three minutes or three hours outside the city, St. Louis has a lot to offer that is worth visiting for a couple of days.

From your everyday entertainment spots to historical destinations, this Missouri city spreads about 66 miles in area.

Gateway Arch

The tallest man-made monument in our nation, reaching a remarkable height of 630 feet, the Gateway Arch is a symbol that represents Thomas Jefferson and his efforts to expand westward back in the early 1800s.

According to gatewayarch.com, the Arch is “[l]ocated just footsteps from where Lewis and Clark completed their journey along the Mississippi River; the 90-acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial was designated as a national historic site in 1935.”

Believe it or not, but within the structure is an enclosed tram that transports visitors to the top. From the observation area of the Arch, you may be able to see 30 miles out depending on the day’s weather. The grounds surrounding the monument are expected to be renovated over the next few years, adding new museum exhibits, enhancing amenities, and increasing accessibility.

The observation deck inside the Gateway Arch.
Image via pintrest.org.

If you wish to purchase tram tickets, they can be purchased here.

Forest Park

Extending 1,371 acres, Forest Park opened all the way back in 1876. Free to enter, the park receives “13 million annual visitors,” thus making it the “6th most visited U.S. urban park,” according to forestparkforever.org.

St. Louis’s Forest Park contains (besides 45,000 trees) five cultural institutions, eight options for dining, four landmarks, four natural highlights, and 12 recreational opportunities.

Among the five cultural institutions located inside the park, there is the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center and James S. McDonnell Planetarium, and the Saint Louis Zoo.

The Jewel Box, a $3.5 million greenhouse, “is located at the intersection of Wells and McKinley drives in Forest Park.” This landmark was built in 1936, but underwent extensive renovations in 2002. Its 50-foot high glass walls earned it a spot on the National Historic Register.

Image via gardenvisit.com

According to stlouis-mo.gov, “There are special floral shows at Christmas, early spring, Easter, Mother’s Day, summer and fall. It has tropical trees, foliage plants, flowers, a new water feature and fountain year-round.”

The natural highlights of Forest Park include Flegel Falls, a 75-foot high waterfall constructed back in the 1930s. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest and Pagoda Circle also serve as natural tourist attractions in the park.

A little history about Pagoda Circle, according to forestparkforever.org:

“The island in the center of Pagoda Lake was the site of the Park’s first bandstand from 1876, also called the music pagoda. The original pagoda was deemed unsafe and closed in 1911. It was damaged beyond repair by storm, the wreckage burned and was torn down around 1912. It was replaced by the Nathan Frank Bandstand in 1925. Donated by Nathan Frank, the bandstand was designed by Heffensteller, Hirsch and Watson. Pagoda Circle was restored as part of the Forest Park master plan.”

Besides visiting these various places inside Forest Park, tourists can create their own entertainment by becoming involved in the offered recreational activities. These include bike tours, bird watching, boating, tennis, fishing, or golfing.

Spend your last days before college relaxing as much as possible before the wave of homework hits you in the fall. For more information about the attractions, visit this link. The Jewel Box location courtesy of forestparkforever.org.

Saint Louis Science Center

As previously stated, the science center is located in Forest Park, specifically along Oakland Avenue. The science center has over 700 interactive exhibits, an IMAX theater and a planetarium.

“Grow” is one of the exhibits currently present at the Saint Louis Science Center. Its purpose is to educate visitors about food, further investigating how/where does it grow and how far it travels from one place to another.

“Water Works” is a station within the exhibit that focuses on the importance of rain and water to farmers. According to slscgrow.squarespace.com, guests will “[l]earn what measures farmers take to wisely use and manage this valuable resource and what steps they take to ensure that their crops grow, even when the weather doesn’t want to cooperate.”

This might be your last chance to learn and have some fun while doing so before leaving for college. For the extended list of attractions available to visitors at the science center, click here.

Busch Stadium

Enjoy an evening baseball game with your friends at the home of the Cardinals. This year was the tenth anniversary of its opening. The 46,000-seat stadium follows a retro-downtown design and not only provides a setting to watch a game, but ballpark tours are also available for purchase. Sit down with an ice cold lemonade and a jumbo hot-dog and enjoy some baseball in your last months before heading off to school.

Visit this link for the Cardinals’ yearly schedule.

The Fabulous Fox

According to fabulousfox.com, “More than 15 million people have passed through the brass doors of the Fox to see Broadway shows, Vegas performers, top pop, rock and comedy concert acts, and classic movies.”

In operation since 1929, and renovated in 1981, the theatre puts on over 200 performances and special events annually.

You can watch award-winning musicals as they come and go from the stage year to year. The 2016-2017 U.S. Bank Broadway Series includes Fun Home, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, Finding Neverland, An American in Paris, Something Rotten, and Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret.

Image via 4fortheroad.com

Besides musicals, the theatre hosts concert tours as well. Shows scheduled in August 2016 include Shawn Mendes and Wilco’s Star Wars Tour. Make it your goal to see one last show by the time you need to leave for college. Check their website for more information.

Coronado Place and Towers [phone: 314-334-7342is proud to partner with the Salvation Army to collect clothing, furniture, household goods, and appliances for donation to benefit our community. All proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where beneficiaries find help, hope, and a second chance at life through work therapy, education, counseling and spiritual development. 

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