Can you believe that all of these St. Louis Attractions are free?!! I am a St. Louis transplant, growing up in Wisconsin. I’ve lived in St. Louis since 2015 and I continue to be amazed by all of the places here that are free and accessible to all.
Free St. Louis Attractions
Lone Elk Park
This unique St. Louis safari is a county park that has elk and bison. You can hike a trail among the elk or drive through the 546 acre park to view animals and the beautiful nature. This park is free to enter, but there is a cup for donations by the entrance. I recommend arriving right when the park opens at 8am. The rangers and the feed truck go through the park at 6:30am, so the wildlife is still usually close to the road for easy viewing. The elk and the bison are separated, and it is so fun to watch the herds. My lucky place to spot elk is near the Ralph Foley shelter.
The White Bison Loop is a 3.1 mile unpaved loop here and we have fun spotting elk in the woods. However, if you see an elk on the trail, I usually turn around and go back the way I came for safety. Also, this trail is rustic and is known for lots of ticks on the trails. I recommend hiking here in other seasons besides summer or taking necessary precautions to avoid insect bites (I like to treat our hiking clothes with permethrin).
Union Station
I just learned this year (March 2024) that there are two free shows here! There is a fire & light show that is outdoors over the Koi pond, as well as a light show inside of the historic Grand Hall.
The fire & light show is located outside on the lake near the Wheel and Aquarium entrance. This show features water, light and 25 foot tall flames synchronized to music. It operates on the hour daily from 5pm-9pm. On the weekends and special events, the show often runs from 12pm-9pm, but check their schedule to make sure.
The indoors light show is a beautiful 3D show in the historic Grand Hall. The show’s theme varies and it operates daily on the hour from 5pm-10pm. We were mesmerized by the flowers, designs and even fireworks moving across the ceiling!
Powder Valley Conservation Area
I’m always in shock that this nature center in Kirkwood is free! This has been a family-favorite of ours ever since we had our first daughter. What’s not to like? Wildlife, shaded and 3 paved trails, not to mention the epic nature center. The Nature Center hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 8am-5pm, but the trails are open every day. There is so much to explore inside from animals to pupper to art to an observation beehive. We love the staff here, who frequently walk around with snakes or point out fish in the tank.
Powder Valley has three trails:
1.) Hickory Ridge (1/2 mile loop and 1 1/5 mile loop)-pretty hilly, but so beautiful in the fall.
2.) Broken Ridge Trail (2/3 mile)- Pretty hilly and some fun bridges.
3.) Tanglevine trail (1/3 mile)-all flat! This is the only trail that I would classify as stroller-friendly. It also has an a year round storybook walk.
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Free Factory Tour
My Willy Wonka dreams come true here! We had such a blast visiting this free factory tour. In 1981, Dan and Rosalie Abel started crafting chocolates in small batches. Today, they are joined by their three children and the chocolate is delicious. Factory tours are free, but you must call to make a free reservation. Not only did we get to see the factory floor, but we tried free samples that were made that day. Everyone must wear a hat to cover their hair during the tour (they hand them out), so I like to prep my kids as we are walking in.
On our most recent visit, my daughter brought her lovey. Stuffed animals are not available on the tour, oops! But, the workers kept the lovey on the store counter while we were on the tour. When we returned from the factory tour, the stuffed animal had its own hat and piece of chocolate!
Address: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate (5025 Pattison Ave,m St. Louis)
Phone Number: (314) 338-3501
Hours for Tour: Monday-Friday 9am-2:30pm, and tours run every half hour. The maximum capacity per tour is 10 people.
Purina Farms
From dog performances to farm animals to wagon rides, this area is such a blast. When you enter the visitor’s center, there are some interactive areas and adoptable animals before entering the animal barn. There are tunnels, rope swings, trikes on the top floor and lots of animals (goats, pigs, horses, cows, bunnies, etc) on the bottom floor. We always look forward to the live cow milking in the barn. They even invite kids to come up and try milking the cow!
The 2024 Visitor Center officially reopens on April 20th and April 21st. Mid-April to May, the center is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9:30am-3:30pm. June to October, the center is open Thursday-Sunday from 9:30am-3:30pm.
Also, it is right down the street from Shaw Nature Reserve, so this is a great place if you feel like hiking afterwards!
St. Louis offers many great free experiences!
Check out part 2 for more free St. Louis attractions. Happy exploring!
