Kate

The St. Louis Zoo used to charge an admission. I want to say it was in the 60’s or so, maybe earlier. But it was decided that there shouldn’t be a charge for learning, and so the zoo dropped the admission charge. The only charge now is for a few special attractions, such as the Living World and the children’s zoo. And even those are free early in the morning and on certain days. There is a charge to park on the lot, but there’s plenty of parking on the street if you don’t mind the walk. The Zoo is in Forest Park, an oasis of beauty in the middle of St. Louis, and is located directly across the street from the art museum (which is also free).

Of the 6 or 7 zoos I’ve been to (including the overpriced San Diego Zoo), this is my favorite.

Wonderously tacky, yet charming. Maybe I liked it best because it was one of the few sunny days while I was in England, but either way, I really enjoyed being there.

I grew up in the Kansas City (Missouri) area (half my childhood in KC, the rest just south of there). I can’t say exactly what I love about it, but I do. The Plaza lights at Christmastime, the amazing barbecue, the small-town feel without being a small town, the zoo (despite the decades of renovations we suffered through for it), the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art… I should stop now, before I launch into a rendition of “Memories” or something. :P