Hello hello worldwide interwebs! Yes, I’m still alive. Yes, I still have this blog. And, yes, I still [sometimes] post on it. Life’s been kind of a different pace since our move to Missouri over ONE YEAR AGO (seriously, how has it already been a year, but also – how has it only been a year!?). As one can imagine, Missouri is hardly the most exciting place on the planet, so we don’t have the same urgency to do ALL THE THINGS like we did in Korea. Plus, with kids back in public school and a husband in grad school, our whole lives look very different than they did. Winter hit the Midwest and it hit HARD. We’ve had some warmer days as of late (though I doubt they stick around), but it’s mostly been pretty cold. Even so, we found things to do LAST winter when it was disrespectfully cold, so it’s time to revisit one of those adventure: exploring the Saint Louis Zoo.
Exploring the Saint Louis Zoo
Please hold your applause. It only took me OVER A YEAR to make this post. I know, I know, I’m amazing. Seriously, though, it’s kind of wild that it took me this long simply because I do genuinely love writing about the things we’ve been doing. AND the Saint Louis Zoo absolutely deserves a post because it really is amazing.
Our first visit to the Saint Louis Zoo was when we were living in Missouri in 2018. Actually, we visited the zoo 3-4 times in our 9 months of living in Missouri because it’s JUST THAT GOOD. Oh, and did I mention it is FREE!? And because I’m not a weirdo, FREE is my favorite price to pay for stuff.
Now, I don’t know about you, but when I think of a FREE zoo, I wouldn’t think they have a whole lot that is worth seeing. Honestly, I’d think they would only have some smaller animals – and that it would feel more like an exotic petting zoo than anything else (we visited one when we lived in Washington, but I never blogged about it and now I regret it because I can’t find anything in a Google search). Anyway, that’s more what I would have expected from the Saint Louis Zoo, but what we have found is that it is SO MUCH MORE.
They’ve got freaking elephants, they’ve got freaking rhinos, they’ve got freaking polar bears, they’ve got freaking hippos… and so much more! Pretty much any animal that you would want to see at the zoo, they half. Plus, their whole bug section and butterfly house are unmatched (in my humble opinion). Make sure you stop by the sealions and walk through the tunnel, but be prepared for a lovely long wait as people tend to block the tunnel, rather than walking through at a slow pace to keep things moving. People are fun.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m feeling kind of spicy today, so the snark is coming in strong. I guess this is the part where I say sorry-not-sorry or something.
We have visited the Saint Louis Zoo during all different times of year and it never disappoints. When you visit, make sure to dress for the weather, though, as there are very few indoor areas. In the spring, the whole park is BEAUTIFUL with picnic areas, walking paths, and lots and lots of plant life. (It’s not quite to the level of Korean gardens and arboretums – remember Bear Tree Park and Pinnacle Land!? – but that’s okay because nobody can quite compete with Korea.)
Overall our visits to the Saint Louis Zoo have been enjoyable experiences. The kids often ask when we can go back, and it seems like we are always planning a trip up there in the near future. Our only beef with it is the 2-hour drive to get there. But, when we don’t have to pay any kind of admission fees, it’s usually worth if for our family.
So this might not be the most exciting post I’ve ever done, but if you’re anywhere near Saint Louis, be sure to check out the zoo! You won’t be disappointed.
’til next time…
Ash
Know Before You Go
Hours of Operation
*Winter Hours
Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
*Hours change with the season. For current hours of operation or special hours, please visit the St Louis Zoo Website.
Cost
Entrance to the zoo is always FREE, but there are some extras that require payment to participate. You can purchase an Adventure Pass which gives you access to the 4D theater, the carousel, the sea lion show, the stingrays, and the Zooline Railroad. In addition, with the purchase of an Adventure Pass, you also get a $2 discount on all caricatures, as well as on the giraffe feeding. Prices vary by season, but the winter cost for the Adventure Pass is $12.95 per person, per day.
Parking
There are two parking lots affiliated with the zoo, as well as street parking available. In the winter, the cost is $10 to park a car ($20 for oversized vehicles) in the parking lots. Street parking is free, but greatly limited. If visiting on a holiday or a weekend, opt to park in one of the paid parking lots. The North Lot leads to the North Entrance (near Grizzly Ridge) and the South Lot leads to the South Entrance (near River’s Edge).
*For more information on parking, please visit the St Louis Zoo Website.
*Restrictions & Rules
There is no smoking allowed on the premises.
Alcohol may not be brought into the zoo.
Picnic baskets and coolers are permitted, but are subject to search.
Strollers and wagons, as well as large bags, are allowed, but are subject to search prior to entering the zoo.
*For the full list of rules and restrictions, please visit the St Louis Zoo Website.
