The St. Louis Zoo is one of the premier attractions in Forest Park, offering world-class exhibits and unforgettable animal encounters – all for the unbeatable price of FREE! Consistently ranked among the top zoos in the US, it’s home to incredible experiences like River’s Edge, where elephants and rhinos roam, and Penguin & Puffin Coast, where you can cool off alongside playful birds. Watch the amazing water aerobics at Polar Bear Point and Sea Lion Sound. Explore Red Rocks to admire the big cats and giraffes and swing by the Primate House to catch silly antics. Whether you’re an animal lover or just looking for a great family outing, the St. Louis Zoo is a must-see when visiting the Gateway City.
📍 Location – Where the Wild Things Are
Nestled in Forest Park – one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. – the St. Louis Zoo is right in the mane part of St. Louis, with easy access to other attractions like the Science Center, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, and the Muny.
📚 History – From Birdcages to Big Cats
Founded in 1910 with the acquisition of a flight cage from the World’s Fair, the St. Louis Zoo has spread its wings over the past century, becoming one of the top free zoos in the nation. It’s part of Forest Park’s legacy and a local favorite for generations of animal lovers.
🦁 Key Highlights – The Pride of St. Louis
- 🐘 River’s Edge – Encounter hippos, elephants, and rhinos in the jungle.
- 🐧 Penguin & Puffin Coast – Walk through this icy habitat and get up close with tuxedoed friends.
- 🐻❄️ Polar Bear Point – Watch polar bears glide through the water with pawsitively perfect form.
- 🦭 Sea Lion Sound – Walk through a cool underwater tunnel as sea lions flip and dive above you.
- 🦒 Red Rocks – Roam with the big cats, giraffes, and zebras.
- 🦍 Primates– Monkey business is serious here – spot orangutans, lemurs, and gorillas swinging around.
🎟️ Entry & Tickets – No Lion, It’s Free!
- General Admission – Free! (Pawsitively amazing!)
- See current zoo pricing for these attractions, including the combo Adventure Pass:
- Zooline Railroad
- 4D Theater & Carousel
- Sea Lion Show
- Stingrays at Caribbean Cove (new)
- Giraffe Feeding (new)
- Zoo membership includes admission to Sea Lion Show
💡 Tips – Keep Your Herd Happy
- ⏰ Arrive Early – Beat the stampede for parking and prime viewing. There is generally plenty of free street parking or you can park in the official lot for ~$20 while spots last.
- 🍎 Bring Snacks & Water – Although there are plenty of eateries, bringing your own grub can save you some bucks. You are allowed to bring picnic baskets, coolers, food and drinks – except glass bottles and alcohol.
- 🗺️ Plan your journey to see the most animals – Use this helpful interactive zoo map.
🐾 Pawsitively Unforgettable Visits
We’ve visited the zoo countless times, and each visit is a brand-new adventure – you never know which animals will be goofing around, peacefully napping, or splashing up a storm.
🐘 River’s Edge
River’s Edge is my favorite area – a place where you truly feel like you’re walking among free-roaming giants. Stroll through lush, jungle-inspired pathways and admire the majestic elephants, happy hippos, and powerful rhinos as they roam, splash, and graze in expansive habitats. Keep an eye out for the spotted hyenas and sleek cheetahs nestled in the bamboo, and don’t miss the chance to peek at the cobra’s eggs – a fascinating surprise for the kiddos.
🐧 Penguin & Puffin Coast
Penguin & Puffin Coast in The Wild is the perfect escape from the St. Louis summer heat, where playful, tuxedoed cuties splash and waddle around in their icy habitat. It’s a cool retreat that’s just as fun to visit as it is refreshing.
🐻❄️ Polar Bear Point
Polar Bear Point in The Wild is another must-see, where you can watch these powerful predators glide effortlessly through the water, showcasing their strength and grace up close.
🐻 Grizzly Ridge
Also in The Wild is Grizzly Ridge, where you can admire these powerful giants up close as they roam and explore their rugged habitat.
🦭 Sea Lion Sound
The sea lions never fail to put on a show – whether they’re performing graceful water acrobatics as they flip and dive above you in the underwater tunnel, or dazzling crowds during their official show. Located in Lakeside Crossing, Sea Lion Sound is a must-see experience that brings you up close with these playful marine performers.
🦒 Red Rocks
Head over to Red Rocks to feed giraffes (for a small fee), watch big cats strut with confidence, marvel at the striking patterns of zebras, admire the antelope antlers, or count camel humps. When we visited, the baby tigers were absolutely adorable – tumbling around with their ball and barrel toys. If there are new arrivals at the zoo, don’t miss the chance to go; seeing the little ones play and explore is an experience you won’t forget.
🦍 Primates
Head up to Historic Hill to see the endlessly entertaining primates, with each visit offering a new and playful adventure as they swing, climb, and interact with guests or each other. For playful monkeys and lemurs, swing over to the indoor Primate House or outdoor Primate Canopy Trails expansion. To catch a glimpse of the mighty gorillas, energetic chimpanzees, and curious orangutans, head to the The Wild outdoor Fragile Forest or indoor Jungle of the Apes. Don’t miss getting a picture with Phil the Gorilla statue.
🚂 Zooline Railroad
The Zooline Railroad is a scenic 1.5-mile journey through the zoo, with four convenient stops at major exhibits. Perfect for all ages, it offers a narrated tour with fun animal facts, making it a nostalgic and easy way to explore the zoo.
🦈 Zoo Visitor Center & Landmark Buildings
The zoo is home to a collection of fascinating buildings that showcase wildlife from around the world. At the North Entrance, you’ll find the Living World, a dynamic visitor center featuring exhibits, classrooms, and a café. One of the zoo’s most historic structures is the 1904 Flight Cage, originally built for the World’s Fair and now part of the Cypress Swamp exhibit, where native birds and lush greenery create a serene, immersive experience. To see more feathered friends, fly over to the Bird House and Garden. Reptile enthusiasts can explore the Herpetarium, where snakes, lizards, and amphibians thrive in carefully crafted environments. For a closer look at nature’s tiniest architects, step into the Insectarium, where you can marvel at colorful butterflies, busy ants, and other incredible insects. Each of these unique spaces adds to the rich tapestry of discovery and learning.
🎄 Seasonal Events
The zoo is not only a fantastic destination for animal encounters but also a hub for spectacular seasonal events. During the holidays, the zoo comes alive with Wild Lights, where twinkling displays transform the grounds into a winter wonderland, and Animals Aglow, a mesmerizing lantern festival that illuminates the pathways with larger-than-life animal sculptures. In the fall, families flock to Boo at the Zoo, a kid-friendly Halloween celebration filled with costumes and spooky fun, as well as Zootoberfest, where you can enjoy German-inspired food, live music, and local brews.
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