Forest Park, Saint Louis (must see)

Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, covering 1,326 acres. Established in 1876, it served as the prominent site of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, commonly known as the St. Louis World's Fair, and also hosted the aquatic events of the 1904 Summer Olympic Games, the first Olympics held in the United States.

Designed by landscape architect Maximilian G. Kern and later restored and enhanced by George E. Kessler following the World's Fair, the park combines natural landscapes with cultural institutions, recreational facilities, and historic landmarks. More than a century after its creation, it remains one of the region's most important public spaces. The park is home to several major cultural attractions, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center, the Saint Louis Zoo, and The Muny outdoor theater, many of which offer free admission. Visitors can also explore more than 30 miles of walking and cycling trails, lakes, woodlands, gardens, picnic areas, and open meadows. Recreational facilities include golf courses, tennis courts, athletic fields, boating on Post-Dispatch Lake, the Dwight Davis Tennis Center, and the Jewel Box greenhouse, a historic Art Deco conservatory featuring seasonal floral displays.

Throughout the year, Forest Park hosts concerts, festivals, outdoor performances, sporting events, and educational programs that attract both residents and visitors. Restoration projects carried out since the 1990s have revived many of the park's original landscapes while improving waterways, trails, wetlands, and wildlife habitats. The park also supports a wide variety of native plants and animals, contributing to local conservation efforts within an urban setting. By combining history, recreation, cultural institutions, and natural landscapes, Forest Park continues to provide opportunities for leisure, learning, and outdoor activities while preserving its historic character for future generations.