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For warm and fuzzy low-cost fun, there's nowhere like Missouri, where animals make animal-lovers of all visitors.

If you’ve traveled around the Midwest lately, you’ve heard a lot about Lewis and Clark, and the centennial of the 1904 World’s Fair. But have you encountered any animal magnetism? You could easily spend several days in Missouri’s capital city walking on the wild side.

There’s everything from exotic birds to butterflies and most of the attractions are free, thanks in large part to a St. Louis Zoo-Museum Tax District set up in the 1960s. It’s possible this area of three million residents -- that last year drew nearly 14 million visitors -- has more free attractions than anywhere in the country.

Drive-By Animals

The first animal exploration allows you to remain in your car. Start your tour with a drive through Lone Elk Park (314/615-4386), a 546-acre preserve where bison, white tail deer, elk and other animals roam freely. Go early and you’re almost certain to see at least some of them. The park located at the edge of the Ozark foothills also offers dramatic hills and thick forests. Take along a picnic lunch for a stop at one of the many trails.

Another kind of ride, on a tram, gives you close-ups of big-headed buffalos, several different kinds of deer and hundreds of other animals at Grant’s Farm (314/843-1700). Yes, that Grant, Ulysses S., who before the Civil War built a log home (open for tours) and farmed a portion of the 281-acre park that is now owned by Anheuser Busch. It’s open from April to October and admission is free, but there’s a small charge for parking.

Year-round, you can see a variety of shows at Grant’s Farm Tier Garten amphitheatre that dramatize the talents of elephants, reptiles, birds of prey and other mammals. There’s also a children’s petting zoo and a nearby stable where visitors can see - and be photographed with - the world-famous, white-tuft-legged Clydesdales. In summer, the Farm runs a Critter Camp day program for ages 5-10 on Tuesday through Friday; call 314/525-0847 to inquire about drop-in programs.

Cultural Animals

Going to the dogs? You might say that after a visit to The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, known as the Dog Museum (314/821-3647). Founded in 1982, it is this country’s largest fine arts collection devoted wholly to you know who. The artwork, including dog paintings, bronze sculptures and etchings, is housed in the historic Jarville House, an 1853 Greek Revival home that was formerly the estate of Edgar Monsanto Queeny, president of chemical giant Monsanto, Inc.

This museum is not just any old mutt, however. It’s a pedigree, with artworks representing some of the most acclaimed painters and sculptors -- and some of the most valuable art -- in the world. “Dog art is about as hot as you can get right now,” says Barbara Jedda McNab, executive director. The Dog Museum is open year-round; admission is $5/adult, or $1 for children up to the age of 14.

Hands-On Animals

It’s only a few minutes from Six Flags St. Louis and 45 miles southwest of the city in Gray Summit, but Purina Farms (888/688 PETS, 314/982-1000), open from March through November, is a very different style attraction. And it’s free. For dog-lovers, the farm hosts over 60 dog events each year, including an All Breed Show, Whippet Racing and Dog Agility Trials. There are no cat shows, but there is a 20-foot-tall Victorian style cat house, where you can pet the felines. No elaborate rides here either, but children seem very content to ride a tractor-pulled wagon. City children also seem to delight in such mundane attractions as real-life haylofts with hay tunnels, rope swings and a slide. There’s also an informative Visitors Center and barn full of farm animals, including horses, cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. Hang around a while and you can see a large cow being milked.

Another option you have is to visit the more than 350 animals that are typically being cared for at the 130-acre World Bird Sanctuary (636/861-3225). No charge here for close-up looks at Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Peregrine Falcons and Eurasian Eagle Owls. Many other creatures are also on display at this thick hardwood forest compound, including snakes, tortoises, a bearded dragon, parrots, cockroaches and giant millipedes. There are also hiking trails, bird feeding stations, a photo blind and picnic shelters. The World Bird Sanctuary, under the direction of Walter C. Crawford (pictured at left) is open daily from 8am to 5pm; the Visitor Center opens at 11am.

It’s not free, but admission is only $7 for adults at the Missouri Botanical Garden (314/577-9400, 800/642-8842). Founded in 1850, it’s the oldest botanical park in the country. There is a special Children's Garden open seasonally, and a 14-acre traditional Japanese garden that is the largest of its type in North America. Sure, it’s botanical, but other forms of life can be found here as well. Take in the Butterfly House and Education Center, where you step inside a glass dome to share the environment with 1,000 butterflies that create a colorful background as they flit around.