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Take your tots to St. Louis for a great museums and some outdoor fun.

Many of the most family-friendly attractions in St. Louis are located in Forest Park, one of the largest (over 1,200 acres) and loveliest urban parks in America. And, best for the vacation budget, most of them are free of charge!  For information on lodging and dining and other attractions, visit www.explorestlouis.com or call 800/916-0092.

Magic House Children’s Museum
516 S. Kirkwood Road at Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63122
314/822-8900
Located in a three-story Victorian home in suburban St. Louis, this children’s museum, dating from 1975, predates many other similar museums focusing on learning through fun and “please touch” activities, both indoors and outdoors. The under-2’s in your family will particularly enjoy the “For Babies Only” area.

Miniature Museum
4746 Gravois Road
St. Louis, MO 63116
314/832-7790
Presented in several scales, a wide variety of dollhouses, farmhouses, and apartment buildings (along with dolls and furnishings), as well as some of St. Louis’ landmarks are on display. There’s something here to interest young and old.

Museum of Transportation
3015 Barrett Station Road
St. Louis, MO 63122.
314/965-7998
All aboard! For planes, trains and automobiles, in addition to trolleys, buses, firetrucks and boats, head to this museum for the largest collection of transportation vehicles in the world. You’ll have a chance to climb on some cool stuff and to take a ride on a streetcar.

Saint Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Avenue – Forest Park
St. Louis, MO 63110
800/456-7572, 314/289-4400
Explore all aspects of science from aviation to ecology, dinosaurs to technology, in this exciting hands-on museum/playground. Visit a space station at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, watch an Omnimax movie and take a ride on the human transporter, the Segway, a really fun way to get around that even grandparents can enjoy.

Saint Louis Zoo
Forest Park
St. Louis, MO 63110
800/966-8877, 314/781-0900
With more than 6,600 exotic animals, many of which are rare and endangered, this zoo should not be missed. Newer exhibits focus on apes, chimpanzees and orangutans, as well as penguins and puffins. Take a ride around the grounds on the Zoo Train, check out the Butterfly Dome and head to the Children’s Zoo to pet a baby bunny and other adorable animals.

Six Flags St Louis
Exit 261 of I-44 (SW of St. Louis in Eureka)
636/938-4800
Thrill and chills await families every summer at this combination theme and water park where the whole family will have fun and excitement. Looney Tunes Town is geared towards the littlest visitors.

Turtle Playground
Oakland and Tamm Avenues
314/289-5300
Located in Dogtown on the south side of Forest Park, this fanciful playground offers various types of turtles (ranging from 7- to 40-feet-long), and turtle eggs, for climbing, sliding and frolicking. Open year-round from dawn to 10pm, the playground is near the zoo and is also free of charge, and lots of fun.