Located in the heart of St. Louis, Forest Park encompasses nearly 1,400 acres of land. It is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, nearly a third larger than New York City's Central Park. The St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and Planetarium, History Museum, Zoo, Jewel Box, and Muny Theater are a few of the many attractions located here. The park is widely used for outdoor recreation and features bicycle paths, jogging trails, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, boating, and skating.

This 116-acre sculpture park, which is among the first of its kind in the country, features contemporary sculptures that are both created from and interact with the environment. These works are displayed on landscaped grounds and wooded hiking trails. They include the largest collection of Ernest Trova sculptures in the world, along with the works of William Tucker, Jonathan Borofsky, and a score of other contemporary artists. Thirteen touchable scale models of the works are featured in a Blind Maquette program.

The locals know the Missouri Botanical Garden as Shaw's Garden. This magnificent spot features North America's largest traditional Japanese garden, a Victorian garden (with walk-through maze), the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening, and the Climatron Complex, an award-winning geodesic dome and rainforest conservatory. The structure was built to simulate seven different climates and houses rare tropical plants and flowers, towering palm trees, and beautiful streams and waterfalls.

This rare and lovely Victorian walking park was created in the mid-19th century as a public park, ideal for strolling and concerts. This three hundred acre historic landmark is filled with faux ruins, Victorian pavilions, fountains, and statuary and features more tree varieties than any other urban park in the United States. It includes pedestrian trails and roads, benches, picnic tables, and tennis courts. The well-lit roads are lined with street lamps.