In the middle of St. Louis, meet the exotic and endangered animals that live in meticulously recreated ecosystems from all over the world.
From majestic big cats to miniature butterflies, come face-to-face with animals from all over the world at the St. Louis Zoo. The zoo, spread across 90 acres (36 hectares) in the city’s Forest Park, is home to hundreds of species of animals. It is one of the few free zoos in the United States.
Explore St. Louis Zoo on foot or by the Emerson Zooline Railroad, which leads you through some of the highlight exhibits in the park. Discover the zoo’s six zones, each with a distinct ecological theme.
In River’s Edge, meander along a waterway that transports you through four continents. See Andean bears of South America, hippos of the African Nile, elephants of Asia, catfish of the Missouri wetlands and more. Learn about the amazing adaptations that animals make in The Wild. See how apes make the jungle home and discover how penguins and puffins survive in subzero temperatures.
In Discovery Corner, meet animals intimately through hands-on and interactive exhibits. Stingrays and otters glide by in their watery homes. See the colony of meerkats living in Emerson Children’s Zoo. Walk among butterflies in the Monsanto Insectarium.
Visit the oldest parts of St. Louis Zoo in Historic Hill. Check out reptiles and amphibians in the Herpetarium. The re-creation of a cypress swamp features in the 1904 World's Fair Flight Cage. See sea lions, primates and feathered friends along your walk.
Meet some of the world’s most iconic animals in Red Rocks. Lions and tigers prowl through Big Cat Country, while graceful giraffes and zebras graze in the shade. Find Lakeside Crossing in the center of the St. Louis Zoo. Enjoy a meal at the Lakeside Café or browse the many souvenir shops in the area.
Visit the St. Louis Zoo daily. Check the website for summer hours. Note that it is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Although it is free, some of the exhibits and attractions have an entry fee. Stop at the Welcome Desk at the zoo’s South Entrance if you have any questions or would like to speak to a zoo ranger.
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