Eureka, Missouri
Home to the Six Flags St. Louis amusement park, Eureka, Missouri is known throughout mid-America as a fantastic family vacation destination. With Six Flags only a 1/4 mile from Jellystone Park, and the Gateway City of St. Louis a quick 25 minute drive away, there's never a shortage of things to see, do, and explore!
We invite you to spend time in historic Eureka. Its many antique shops and quaint restaurants provide the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. More than 700 dealers offer yesterday's treasures and a wide range of unique gifts and crafts in a variety of unusual shops, malls and craft stores.
St. Louis
St. Louis is truly a city of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct flavor and culture. There are 79 government-designated neighborhoods within the City of St. Louis, many of which have associations and councils that govern at a the most local levels.
The city's rich history travels back many years -- called the "Gateway to the West", St. Louis was the last major stop before pioneers journeyed westward to the Pacific coast. It also served as a major player during the steam boat era thanks to the city's position at the meeting of the Mississippi and Misouri rivers. St. Louis also hosted both the Summer Olympics and the 1904 Louisiana Purchase World's Fair, which lays fame to serving the first hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream cones!
Today, St. Louis stands as the largest metropolitan area in the state of Missouri, and is one of the midwest's crowned jewels. It is said that St. Louis is second only to Washington D.C. in the number of free activities available in an American city. The city is fun to explore, with its beautiful design, gorgeous architecture, superb attractions, and abundance of green spaces.
Forest Park, one of the nation's largest city parks with 1,293 acres, open to the public for golf, tennis, baseball, bicycling, boating, fishing, handball, ice skating, roller blading, jogging, cricket, rugby and more. The park is also home to the St. Louis Science Center, the art museum, the zoo, and a history museum. It's hard to visit St. Louis without hearing about, driving by, or exploring Forest Park.
St. Louis is also a huge sports hub, with the Blues Hockey (NHL), St. Louis Rams Football (NFL), and of course, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball (MLB) -- The 2006 World Series champions!
St. Louis Must-Do's
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
A Free tour (with free beer samples for those of legal age) of one of the world's largest breweries and bottling factories. The Clydesdales and their historic truck and stables are one of the biggest attractions on the tour, as are the brew house and packaging facility.
Forest Park
Located just west of downtown and about 25 minutes from Jellystone Park Resort is St. Louis’s largest park, covering 1,371 acres. It is home to the world famous St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis History Museum, the Science Center, the Jewel Box greenhouse, and the Muny, the nation’s largest outdoor theatre. Designed to give the arts and learning to the public regardless of economic background, every aspect of the park can be accessed free of charge (some conditions apply).
St. Louis Zoo
How close is too close? The St. Louis Zoo asks the question. Take advantage of one of the only zoos in the nation with free admission! Enjoy their newest addition, The River’s Edge, which has you viewing elephants, walruses, cougars, and much more up close and personal. For a small fee you can also enjoy the Monsanto Insectarium and the Emerson Electric Children's Zoo. Open daily (except December 25 & January 1) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round. In summer, open until 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Grant's Farm
A 281-acre wildlife preserve and historical site located just south of the city of St. Louis, Missouri. The Farm is home to hundreds of exotic animals from around the world.
Science Center
An interactive science center to amaze both kids young and old, the St. Louis Science Center offers free general admission While you are there be sure to check out the planetarium and the OMNIMAX theater.
The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, was built to commemorate the westward growth of the United States between 1803 and 1890. Be sure to check out St. Louis ’s most recognized attraction.
Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration
The entire day is a major event in St. Louis under the Arch with concerts and festivities. Every year a major musical talent headlines the event; acts such as Cindy Lauper, the Goo Goo Dolls, the Black Eyed Peas, and the Beach Boys have performed in the past. A dazzling fireworks spectacle caps off the night while tens of thousands of St. Louisans watch under the Arch lawn. This event kicks off a weekly concert series called "Live on the Levee", also taking place on the Arch grounds, and features a big-name musical act, food vendors, and games. The Veiled Prophet Parade is a St. Louis tradition for over 130 years, and is essentially the main parade with floats on the Independence Day holiday, starting at Washington Avenue and ending at Union Station.
Laclede's Landing
Just north of the Arch and part of Downtown St Louis, and the second oldest neighborhood after Soulard, "the Landing" is what amounts to St. Louis' old town. Visitors to Laclede's Landing can experience the charm of cobblestone streets and century old brick and cast iron facade buildings as they browse through specialty gift shops some of the most unique restaurants and sidewalk cafes in Saint Louis. The area is also known as a premier location for many of St. Louis’ Blues and Jazz bars, nightclubs, and a bizarre wax museum. Recently constructed right next to the Landing is a new $400+ million dollar casino complex called Lumiere Place, featuring a Four Seasons hotel, nightclubs, 75,000 square feet of casino gaming, and an innovative multi-colored light feature spanning 24 vertical floors on the exterior of the building that lights up St. Louis' skyline. At night, horse drawn carriages and live music add to the atmosphere of one of the most unique entertainment areas in St. Louis.
St. Louis Union Station
This 110-year-old National Historic Landmark has been restored and redeveloped as a dynamic mixed-use project that includes great shopping, dining and entertainment. For history buffs, this is where the classic photo of Harry Truman holding the incorrect "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" newspaper was taken.
The Magic House * St. Louis Cardinals * Missouri Botanical Gardens * City Museum *Gateway Arch
Beyond Eureka
To the east of Eureka, visitors and residents can take in the Gateway Arch, tour the Anheuser-Busch brewery, see Grant's Farm, or watch the Cardinals, Rams or Blues. To the west, the well-known Shaw Nature Reserve is located just a few miles down I-44 near Gray Summit, Missouri. Also located in Gray Summit is the ever popular, Purina Farms. This family friendly attraction combines a Visitors Center and a Canine Competition Center. Obedience shows and field events as well as hands-on activities and exhibits reinforce the bond between pets and their people. If you want to take a day-long float trip on the Meramec River, many outfitters are within easy driving distance down I-44. If you want to take in the Missouri Wine Country, the wineries of Washington, New Haven, & Hermann, Missouri are all within easy driving distance. Just north of Eureka, snow skiing is available at Hidden Valley. For golfers, several of the best courses in the St. Louis area are located a short distance to the north, east and south of the City.
