Whether your favorites are exotic zoo animals, wild canines, farm animals, birds or fish, St. Louis has something for animal-lovers of every sort. In fact, few places in the entire country give you as many attractions where you can get up close and personal with our furry or feathered friends as St. Louis does.
Day One
1. Saint Louis Zoo
Plan to stay: 2-3 hours
For more information: www.stlzoo.org
A good place to start your animal adventure is at the Saint Louis Zoo where you can easily spend the day. The zoo is a world-renowned leader in animal conservation projects and has embarked upon an innovative captive breeding strategy to ensure the survival of many of the world’s most endangered species including cheetahs, black rhinoceros, okapis and more than 80 other breeds. It’s considered among the Top Ten Zoos in the nation and is noted for its naturalistic animal habitats.
The Zoo’s Living World education and discovery center is the first facility of its kind to use high technology and live animals to teach about the diversity of life on Earth. An animatronic Charles Darwin talks about his discoveries and follows the evolution of life from the past to the future, and documentaries about the animal kingdom and worldwide animal conservation efforts run continuously in the theatre.
2. World Aquarium
Plan to stay: 30 mins- 1 hour
For more information: www.worldaquarium.net
World Aquarium is a unique hands-on, art-and-animal-filled attraction located within the City Museum. The list of please-touch stops includes tanks of baby sharks, stingrays, turtles and other assorted water-loving creatures.
3. The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog
Plan to stay: 1 hour
For more information: www.museumofthedog.org
Commemorate the centuries-old relationship of man and his best friend. Visitors can view works by famous animal artists of the world, representing all ages from pre-Columbian pottery and Staffordshire figures, to oil paintings and photographs. Also on display are 19th century brass dog collars and huge silver trophies awarded in dog competitions. The pedigree Hall of Fame honors Lassie, Toto from the “Wizard of Oz,” The Beagle Brigade and others. Interactive touch-screen TVs and the complete library of AKC videos allows visitors to do an in-depth study on any purebred line.
(Cont. Reading)
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