In the city itself and outlying areas, St. Louis has many performance venues starring members of the Animal World. From the world-class zoo in the forest park to the sanctuary of endangered wolves in the countryside, safari lovers have many opportunities to get close to various animals.

These six tourist attractions in the St. Louis area provide educational and entertaining animal encounters:

St. Louis Zoo. As one of the few free zoos in the country, the St. Louis Zoo is world-renowned for its innovative animal care and management methods. It attracts about 3 million tourists each year and is the most visited attraction in the region. Although admission is generally free, reservations are required.

The zoo is famous for its beautiful naturalistic exhibits and is located in Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It is home to more than 12,000 animals representing 500 species, from crocodiles to zebras.

Lemurs pass through the overhead mesh tunnel of the new primate canopy trail at the St. Louis Zoo. (Photo credit: Ray Meibaum/St. Louis Zoo)

Since opening in July 2021, Michael and Quirsis Riney Primate Canopy Trails have become one of the zoo’s most popular exhibits. The overhead mesh tunnel connected to the 1925 Primate House leads to tall plane trees and other outdoor habitats, providing space for monkeys and lemurs to climb and roost. The guests of the zoo can start from the forest floor, go through the transparent tunnel, and then climb the treetops of the elevated boardwalk to watch the animals in the state-of-the-art houses and play areas. Before the introduction of these exciting "sky trails", some residents of the primate house had never enjoyed outdoor activities.

In The Wild, one of the six themed areas of the St. Louis Zoo, guests can encounter bears and birds at Polar Bear Point, Grizzly Ridge and the Penguin and Puffin Coast. They can also explore the orangutan jungle in the fragile forest, a lush outdoor landscape with independent habitats for chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas.

The zoo occupies a 10-acre riverside area with Asian elephants, cheetahs, giant anteaters and a place to observe hippos underwater. The Sound of the Sea Lion replicates the landscape of the Pacific Northwest coast, with a 35-foot-long underwater viewing tunnel and a sea lion performance amphitheater that can accommodate 800 people (for a fee).

St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Under the huge steel beams of the train shed that was once a busy and historic station platform, visitors to the aquarium marvel at the local rivers and streams, as well as the aquatic life in the Amazon and distant oceans.

The manta fascinated bystanders in Shark Canyon at the St. Louis Aquarium. (Photo source: St. Louis Aquarium)

In Shark Canyon, which is the largest habitat, the J-shaped wall is arched above their heads, and guests can crane their necks to watch sharks and devil fish slide on the water. Puffer fish, sea turtles, giant Pacific octopuses and other species also delight wide-eyed visitors who look up or stick their noses to the spacious main window of the 250,000-gallon salt water tank.

The "monster" residents of the Global Rivers Gallery include the Amazon's strange red-tailed catfish and red-bellied piranha, a gleaming fish that looks like dipped in glitter. Also from Amazon: Poison Dart Frog (its poison is used in darts).

Guests will encounter slippery creatures in one of the aquarium’s touch pools. (Photo source: St. Louis Aquarium)

The aquarium’s touch pool allows guests to pet sharks, pet slick stingrays, feel the shells of horseshoe crabs, the uneven skin of starfish and the protective spine of pencil sea urchins. Perhaps the strangest encounter is gnawing your hand in a pool full of little doctor fish. (These fish are actually used to chew dead skin in spa treatments.)

The two-story St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station opened in December 2019 and is just part of the family entertainment center, which includes a giant ferris wheel, mini golf course, carousel and restaurants. They are all centered on the square behind the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, which includes the Roman-style headquarters of the former warehouse and the clock tower. This castle-like landmark built in 1894 is located on Market Street in the city center.

The following four attractions are located southwest of St. Louis and are easily accessible via Interstate 44:

Grant's farm. This zoo/wildlife park is operated by St. Louis brewing magnate Anheuser-Busch and is located 13 miles southwest of downtown St. Louis in the ancestral estate of the Busch family.

The tour begins with a 20-minute open-air tram ride through wooded pastures where deer, elk, buffalo, bison, zebra, yaks and other creatures inhabit. Passengers disembark at the zoo area, where they can contact pet llamas and alpacas, bottle-feed goats, and ride on carousels and even camels. The amphitheater’s performance features well-trained macaws, ferrets and goats.

Tourists feed llamas at Grant Farm. (Photo by Randy Mick)

In the courtyard reminiscent of a German farm, guests can enjoy sausages, burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, soft pretzels and German potato salad by the coffee table shaded by bright red Budweiser umbrellas. Adults can drink two glasses of beer for free and can choose a variety of Anheuser-Busch products.

An unmissable part of Grant Farm allows visitors to observe the famous Budweiser Clydesdale beer up close in the stables and paddock. These muscular Scottish horses are known for their pride, fast gait and fluffy white tuff on the back of their legs, and are specially developed for working in the field.

Grant’s farm is home to some Budweiser Clydesdale beer. (Photo by Randy Mick)

Purina Farm. Provided by St. Louis-based Nestlé Purina, the world’s largest pet food manufacturer, this free attraction offers interactive pet care exhibits, opportunities to deal with barnyard animals, and tractor-drawn carriages traveling through the countryside of Mount Gray 300 acre estate.

The Incredible Dog Show features talented canines adopted from shelters and rescue organizations. In an artificial turf arena with concrete stands, trainers lead performance dogs through obstacle courses and other actions. In the audience's favorite, a plastic disc was thrown on a 50-foot-long underground swimming pool, like a dog, running up, grabbing it in mid-air, and then jumping into the water.

The incredible dog show is a must-see at the Purina Farm in Gray Peak, Missouri. (Photo source: Purina Farm)

In the barn, children and parents can pet rabbits, chickens, goats and pigs, and watch a milking show. Information panels and flip boards provide interesting facts about milk, cows and beef cattle, rabbits and pigs. At the pet center, visitors will encounter dogs and cats (some of which are adopted) and marvel at the 20-foot-tall Victorian-style cat litter with windows, climbing frames and scratching posts.

The exhibits in the visitor center emphasize responsible pet care, the benefits of keeping pets, and the rewards of adoption. You can learn about dog breeds on the touch screen and watch a video documenting the life of service dogs. A panel provides exclusive information on the manufacturing process of Purina cat litter and tips on the cat litter box. Purina Farms is open from mid-March to October and reservation is required.

Endangered Wolf Center. This gem hidden in Eureka is a refuge for wolves from all over the world. The one-hour hike is guided by passionate educators who are familiar with wolves and gives you a glimpse of a small number of the center’s 400 canine residents, including the critically endangered American red wolf and Mexican gray wolf. Visitors can see wolves sitting, sleeping and walking around in the large wooded enclosure.

The center will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2021. It is part of a 2,000-acre satellite research facility operated by Washington University in St. Louis.

The World Bird Sanctuary is located southwest of St. Louis and is home to eagles, falcons and other species. (Photo credit: Explore St. Louis)

World Bird Sanctuary. Located a short drive east of Eureka, this rehabilitation, education, and conservation center in Valley Park occupies 305 acres and is adjacent to Gulu County Park. The reserve has large outdoor bird exhibits with unreleased birds from all over the world, including eagles, falcons, vultures, owls and other species, many of which are endangered. Its hospital takes care of injured birds of prey. It offers seasonal bird performances and educational programs, as well as nature trails and picnic pavilions.

For more information about attractions in the St. Louis area, please visit www.explorestlouis.com.

—Randy Mink, senior editor, main photo courtesy of Ray Meibaum/St. Louis Zoo

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