St Louis MO inhabitants...possibly going to the area for vacation. Would like to see the zoo, grants farm,?

As for nice hotels, I'd suggest looking into the Hampton or Drury Inns. They both have nice facilities in the downtown and midtown areas and are both family and wallet friendly.

In Forest Park there is the zoo, art museum, history museum, paddle boats on the lakes and right across the highway is the Science Center but you can enter from the park. All of these are free except for special exhibits and shows. The parking is a bit high in the lots but you can usually find street parking in the park if you are willing to walk a little bit.

If you go to Grants Farm you can also see the historical Grants home across the bike trail from the farm and its only a short distance to places like Laumeyer Sculpture Park, Powder Valley Nature Center and Lone Elk Park.

Depending on the ages of the children you might want to spend the admission for either City Museum (older than preschool) or the Magic House (better for younger children).

We have a Butterfly house and an Earthways House that you might enjoy too.

You can also get some last minute inexpensive tickets to see Cardinals games if your family might like this.

Check out http://www.explorestlouis.com./

Well, the nicest and cheapest hotel near the zoo is the red roof inn. it's on hampton. it's rates start off at $85 a night. You should definately see Grants Farm. It's like $15 for parking and everything else in the park, besides food is free. unless you want to feed the camels or baby goats. take a couple of dollars for that. If you want to go to the zoo. I recommend going early. They open at 8 and it's worth it to be there when they open since all the attractions are free for the first hour, pet the stingrays, the train, childrens zoo and carousel. the cahokia mounds would take a couple of hours at the most, climb it, and go to the museum and check out the free movie. Other good places are the Science Center, and anything else at Forest Park. =]

I would recommend the Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis - Clayton.

The zoo and Grant's Farm are really marvelous and you will have a great time. My daughter loves the Botanical Gardens as well. I would also like to suggest going to Union Station, walking through University City, and going on the brewery tour. The City Museum is phenomenal, too, but a little pricey.

Purina Farms is in Grey Summit and is free, as is Powder Valley Nature Park

the science center, magic house, city musem (my favorite), history museum, museum of transportation.... i hope that helped u :)