Hanley Hills MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hanley Hills, Missouri.
1. Gateway Arch
ICONIC ST. LOUIS MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot stainless steel monument that serves as the iconic symbol of St. Louis. Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for spectacular views of the city and the Mississippi River. The arch is part of the Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the Museum at the Gateway Arch that tells the story of westward expansion in the United States.
2. Missouri Botanical Garden
HISTORIC URBAN GARDEN
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a 79-acre oasis featuring diverse plant collections and beautiful landscapes in the heart of St. Louis. Founded in 1859, it is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. The garden includes multiple themed areas such as the Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, and the Climatron conservatory.
3. Meramec Caverns
UNDERGROUND WONDER TOURS
Meramec Caverns is an extensive cave system in the Ozarks featuring spectacular limestone formations developed over millions of years. The caverns are famous for being a former hideout of Jesse James and his gang in the 1870s. Guided tours take visitors through illuminated chambers with colorful stalactites, stalagmites, and a rare underground waterfall.
4. Ozark National Scenic Riverways
NATURAL RIVER PARADISE
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park created to protect a river system, featuring the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. The park is home to hundreds of freshwater springs, caves, trails, and historic sites such as Alley Mill. Visitors can enjoy activities like canoeing, swimming, fishing, and hiking in this pristine natural environment.
5. St. Louis Zoo
WORLD-CLASS ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
The St. Louis Zoo is home to over 12,000 animals representing 500 species in a free-admission urban park. The zoo features immersive habitats including River's Edge, Penguin & Puffin Coast, and the Primate House. Award-winning conservation programs and educational exhibits make it consistently ranked among the top zoos in the nation.
6. Missouri History Museum
REGIONAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
The Missouri History Museum presents the history of St. Louis and the state through engaging exhibitions and collections. Located in Forest Park, the museum building itself is historic, with the Jefferson Memorial Building constructed in 1913. Permanent and rotating exhibits cover topics from the 1904 World's Fair to civil rights movements and local cultural milestones.
7. St. Louis Science Center
INTERACTIVE LEARNING HUB
The St. Louis Science Center offers over 700 interactive exhibits spanning various scientific disciplines in a family-friendly environment. Visitors can explore space in the McDonnell Planetarium, watch demonstrations in the OMNIMAX Theater, or engage with hands-on STEM activities. The center serves as an educational resource that makes science accessible and exciting for people of all ages.
8. George Washington Carver National Historic Site
AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIST'S BIRTHPLACE
The George Washington Carver National Historic Site preserves the birthplace and childhood home of the renowned agricultural scientist and educator. Visitors can explore the 240-acre park which includes a museum, interactive exhibits, and walking trails through the natural landscape that inspired Carver. The site honors his legacy as an innovator who transformed American agriculture and advocated for sustainable farming practices.
9. Harry S Truman National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL HOME PRESERVED
The Harry S Truman National Historic Site includes the former president's longtime home, where he lived before and after his presidency. Visitors can tour the modest Victorian house maintained as it was during Truman's final years, with original furnishings and personal items. The site offers insight into the private life of the 33rd President who led America into the post-World War II era.
10. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
FINE ART COLLECTION
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art houses an encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years of human creativity from around the world. The museum is particularly known for its extensive Asian art collection, European paintings, and the outdoor Sculpture Park featuring giant Shuttlecocks by Claes Oldenburg. Free admission makes this cultural treasure accessible to all visitors wanting to experience masterpieces from ancient to contemporary art.
11. Alley Mill
HISTORIC WATER-POWERED MILL
Alley Mill is a historic red gristmill built in 1894 that once served as the heart of the community of Alley Spring. The mill stands beside a turquoise-blue spring that pumps millions of gallons of water daily into the Jacks Fork River. Visitors can tour the restored mill to learn about early 20th century technology and rural life in the Ozarks.
12. Butterfield Overland Trail
HISTORIC MAIL ROUTE
The Butterfield Overland Trail was established in 1857 as a mail and passenger route connecting the eastern United States to California. Stagecoaches traveled twice weekly across the southern rim of the country carrying mail, passengers, and freight. Visitors can explore various historic sites and markers along the route that tell the story of this important transportation link in American westward expansion.
13. Forest Park
URBAN PARK WONDERLAND
Forest Park is a 1,300-acre urban oasis that hosted the 1904 World's Fair and remains one of the largest city parks in the United States. The park contains many of St. Louis' major cultural institutions including the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, and Science Center. Visitors can enjoy boating on the park's lakes, golfing, tennis, or simply strolling through beautiful landscapes that include forests, meadows, and formal gardens.
14. City Museum
PLAYGROUND OF RECYCLED ART
City Museum is an eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of repurposed industrial objects. Created by artist Bob Cassilly, the museum occupies a 10-story former shoe factory and features caves, slides, climbing structures, and a rooftop Ferris wheel. Visitors of all ages can explore the ever-changing landscape of tunnels, bridges, and artistic creations constructed from salvaged materials.
15. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN CITY
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the central section of the largest pre-Columbian Native American city north of Mexico. At its peak around 1200 CE, Cahokia was larger than London was at that time, with an estimated population of 10,000-20,000 people. Visitors can climb Monks Mound (the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas), explore the interpretive center, and learn about the sophisticated Mississippian culture that thrived here.