A day of exploring St. Louis at its "Fab N' Free" spots.

*“Fab N' Free”: An acronym for “Fabulously FREE stuff,” meaning lots of great things that are free.

It's often argued that St. Louis has so many "Fab N' Free" attractions because its residents pay more taxes than others, so they deserve more benefits. However, ultimately, if something is given away for free, it will be repaid in kind. For example, the zoo offers free admission, but you'll have to pay $15-20 for parking. Or a bottle of water costs $3, while a supermarket sells it for a sixth of that price. Nevertheless, those with minimal needs, like my family, simply take the bus, pack a lunch, and enjoy the free amenities before returning home. No one complains or discriminates.

A giant, free zoo in the heart of the city.

Located on Government Drive, the St. Louis Zoo sits on nearly 37 hectares of land within Forest Park, once voted the most beautiful city park in America by the renowned USA Today newspaper. The St. Louis Zoo is also voted the most popular free tourist attraction in the United States, boasting over 15,000 different exotic animals from more than 600 species.

Just visiting the six themed areas, each marked with a different color, takes up almost an entire day of walking. Therefore, it's also a chance for everyone to get some free exercise in the cool shade of trees, surrounded by chirping birds and the howling and growling of animals never before seen in textbooks or wildlife programs.

Rated 4.7/5 stars from over 62,000 votes on Google, Tripadvisor, and Facebook, it's easy to understand why tourists choose this place as their first stop. Therefore, I had to arrive at 8 am to find a free parking spot near the entrance (because parking in the lot costs $15/day and there are no available spaces). Also, some of the ticketed rides inside offer free entry for everyone from 8 am to 9 am. Remember to bring a large water bottle because even a small bottle of water costs $3.50.

The museum is also free!

Museums located around this area offer free admission, catering to everyone's sightseeing needs. From the Saint Louis Art Museum, perfect for art lovers and those who appreciate painting and sculpture with many world-famous works, to the Missouri History Museum, which houses artifacts from the state's early history. Those passionate about motorcycles, from classic to modern, can explore the Motor Museum located on Olive Street.

Also located within the nearby park grounds, the Saint Louis Science Center offers over 700 free science experiment kits for all ages, especially children. And don't forget to visit the one-of-a-kind "Grow" exhibit, which explores the journey of our food. Similarly, parking fees of $10-$15 per day apply to these attractions. Therefore, to save money, consider purchasing bus and trolley tickets to travel between the sites.

The city of lush green parks

The park system spread throughout St. Louis offers a great option for a day out, whether starting early in the morning or ending in the evening. The 1.4-mile Laumeier Sculpture Park allows visitors to breathe fresh air while admiring over 80 contemporary sculptures displayed outdoors.

Within Lone Elk Park grounds is the World Bird Sanctuary, where visitors can clearly see falcons, eagles, hawks, owls, and many other birds of prey. For younger children who want to cool off outdoors, the city park, "City Garden," offers opportunities to play with water jets erupting from underground and run around illuminated by colorful lights. Meanwhile, older adults can sit on benches by the lake and watch the nightly water and fire show from 7 PM to 11 PM at Union Station, America's largest train station located on Market Street.

Visit a farm in the modern city.

If you're still craving to see more animals after leaving the zoo, head to Grant's Farm, built in 1955, to see hundreds of wildlife species and get a close look at Clydesdales, the largest and most majestic horse breed in the world, used as the face of the famous American beer brand Budweiser. A free tram will take you to the center of the 88-hectare park to begin your exploration. You can choose from free elephant shows at 11:15 AM, 12:45 PM, or 2:15 PM. There are five other shows throughout the day featuring animal trainers with other animals. If you're willing to spend a little extra, you can buy feed for camels, zebras, parakeets, or a bottle of milk for goats for 50 cents to $2.

About a 30-minute drive from the city center is Purina Farm, where children can learn about the lives of animals. They have the opportunity to milk cows, ride wagons, and feed the animals. At the dog show arena, you can enjoy watching professional dogs demonstrate their amazing skills.

Amazed by the ancient architecture.

St. Louis Cathedral Basilica is a Roman Catholic cathedral that has stood for over a century. It captivates international visitors with its exquisite carvings on every wall and ceiling. Located on Lindell Avenue, next to St. Louis Cathedral is the Forest amusement park. Its prime location attracts millions of visitors to St. Louis each year. Therefore, you should be the next million-and-one visitor!

The Old Courthouse is a massive domed building constructed in the mid-1800s, and is an extension of Jefferson Memorial Park. It houses historical artifacts and serves as the starting point for visitors to ascend to the towering, arched gateway to the city. Of course, a cable car ride to the top of the arch costs $13 for adults and $10 for children. Standing beneath this Guinness World Record-breaking structure, the tallest stainless steel architectural work in the world at nearly 200 meters, you can gaze out at the picturesque Mississippi River that divides Illinois and Missouri into two distant regions.

The free-of-charge atmosphere of this city helped me feel more relaxed before returning to my daily routine. Of course, I'll have to save up more so that next time I can come back and explore the "cost-based" places here! But for this time, thank you so much, St. Louis!

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Additional information:

+Transportation:Some roads are under repair and the Gateway of Arch is being renovated, so visitors should not rely solely on GPS but should always check traffic updates online and from information provided by the city.

Note:Always have enough change or coins to pay for parking, as some automated parking systems won't give you change.

+Information:Find out more information about free tourist attractions at:https://explorestlouis.com/The city map can be downloaded from this link:https://explorestlouis.com/travel-tools/maps/

+Tour Coupon:At hotels, bus stations, and train stations, there are display shelves offering tourist information with many free coupons for tickets to attractions for visitors.

+ Means of transport:Trolley rides around the city center and around Forest Park cost $2 per adult, and $1 per child and senior citizen. Tickets are valid for the whole day, from 8 a.m. to midnight.

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Phan Quoc Vinh, 38 years old

Online travel operator, currently residing in Texas, USA.

He came to the United States with his family in 2011 and has traveled through many states. With a passion for backpacking since childhood, he has explored many places here with the motto "delicious, nutritious, affordable, and free" as his top priority! The article about St. Louis is one such interesting experience from his travels.

Text and photos: Phan Vinh

The Thanh