With climbing gas prices and even tighter budgets, many money concious families are looking for fun family getaways closer to them.  With a little help from the interent, and word of mouth from family and friends you can uncover spectacular nuggets of information to get you started on your journey.

[tb_google_map]Within the Midwest lies a wonderful family destination, snuggly located between the border of Illinois and Missouri, along the great Missouri River.  The St. Louis area and the mighty river has been the epicenter for many adventures from Lewis and Clark, the adventerous Mark Twain’s beloved characters, to becoming the locale for some classic movies and musicals.  Besides being a place that is rich in history and culture, it is also a great family destination that includes many inexpensive activities the whole family can enjoy.  Listed are the top 10 places and attractions the whole family can enjoy when visiting:

1. The City Museum - 701 North 15th Street Saint Louis, MO 63103 (314) 231-2489Located in downtown St. Louis, MO this family friendly attraction boasts historic architectural pieces, play areas for all ages and exhibits to energize, excite and invoke thought.  This local attraction invites the young and old to climb through tunnels, enjoy amazing artwork, interact with wildlife, and showcase a unique spellbinding place to escape.  Make sure you allocate plenty of time to this activity to ensure you don’t miss anything.  There are so many nooks and crannies within the building and outside of the building, that you may miss something if you are in a hurry.  The attraction is one of the few in the area which requires admission to get in, but it is worth every penny.
2. St. Louis Zoo – One Government Drive St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 781-0900The grounds of the zoo is reminiscent of the grounds of an old family estate back when carriage rides and slow walks were one of the daily activities to pass the time.  This local attraction is free to the public.  There are exhibits that require a charge for admittance, but so much of the zoos exhibits are free to the public that you can see quite a lot more than some of the zoos in other states where you have to pay to get in to see their animals.  The zoo is located within the grounds of Forrest Park.  The best times to see the animals at their most active would be in the morning or during feeding times, but they are still present throughout the day.  Be sure to see the penguin exhibit.  It is a careful display that allows many guests to get a more up close and personal view of these colorful and playful animals.
3. St. Louis Museum of Art – One Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1380 ( 314) 721-0072One of the cultural attractions located in the heart of Forrest Park, this museum displays some of the creative art from across the world.  This attraction rich in culture is not reserved for the lover of art, but it gives visitors insight into the life during the times the painter was capturing in his work.  There is no admission required to view the main galleries.  Although there are exhibits that require an admittance charge to view, on Fridays these exhibits are free to view for the public.
4. St. Louis Science Center – 5050 Oakland Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 289-4400This interactive museum is centrally located near Forrest Park.  Admission is free, although the IMAX and other special exhibits require admission.  The center piece of the Science Center is a giant maze.  Visitors are mesmerized as colorful spherical balls wind their way through twists and turns.  Interactive features allows both young and old to tyr out their abilities and learn new things in the field of science.  You can also watch as larger than life spools of film feed into the IMAX theater.  Innovative exhibits enthrall participants, and the walkway over the interstate give children and adults a different perspective of the roadway.  You can even see the speed of traffic as they drive along the interstate.
5. Forrest Park – 5595 Grand Dr. St. Louis, Mo. 63112 (314) 367-7275This park located in near the heart of St. Louis is made up of 1,293 beautifully landscaped acres, and was originally opened to the public in 1876.  It is one of the largest urban parks in the United States and 500 acres bigger than Central Park in New York City.  The grounds were the sight of the World Fair in 1904.  It attracts more than 12 million visitors a year, and gives the city a cultural soul unique to this midwest city.  The park also gives its residents and visitors a place to enjoy the outdoors with trails for running or biking, golf course, boating, and fishing opportunities.  Also within the ground you will find the Zoo, History Museum, Art Museum, The Muny Opera House, and other attractions that will invite you in to take part in this truly unique St Louis adventure.  Since its inception on June 24, 1876 the park has been a central location to enjoy what this spectacular city and midwest charm has to offer.
6. St. Charles, Missouri – 230 South Main Street St. Charles, MO 63301St. Charles is the oldest city on the Missouri River established in 1769.  It was an important trading center for countless pioneers, and has become well known as the location where Lewis & Clark began their expedition of the west.  Today this quaint town holds on to much of its rich historic heritage, and welcomes all visitors to see what makes this quaint community the epicenter of the westward movement.
7. The Loop – Delmar (314) 727-8000This area located near Washington University owes its nickname to a streetcar turnaround. Nearby neighborhoods boasts tree-lined streets showcasing stately homes the bring visitors back to a time when life seemed more Norman Rockwell. But the eclectic feel for local shops and restaurants bring in a more cultured vibe to the neighborhood.
8. Missouri History Museum -  5700 Lindell, St. Louis MO, 63112 (314) 746-4599Admission to the museum is free, special exhibits require admission. Learn about the Spirit of St. Louis. Discover the 1904 World’s Fair, and delve into the travels of Lewis and Clark. Learn about what made St. Louis special.
9. Gateway Arch – 100 Washington Avenue St. Louis, MO 63102 (877) 982-1410
   The Gateway Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States and a popular tourist attraction of the Midwest. Approximately 1 million visitors come to take in the breathtaking views of the arch. It is an historical structure that is a must see on your next visit to Missouri.
10. St. Louis Cardinals – 700 Clark Street Saint Louis, MO 63102-1727 (314) 345-9000
    In 2006 the St. Louis Cardinals opened their state-of-the-art 46,000 seat stadium. Although it boasts the latest in spectator technology, the design itself was meant to bring back the nostalgia of a downtown ballpark. Catching a game is a great experience for the entire family. The club does have days in which admission prices are discounted. Look for these specials online.