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Your readers should call 1-800-916-0040 (USA and Canada) or 1-314-421-1023 for a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitors Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis online at www.explorestlouis.com
St. Louis Outdoor Recreation
You know St. Louis is America's Best Sports City, but did you know it's also turning into America's Best Biking City?
Bike St. Louis, a new 20-mile on-street bicycle route, connects Forest Park to the Gateway Arch and gives riders access to other regional bike trails. The marked route also winds through the historic neighborhoods of Soulard, Lafayette Square and Tower Grove, allowing visitors to explore some of St. Louis' favorite parks, neighborhoods and cultural attractions at their own pace by bike. For more information and a route map, visit www.bikestlouis.org.
Hikers and bikers will find happy trails on the Confluence Greenway, a 200-mile riverside park network of biking and hiking trails. You can travel along the Riverfront Trail, a 12-mile paved recreational greenway that begins in Laclede's Landing just north of the Gateway Arch and parallels the Mississippi River. At the north end of the trail, the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge-one of the world's longest pedestrian and biking bridges and a Route 66 landmark-offers breathtaking views of the river during all seasons and is a perfect place to spot bald eagles during late winter. Just a short drive north of the bridge, you can hike to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area at the unspoiled confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park also is open at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.
On the Illinois side of the Chain of Rocks Bridge, bikers can connect with the Confluence Bikeway, a 16-mile trail that passes the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site at Camp River Dubois, the Great Rivers Museum at the Alton Locks and Dam and continues along the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway through Alton and Grafton to Pere Marquette State Park. Grant's Trail in South St. Louis County takes outdoor adventurers on a path which leads to the Grant's Farm wildlife preserve and White Haven, President Ulysses S. Grant's home.
Active visitors will enjoy new bike tours of Forest Park. The guided, narrated and leisurely paced rides help visitors explore the historic, architectural and cultural significance of the park. Beautiful Forest Park-opened in 1876, site of the 1904 World's Fair and now home to many of St. Louis' favorite attractions-has been restored to its former glory after a $90 million facelift. The park offers two 7.5-mile paths-a soft-surface for walkers and runners and a hard-surface for speedier bikers and skaters. An ice skating rink is open in the colder months along with handball and tennis courts and stocked lakes for fishing. You can even float the park's tranquil waterways in a rowboat or pedal boat rented from the Forest Park Boathouse.
A paved and tree-lined 1.7-mile walking/jogging route through the Gateway Arch grounds will give you a fabulous view of the nation's tallest monument during your morning workout. With 175 parks in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, you're never far from a green space to call your own.
Is golf your game? Public courses in St. Louis have a tee time just for you. Beautiful courses-many designed by the country's top players and course architects-are located in St. Louis' most scenic settings. With rolling and wooded terrain, bentgrass greens, links-style courses and award-winning designs, you're sure to find a course that suits you to a tee.
Serious hikers can take a walk in the woods and learn about the life cycle of trees at the 112-acre Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Located only 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis off fabled Route 66, Powder Valley offers three trails of differing lengths and topography providing a perfect path for trailblazers of every skill level. Folks can also get their kicks on the seven miles of hiking, bicycling and horseback riding trails at Route 66 State Park or wander among the native Missouri plants at the Shaw Nature Reserve.
Take a walk on the wild side in the natural surroundings of two of St. Louis' top animal attractions-the Wild Canid Survival and Research Center (also known as the Wolf Sanctuary) and the World Bird Sanctuary. The breeding farm for rare and endangered wolves was founded by noted naturalist Dr. Marlin Perkins. Reservations are required for tours that include a film, a discussion about this animal's role in the environment and a walk through the woods to view the wolves in a natural, enclosed setting. The Bird Sanctuary, which offers many special events throughout the year, works to rehabilitate birds of prey that have been injured or endangered and to educate the public about their amazing winged residents.
The scenic 185-mile KATY Trail- the nation's longest rails-to-trails project-begins in nearby St. Charles, Missouri just 30 minutes west of downtown St. Louis. The trail is perfect for bikers or hikers of all ages and abilities. Named for the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad line-and nicknamed Katy-the flat path is made of crushed limestone gravel. Bicycle rental services are located at trailheads along the route of the 8-foot-wide, wheelchair-accessible trail, which passes wineries, shops and great scenery along the Missouri River valley.
Less than an hour south of St. Louis, divers can explore the Bonne Terre Mine year round. Dives in the massive mine attract scuba enthusiasts from around the world. At the Sayersbrook Bison Ranch, visitors can reserve a group or family tour to learn more about America's most majestic native animal. In downtown St. Louis, climbers can test their skills at the Upper Limits indoor rock climbing gym.
MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.
