I could never be a city girl.
What!? The adventure enthusiast who writes a blog about things to explore could never be a city girl? But this blog focuses around things to do in St. Louis...a city? The city is where all of the action is at, right?
I love the city. I really do - for the bustle and vibe of it, the excitement of knowing there is so much to offer all within the same area. I used to want to be a city girl, growing up in a small farm town suburb that seemed too bland on the weekends. However, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize I’d miss the nature around me too much.
I’ve lived in the same house all my life. I’ve never had to go without the woods in my backyard, ample green grass on either side of my house, a hill to watch an unobstructed view of the sunset from, and a lake a few streets over. When I need my space, I know I can go to any of those places. I truly unwind when I’m connected with Mother Nature - being my bare feet in the grass, appreciating a beautiful sunset from the top of the bluffs, or feeling “off the grid” deep within the woods.
When you’ve living in the city, you don’t have the opportunity to “get away from it all” within a few steps from your front door. You’d still be standing on concrete instead of grass or the sticks and leaves of the woods. The city is compact. Nature is expansive, providing the opportunity for a release when life has made you feel all bottled up.
Okay, enough of me being dramatic. Where can we go in St. Louis to get a taste of connecting with Mother Nature to de-stress? Here are some of my picks!
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is 79 acres of flowers, trees, statues, and more, located in the Shaw neighborhood in downtown St. Louis. It is open year-round to the public to explore - granted it may be most admirable in the spring and summer when the plants are blooming. Work your way through appreciating various groupings of themed gardens/atriums, and even find your way out of a hedge maze! The Botanical Garden also hosts monthly special shows and festivals, such as a Japanese Festival with music, art, food, dance, and entertainment, or the Garden Glow around the holidays when the garden is strung with lights. Be sure to visit the Botanical Gardens website to see when these events are occurring.
The Butterfly House
The name is self-explanatory! An affiliate of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, The Butterfly House is a large atrium housing a butterfly garden. It’s an entire ecosystem for butterflies to grow and reside in - that you are welcome to visit, granted you don’t touch the wings of the residents, or disturb them in any manner. If you hold still, they will typically come to you! As butterflies prefer a warmer climate, the atrium is typically kept at about 80 degrees, so dress in layers and prepare for some warmth! In an exhibition before entering the atrium, you can see various other creatures such as tarantulas, beetles, large ants, and more. The Butterfly House is open from Wednesday - Sunday year round, with St. Louis city and county residents getting free entry on Tuesdays from 10am-noon.
World Bird Sanctuary
The World Bird Sanctuary is located about 15 minutes just outside the St. Louis area, just past the Route 141 and Interstate 44 intersection in Valley Park. The sanctuary is a rehabilitation and living center for injured birds, snakes, bats, rabbits, owls, and more. Guests are welcome to visit the avian centers to see the animals up close, and to stay for demonstrations or shows when it is warm out. The shows are different each day, so visitors are always seeing something different! Many guests choose to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while sitting in the presence of the surrounding nature. Various hiking or horseback riding trails stem from or through the sanctuary, which guests are encouraged to enjoy. And don’t forget to stop by the Raptique gift shop before leaving for some nature-themed apparel or souvenirs.
Hopefully the rain takes a break to allow for an opportunity to go check out the outdoor places listed, but be sure to keep these spots in mind until then. Don’t forget to follow the socials, @livininthelou1 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and let me know below if you have any ideas for a blog topic or place you’d like highlighted!
Until then, keep exploring!
~Mary
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