Getting to the Zoo

I%26#39;ve been planning a trip to the St Louis Zoo for a few weeks now. We live in Springfield IL and we%26#39;ve been to the Zoo before without too many hassles. We drove there today and first we got lost. Then when we finally found where we needed to go, an hour later, we couldn%26#39;t find a place a park. We wasted another half an hour driving around and finally went to a fast food restaurant for lunch. We had intended to picnic outside the Zoo, but as we couldn%26#39;t find a place a park that was out, too. Then we drove back home without every seeing the Zoo. We were all pretty disappointed.

I realize getting lost happens and the lack of parking wasn%26#39;t really anything to blame on the Zoo, but is there any easier way? I%26#39;d like to plan another trip but don%26#39;t waste another day driving around.

Sandy from Springfield

Getting to the Zoo

Where did you try to park (i.e. street or pay lots)? There%26#39;s a large free lot outside the Forest Park Visitor%26#39;s Center about 1/2 mile northeast of the zoo that usually has space. In addition there are numerous street spaces in the same area. With construction on the south side and warm sunny weather coming, it may be difficult to find a closeby free parking place unless you arrive early. The other option is to pay the $11 to park in one of the large zoo lots. Were those full too?

Getting to the Zoo

The traffic around the Zoo was pretty much bumper to bumper. We couldn%26#39;t find any on street parking and the one lot closer to the zoo was full as well. Is this common in this area? It%26#39;s probably been five years or more since we visited. I%26#39;d rather not have to walk 1/2 mile or more. I have four kids. I was also wondering if there was some sort of shuttle service where we could park elsewhere and not have to hassle with trying to find a parking place.

If you have the flexibility to visit on a weekday, I suggest changing your visit schedule day, or waiting until warm nice weather is the rule rather than the exception.

Forest Park and the Zoo are so beautiful and such favorite destinations of the locals that trying to visit on one of the first warm Saturdays of the spring is almost certain to result in what you experienced.

They usually have a shuttle in the summer months called the ';Forest Park Circulator';. Until then, an alternative would be the Metro #90 bus, which runs through the park from the History Museum to the Zoo and Art Museum.

Thanks for the tips. We%26#39;re thinking about trying again sometime at the end of May or beginning of June. We might even try during the week.

I%26#39;ll be sure to keep those ideas in mind.

lip blush