I live for the summer. Honestly, in the midwest, the summer is the best. Yes, it can definitely be hot and humid, but our nights are great. As long as you can embrace the mild sweat and discover a newfound love for mosquito repellant, you can get outside and mingle with some of the nicest people around.
I love to be outside in our community, meet new folks, play in the water and eat some good food. All of this can come with a cost. Thankfully, we live right near St. Louis which has some of the best free and cheap things to do all summer long. I wanted to share them with you 5 things to do in St. Louis this summer for $10 or less so that you can have the coolest and most cost-effective summer as well! Enjoy!
Jungle Boogie Concert Series
So we have a free zoo. Which is awesome. But I feel like everybody knows about this. Truthfully, we do not get to the zoo enough; however, what is a better excuse to check out the animals in the evening than the Jungle Boogie Concert Series?! The animals are more active in the evenings because of the escape from the heat and the music is an added plus. The Jungle Boogie Concert Series showcases bands to Schnuck Family Plaza, located at the center of the St. Louis Zoo, to perform pretty much every Friday this summer. This year's highlights include bluegrass act the Mighty Pines, jazz swingers Miss Jubilee, Beatles cover act Ticket to the Beatles and plenty more. It starts around 5 p.m. Fridays, May 25 to September 31, and definitely a great way to see the zoo differently.
Art Hill Film Series
The Art Hill Film Series started when we actually lived in the city. It is the coolest thing since sliced bread as you gather up your lawn chair and plop it smack dab in the middle of Art Hill in Forest Park. We always grabbed easy to-go food from the supermarket and a six pack when we were young and kid-less. This year's Art Hill Film Series includes Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hidden Figures, Dr. No, and The Never-ending Story. Food trucks and concession stands are set up at the top of the hill and ready for serving you dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m.. There are also local bands that will play while you eat prior to the show. Admission to all four films is free and honestly, you can't do a Friday night better than a dinner and show!
Whitaker Music Festival
Another reason that I sometimes miss living in the heartbeat of the city is the convenience of the Whitaker Music Festival. Located in the middle of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, Wednesday nights are devote to to free evening concerts under the stars every summer. We use to bring our own picnic supper, baskets or coolers filled with picnic fare, beer, wine, soda and whatever else our hearts desired!
Citygarden
Now that we have two littles around, I believe I would love the downtown Citygarden even more than before. From free yoga session, summertime lunch concerts, splash pad, walking art tour, and so much more, this hidden gem is dead center of the city and commonly overlooked. We used to live blocks away from this place and would walk down through the gardens after a morning run. I cannot wait to take Ollie down there to play in the water pads and pools and it is all free!
Tower Grove Park Food Truck Nights
Hosted by one of St. Louis's best food magazine's, Sauce Magazine, this is the premier food truck event series of the summer. Yes, there are plenty others around town as St. Louis really loves food, outdoors, and trucks? Ha. But in all honesty, if you are going to go to one, this is the one you want to hit up. There is live music, plenty of space to sit (not as much to park though), over 20 trucks each night. Hosted once a month, all summer long, this is an amazing event to check out!
Other cool places worth noting: St. Louis Science Center, Grant's Farm, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Arch, Fair St. Louis, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Central Public Library, City Museum, The Magic House, Laumeier Sculpture Park...
What else am I forgetting? Geez. I just love St. Louis.
