Attractions and places to see around Bellerive include a large urban park system featuring extensive natural landscapes and cultural institutions. This region offers a variety of recreational activities, from exploring forests and lakes to visiting zoos and museums. There are 6 hidden gems waiting to be explored and visited.
Last updated: June 25, 2026
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World Chess Hall Of Fame, Saint Louis, United States 🇺🇸 38.643906, -90.26058 The World Chess Hall of Fame is a premier cultural institution located in the vibrant Central West End neighborhood of Saint Louis. This museum is dedicated to celebrating the history and impact of chess through its diverse range of exhibits, which showcase everything from rare chess sets to significant artifacts from historical matches. Visitors are often greeted by the world’s largest chess piece, a massive king standing outside the entrance, which serves as a perfect photo opportunity for enthusiasts and tourists alike. Inside the museum, the displays are thoughtfully curated to appeal to both seasoned grandmasters and casual observers. The institution regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that explore the intersection of chess with art, culture, and history, ensuring that there is always something new to discover. Beyond its role as a museum, it serves as a focal point for the global chess community, often coordinating with the nearby Saint Louis Chess Club to host major international tournaments and educational programs. Exploring the surrounding Central West End offers a delightful experience with its walkable streets lined with upscale boutiques, charming cafes, and historic architecture. For those visiting the Hall of Fame, it is highly recommended to allocate time for a stroll through Forest Park, which is just a short walk away and houses several of the city's other major cultural attractions. To make the most of a visit, checking the museum's event calendar in advance is wise, as you might find a gallery talk or a live competition happening during your stay. Faheem Hunarwar Photo Credit: Seth Hardmeyer
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Forest Park is a huge recreational park in the heart of St. Louis. The park is perfect for relaxing, biking, golfing, and exploring the various cultural offerings at the Museum of History, St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, or Planetarium. It's also easily accessible by metro.
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The bike lanes here are wonderful. The connectors could be improved though!
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Forest Park in St. Louis is a sprawling urban park spanning 1,371 acres, making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It offers a wide range of attractions, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Zoo, and the Missouri History Museum.
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Forest Park, with 1,326 acres, is considered one of the premier urban public parks in the US. It features beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, and lakes and streams. It als contains cultural institutions including the St Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Science Center, and Muny Opera.
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In addition to sports, the huge park also offers cultural highlights such as museums, the St. Louis Zoo and bars and cafes. There is the possibility to sit and enjoy the weather and the silence, or you can try pedal boats, canoes or stand-up paddling. The north end is home to the Missouri National Museum and the south-west end is home to the Missouri Art Museum. In summer there are various festivals such as the St. Louis Blues Festival or the African Art festival. An oasis in the heart of industrial St. Louis.
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The St. Louis Zoo is free to enter and offers nature lovers and zoo lovers a zoo park with animals from all over the world. From big cats and elephants to monkeys and reptiles, there is a lot to discover and absolutely free. There are paid events such as Ray-Cove where you can feed and pet rays for a fee, food is also relatively expensive, but those who are interested in nature and biodiversity can enjoy it for free. Also highly recommended for families with children, although it can get crowded on weekends.
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Friedrich Jahn, a German-Prussian gymnastics educator, founded the Turnverein, an international gymnastic and social society, in Germany in 1811. The monument was installed by the St Louis German community in 1913 which had over 150 German cultural societies including 12 gymnastics clubs.
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The Bellerive area, particularly within Forest Park, offers extensive natural landscapes including forests, diverse ecosystems, and nature reserves. You can also enjoy several lakes, such as Post-Dispatch Lake and Jefferson Lake, which provide opportunities for relaxation, fishing, and water activities like pedal boating or stand-up paddling.
Yes, the area is very family-friendly. Forest Park itself is a vast playground with plenty of space for children to explore. A major highlight is the Saint Louis Zoo, which offers free entry and a chance to see animals from all over the world. The lakes within Forest Park also provide family activities like pedal boating.
Beyond the diverse animal exhibits at the Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park's natural areas, including its forests and lakes, are home to various local wildlife. You might spot different bird species, small mammals, and aquatic life in and around the lakes.
Yes, you can visit the Friedrich Ludwig Jahn Memorial. This monument, installed by the St. Louis German community in 1913, honors Friedrich Jahn, a German-Prussian gymnastics educator who founded the Turnverein, an international gymnastic and social society.
The area around Bellerive offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can enjoy easy hikes, running, and cycling. For detailed routes, explore guides like Easy hikes around Bellerive, Running Trails around Bellerive, and Cycling around Bellerive.
Absolutely. Forest Park features numerous paths perfect for easy walks. Popular options include the Emerson Grand Basin Loop, McDonnell Trail, and Kennedy Forest Loop. You can find more details and routes in the Easy hikes around Bellerive guide.
Visitors frequently praise the expansive and well-maintained Forest Park, highlighting its beautiful landscapes, diverse cultural institutions, and recreational opportunities. The free entry to the Saint Louis Zoo is also a major draw, as is the opportunity to relax by lakes like Post-Dispatch Lake.
Yes, cycling is a popular activity. Forest Park has wonderful bike lanes and trails suitable for various skill levels. You can find routes like the Wheels Path – Forest Park loop. For more cycling options, check out the Cycling around Bellerive guide.
Definitely. Forest Park offers excellent running trails, including loops of varying distances and difficulties. Routes like the Forest Park running loop and the Saint Vincent Greenway are popular choices. Discover more running trails in the Running Trails around Bellerive guide.
Yes, major attractions like Forest Park and its institutions generally offer parking facilities. For instance, Post-Dispatch Lake within Forest Park has parking available, making it convenient for visitors.
Within Forest Park, you'll find several scenic viewpoints, particularly around the lakes like Post-Dispatch Lake and Jefferson Lake. These spots offer picturesque views of the water and surrounding natural settings, perfect for enjoying the tranquility or taking photos.
Yes, fishing is permitted in some lakes, such as Jefferson Lake in Forest Park, provided you have a valid MO fishing license. The lake is stocked with various fish species including bass, catfish, crappie, and carp.


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