Jefferson National Expansion Memorial - Arch and Museum

  This thing is huge! Even though the tram ride to the top is not accessible just viewing it from the outside is pretty awesome. A museum and a couple of theaters are located underground at the base of the monument.

  The site has some other accessibility problems. The parking is in a garage (7’ max height) at the north end of the park, a good distance from the museum. A drop off point is located at the Old Cathedral. A long, down sloping ramp accesses the museum. A heavy door is located in the middle –not a problem when entering because it’s also the security check point so someone is always there to open it but on the way out, uphill without a landing, it’s difficult to open the door.

  Parking for RVs is located at the riverfront, south and north of the arch, well marked with large signs. There are several long flights of steps up the hill to the Arch or you can take the sidewalks along the roads at either end of the riverfront . The south end road may be less steep. Arch
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Jewel Box Greenhouse

       
  The art deco architecture makes the Jewel Box unique and worth a visit especially since it’s been completely renovated but the gardens and flowers of the landscaping outside are much nicer than the inside. The interior has been intentionally left bare except around the walls so that the building can be rented for parties and wedding receptions. It’s just a dollar to see the interior but even for that small sum I’d stick with the outside.

  Everything is accessible.

  RVs can be parked along McKinley Drive. Jewel Box
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Saint Louis Zoo

  This is nice zoo but it’s also really busy so a little patience is necessary. Maybe its because it’s free or maybe because of summer vacations but expect to wait in line to get close enough to see some of the most popular animals.

  The view of the animals from a wheelchair is excellent – the best I’ve encountered. Fencing is low enough to see over. If extra protection is needed, wire mesh is used rather than slats of wood. The pathways are wide and smooth but the park is a little hilly so most wheelchair users will need some help to see the entire zoo. The zoo railway is accessible.

  There are two zoo parking lots. RVs may park in the south lot only. While admission to the zoo is free, the parking is kind of expensive and fills fast. Free parking is available along the streets but it could be quite a distant from the zoo entrance. Parking is also available at the lot behind the Forest Park visitor center. The trolley stops at the zoo. Zoo
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Saint Louis Art Museum

 
  St. Louis hosted the World’s Fair in 1904 and the Palace of Fine Arts, now the Art Museum, was the only building designed to be a permanent structure. The museum has a wide range of artwork including mummies; medieval weaponry; American and Europe paintings; Asian art; and furniture and decorative arts. The collections are a little jumbled up right now because of construction on a new addition.

  Everything is accessible. A small elevator, operated by museum personnel, accesses the medieval armor and weapons. Hold the bell down for a few seconds if nobody shows up after a reasonable period of waiting.

  Parking is very limited. The two small lots fill quickly and are not large enough for RVs. Parking is available along the street in front of the museum but it’s a long push up the hill. Parking in the lot behind the visitor center and taking the tram might be the best option. Museum
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Missouri Botanical Garden

  The Missouri Botanical Garden was founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw, a wealthy businessman, as a public garden and a botanical research center. There are three conservatories and more than two dozen different types of gardens. We were fortunate to be visiting during a special exhibition of Chinese lanterns. Large three dimensional figures and scenes have been created using thin metal rods, silk, and glue.

  Most of the garden paths are wide and smooth, very accessible. There are a few sections with gravel, mulch, and steps. One of the conservatories can only be viewed completely by using both entrances because of steps between the levels. The Shaw house has steps and no ramp. The tram tour is accessible.

  The parking lot has handicapped spaces that are long enough for RVs. There’s also an overflow lot a block east where RVs can be parked. Garden
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Missouri History Museum

  The museum focuses on St. Louis history, from it’s founding as a French city and gateway to the west, through years of growth, decay, discrimination, and urban renewal. The main galleries of the museum are free but there are also changing exhibits that have an admission fee.

   Everything is accessible.

  Parking for cars and vans is available on either side of the museum. RVs can be parked in the lot on Grand Drive behind the visitor center. Museum
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Forest Park

  Forest Garden is a wonderful city park about five miles west of the Arch. It’s the home of the zoo, art museum, and history museum which are all free. Miles of sidewalks, bike, and walking trails wander through the grounds past lakes and lagoons all nicely landscaped. Almost every type of recreation is represented including golf and winter ice skating.

  The sidewalks, curb cut,s and trails are in very good condition. An accessible trolley makes a continuous loop around the park.

  The best place to park a large vehicle is in the lot on the south side of Grand Drive, behind the visitor center. Park
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Hollywood Casino St. Louis

  RV PARKING IS NO LONGER ALLOWED. This is a good place to stop overnight on the outskirts of St Louis. The RV lot, which is shared with trucks, is very large but expect some noise from truck engines left running all night.

  The lot is a good distance from the casino. Head through the valet parking lot to get to the elevator or escalator to the casino level. The casino has smoking and nonsmoking sections. The machines are divided between older ones with hard to reach card and money slots and newer ones with slots located lower. The chairs are easy to move. Casino
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Laumeier Sculpture Park

  The whole time that we were in this park we felt like we were being watched….All of the other sculptures are abstract–so glad! ;- )  This is a really nice park with large sculptures scattered around the grounds. There’s also a museum but it’s been closed for renovations. It’s due to open soon.

  About half of the trails are paved. It’s a little hilly so wheelchair users may need to have some help. We didn’t attempt the unpaved trails which are in the woods and looked pretty steep so we missed seeing some of the sculptures.

  The parking lots are large enough for RVs. There are lots at opposite ends of the park so many of the sculptures may be seen without a long walk.  Park
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Mastodon State Historic Site

       
  Mastodon bones were discovered at this site in the early 1800s. In 1979 a Clovis spear point was found along with more bones, the first solid evidence that people and mastodons lived in close proximity to each other. The park has a small museum with a short movie. There are several trails including one that leads to the excavation site which has been closed to protect the bones.

 The museum is accessible but the sidewalk to the entrance has a good downhill slope. The museum floor also slopes downhill to a door that exits to the excavation trail. The trail is not accessible. The Spring Branch Trail  located in the picnic area is accessible- level and surfaced with crushed stone.

  The parking lots at both the museum and picnic area are large enough for RVs parked lengthwise across the spaces. Park
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