Northeast

This park, with its panoramic view of Hannibal and the Mississippi River, is reached by 244 stairs which begin at the north end of Main Street. At the bottom stands the bronze statue, sculpted in 1925, of Twain’s most memorable and mischievous characters, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn walking along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

Faust County Park is located on a tract of land that once belonged to the second governor of Missouri, Frederick Bates. In 1818, he built a home on the property and named his estate Thornhill; that home still stands and is one of the park's many prominent features.

Other features are the Faust Historic Village, which includes 16 structures and four homes showcasing building and architectural styles circa 1840-1888; the St. Louis Carousel, which was created in the 1920s and moved to a climate-controlled building in Faust Park in 1987; the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, where more than 1,000 butterflies fly freely in a glass conservatory; a large playground area; and the Governor Bates walking trail.

To contact the Butterfly house please call 636-530-0076.

One of the largest urban parks in the United States. At 1,371 acres, it is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City.

The park is home to the St. Louis Art Museum; the Science Center; the world renowned St. Louis Zoo; the Jewel Box greenhouse; the History Museum; The Muny outdoor theatre; nearly eight miles of biking, jogging and skating paths; a skating rink; a golf course; and lakes.

In 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (the World’s Fairs) was held in Forest Park; it drew more than 19 million visitors from around the world.

Fort Zumwalt Park has two historic sites, native woodland scenery and fishing in Lake Whetsel. The Darius Head Home, built circa 1884, is open for tours during special events and by appointment. A large limestone chimney and an interpretive sign mark the site of Zumwalt's Fort, a War of 1812 settler fort. A replica of the original fort is under construction with completion scheduled for 2012. The park contains a one-mile walking/jogging path and a large playground under shady trees. Fort Zumwalt Park is home to the annual Celebration of Lights drive-through holiday light display beginning the day after Thanksgiving through Dec. 30.