Wondering where you can go for some cheap thrills? How about free? Head on over to Saint Louis! There is more than enough to do in an afternoon or a week-long visit. And, though it is hard to believe, none of it requires a penny from you!

The Saint Louis Science Center is jam-packed with information for young and old alike. The facility includes different galleries, a planetarium, and an Omnimax theater! It is open daily from 9:30am-4:30pm (staying open until 9:30pm on Fridays).

The Saint Louis Union Station is a wonderful place to go to gather information about the history of the city. Free tours of the station are offered but require reservations. There is shopping and restaurants all throughout the interior of the building. It is open daily from 10am-9pm (closing at 6pm on Sundays).

Cahokia Mounds harbors the remains of the civilization of Cahokia which existed from A.D. 700 to 1400. Free guided tours through the mounds are available. They have events planned year round. Their hours are 9am-5pm Wednesday through Sunday.

For the art lovers out there Saint Louis provides the Contemporary Art Museum. They have new installations and events going on frequently. Their hours are 10am-5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 11am-4pm Sunday.

Grant’s Farm is a wonderful retreat into the world of animals! It is home to over 1,000 animals from all different continents. They offer tram rides through the park and shows free of charge. They are open spring through fall from 9:30am-3:30pm.

The Holocaust Museum and Learning Center provides information and images of the Holocaust and its survivors. The museum shows series of films. It also has writing and art contests with the winning work put on display. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30am-4:30pm (closing at 3pm on Fridays).

The Laumeier Sculpture Park is a great place to go and witness an open-air art gallery. The exhibitions include pieces from a wide range of artists. The park is also home to a large annual art fair. They are open year round and their hours are 8am-sunset daily.

No trip to Saint Louis would be complete without a visit to their famous Zoo! It houses hundreds of animals from around the world. There is an insectarium and a bird garden housing the winged creatures. And all around the zoo there are animals large and small to treat the eye and increase wonder. The zoo is open year round from 9am-5pm daily.

There are so many more free things available in the Gateway City. So take some time out of your schedule to educate and inspire yourself!