Things I Love about St.Louis: Grant's Farm

(Third post in the "Things I love about Saint Louis" series)

Grant's Farm has always been special to me. When I was little and lived in the city, it was the only place I could go ( besides the Zoo) to see animals and especially horses. I love horses. All my old friends reading this right now are going.. yep. If you are going to see horses, Clydesdale are some magnificent horses to see up close.

I may be a little bias because I had the privilege of getting to work here one season during college. It was the best job I ever had. I got to be outside, talk to people all day, and be around animals.  I helped and met people from all over the world. It was a blast.

Grant's Farm is a fun place to take your family to see some animals, do some fun activities and have some free beer. Yes.. I said free beer.   It was originally owned by Ulysses S Grant's in-laws and the property was bought by August Busch Sr.  ( of Anheuser Busch fame ) and was his "80 acre country estate" back when the commute by wagon took a whole day from the brewery downtown.

Grant's Cabin ( Hardscrabble)

They opened it up to the public in 1954  and the rest is history.  You  pay $12 to park, and there are other extras you can pay for once inside like carousel rides, feeding the goats, feeding the camels, and of course food and gift  shop items.Or you can go for free after that...it's up to you.

One of the trams

Your visit starts with a 15 min tram ride ( like a car/train ride) around the property to see some of the wild animals like deer, donkeys, cattle, bison . The kids love this part and on a warm day nothing feels better.

Where are the animals? We didn't see many that day and and what we did see were ffaaarr away.

J and S looking for the animals

They offer Private expeditions in a special van which we have done once. It was pretty cool and definitely a little VIP but it's a little pricey so we've only done it the one time.

After the tram ride is over, then you are at the Tier Garten area where the carousel, goats, elephant show, and  bird shows are. They sell a pass now for $5 which is well worth the price. You get  2 bottles for the goats,  ne carousel ride ( one adult is included to take the child) and one snow cone.  Even thought we don't usually eat the snow cone it's still a heck of a deal.

They giggle and laugh every time they feed the goats

You can feed baby goats with a bottle through a fence or if you don't mind goats up close and personal... you can walk into there little area where  they kinda jump on you and eat your clothes. We haven't gotten to that point yet. Maybe when the girls are older.

Walking to the carousel

 K has a real fascination with elephants so for th first time we took them to sit through the elephant show.  Our star of the the day was " Bud" the elephant.  He has been there a long time and as well taken care of as he can be. He gave quite a performance. Even S was impressed, look below.

Here's Bud striking his "pose"

A short walk down a path leads you to the Bauernhof area. This was the building that housed August Busch's horses and carriages. Isn't it cool looking? I always feel like I'm somewhere else or some other time when I walk in there. There is always lively polka music playing so it's very festive.

The Bauernhof is also the place to go for some food, snacks and that free beer I was telling you about earlier. Each adult over 21 gets two free samples per day. Or if you go with someone who doesn't want theirs , well, you might get more. They usually have about 6-10 different kinds on tap. And on a hot day,  they taste really good.

The wood and brick work on the inside is just exquistie.

A  great place to have a bite to eat and enjoy  being outside

There is something about all the textures and colors I just love.

Exmoor Pony in the paddock

Some of the Busch family still uses them on occasion as the Busch Family Mansion is also on the property. (they show you a view very quickly on the tram tour and when you are feeding the camels on the way to the Bauernhof you can see the side back of it down the road.)

Busch Family Mansion

When you are done at the top of the farm, you jump back on the tram and go back down the hill to the gift shop and exit area. The gift shop really does have some cute things for kids and adults. There are all kinds of price ranges. We can usually get out of there with the kids only for less than $10 if anything at all.   You then cross the bridge again , go back into the parking lot and follow the white horseshoe prints to the Clydesdale stables and breeding barn at the far end of the parking lot.

You then cross the bridge again , go back into the parking lot and follow the white horseshoe prints to the Clydesdale stables and breeding barn at the far end of the parking lot.

The keep a bunch of the young male Clydesdales here that pull the hitch along with a few mares and foals. They are such beautiful horses along with gentle and patient with all of the people constantly taking their picture and staring at them all day.  After you walk through the main barn, you get to walk outside and see some of them in their pastures.  We saw a young one out by himself. After a while he came to the fence and let us pet him.

If someone were coming to Saint Louis for a long weekend, I would definitely send them here. Everyone seems to love it and comes back again and again.

Monday
What is the Gunny Sack -Making the world Cuter -Debbie Doo -DIY How Off
DIY Shop - Lines Across My Face -I should be mopping the Floor
Great Fun 4 Kids

Tuesday
How to Nest For Less - Tip Junkie - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -The Kurtz Corner
Sugar Bee - Romance On A Dime - Chronic Christian Crafter - Funky Polka Dot Giraffe
The Winthrop Chronicles


Wednesday
Oopsey Daisy - Thrifty Home - Someday Crafts - Sew Much Ado
- Junk in Their Trunk  - Southern Lovely


Thursday
My rePurposed Life - Beyond the Picket Fence - Somewhat Simple - Live Laugh Rowe
Loving this Crazy Life -Scrappy Crafty Happy - Fireflies and Jellybeans - The Shabby Cottage
Quality Cheap Home  - The Taylor House
House of Hepworths

Friday
Naptime Crafters - Stay At Home Nation
Young and Crafty -  My Turn(ForUs)


Saturday


Six Sister's Stuff
Pam's Planning Party


Sunday
Nifty Thrifty Things


Other Fun Blogs