Clarkson Valley MissouriATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Clarkson Valley, Missouri.
1. The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
WINGED WONDERS ON DISPLAY
The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House is nestled within Faust Park and operates as a division of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It holds the distinction of being the first stand-alone insectarium to be accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Visitors can enjoy year-round displays of butterflies in this unique nature attraction.
2. St. Louis Premium Outlets
DESIGNER SHOPPING DESTINATION
St. Louis Premium Outlets is a shopping destination located just 30 minutes from downtown St. Louis and 20 minutes from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The outlet mall features more than 90 designer and name brand outlet stores for visitors to explore. Shoppers can find deals on premium brands throughout the year at this popular retail destination.
3. St. Louis Carousel At Faust Park
HISTORIC MERRY-GO-ROUND EXPERIENCE
St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park preserves a cherished piece of amusement history that was popular in the early to mid-1900s. The original amusement park that housed the carousel unfortunately burned down around 1960, but the carousel itself was saved. Today, visitors can enjoy rides on this beautifully restored historic carousel in its new permanent home.
4. St. Louis County Faust Park
MULTI-ATTRACTION FAMILY PARK
St. Louis County Faust Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities including trails, playgrounds, and pavilions. The park is home to multiple attractions including the historic carousel and the butterfly house. Visitors can make a full day of exploring this expansive park with its many family-friendly amenities.
5. Chesterfield Central Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION HUB
Chesterfield Central Park serves as a key recreational area for the community with various outdoor amenities. The park offers green spaces, walking paths, and facilities for community events and gatherings. Visitors can enjoy the natural setting while participating in both active and passive recreation opportunities.
6. Amp Up Action Park
THRILLING INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
Amp Up Action Park is an indoor entertainment center located in nearby Ballwin on Manchester Road. The facility offers a variety of high-energy activities suitable for visitors of all ages. Guests can enjoy attractions such as go-karts, laser tag, arcade games, and other amusements in this all-weather entertainment venue.
7. Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center
HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENTAL LANDMARK
Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center documents the history and environmental remediation of a former uranium processing facility. The center features exhibits explaining the site's transformation from a contaminated area to a clean, publicly accessible space. Visitors can climb the 75-foot disposal cell for panoramic views of the surrounding area and learn about this unique environmental restoration project.
8. Crestview Middle School
LOCAL EDUCATIONAL LANDMARK
Crestview Middle School is recognized as a key landmark within the City of Clarkson Valley. The school serves as an educational center for local youth and hosts various community events throughout the year. Its campus provides recreational facilities that are sometimes available for public use outside of school hours.
9. Missouri Botanical Garden
HISTORIC FLORAL PARADISE
Missouri Botanical Garden was established by philanthropist Henry Shaw and showcases timeless elegance through various themed areas. Visitors can explore attractions like the Gladney Rose Garden and Magnolia Grove among its expansive grounds. The garden serves as both a place of beauty and a center for botanical research and conservation.
10. Tower Grove House
FOUNDER'S HISTORIC HOME
Tower Grove House was designed by St. Louis architect George I. Barnett in the Italianate style in 1849 as the country home of Henry Shaw, who founded the Missouri Botanical Garden. The historic house museum sits in the garden's Victorian District and offers visitors a glimpse into the beginnings of the botanical garden. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the basement exhibits educate visitors about the enslaved people who worked on Shaw's estate.
11. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL ESTATE
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site preserves White Haven, the family home of Julia Dent where Grant lived from 1854 to 1859. Visitors can take guided tours of the historic property, which was run by an enslaved African American workforce before the Civil War. The park museum, housed in a historic horse stable designed by Grant himself, features six permanent exhibits on the rich history of the site along with a 22-minute orientation film about Grant's military service and presidency.
12. The Gateway Arch
ICONIC ST. LOUIS MONUMENT
The Gateway Arch stands as the defining monument of St. Louis, soaring 630 feet above the city's skyline. This stainless steel architectural marvel commemorates the westward expansion of the United States and offers visitors tram rides to its observation deck for panoramic views. The surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial includes a museum that details the history of the monument and the role St. Louis played in American westward expansion.
13. St. Louis Zoo
WORLD-CLASS WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
St. Louis Zoo is consistently ranked among the top zoos in the nation, featuring more than 16,000 animals across 600+ species. The zoo is organized into several themed zones including River's Edge, The Wild, and Historic Hill, providing immersive habitat experiences. As a free attraction supported by a cultural tax district, the zoo combines entertainment with conservation efforts and educational programming for visitors of all ages.
14. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
ANCIENT INDIGENOUS CIVILIZATION
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the remnants of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico. At its peak around 1200 CE, this ancient city was larger than London with an estimated population of 20,000 people. Visitors can climb Monks Mound, the largest prehistoric earthwork in the Americas, and explore the interpretive center that explains the significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15. The Griot Museum of Black History
CULTURAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION
The Griot Museum of Black History showcases the stories and contributions of African Americans to the St. Louis region and the nation. Through life-size wax figures, artifacts, and interactive exhibits, the museum presents the African American experience from slavery through the civil rights movement to present day. The institution serves as both an educational resource and a celebration of Black achievement and resilience throughout American history.