Tower Grove Park

Tower Grove Park is arguably St. Louis's most beloved urban park for families — a 289-acre Victorian-era gem in South St. Louis that manages to be simultaneously historic, beautiful, and genuinely fun for kids of all ages.

The park's highlight for families changes by season. In summer, the splash pad and open lawns are the draws — kids run through water features while parents claim shaded picnic spots under century-old trees. On Saturday mornings from May through October, the Tower Grove Farmers Market transforms the park into a destination in its own right: over 100 vendors, food samples that toddlers grab with wild enthusiasm, fresh produce, prepared foods, and a buzzing community atmosphere that feels authentically St.

Louis.

Playground areas are scattered throughout the park, with the section near Magnolia Ave being particularly popular with families. The Victorian pavilions, restored fountains, and ornate shelter houses give Tower Grove a distinctly different aesthetic from most urban parks — it genuinely feels like somewhere special, which makes even a Tuesday afternoon walk feel like an occasion.

Summer evenings bring free concerts at the main stage area, and the firefly situation in early July is legitimately spectacular for kids who've never seen anything like it. Bring a blanket and plan to stay past dark at least once.

Restroom facilities are available at multiple points throughout the park. Strollers and bikes handle the paved paths well. The South Grand restaurant corridor is minutes away for post-park dining — one of the best restaurant streets in the city for diversity of options and price range.

For St. Louis families, Tower Grove is a year-round institution. For visitors, it's the park that shows you what South St. Louis is actually about.