Visit unique St. Louis County sights and discover new titles in this fun family reading adventure. Pick up an Explore-a-Story passport at any SLCL branch or print your own and check off each location you visit in your online Beanstack account. Visit four to be entered in an electronic raffle for a St. Louis Union Station Attractions gift card. Tag the library with the #exploreastory on social media to share your photos.
Animal Farm at Suson Park
6073 Wells Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128
Visit St. Louis County Park’s working animal farm at Suson Park. The farm houses horses, pigs, goats, chickens and much more.
Books:
"See How They Grow: Farm"
"Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones
The “Aspire” Sculpture at Chesterfield’s Central Park
16365 Lydia Hill Dr., Chesterfield, MO 63017
Follow the storywalk, located along the Stream Walk, and stop to snap a picture with this towering sculpture.
Books:
"What If…" by Samantha Berger
"Rock by Rock: The Fantastical Garden of Nek Chand" by Jennifer Bradbury
Columbia Bottom Conservation Area
801 Strodtman Rd., St. Louis, MO 63138
Wind your way through the confluence valley looking for wildlife and stop at Lot K to snap a selfie at the lookout point. If you’re feeling adventurous, park at the conservation point road (closed to vehicular traffic) and hike a mile to see where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet.
Books:
"The Hike" by Alison Farrell
"Amazing Rivers: 100+ Waterways That Will Boggle Your Mind" by Julie Vosburg Agnone
Dr. H. Phillip Venable Memorial Park
10630 Country View Dr., Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Visit Creve Coeur’s first park, a hidden gem just off of Spoede Road. This park was rededicated in 2019 for Dr. Venable, a trailblazing ophthalmologist who originally owned the land.
Books:
"Daniel Finds a Poem" by Micha Archer
"Let’s Play Outdoors: Exploring Nature For Children" by Cath Ard
Lone Elk Park
1 Lone Elk Park Rd., St. Louis, MO 63088
Keep an eye out for elk, bison, waterfowl, turkey and deer as you hike or drive through this beautiful wildlife management area in West County.
Books:
"Buffalo Wild" by Diedre Havrelock
"The Wolves of Yellowstone: A Rewilding Story" by Catherine Barr
Old Guard Monument and Plaza at Jefferson Barracks Park
533 Bagby Rd., St. Louis, MO 63125
Pay tribute to military members by visiting this larger-than-life-size monument, honoring past, present and future military members of “The Old Guard” and their families.
Books:
"A Day for Rememberin’" by Leah Henderson
"Twenty-One Steps" by Jeff Gottesfeld
Pershall Park Mural
6095 Fee Fee Rd., Hazelwood, MO 63042
Play on the playground and enjoy the giant mural on the hand-ball court at this tucked-away park in Hazelwood.
Books:
"Maybe Something Beautiful" by Isabel F. Campoy
"Hey, Wall" by Susan Verde
Three Stacked Chairs Sculpture
107 E Argonne Dr., Kirkwood, MO 63122
Head out to downtown Kirkwood to spot these ginormous chairs created by the artist Brother Mel Myers. Don’t forget to pack lunch! Picnic tables are located just across the street by the train tracks.
Books
"There’s a Bear on My Chair" by Ross Collins
"Two Brothers, Four Hands" by Jan Greenburg