A region in southern Illinois, the St. Louis Metro East Area encompasses the eastern St. Louis suburbs. The St. Louis Metro East Area envelops five counties in southern Illinois, and portions of three additional counties in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The major cities in the St. Louis Metro East Area include Belleville (its largest city), Granite City, O’Fallon, Alton, East St. Louis, Collinsville, and Edwardsville. Home to more than 700,000 residents, there’s always something to do, indoors or out, for people of all ages and interests.
Each community within the St. Louis Metro East Area offers diverse entertainment, recreation, festivals, parades, and special events like farmers’ markets, outdoor movie nights, concerts in the park, and more.
Classic fun like bowling, movies, and skating are peppered throughout the area, as are theaters, galleries, and museums. You’ll also find golf courses, spas, restaurants, and a variety of malls, shops, and unique boutiques.
But some venues have earned their place among the list of things you can’t miss in the St. Louis Metro East Area.
Things to Do in the St. Louis Metro East Area
The St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo attracts nearly three million visitors a year and is the most visited attraction in the region. Featuring more than 13,000 animals representing 555 species, the best part of the zoo is that it’s absolutely free to visit.
The St. Louis Zoo is divided into six distinct areas, including River’s Edge, The Wild, Discovery Corner, Historic Hill, Red Rocks, and Lakeside Crossing. The attraction also offers a variety of educational opportunities and special events.
The World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway
The World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway is another of St. Louis Metro East’s main attractions, drawing in more than 1.1 million visitors per year. WWTR is home to INDYCAR, NASCAR, and NHRA racing.
Spanning over 600 acres, the World Wide Technology Raceway is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the region, scheduling events 330 days per year. The WWTR also houses the Gateway National Golf Links as well as the Gateway Kartplex.
Eckert’s Family Farms
Eckert’s Family Farms has been bringing fresh food and enjoyment to families since 1910 when it began as a humble roadside farm stand. With its largest location situated in Belleville, the orchards now offer apples, blackberries, peaches, strawberries, and more.
But there’s much more than crops of goodness at the farm. Enjoy a country store, deli, and meat market. Grab a bite at the country restaurant, treat yourself at the custard shop, or explore the outdoors in a gardening center and plant nursery.
In addition to the regular recreation, the farm also hosts several special events including Easter egg hunts, mommy and me cooking classes, “fun thyme” cooking birthday parties, and more. And, of course, the whole family can get involved in picking homegrown produce.
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site considered a jewel in the St. Louis Metro East Area, is situated in Hartford, Illinois. Six galleries arranged in a 14,000 square-foot exhibit space outline the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The famous explorers set up at Camp Dubois from 1803 to 1804, preparing for their journey to the Pacific Ocean.
Cahokia Mounds
Cahokia Mounds a state historic site, is a preservation of the remains of a prehistoric native civilization considered the most sophisticated community north of Mexico.
The archaeological remnants, located a few miles west of Collinsville, Illinois, sprawl across a 2,200-acre tract.
The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle
The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle is a staple in the St. Louis Metro East Area and is a must-see in Collinsville, Illinois.
The 170-foot tall catsup bottle is actually a water tower, built by the W.E. Caldwell company in 1949 for the G.S. Suppiger catsup bottling plant. The catsup bottle was restored to its full glory in 1995. Today, the water tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The World Bird Sanctuary
The World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri, is a bird lover’s paradise with myriad animal encounters, exhibits, and special events.
Engage with an Eagle Adventure Camp, trivia night, Hawktober Fest, Wizarding Owl-O-Ween, and holiday parties.
The Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
The Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center spans 112 acres in an oak-hickory forest in Kirkwood, Missouri.
The conservation area offers three trails, including one with disabled access and interpretive signs. There are multiple levels of exhibits about backyard wildlife as well as conservation practices in urban areas.
Exploring St. Louis Metro East Area
The St. Louis Missouri Planet Walk
The St. Louis Missouri Planet Walk, situated along the Delmar Loop, is a walk through a scaled solar system. Within just a few blocks, you can take in the essence of a small part of the universe.
The Planet Walk is enhanced by its proximity to other star-related attractions, including the St. Louis Walk of Fame and the Moonrise Hotel.
Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows
Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows is recognized as one of the nation’s largest outdoor shrines.
More than 200 landscaped areas sprawl across 200 acres that attract more than 1 million visitors per year. Sacred spaces include the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Agony Garden, Annunciation Garden, Children’s Memorial Playground, Father’s Memorial Wall, Mother’s Prayer Walk, and more.
The Edge
The Edge, in Belleville, rolls a ton of fun under one roof.
At The Edge, you can enjoy laser tag, go-karts, bowling lanes, bumper cars, virtual reality experiences, arcade games, and Bistro movie theaters with in-seat dining and beverage service.
Skyview Drive In
Skyview Drive In in Bellevue opened in 1949 and is still entertaining residents in the St. Metro East Area. For far less than you’d pay at a contemporary, high-tech movie, you can enjoy a double feature from the comfort of your own car, lawn chair, or blanket.
The Gateway Grizzlies
The Gateway Grizzlies is your chance to show team spirit with the Frontier League, independent professional baseball not affiliated with Major League Baseball.
However, one of the sources of pride in the team is that many of the players go on to sign with MLB affiliates. Gateway Grizzlies offers a kids club where members can run the bases, get post-game autographs, as well as food and prizes.
Conclusion
The St. Louis Metro East Area is chock full of things to do, such as immersing yourself in art and culture, exploring history and science, pumping up the fun at a family fun center, or enjoying traditional fun like bowling, movies, arcades, and skating.
You’re within minutes of an array of recreation, entertainment, dining, shopping, and more, making the St. Louis Metro East Area an ideal place to work, live, and play.
JJK Home Network is the best source of information about the local community and real estate topics. Give JJK Home Network a call at 314-258-1296 or 618-691-0547 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
