2012 natas frolic for free

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  • 7/29/2019 2012 NATAS Frolic for Free

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    a blue affair:be captivated by

    this unesco worldheritage site

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    flock to it:bird-watching

    at tonle sap,cambodia

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    deals galore:score hot offersto the cool est

    places

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    specialtraveSATURDAY, 25 AUGUST 2012

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    When I tell my friends that Im spend-ing some time in St Louis, 99 per cent ofthe time I get the same reaction: Why?

    True, this city in the heart of the

    American Midwest isnt as famous asits cousins on the coast. Its landmarkscant rival the Golden Gate Bridge or theEmpire State Building and the sceneryhere is nowhere near as awe-inspiringas the peaks of the Rockies or the fallsof Niagara.

    St Louis might have been dealt apoor hand by nature but it makes upfor this in other ways. Its a gorgeouscity think historical churches, cutebrownstones and plenty of French ar-chitectural air and it oozes tonnesof authentic Midwestern charm. But thebest thing about St Louis is the citysdemocratic approach to having fun.Here, having fun doesnt mean flash-ing your cash. Its unlike certain themeparks, where you cough up an arm and

    a leg just to get in and then discoveryouve got to stump up the other armand leg for your hot dog and fries.

    And were not talking about the freeentertainment you nd in a mall base-ment on a Saturday afternoon, either.

    These are some world-class, award-winning destinations that will pleaseeven the most jaded traveller. Here aremy top picks for spending a week in thegateway city:

    ExplorEForEstparkThis is the jewel in the citys crown.300 acres larger than New Yorks Cen-tral Park, this green oasis once hostedthe 1904 St Louis Worlds Fair. Its nowhome to dozens of pleasant walking andcycling trails, shing lakes and plenty ofmuseums from the Missouri HistoryMuseum to the St Louis Science Centre.

    Spend a day exploring the groundsand wrap it up with a refreshing pint ortwo by the charming Boat House res-taurant nestled on the shores of the Post

    today Saturday 25auguSt 201244 45

    Frolic for freeThe gateway to the West has everything you needfor a week of family fun without breaking the bankEabEEE

    ForestParkisanaturaloasisinanurbanenvironment.PbyCnvEnn&vCmmn

    Dispatch Lake.Admission to Forest Park, Science

    Centre and museums is free, thoughthere may be a fee for a few select mu-seum exhibits.

    GotothEzooThe St Louis Zoo has been rated Amer-icas best zoo by Parenting Magazineand Zagat and its easy to see why. Well-designed enclosures allow visitors toget up close and personal with the ani-

    mals and sections such as the FlightCage and the Childrens Zoo go onestep further. In the Flight Cage, birdsare free to walk, y and swim aroundvisitors. The Childrens Zoo is essen-tially a huge petting zoo kids canclimb with a pygmy goat, stroke ahedgehog or even handle a snake!

    Admission to t he St Louis Zo o isfree and visitors get free admission tothe Childrens Zoo between 8am and9am daily.The Childrens Zoo at the St Louis Zoo. Pby DavD WPEn

    VisitthEiconicarchCommonly known as the Gateway Archthe Jeerson National Expansion Memorial commemorates St Louis role inthe westward expansions of the UnitedStates. The museum inside the Archtakes you through the history of thOld West and kids can learn more abouLewis and Clarks expedition throughranger-guided tours lled with handson experiences. Dont miss a trip up theArch itself in one of its creaky, claustrophobia-inducing lifts the view fromthe top is worth the ride.

    While you have to pay to ride thlift, entrance to the Arch grounds andthe Museum of Westward Expansionis free.

    GEttinGaround

    t ouis lightril sste esgettig roud iscoeiet dchep, with dpss for uliitedrides illefor just $7.50($9.40).

    GEttinGth ErEGird ourself for soe serious ilegeccruigtrel.he est wto get ttouisistoto osagelesorChicgthe gr ercifull short coectiightto ert-touis tertiolairport. ceourrie, gettigdowtowiesspie.Gr hotelshuttleor rideothecitsmetroikdoulle cursideoourhoteli lessth30 iutes.

    whErEtostayheChsePrkPlzis historicartDecuildigperchedetwee gorgeousForePrkdthersdistrosoftheCetrWest Ed.Pckgesstrtt $249,iclude pirofticketstothe hotelso