by Nancy L. Baumann

Created on: June 14, 2009

Summer in St. Louis is HOT, and you'll find plenty of ways to enjoy our city, even if you're on a tight budget. Here are some things to put on your list:

GRANT'S FARM
This is the former family home of the Busch family, and was once the home of Ulysses S. Grant. The 281-acre preserve has over 1,000 animals. Ride the train around the grounds, then cap your visit off at the beer garden, enjoying the brewery products. COST: Admission is FREE, pay for parking.

BUSCH STADIUM
Home to the St. Louis Cardinals, 2006 World Series Champs, Busch Stadium is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening watching baseball with some of the greatest fans in the sport. Smack in the middle of downtown St. Louis, just follow the red-clad crowd to find your spot. COST: Dependent upon seats purchased. Parking and food purchases extra.

FOREST PARK
This 1200-acre urban park is one of the largest in the nation, dwarfing New York's Central Park by 500 acres. Home of the 1904 World's Fair, Forest Park features summer activities such as golf, tennis and baseball, as well as biking and walking paths that wind through the acreage. Forest Park is home to many of St. Louis' premier attractions, and admission to the museums are FREE to the public.

THE ST. LOUIS ZOO
Often rated the nation's best, the zoo is a favorite of people tourist attraction for visitors and residents from all walks of life. Enjoy free Friday night concerts at the Zoo's Central Plaza. COST: Admission is FREE, pay for parking.

THE MUNY
The nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre, The Muny is located in Forest Park. Performance run from June through August, and delight the audience with the best of musical theatre. COST: Tickets are reasonable, back row seats are FREE to the first 1,500.

MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
This National Historic Landmark covers 79 acres and inside its gates, visitors enjoy the masterful landscaping and flora displays of Missouri's natural habitat, as well as elegant structures. The Climatron tropical rain forest and the Japanese Garden are favorite attractions. FREE Outdoor concerts are held each Wednesday night for ten weeks, June 3rd through August 5th. COST: $8 for adults, FREE for children.

BIKING ON THE KATY TRAIL
The Katy Trail State Park extends across Missouri from near St. Louis to Sedalia, and is one of the longest rails-to-trails conversions. Ride your bike over finely crushed gravel as you travel, and be sure to stop to visit the wineries, shops,

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