Rest spots around Meramec

ashley biundo editor-in-chief EMeritus

When it comes to sports, resting and taking breaks are very important. Here are some things to do around Meramec to take a break.

Magic House:

Opened as a children’s museum in 1979, The Magic House gives children hands-on learning experiences that encourage experimentation, creativity and the development of problem-solving skills. They are constantly hosting events for children and also events for adults that are posted at www.magichouse.org.

Address: 516 S Kirkwood Rd, St.Louis, MO 63122 Hours: Mon-Sat 9a.m.-5p.m. Sun 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Laumeier Sculpture Park:

A 105-acre outdoor museum and sculpture park located in Sunset Hills, Missouri. The park has over 60 outdoor sculptures and features a 1.4-mile walking trail, and educational programs. There is also an indoor gallery, an 1816 Tudor stone mansion that was owned by Henry and Matilda Laumeier.

Address: 12580 Rott Rd, Sappington, MO 63127 Hours: Daily 8 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Park:

Located in the middle of Kirkwood, Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is an educational nature park. It is nestled within 112 acres of oak hickory forest. The area has three trails which are paved, and one that offers interpretive signage and is disabled accessible. Powder Valley is open in all seasons and includes The nature center, gift shop, and educational exhibits, including an aquarium and bee hive.

Address: 11715 Cragwold Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122 Hours: Tues-Sat 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sun-Mon CLOSED

Frank Lloyd Wright House:

Also known as The Kraus House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The house was designed and constructed for Russell and Ruth Goetz Kraus in 1950. Construction continued until at least 1960 and was never completed. The house has parallelograms and the only right angles to be found in the house are located in the bathroom. Even the bed is a parallelogram and sheets must be custom made. The house itself sits on a parallelogram blueprint. The house features a carport, attached shed, and a workroom.

Address: 120 N Ballas Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122

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A 42-acre transportation museum. The museum was founded in 1944 and it restores, preserves, and displays a wide variety of vehicles up to 150 years of American history: cars, boats, aircraft, locomotives and railroad equipment from all around the country. The museum has a research library of transportation-related memorabilia and documents. Part of the museum includes the West Barretts Tunnel and it was built in 1853, and it is one of a pair of tunnels that were the first to operate west of the Mississippi River.

Address: 2933 Barrett Station Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122

Hours: daily 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Grants Farm:

Built by Uylsses S. Grant, and currently owned by the Busch Family. Grants Farm is a 281-acre ancestral home and home of more than 900 animals. Currently have to make reservations to visit and they offer events constantly that can be found at www.grantsfarm.com.

Address: 10501 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123

Hours: daily 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Kirkwood Park:

The park includes, Kirkwood Aquatic Center, Community Center, Ice Rink, Playgrounds, Tennis Courts, and soccer fields.

Address: 111 S Geyer Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122

Hours: Kirkwood Park: daily 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Kirkwood Aquatic Center: Mon-Fri 12 p.m.- 7:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Kirkwood Community Center: Sat-Sun CLOSED, Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Kirkwood Ice Rink: daily 12 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Kirkwood Tennis Courts: Sun-Fri 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

Emmenegger Nature Park:

Has hiking trails and can view the map of the park at www.kirkwoodparksandrec.org. Also has BBQ pits to cook food and enjoy the scenery around the park.

Address: 11991 Stoneywood Dr, St. Louis, MO 63122

Hours: daily 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.