It may not feel like it now, but fall will be here before you know it. Summer flies by so quickly, and all of your free time will soon be consumed by back-to-school preparations. Don’t miss the chance to create wonderful memories by enjoying awesome activities and visiting amazing local places with your family. The city’s summer highlights promise action-packed days the family will hold dear all year long.

St. Louis Zoo
One Government Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 781-0900
www.stlzoo.org/

Price: free

Located inside beautiful Forest Park and renowned as one of the best zoos in the country, the St. Louis Zoo really is a phenomenal family destination. Come brush the goats in the Children’s Zoo, take a ride on the Zooline Railroad or meet the stingrays and sharks at the Caribbean Cove. With so much to do and so many animals to see, this is the perfect place for families to spend a day together.

St. Louis Cardinals/Busch Stadium
700 Clark Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63102
(800) 352-0212
www.cardinals.com

Price: from $20

Nothing says summer like a trip to the ballpark to see the city’s beloved 2011 World Series champs take home a win. Get your scorecard, your bag of peanuts to share, and enjoy nine innings of America’s favorite pastime together. St. Louis is the quintessential baseball town, so if you’ve gone the summer without a day at Busch Stadium, change that before school starts.

Six Flags St. Louis
4900 Six Flags Road
Eureka, MO 63025
(636) 938-5300
www.sixflags.com/

Price: $49.99/$36 children shorter than 48 inches/free children 2 and younger/$18 parking

If your family is looking for big thrills, lots of laughs and endless entertainment, Six Flags is just the place. With plenty of adventuresome rides, both at the main park or splish-splashing at Hurricane Harbor, its one of the best fun parks the area has to offer. Enjoy a wide variety of shows for kids, major concert events and delicious food to enjoy around every corner.

Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(800) 642-8842
www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/

Price: $8 adults/free children younger than 12

Locals know the Missouri Botanical Garden is an exquisite place to visit every summer, but this year it is definitely a must-see, can’t-miss destination because of the extraordinary Lantern Festival. Come visit the park during the afternoon, and stay through the evening when the magic of the lantern exhibit comes to life.

Related: Best Day Trips For Families Around St. Louis

St. Louis Science Center
5050 Oakland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 289-4400
www.slsc.org

Price: free

Exploring the St. Louis Science Center with your family is fantastic. Be a paleontologist and dig together in the new interactive excavation exhibit, enjoy star-gazing in the Planetarium, play a laser harp in Cyberville, or take a trip to the Arctic at the Omnimax Theatre. These, plus so many other amazing exhibits await you at one of the best science museums in the country.

Related: Best Activities You Wouldn’t Think To Do In St. Louis

Meredith Johns is a freelance writer covering all things St. Louis. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.