Meet me in St. Louis

The Missouri History Museum is dedicated to documenting and interpreting the history of the St. Louis area. The museum has two million books, archival papers, photographs and artifacts in its collection. The exhibit "History Happened Here" is the sharing of the collective stories of the community of St. Louis through the memories and places of its diverse cultures...the 1904 World's Fair is a big part of those memories.
ADMISSION: Free to the museum and permanent exhibits. A fee is charged for special exhibitions

During the 1904 World's Fair Art was also on display, most prominently in Cass Gilbertâs Palace of Fine Arts, the building that now houses the Saint Louis Art Museum, one of the leading art museums in the country with more than 100 galleries. The building was designed by famed architect Cass Gilbert specifically for the 1904 World's Fair in Forest Park. Standing atop Art Hill, it is the "crown" jewel" of the 1,370-acre park. The Grand Basin is the lake at the foot of Art Hill and served as the focal point of the 1904 World's Fair. Although most of the art on view at the 1904 Worldâs Fair was returned to its owners after the Fair ended, a number of works entered the Museumâs collection. Along with a number of photographs from the time, this exhibit will delight anyone interested in the turn of the century.
ADMISSION: Free to the museum and permanent exhibits. A fee is charged for special exhibitions

In 1904, the Flight Cage and Cypress Swamp was the largest bird cage ever built, and it is one of the world's largest free-flight aviaries. The 228 feet long, 84 feet wide, and 50 feet high cage was built for the St. Louis World's Fair. The Flight Cage is one of the few structures that remains from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Local pride in the giant cage motivated St. Louis to finally establish a zoo in 1910.
The Saint Louis Zoological Park is recognized now as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. Admission is free, although there are fees for some attractions. One special feature is the Zooline Railroad, a small passenger train that encircles the zoo, stopping at the more popular attractions

No one knows for sure where and when the hamburger really was invented, there are many claims. One thing is for sure, it was "popularized" at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis at the concession stands on the Pike selling the ground beef pattie on two pieces of homemade toast with a thick slice of onion. O'Connell's has been voted the #1 hamburger in St. Louis for years, try for yourself and imagine having the first one in the same city it all began.

There's very little evidence of the existence of a true ice cream 'cone' prior to 1904. Given the abundance of stories of its invention at the fair, it seems likely (or even probable) that the ice cream cone was 'invented' at the fair. There's no doubt, however, that the ice cream cone was initially popularized at the Fair. Even though Ted Drewes is not known for their cones - they are known all over the country for their frozen custard. To round off a great day of history in St. Louis, treat yourself to a great tasting treat!