Explore Forest Park in an unusual way—from a boat. Kayaks, rowboats and paddle boats are available to rent from the Forest Park Boathouse, located between the Muny and the St. Louis Zoo. Boats travel the Post-Dispatch Lake and Grand Basin in front of the Art Museum.

If it’s been a while since you’ve checked out the Forest Park boats, you should know lakes were drained and renovated in 2003, and the old Boathouse razed and a new $2.4 million facility built. The “new” boathouse was built to have the charm of a country cabin.

The Boathouse is also a casual restaurant and bar with a lakeside patio and live music on summer weekends. Some of the interesting items on the menu are a 10 inch pizza for $9,, half pound burgers with fries for $8.15 and soup and sandwich combo for $8.15. Kids meals are offered for $4.15. You can check out the full menu here.

Regular boat rentals are $15 an hour for paddle boats and kayaks, and $20 per hour for rowboats. You need to be at least 16 and show a valid photo ID to rent a boat. Kids are welcome when their parent’s rent a boat—paddle boats and rowboats can accommodate four people.

Visitors can also RSVP for a romantic Moonlight Paddle Boat Picnic on Thursday nights through Septmber. For $32 you get a two person picnic from the Boathouse restaurant (wine, choice of Turkey Club or Vegetarian Wrap, along with flatbread, cheese spread, marinated olives, Cape Cod popcorn, fresh grapes and chocolate biscotti) plus the boat rental! Boats are launched at dusk and need to be returned by 10:30pm.

Make your reservations now by calling 314-367-2224 or e-mailing customer service at: customerservice@boathouseforestpark.com.

Spring/Summer Hours (May-Oct)

10:00 a.m.-Sundown, daily

Fall/Winter Hours (Nov-April)

Monday-Wednesday: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Thursday-Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – Sundown

Boat rentals are available year-round, weather permitting.

Related articles by Zemanta

• St. Louis Staycation: Top 5 totally free places to take the kids this summer (examiner.com)
• 7 reviews of St. Louis Science Center (rateitall.com)

Tweet This Post