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Farm Fresh Fun: Grant’s Farm

Submitted by Denise Bertacchi on June 4, 2010 – 2:42 pm

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One of the best kept secrets in St. Louis might be Grant’s Farm. Where else can you pet a goat, watch an animal show, see historical artifacts and get free beer…all for the price of parking your car?

Grant’s Farm is a unique St. Louis landmark run by Anheuser-Busch as a customer good will/promotional site. The property first belonged to President Ulysses S. Grant, and his log cabin is still (or rather, once again) located on the property. The Busch family bought the property in 1903 for their country home and the Farm was opened to the public in 1954 by Auggie Busch.

Admission is technically free, but parking will cost $11. You can get in totally free if you hike or bike Grant’s Trail. Animal shows are free, but bring extra cash to feed the baby goats ($1 per bottle), camels (50 cents) and for the new Elephant Encounter ($5 per person). You can also get a professional photo of your kids with a Clydesdale for $10.

The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale’s are kept in a stable at the end of the parking lot. You can visit Clydesdales who are taking a break from parades, and see mama Clydesdales and their babies out at the paddock.

Cross the covered bridge near the front of the parking lot to get to the rest of the park and to pick up a tram tour of the deer park. Here you’ll see deer, buffaloes, zebra, antelope and a variety of cattle. The Farm boasts animals from six of the seven continents, so keep your eyes peeled.

The tram leaves you at the Tier Garten–that’s German for Animal Garden–where you can see free animal shows and pet the baby goats. You can also see eagles, parrots, lemurs, kangaroos, giant turtles and elephants. You can buy a beer here, but the smart visitor will wait for the freebies at the Bauernhof down the hill.

Stop by the camels on your way to the Bauernhof for that free beer. You can buy a handful of camel chow for a few quarters and feed some very friendly camels and some not so social lamas.

The Bauernhof was the first building built for the Busch family estate. The building is now a beer garden, stable and office. Go inside to see the farm’s collection of antique carriages and the horses. These are “normal” sized horses and ponies, kept by the Busch family.

Visitors over 21 can visit the hospitality room and sample two free Anheuser-Busch products. Soft drinks, snacks, ice cream, pizza, brats and chicken strips are available for purchase at the Brat Haus next door. Lunch can get a little pricey here – expect normal tourist attraction prices. (But then, you’re not paying for the beer, so go ahead and spurge.) Bring cash, or visit the ATM in the hospitality room – they don’t accept plastic or checks.

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