Field Trips
Tower Grove Park is an urban park registered as a National Historic Landmark, lies on the Great Missouri Birding Trail, and has earned a Level II Arboretum status due to our impressive historic canopy. We encourage local schools and youth organizations to take advantage of the unique features of the Park and learn what makes it special to the city of Saint Louis through our hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.
Field Trip Information
Thanks to funding from the U.S. Forest Service Urban Connections program, field trips are currently offered at no cost.
We require at least 1 chaperone per 10 students, but extra chaperones are welcome.
Field trips should ideally be booked 4 weeks in advance.
Field trips generally last 2-3 hours. Visits are extended based on group availability, including an additional 30 minutes for groups seeking an on-site lunch during the field trip.
Depending upon the package, we can typically accommodate up to 80 students for one day. This may include a teacher-led rotation with activities provided by our staff. Larger groups will need to choose multiple trip dates.
A pavilion or picnic site for lunch is provided at no cost, as available.
We cannot provide funding for transportation. However, we have ample space for bus and car parking.
If you are interested in a field trip, please navigate below to browse through our field trip offerings, view our Field Trip Guide, and fill out a request form. A member of the Education Team will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the details of your visit.
For any questions, please contact the Education Program Coordinator at education@towergrovepark.org.
+ Living in Harmony
- Grades 1-5
- October - December, March - May
- Length is 2-3 hours, depending on group size
There are countless interactions between plants, animals, and people every day at Tower Grove Park. How does nature strike a balance? Using dramatic play, animal artifacts, and an Osage Culture Traveling Trunk, let's observe these interactions up close at the Park's East Stream (Nee Kee Nee). Together, we will learn about indigenous connections with flora and fauna and discuss how we still depend on each other today.
This field trip is presented jointly with Tower Grove Park's Education Team and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Availability is limited, and priority booking will be given to schools within SLPS.
+ Watershed Wonders
- Grades 3+
- October - December, March - May
- Length is 2-3 hours, depending on group size
How does water connect us all? Take a trip along the restored East Stream (Nee Kee Nee) in Tower Grove Park to learn about watersheds, the water cycle, native plants, and the history of this land through hands-on activities, guided hikes, and more.
This field trip is presented jointly with Tower Grove Park's Education Team and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Availability is limited, and priority booking will be given to schools within SLPS.
+ Birding Adventure
- Grades K+
- Offered year-round
- Instructor-led or Self-guided
Located in the heart of the Mississippi flyway, Tower Grove Park plays host to hundreds of bird species during spring and fall migration. Participants will learn about bird anatomy, ecology, and field identification, as well as practice their birding skills with personal birding kits curated with help from the St. Louis Audubon Society and the Saigh Foundation.
Each birding kit contains:
- Binoculars with case
- Field guide
- Bird flash cards
Birding kits can accommodate groups of up to 30 participants or can be checked out individually. Please contact the Education Program Coordinator at education@towergrovepark.org to learn more or to reserve a kit for your next visit!
+ Collaborate
Work with the Education Team at Tower Grove Park to align your classroom curriculum with natural world experiences not often found in the classroom. We love collaborating with educators who are looking to tailor a current offered program or simply design a one-of-a-kind visit. We want the experience to be relevant and enjoyable for all. Please direct all inquiries to the Education Program Coordinator at education@towergrovepark.org.
Review the list below for some ideas of topics that might complement your classroom learning:
- Victorian architecture and Park history
- Urban gardens and greenhouses
- Native trees, plants, and wildlife
- Insects and pollinators
- Aquatic ecosystems and water quality
- Habitats and natural communities
To learn more about program offerings and field trips at Tower Grove Park, please read the Field Trip Guide below: