Old Courthouse, St. Louis City

Location: 11 N. 4th. St., St. Louis, MO 63102   Open Daily from 8:00am–4:30pm

Website: https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/och.htm

The Old Courthouse was completed in the mid 1850's.  I've always wanted to do one of their free tours but just never got around to it until today. I was lucky and found a meter so I only spent a dollar on parking. The tour is about 30 minutes and that's definitely enough time to see the entire building. They also offer a Junior Ranger program for kids, here's more on that from their website:

"The Junior Ranger program at Gateway Arch National Park is designed to help young visitors learn more about the people, places and events related to St. Louis history and westward expansion during the 1800s. Junior Ranger activities are designed to help connect young visitors to the park's resources and encourage them to become active stewards of their national parks. Young visitors ages 5-18 can earn a Junior Ranger badge at either the Arch or Old Courthouse.  Junior Ranger activity sheets are available at the information desk at both sites. Complete the selected activities to receive your badge. As the Junior Ranger program is site-based, we do not send out activity sheets or badges through the mail."

They have a little movie theater and a nice museum explaining the Dred Scott case.

Ranger starting a tour

Looking up at the dome- it's gorgeous!

On the second level looking down at the rotunda. You can look in a few of the old courtrooms. 

Another courtroom

Looking down from the 3rd level

To sum up this is a very cool old building with a lot of historic significance, but I don't think young children will enjoy it. This building doesn't have elevators and my tummy was doing flip flops looking down. There are lots of steps.

The J Outdoor Pool, Creve Coeur

Location: 2 Millstone Campus Dr., Creve Coeur, MO 63146

Website: https://jccstl.com/fitness-recreation/swimming-aquatic-center/

The Jewish Community Center (better known simply as "the J") has a state-of-the-art outdoor pool facility. If you're not a member you can pay a daily rate for adults and for kids. As far as public pools go, that rate is higher than most, however, this is a wonderful facility and you get a lot for that money. With 25-meter and 25-yard lap swimming, huge curly-q slide, diving board, tree swing, and aqua climb wall, the J is proud to offer one of the coolest and most fun outdoor pools in St. Louis.  The pool is open from 12:30-8:00 p.m. during the week, 10:30-7:30 on Friday, and 10-7:30 on weekends. They also have a tot time! It's from 11-12:30 pm Monday through Thursday for kids 5 and under.

The climbing wall and a tree rope swing are just like the ones at the North Pointe pool.

Ideal for smaller children, this zero-entry depth pool with large umbrellas, water spouts, a wading area, and a toddler aqua play gym is perfect for families who are ready to introduce their children to water fun.

Lions Park, Jennings

Location: Lucas & Hunt Rd and Blewett Ave., Jennings, MO 63136

Website: https://www.cityofjennings.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Park%20and%20Recreations%20Department

Playground Ground Cover: Wood chips

This is a brand-new park that was renovated in 2018. There are 2 playgrounds, one for kids under 5 and one for kids over 5, and huge pavilion, and a basketball court.

The playground for younger kids has some rocking horses, 2 baby swings, and a play structure. There are slides and some bars and poles here.

Horse shoe pits

The playground for older kids features 4 sling swings, a merry-go-round, a lion boulder, and a huge play structure.

The play structure has slides, pretend windows, a steering wheel, and lots of bars and poles.

Not sure if you can see, but there is trash all over the ground here. It makes me sad to think the city invested in this nice new playground and people are just throwing trash all over the place. There's a trash can close by that you can't see.

Poor little free library got destroyed.