Since 1954, Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, Missouri, has become a popular tourist destination for those looking to take in a day of history, education, and overall fun. The 281-acre property was built by and named after Ulysses S. Grant. It is also the ancestral home of the Busch family, long-time owners of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company. In 2004, Grant’s Farm received the prestigious honor of being named a top attraction nationwide by the U.S. Family Travel Guide Zagat Survey and had won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence twice. Among the historical location’s many attractions are the Busch family mansion, the residence of Ulysses S. Grant, and a habitat for a wide variety of animals.
History of Grant’s Farm
Upon his marriage to wife Julia Grant, Ulysses S. Grant’s father-in-law bestowed the 80 acres of land as a wedding gift in 1848. Among the land’s properties was White Haven, where Julia and her family had grown up. Grant and his wife proceeded to live there between the Mexican and Civil Wars. Grant then moved to build his own cabin on the land. As a result, white Haven is now a famous location for visitors, known as the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.
Ownership of Grant’s Farm
The year 2015 brought change to the ownership of Grant’s Farm. That year, the St. Louis Zoo purchased the property for roughly $30 million. The purchase, which also required that residents approve an $8.5 million tax addition towards yearly park operational costs, tripled the size of the zoo’s land and allowed the St. Louis Zoo to construct an endangered animals breeding facility.
Visit Grant’s Farm
Grant’s Farm is the perfect day trip for those visiting from near or far. Reservations are not required, and admission is free, though there is a $12 charge for car parking. Among the attractions are paddle-boat rides ($7.00 per boat per 30 minutes), carousel rides ($2.00 per person), pony rides ($6 per person, $5 per photo), camel rides, and camel feeding ($0.05 per handful), parakeet feeding ($1.00 per person, which includes one feeding stick) and goat feeding ($1.00 for each feeding bottle). For free, visitors can also hop on a train ride and view the beautiful animal shows.
The animals of the farm are genuinely spectacular, ranging from common birds to exotic animals. Among the variety are buffalo, elephants, camels, kangaroos, donkeys, goats, peacocks, and the iconic Budweiser Clydesdale’s.
Grant’s Farm’s Budweiser Clydesdale’s have become world-famous over the years. The farm is now home to over 50 Clydesdale’s, varying in age from 6 months to fifteen years or older. Visitors can come and check out the horses and pick up souvenirs at the Label Stable.
Private Tours
Grant’s Farm also offers private tours for those looking for a more personal, hands-on experience. At $25 per person, visitors can go behind the scenes with the Clydesdale Experience Tour. This hour-and-a-half-long walking tour brings guests through the stables and gives them an insider look into everything Clydesdale, from the training to daily maintenance. Guests will even meet and interact with one of the retired hitch geldings, making for the perfect picture opportunity. The Clydesdale Experience Tour is recommended for guests of 8 years of age and up.
Other private tours include the Private Expedition Tour and Discover The Origins Of Grant’s Farm On The Estate Tour.
More St. Louis related pages:
- Busch Stadium
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
- Fox Theatre
- Gateway Arch
- Lambert International Airport
- Mississippi River
- Missouri Botanical Garden
- Peabody Opera House
- Publicly Traded Companies in St. Louis
- Soulard District
- St. Louis Cardinals
- St. Louis Zoo
- Union Station
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