STL Mommy

Boo At the Zoo returns October 15th – 30th! Families can enjoy festive Halloween decorations, hauntingly fun entertainment, educational activities, kids’ games and more at the Saint Louis Zoo’s nighttime, non-scary Halloween experience, Boo at the Zoo presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. every night Oct. 15 to 30.

Admission to Boo at the Zoo for ages 2 and up is $7 for Zoo members and $8 for non-members. Children under age 2 get in free. Each child between the ages of 2 and 12 dressed in costume will receive a $1 discount on admission with on-site ticket purchase. Tickets can be purchased at the door on nights of the event. Advance tickets are available online at stlzoo.org/boo. Proceeds from the event help the Zoo provide the highest quality care for its animals. Parking is our treat and is available for free on both Zoo parking lots during the event. Please note, this is not a trick-or-treating event.

Groups of 15 or more may receive a group rate with advance purchase by calling (314) 646-4781.

The Zoo closes for all visitors at 4 p.m. on the days of Boo at the Zoo. Doors re-open at 5:30 p.m. for the ticketed event.

Halloween Decorations & Animal Encounters

Grab a witch’s broom and float around the decorated Zoo where you’ll encounter fun photo opportunities at the Pumpkin Maze, Witchy Walk, Ghost Town, Pirates’ Cove, Fragile Forest Fairyland, Skeleton Picnic, Glowing Jack-o-lantern Tunnel, Magic Dragon and Serpents of Historic Hill, and much more.

Four animal exhibits are open during the event. Slither into the Charles H. Hoessle Herpetarium to catch sight of turtles, tortoises, frogs, toads, lizards, snakes and more. For a little more hocus pocus, check out the Emerson Children’s Zoo and meet some awesome animals up close. Don’t be alarmed if you discover the naked mole rats have left their costumes at home! Catch a glimpse of sea lions and harbor seals taking a nighttime swim as you walk through the Holekamp Aqua Tunnel at Judy and Jerry Kent Family Sea Lion Sound. Meet stingrays and sharks at Stingrays at Caribbean Cove presented by SSM Health ($2/person admission).

Entertainment

Get pumped for some spooktacular entertainment by Juggling Jeff, Chef Bananas and Enchanted Events character singalongs. The approximately 20-minute acts, which do not include animals, feature music, juggling, magic, comedy and more on stage at the Lichtenstein Sea Lion Arena. Shows are offered at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. and are free with admission to Boo at the Zoo. Entertainment acts vary nightly. Tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis at the show ticket booth.

Stop by educational activity stations and learn about some of the Zoo’s creepier-looking animals.

Activities & Attractions

Eerily draped in cobwebs, the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel transforms into the not-so-spooky “Scare-ou-sel.” Visit the Haunted 4D Theater for a showing of “Happy Family 4D.” These two attractions are free with admission to Boo at the Zoo. Take a break from the Halloween action and stop by the kids’ game area.

Souvenirs & Food

Taste what’s brewing for dinner or a snack at Zoo cafes. Visit Candy Crossing and Starbucks for fall treats and drinks. Be sure to shop the boo-tique for souvenirs, and receive 10 percent off (20 percent for members) any purchase at Zoo gift shops.

This year’s Boo at the Zoo souvenir T-shirt features a western lowland gorilla dressed up for Halloween. Prices range from $11 to $19 for toddler to adult sizes. The shirts will be available for purchase at select Zoo gift shops, while supplies last.

Instagram Contest

Enter the Zoo’s Instagram contest using hashtag #STLZooBoo for a chance to win tickets to the Zoo’s upcoming U.S. Bank Wild Lights event and a $75 Zoo gift card. Details are available at instagram.com/stlzoo and stlzoo.org/boo.

Costume Policy

Family-friendly, non-scary Halloween costumes are welcome. Facial features on guests age 13 and older must be recognizable (no masks, no face paint that completely conceals the face). See website for the Zoo’s costume policy.

PLUS be sure to stop by the new daytime Halloweekends presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital at the Zoo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 19-20, 26-27 for costumed character meet and greets, animal enrichment and more. Admission is free.

Heads up Polar Express fans! Tickets go on sale for The Polar Express Train Ride at Union Station Tuesday, September 17th at 5 a.m.

PLUS new this year passengers can experience the NEW St. Louis Wheel, Carousel and Mini Golf before or after the ride. St. Louis Union Stations new restaurant, Soda Fountain, will also be open for the holiday season.

If you haven’t been on the ride yet.. The Polar Express Train Ride’s magical story of a boy’s search for the meaning of Christmas comes to life when real trains departs St. Louis Union Station for a round-trip journey to the North Pole. The Polar Express season begins on November 29 and continues through December 30, 2019.

Set to the motion picture soundtrack, the train ride will transport passengers into the magic of the beloved holiday classic as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™. Once onboard, hot chocolate and cookies are served by dancing and singing chefs as passengers read along with the children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg.

Santa and his helpers greet passengers at the North Pole, board the train, and give each child the first gift of Christmas — a silver sleigh bell. On the way back to Union Station, chefs lead passengers in singing Christmas carols.

Trains depart St. Louis Union Station at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:15 p.m. Trains also will run at 8:30 p.m. on selected dates.

This year four different classes of seating are offered:

-Coach Family: Seating facing each other, beginning at $35 on select days.
-Coach: Forward facing seating, beginning at $40.
-Deluxe: Seats facing each other with a commemorative Polar Express Mug starting at $55.
-First Class: Table Top Seating sold in groups of four with a commemorative Polar Express mug, starting at $60.

Guests can also save 20 percent on their Polar Express Train Ride tickets when they purchase a hotel package at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel package includes four tickets on The Polar Express Train Ride and deluxe accommodations or an exclusive holiday-decorated suite with special turn-down service for the complete seasonal experience.

More information about dates, fares and excursion times is available by calling 314-942-6942, or by visiting www.STLPolarExpressRide.com. Families are encouraged to wear their holiday pajamas for the ride.