Forest Park in St. Louis has been crowned the #1 park in the USA for 2026 by USA Today. Known for its historical significance, including hosting the 1904 World’s Fair, and its world-class attractions, the park remains a cherished urban oasis and a symbol of resilience for the city.

I snagged this off Explore St. Louis’ Facebook Post: World Fair Pavillion

I went to vote on my favorite local gem a few weeks ago, the spectacular Forest Park was sitting then at no.3 in the voting poll. USA Today does these polls every year, and usually Forest Park in St. Louis is either no. 1 or in the Top 5. However, today it has been confirmed, what we as St Louisan and the world knows, Forest Park is a classical masterpiece and is the no. 1 Park in the USA. Stemming from the 1904 World Fair and Olympics heydays. Forest Park is the backyard of St. Louis.

So sit back and take a look at how our garden of Paradise got it done for 2026!

USA Today:

Get a breath of fresh air at the 10 best city parks in the US

Find an oasis in the concrete jungle

Best City Park (2026)

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City parks provide space to connect with nature and the community, and the best of them offer a variety of activities and attractions for residents and visitors, from playgrounds and community gardens to amphitheaters and live performances.

To find the top parks in the nation, we asked a panel of experts for nominations, then readers voted to determine the winners. These are the 10 best city parks in the U.S. for 2026.

Located in the heart of St. Louis, Forest Park encompasses around 1,300 acres of land, making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States — over 1.5 times the size of New York’s Central Park. The green space is widely used for outdoor recreation and features bicycle paths, jogging trails, baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. Visitors can also enjoy boat rentals and, in the winter, ice skating.

Forest Park in St. Louis is packed with major attractions, and you can easily spend a full day (or more) exploring it. Here are the top highlights you shouldn’t miss:

Forest Park in St. Louis is packed with major attractions, and you can easily spend a full day (or more) exploring it. Here are the top highlights you shouldn’t miss:

Saint Louis Zoo

One of the best zoos in the U.S. and completely free admission.
It’s consistently ranked among the top attractions in the country and sits right in the heart of Forest Park.

Saint Louis Art Museum

A world-class art museum overlooking Art Hill and the Grand Basin.

Saint Louis Science Center

A hands-on science museum with a planetarium and interactive exhibits.

The Muny (Municipal Theatre)

America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater. One of my favorite!

And here is another favorite spot I truly enjoy:

The Boathouse & Grand Basin

A scenic lake area with paddle boats and a restaurant.

Jewel Box Conservatory

A historic glass greenhouse filled with flowers and tropical plants.

Missouri History Museum

Located at the north edge of the park.

There are plenty more attractions, just click here!

More winners:

2. Bonnett Spring Park in Lakeland, Florida

3. Gathering Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma

4. Origin Park in Clarksville Indiana

5. Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC

6. Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

7. Railroad Park in Birmingham, ALA

8. Falls Park on the Reedy in Greenville, SC

9. Centennial Park in Nashville, TN

10. Bruce Park in Greenwich, Connecticut

There you have it—the parks that earned top spots in the poll. I’m especially excited for Forest Park, which has shown incredible resilience. Even after a devastating tornado tore through St. Louis last May and brought down hundreds of trees, leaving parts of the park heavily damaged, the spirit of Forest Park never disappeared.

Recently, Forest Park Forever shared an update highlighting the ongoing recovery and restoration efforts, showing how the park is being brought back to life piece by piece.

https://www.forestparkforever.org/tornado-recovery

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