10 posts tagged “ford vehicles”
Pack a picnic lunch. Pile the kids in the Ford. Spring is in the air and it’s time to head out for a day of adventure at Grant’s Farm.
There are many exciting animal encounters possible at Grant's Farm, the 281-acre ancestral home of the Busch family, located just south of the city of St. Louis. The Farm is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 100 different species from six continents. Grant's Farm, operated by Anheuser-Busch, Inc., has been a St. Louis tradition for over five decades. More than 24 million guests have visited this popular family attraction during its history.
The Farm takes its name from our 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. In the 1850s, Grant founded and farmed a portion of the 281 acres. Today, this land is home to Grant's Farm and is preserved as a living symbol of the Busch family's love for animals and Anheuser-Busch's commitment to wildlife conservation and preservation. Admission to Grant's Farm is free to all ages. Reservations are not required.
Deer Park is home to a variety of exotic animal species from around the world, including Bison from North America ,Black Buck Antelope from Europe, Red Deer from Asia andEurope, Zebra from Africa and more!
The wildlife, including animals from the six of the seven continents around the world, is free to roam throughout this natural setting of Deer Park.
Throughout the tour of Deer Park, guests will find several beautiful lakes such as Mirror Lake. Fan-tailed goldfish and brilliant orange and white Japanese Koi are found in these lakes. Koi have been known to grow up to five feet in length and live to be 150 years old.
The Budweiser Clydesdale Stables are home to approximately 35 Clydesdale mares, stallions and foals. Anheuser-Busch has one of the world's largest herds of Clydesdale horses and owns approximately 250 nationwide.
Admission to Grant's Farm, tram rides and all shows is complimentary, but, alas, you must pay for parking.
Parking fees:
* $11 per vehicle (yes, even Ford drivers must pay up)
* $30 for buses
* $40 for a season parking
Call now and reserve your Private Expedition! This unique experience provides an adventure guests won't forget. The Grant’s Farm Private Expedition includes a ride in an open air vehicle through the Deer Park with up close feeding experience with animals and fish. Visit the Clydesdale stables. A group photograph for each member of your tour, two parking passes, soda and water are also provided. Call (314) 843-1700 for reservations and more information.
Imagine life with no alarm clocks, no cell phone, no pager, no answering machine, no computer and no noise. Just peace and quiet. That life may be impossible to obtain, but it can happen if only for a few hours or perhaps a few days in Ste. Genevieve MO, just 1 hour south of St. Louis. An easy drive in the family Ford.
This is a charming, laid-back town, where bicycles stand on the sidewalks without locks and people stroll in and out of inviting little shops filled with antiques, crafts, gifts, sweets and wine.
One can enjoy the charm of an Old World village plus the comforts and convenience of modern living. Stroll through the streets of this unique community, dine in a variety of restaurants, browse the specialty shops and stay in distinguished bed and breakfast inns and other fine lodgings.
Beauvais-Amoureux House
The Beauvais-Amoureux House was built over-looking Le Grand Champ agricultural fields in 1792. This is a French creole vernacular post in ground (poteaux-enterre) construction; one of three in Ste. Genevieve and only five in the US. Its cedar log walls are set directly into the earth, without a foundation. The roof system consists of king-post trusses and longitudinal wind braces. The house is located at 327 St. Mary Road and is open occasionally to the public.
Hawn State Park
After leaving the historic site, point the Ford towards Hawn State Park which is just 16 miles from the city in Ste. Genevieve County, off Hwy 32. This is the best wilderness experience that nature has to offer to forget traffic jams, family crises and work related problems. Within the 4,953-acre park is the 2,570-acre "Whispering Pine Wild Area".
Nowhere else in Missouri can one find these rare plants, some left behind by glaciers. When snow is on the ground winter provides a special treat of frozen water falls and wonderful ice sculptures. Spring brings the wild pink azaleas which grow from the bluffs, hills and sandstone. You will also see the dogwoods, redbuds and many, many wildflowers.
When arriving at the park drive up to the information office and get a map. This will help to select one of the many trails and direct you to the campground, picnic area and facilities. For more information, call 573-883-3603.
After visiting the historical homes and hiking in park, head back into town for shopping at the unique gift stores and antique shops. You'll wish you had brought the Expedition instead of the Taurus so there'd be more room to load up all your purchases. Then relax over a lovely dinner and rest up with an overnight stay at a bed 'n' breakfast before heading back into the city.
The Museum of Transportation was founded in 1944 by a group of individuals dedicated to preserving the past. They acquired the 1870's Bellefontaine #33 mule-drawn streetcar from the St. Louis Public Service Company and they formed a nonprofit organization titled the St Louis Railway Historical Society, which later became the Transport Museum Association.
The Bellefontaine #33 was stored until after WWII when the group was able to locate the present site on Barrett Station Road.
The mule car was soon joined by a collection of streetcars, an 1869 vintage derrick from the Missouri Pacific Railroad, a 4-4-2 Atlantic type steam locomotive from the Chicago and Northwestern and an 1889 ten wheeler 4-6-0 steam locomotive from the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
The name was changed to Museum of Transport in 1948, and the Museum opened 7 days a week in 1957. About 1960 the name became National Museum of Transport.
On Sept 1, 1979 St. Louis County Parks took over the operation of the Museum. The assets of the Museum were donated to the County in 1983, giving the county title to the collection as well as operation of the site.
Today, the Transport Museum Association, the continuation of the private not for profit incorporation, assists with funding and raising money for new acquisitions and restoration.
Expanded services now include tours and classrooms, a theatre, educational programs, puppet shows and facilities for parties and events. Their full calendar includes the following Ford Car show coming this spring.
All-Ford Event - April 5, 2009
Presented by: The Model A Restorers Club, Model T Club & Early Ford V8 Club.
This event is open to Ford vehicles old and new. One of the highlights of the show will be the opportunity to watch a team assemble a Ford Model T from crates of parts in just minutes and drive away.
Summer Hours (May 1st - September 1)
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Winter Hours (September 2nd - April30th)
Closed Monday.
Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Museum of Transportation
St. Louis County Parks and Recreation
3015 Barrett Station Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
The Museum of Transportation was founded in 1944 by a group of individuals dedicated to preserving the past. They acquired the 1870's Bellefontaine #33 mule-drawn streetcar from the St. Louis Public Service Company and they formed a nonprofit organization titled the St Louis Railway Historical Society, which later became the Transport Museum Association.
The Bellefontaine #33 was stored until after WWII when the group was able to locate the present site on Barrett Station Road.
The mule car was soon joined by a collection of streetcars, an 1869 vintage derrick from the Missouri Pacific Railroad, a 4-4-2 Atlantic type steam locomotive from the Chicago and Northwestern and an 1889 ten wheeler 4-6-0 steam locomotive from the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
The name was changed to Museum of Transport in 1948, and the Museum opened 7 days a week in 1957. About 1960 the name became National Museum of Transport.
On Sept 1, 1979 St. Louis County Parks took over the operation of the Museum. The assets of the Museum were donated to the County in 1983, giving the county title to the collection as well as operation of the site.
Today, the Transport Museum Association, the continuation of the private not for profit incorporation, assists with funding and raising money for new acquisitions and restoration.
Expanded services now include tours and classrooms, a theatre, educational programs, puppet shows and facilities for parties and events. Their full calendar includes the following Ford Car show coming this spring.
All-Ford Event - April 5, 2009
Presented by: The Model A Restorers Club, Model T Club & Early Ford V8 Club.
This event is open to Ford vehicles old and new. One of the highlights of the show will be the opportunity to watch a team assemble a Ford Model T from crates of parts in just minutes and drive away.
Summer Hours (May 1st - September 1)
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Winter Hours (September 2nd - April30th)
Closed Monday.
Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Museum of Transportation
St. Louis County Parks and Recreation
3015 Barrett Station Road
St. Louis, MO 63122
Housed in the 600,000 square-foot former International Shoe Company, the museum is an eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel made out of unique, found objects. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed artist Bob Cassilly, a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, the museum opened for visitors in 1997 to the riotous approval of young and old alike.
Cassilly and his longtime crew of 20 artisans have constructed the museum from the very stuff of the city; and, as a result, it has urban roots deeper than any other institutions'. Reaching no farther than municipal borders for its reclaimed building materials, CITY MUSEUM boasts features such as old chimneys, salvaged bridges, construction cranes, miles of tile, and even two abandoned planes! All that seems to be missing is a salute to the heritage of Ford Vehicles.
Painted in mystery and textured with intrigue, the Enchanted Caves at CITY MUSEUM offer explorers of all ages an opportunity to walk, climb and crawl through the mind of a master artist. Built within a historic shoe factory's spiral conveyor tunnel system, the caves emanate from deep within the heart of CITY MUSEUM.
Create your own work of art or watch professional artists demonstrate their craft! Art City features an ever- changing array of artists, painters, potters and sculptors at work. The Glass Studio demonstrates turning molten glass into unique sculpture forms and a variety of techniques, including glassblowing, hot glass sand-casting, etching, cutting, blasting and polishing.
Other attractions at the CITY MUSEUM include MonstroCity, the World Aquarium, Toddler Town and for the adults, a terrific bar and music venue called Cabin Inn.
Hop in your sassy Ford Explorer and head on over to the City Museum. It's located at 701 N 15th Street in downtown St Louis. The phone number is (314) 231-2489.
St. Louis offers some of the best seasonal lights displays in the country, all of which are within convenient driving distance from the downtown area. So make a jug of hot cocoa, pile the family in the Ford Flex, or the economical Ford Focus wagon, and hit the road in search of seasonal delights.
Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo
Some people don't think of the St. Louis Zoo as a place to go in the winter months, but during the holiday season, the Zoo hosts an annual event called "Wild Lights." The lights run from the South Gate entrance of the Zoo past the Lakeside Café up to the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel, a ride which contains hand-carved representations of protected and endangered species. Visitors also can view animal light sculptures at the Emerson's Children's Zoo, which is located within the Zoo complex.
Wild Lights at the St. Louis Zoo is open nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., December 7 through December 30 (Wild Lights will be closed on December 24 and 25).
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows: Way of Lights (Belleville, Illinois)
Each year, St. Louis residents make the drive into Illinois to view the Way of Lights, an annual event that features indoor and outdoor activities at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Using over a million lights, this display tells the story of Mary and Joseph's long journey to Bethlehem from November 15 through January 6, 2008. Best viewed in your warm Ford Vehicle, the Way of Lights is free to the public, but donations will be accepted to support the charitable works of the Shrine.
In addition to the free Children's Village, the Shrine also has a laser show this year that tells the Nativity story through light and sound.
Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park
Preparing for its 22nd year of operation, the Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park in St. Louis County features one of the most impressive displays of lights in the area. Visitors can use their own vehicle to see the display or reserve a horse-drawn carriage through Metrotix. On Saturday evening, only carriage rides are permitted within the park. The Winter Wonderland is open Wednesday, November 21 (the day before Thanksgiving) through Tuesday, January 1 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., but the display is closed Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Hopefully this holiday season will find you merry and bright. As you visit the local light displays, please buckle up and drive safely.
The Jewel Box is open after a $3.5 million renovation and it "glows" again. The glass panes have been repaired and cleaned so the Jewel Box is once again the "jewel" of centrally located Forest Park - making it an easy drive for you, the family and the family Ford.
And the jewel is bright with hundreds of flowers. The permanent floral displays are supplemented with seasonal flowers from the city's greenhouses grown and planted by the Flora Conservancy of Forest Park, the volunteer gardening group, and the Horticulture Section of the Parks Division.
The Jewel Box is open: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $1 but it is free from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and Tuesday. The Christmas display is currently available for viewing.
The renovation included removing all of the old plants and trees and reconfiguring the planting areas to the sides of the building, leaving the interior free.
Gone are the trees that climbed to the top of the building, obscuring the light. Now the Jewel Box is flooded with sunlight that pours in through the top tiers of glass and illuminates the plants below.
The interior area includes a large fountain and water feature that can be removed for weddings and other events. Large pots line both sides of the pond and baskets of plants hang from the ceiling.
The renovation of the Jewel Box included replacing the mechanical systems, improving the floral display area and adding a catering area so the building can be rented for wedding receptions, corporate meetings and parties. There is a new heating and air conditioning system so it will be comfortable inside in the coldest and hottest weather.
The Jewel Box, located on a 17-acre site in Forest Park, was built by the City of St. Louis in 1936 and is operated by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry. It provides a perfect backdrop if you want to take classy pictures of your classic Ford.
Pile the family in the Ford Explorer, because the kids are going to want to explore The Saint Louis Science Center's James S. McDonnell Planetarium -- one of the nation's leading space education facilities. It features the unique Boeing Space Station, with two fabulous levels of exhibits that incorporate scientific research, illustrating the future of space travel.
The Orthwein StarBay has several lab areas, including the SBC Learning Center, that give visitors a glimpse of what it's like to live and work on the International Space Station. In the Crew Quarters see how dwellers eat, exercise, sleep and dress in space, as well as how medical needs and the stations internal and external environments are maintained.
The StarBay's most amazing feature is the central open area dominated by the Zeiss Planetarium Model IX which projects more than 9,000 stars onto an 80-foot dome creating a brilliant star field. Visitors can look up and see what the actual night sky would look like without the interference of weather, pollution, or city lights. Special features allow Planetarium staff to demonstrate eclipses, meteor showers and other celestial phenomena. The immensity and clarity of the view creates a sense of wonder and stimulates the imagination.
The StarBridge, located on the highest level, focuses on the navigation and operations essential for life in space. Exhibits demonstrate the roles that communication, astronomical research, power and exploration will play in maintaining a space station. And don't miss the full size replica of the X PRIZE winning spaceship, SpaceShipOne now on display in Holekamp Family SkyPort.
The James S. McDonnell Planetarium has activities and events for all ages. Check out their website for a calendar of what's coming up
.
When you leave the Planetarium, you are going to be tempted to drive the Ford like you are flying a spaceship, but keep the Taurus and the Focus on the asphalt for a safe approach to home.
Hopefully you are aware of the wonderful attraction that is located in South St. Louis – the Missouri Botanical Garden. Founded in 1859, it is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark.
The Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids.
The year 2009 marks the Garden’s sesquicentennial anniversary. For over 150 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun—and also a center for education, science, and conservation.
The Garden is beautiful at all times of the year, and the coming holiday season offers even more reasons to come for a visit. Pile Grandma and the kids into your spacious Ford Expedition and experience first hand the beauty of this local landmark.
Gardenland Express: Wednesday, November 26–Sunday, January 4, 2009
One of St. Louis’s most beloved holiday traditions returns with Gardenland Express, the Garden’s annual holiday flower and train show. Be swept away to a wintery wonderland in the mountains of Vermont.
Tiny villages, ski resorts, and covered bridges dot the living landscape of dwarf conifers, evergreens, succulents, and moss. Eight G-scale model trains chug through the scenery surrounded by hundreds of colorful poinsettias and seasonal flowers.
Gardenland Express is a temporary installation, created fresh each year by the Garden’s talented team of horticulturists and volunteers.
Victorian Christmas at Tower Grove House - All throughout December
Tower Grove House, the Victorian country home of Garden founder Henry Shaw will be decorated with wreaths, garlands, floral centerpieces, greenery and a holiday tree the month of December.
Christmas Carols in the Garden - December 13 – 1 4
Santa in his sleigh, musicians and carolers, and roasting chestnuts—it’s all part of this celebration of the sounds of the season.
Five choirs, a brass ensemble, a jazz combo, and a harpist will perform throughout Garden grounds. Mulled cider, hot chocolate, and cookies will be available for purchase, and the Garden Gate Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Leave the Focus at home and bring the Ford SUV, because you are going to want to load up on the fabulous gifts you will find for everyone in the family.
Our first stop was at Mount Pleasant Winery. Founded in 1859, Mount Pleasant is located right in the city center at the top of a bluff, overlooking a vast plain where the Missouri River once roared. The only winery that charges for admittance ($5), Mount Pleasant has a nice patio where tables and chairs encircle a cobblestone “dance floor” where a jazzy combo plays all day long. Mount Pleasant offers your standard cheese and sausage platters, but there’s also a grill for warm sandwiches. A popular destination for weddings, this winery offers a variety of amenities. And if you have a nifty Ford sport wagon, you can load it up with a case of Norton wine.
Next up was a short drive down the winding scenic roads to Montelle Winery. Founded in 1970, Montelle has the best views, hands down, of any Missouri winery. With three staggered levels, surrounded by trees, there is plenty to see here. Overlooking a beautiful valley, you have a great 180 degree view of the Augusta countryside. However, if it’s sun you’re looking for, there’s an open hillside with picnic tables and room for blankets, that’ll get you a tan on a bright day. The Klondike Café offers some real food options. With gourmet sandwiches, salads and pizzas... the place might be worth a visit for the food and sights alone, but everyone knows the real reason to come out here and that’s wine, and plenty of it.
Now wine isn’t your only option in Augusta. If vino isn’t your thing, drive down to the bottoms where you will find the Augusta Brewing Co., a tucked-away microbrew and beer garden located right off the Katy Trail. The place is minimalist, with a small, open shack with your bar and a few tables to sit, and a tent set up to house a live band and more tables. Other than that, it’s wide open – sort of like being out on the farm. Tables are set up, staggered, and the key is to really get back to nature and drink some beer. The two go hand and hand, and perfectly so here.
At the end of a fun wine country day, be sure to do the responsible thing. Give the keys to the Ford car to your designated driver before heading back to the city.
