Places to Go, Things to Do

Plenty of outdoor things for kids during May

There are some neat outdoor historic celebrations for St. Louis-area kids and their families to enjoy during May.

There's the Lewis & Clark Heritage Days in St. Charles, the Faust Historical Village Open House in west St. Louis County and Kids Day at Cahokia Mounds Historic Site in Illinois.

Also, the Missouri History Museum begins its Twilight Tuesday outdoor concerts.

A Kids Fishing Fair will be held at Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles County.

These are just some of the Places to Go; Things to Do events Young Saint Louis.com has found that are happening during May. Each month, YSL.com checks on activities and events of special interest to kids. Most of them have free admission.

Lewis & Clark Heritage Days

The Lewis and Clark Heritage Days will be Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17, in St. Charles. This is the 205th anniversary of the famed exploration from St. Louis west to the Pacific Ocean.

For complete information on the event, check www.lewisandclarkcenter.org.

The event includes historical re-enactments and full-size replicas of the boats used in the "discovery" expedition.

For kids, there are chances to play games Indian kids had in pioneer times.

While there, check out the Lewis & Clark Museum on banks of the Missouri River.

Faust Historical Village Open House

The Faust Historical Village Open House will be Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17 in Faust Park in western St. Louis County. Hours are from 1-5 p.m. and admission is free.

The village has a number of restored homes, barns and other pioneer structures. Also, there are living gardens and other facilities from that earlier time.

For information, call (636) 532-7298 or visit www.stlouisco.com/parks/

Also, on that same weekend, Faust Park will host the Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $2. For information, call (314) 615-8482 or visit www.stlouisco.com/parks/

Cahokia Mounds Kids Day

Kids Day at the Cahokia Mounds Historic Site in Illinois will be Sunday, May 17. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are lots of hands-on activities for kids, such as arrowhead making, Indian games, corn grinding, pottery making and spear throwing. There also will be storytelling.

For information, call (618) 346-5160 or visit www.cahokiamounds.com.

Kids Fishing Fair at Busch

A Kids Fishing Fair is scheduled for the Busch Conservation Area in St. Charles County on Saturday, May 16. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is for kids 15 and under and their families. This is a great place to learn the ins and outs of fishing. And there are even chances to try your luck at some of the many lakes in the conservation area.

The Missouri Department of Conservation even has some rods and tackle for kids who don't have their own fishing equipment.

For info, call (636) 441-4554 or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis/.

Cave Exploration at Rockwoods

The Rockwood Reservation in extreme western St. Louis County will provide kids a chance to get some expert advice and experience in cave exploration. The event is Thursday, May 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The event is open to kids 7 and up. Reservations start May 14.

Since this exploration involves crawling on hands and knees, kids need to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt and bring a flashlight. Helmets will be provided.

For information, call (636) 458-2236 or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis/

Tuesday Night Riverfront Trail Rides

The Tuesday Night Riverfront Trail Rides begin Tuesday, May 5, and run through August 18. The rides start at 5:30 p.m. and are free.

Riders can plan the distance of their own rides on the Riverfront Trail from seven to 28 miles. The rides start at the parking garage at Lucas Ave. and Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. on the riverfront.

For information, visit www.trailnet.org.

Also, remember to pick up your free Trailnet 2009 Calendar of Bicycle Rides from your local bike shop or order at www.trailnet.org.

History Museum's Tuesday Concerts

The Missouri History Museum's Twilight Tuesday Outdoor Concert schedule starts on Tuesday, May 5. The concerts are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Admission is free.

There are "make and take" activities for kids.

The first concert will feature Cheryl Brown, Jeremiah Allen, Amos Brewer and Carl Baines.

For information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Astronomy Day at Planetarium

Astronomy Day will be held at the McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park on Saturday, May 2.

There will be displays, a lecture, solar observations and door prizes.

For information, call (314) 289-4444 or visit www.slsc.org.

Columbia Bottoms' Wood Shed

The 5th anniversary of the "Wood Shed" Visitors Center at the Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area in northeast St. Louis County will be held in May. The week-long celebration will be from Wednesday through Sunday, May 27-31.

Columbia Bottoms is one of the Missouri Department of Conservation's newer conservation areas. It sits right at the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

There will be special activities on Wednesday, May 27.

For information, call (314) 877-6014 or visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/areas/bottom.

DeSoto's Farmers Market opens

If your family is in the market for fresh fruits and vegetables, why not try out one of the farmers' markets that are springing up in the area.

A new one, the DeSoto Farmers' Market, in southern Jefferson County will open on Saturday, May 9.

Trailnet is helping to sponsor the market in its Healthy and Active Communities Initiative. For more info, visit www.trailnet.org/p_healthyactive.php.