Places to Go, Things to Do

Car history exhibit, Happenings4Youth rally
and more

The Missouri History Museum this month opens a new "Shifting Gears" exhibit, which shows the rich history of the auto industry in St. Louis.

There's also a special Happenings4Youth rally where kids can learn about after-school programs. Over 240 programs are listed, from Shakespeare to circus arts and beyond.

And, of course, don't forget the many outdoor activities centered on the changing fall colors and the various hunting seasons.

Every month, Young Saint Louis.com puts together a list of Places to Go; Things to Do for the month that can provide good fun for kids and their families. We're looking for interesting events or places that mostly are inexpensive or free. (Whenever possible, we include contact numbers or websites where you can get more information before going.)

Here are the October selections:

"Shifting Gears" car history exhibit

The auto industry has been important in St. Louis' history for over 100 years. The Missouri History Museum's new exhibit looks at the history from 1890 to 1930.

The "Shifting Gears" exhibit opens Sunday, Oct. 15, at the museum in Forest Park.

Stars of the show will be the antique cars themselves. Among those on display will be a 1900 St. Louis Gasoline Motor Carriage, a 1906 Success, a 1919 Dorris panel truck and a 1924 Moon car.

In addition, there will be over 70 artifacts, including early car manuals, photographs and driving clothes.

The exhibit will be at the museum until April 1, 2007. For information, either call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Happenings4Youth kickoff rally

Happenings4Youth helps St. Louis area kids find interesting and safe after-school activities. A rally kicks off the 2006-2007 season at the St. Louis Science Center.

The rally is Thursday, Oct. 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. Kids are invited and admission is free.

A new booklet listing over 240 after-school programs will be available. Also, a new more user-friendly website will be on display. The address is www.happenings4youth.org.

Carmen Barton, a young comedian, will be the rally emcee. Winners of a Happenings4Youth public service announcement contest will perform.

About 20 after-school program agencies will have interactive displays and exhibits. There will be snacks for the kids.

As an added feature, rally attendees will have free access to the SportsWorks exhibit. Kids can try their luck on a zero-gravity bicycle and a challenging climbing wall.

For more, call St.Louis4Kids at (314) 241-0011 or visit www.stlouis4kids.org.

Autumn color on display

According to Brett Stawar of the Alton (Ill.) Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the third week in October is traditionally the peak week for fall color in this area.

And, the Great Rivers Scenic Byway from the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers north provides some of the prettiest color. The Trailnet organization recommends the 33 miles from Hartford, Ill., to Pere Marquette State Park.

The route is lined with bluffs with colorful maple and oak trees.

For more, visit www.confluencegreenway.org.

MDC's 1st Deer Camp

To celebrate Missouri's long history of family deer hunting, the Missouri Department of Conservation will hold its first Deer Camp. The event will be Saturday, Oct. 7, at the Henges Range and Conservation Education Center.

The site is located off 1-44 at the Antire exit. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.

Activities include free firearms firing. Exhibitors and vendors will have the latest in hunting equipment. For information, call (636) 938-9548.

Wolf Sanctuary's Open House

The Wolf Sanctuary will hold its annual open house on Sunday, Oct. 1. Hours are 9 a.m-5 p.m. and admission is $15 per car, regardless the number of occupants.

In addition to touring the sanctuary, visitors will see representatives of a variety of other dog organizations. They include the Disc Dog Club, St. Louis Police Department's Canine Unit, Gateway Search Dog Club and Gateway Sled Dog Club.

The kids also get a chance to talk with keepers at the Wolf Sanctuary.

The Wolf Sanctuary is located off 1-44 at the Exit 269 at Antoire. Once off the exit, go straight ahead to the Tyson Research area. For more information, call (636) 938-5900.

Public Ice-Skating opens

Public ice-skating is available at the Greensfelder, North County and Kennedy recreation complexes, operated by the St. Louis County Parks Department.

The Kennedy skating in South County opened Saturday, Sept. 23. Skating opens at the North County complex on Saturday, Oct. 7 and at Greensfelder on Friday, Oct. 13.

Call ahead for hours and admission charges. At North County, call (314) 355-7374; at Kennedy, (314) 894-3089, and at Greensfelder, (636) 394-0922.

A variety of fall hikes

Missouri Department of Conservation areas offer a variety of outdoor hikes and even a little caving for kids in October.

The Busch Conservation area in St. Charles County has an Owl Prowl on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Call (636) 441-4554.

The Columbia Bottom Conservation area in extreme north St. Louis County has a discovery hike on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The short hike will show how plants and animals prepare for the change of seasons. Call (314) 877-6014.

The Powder Valley Conservation center also has an owl hike for kids Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. Call (314) 301-1500.

The Rockwoods Reservation in West County has both a fall color hike and a hike to Rockwoods Cave. The fall color hike is 2.5 miles on Saturday, Oct. 14. The caving hike is Friday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. Call (636) 458-2236.