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There isn’t a ton of awareness about the Ulysses S Grant National Historic site. Which is a real shame because this park has a lot to offer! Unfortunately, many people who come to St Louis visit the National Park Service big shot just up the road, The Gateway Arch, and this stop gets overlooked. If you have time while you’re visiting St Louis, I highly recommend you take the time to check out the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site!
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Quick Facts about Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
Here are a few quick facts about the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site before you visit:
- Ulysses S Grant was our 18th President. He was best known for the role he played in helping the Union win the Civil War
- He’s originally from Ohio, but he lived in St Louis while he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks
- At the time when Grant lived here, the property was 850 acres. Today, the house is in the middle of a quiet St Louis suburb
- Grant’s In-Laws originally owned the house. This is where Grant fell in love with his wife, Julia, and he later purchased the home for her.
Getting to and Parking at Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is located in Crestwood, Missouri, a suburb of St Louis. While even some locals couldn’t tell you where to find this site, many could point you in direction to the major St Louis attraction that is just across the street: Grant’s Farm. Despite its name, Grant’s Farm is actually owned by the Busch Family (the same ones of Anheuser-Busch fame.) Grant’s Farm was at one time the property of Ulysses S Grant and has its own historic home, too.
Appropriately, Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is off of Grant Road, easily accessible from either Watson or Gravois. There is a large parking lot on site that is more than enough space for anyone visiting the park. If it’s a nice day, you might consider biking to the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site by way of the Grant Trail.
No matter how you choose to get here, one thing is painfully clear. If you see a sign that says “Grant” you’re headed in the right direction!
What to do at Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
Take a Ranger-led Tour of the Historic Home
One of my favorite things to do at the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is take a Ranger-led tour of the home. I have taken this tour many times and I can promise you it is different every single time! That’s because there is no script for these tours. Each Park Ranger writes their very own tour based on their own research. Some Rangers focus on Grant’s time in the Civil War, some focus on his time in St Louis, some his life as a whole. My favorite “version” of the tour was one that focused on his love story with his wife Julia, who he met for the first time at this house when it was her childhood home.
No matter what kind of tour you get (and as far as I can tell, it’s completely random) you’re going to enjoy the stories these Rangers tell. If you have any interest in seeing the inside of the home, you will have to take a Ranger-led tour. The only way to go inside the house is with a Park Ranger.
Ranger-led Tours of US Grant National Historic Site happen every 30 minutes at the top and bottom of the hour. The Park is open from 9am – 5pm every day, and the last tour leaves at 4pm. Tours last between 30 – 45 minutes.
Take an Outdoor Self-Guided Tour
If you don’t have time to take a tour or would prefer to do something more self-guided, the sites on the outside of the house are open to the public without a Ranger. There is also a 0.25mile walking trail that circles part of the park grounds with signs to read along the way.
Take a Virtual Tour of Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
You can also now take a virtual tour of the house! Follow two of the Park Rangers on a virtual tour embedded below. Even if you have been to the historic home before, or plan to take the tour, this video is still worth coming back to. There are three floors to the building, but due to the age of the building, tours are only allowed on the first floor. In the virtual tour, the National Park Rangers take you on up to see what’s on the other two floors!
Visit the Museum
Ulysses S Grant designed the large horse stable on the property himself. Grant wrote a series of letters during his presidency that specifically called out elements of the barn’s design.
Today, the National Park Service has converted this barn into a museum. The museum isn’t just full of things from the Grant family, but is used as a way to tell the story of the time period. It is a good place to check out immediately before or after your tour of the house to get a better sense of what life would have been like in St Louis while Grant lived here.
The museum can be accessed for free at any time the site is open without a guided tour.
Visit the Gift Shop
While a gift shop isn’t usually the highlight of a historic site, I am particularly fond of this one because it is less a gift shop and more a book shop. It is full of many great books on the Grants, and other influential people of this time. The Park Rangers are always willing to make suggestions on books to read, and if you’re really excited about reading more, you can join the book club that they host quarterly!
Here are a few of my favorites that you can pick up at the Visitor’s Center when you visit:
Watch an Orientation Film
The Park offers a 20-minute orientation film that gives you a brief overview of the life of Ulysses S Grant. If you don’t know much about Grant, I highly recommend watching the video before touring the park to get a better understanding of him.
If you don’t have time on the day of your visit to watch the video but still want to know more about Grant, the History Channel recently released a really great mini-series about Grant that I highly recommend you check out. You can watch it here:
Take a Historic Bike Ride
The Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is conveniently stationed off Grant’s Trail. This is a favorite bike trail of locals and is often fairly busy on the weekends. It is a level, paved trail that spans 8.25 miles one way, or 16.5 round trip. To learn more about biking Grant’s Trail (including information on where to find the Trail Heads), head on over here.
Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site hosts events along this trail that they call “Bike Through History.” Bike with a Park Ranger along the Grant’s Trail to the nearby Sappington House and learn about the history that connects these two St Louis Families. They also host a “Run Through History” event that is the same concept.
Be sure to check their calendar of events, their Instagram, or their Facebook Page before visiting to scout out events like this when you visit.
Find More to do Nearby
While you’re so close, it would be worth visiting Grant’s Farm directly across the street. It is owned by the Busch family, and each visit guarantees two free beers to anyone who is old enough. The park works similarly to a safari. You board a tram and are driven around the park to hopefully spot some animals. The tour ends with a petting zoo, a food court, and those free beers I mentioned.
If you’re eager to continue learning more about Ulysses S Grant, visit nearby Jefferson Barracks Park. This is where Grant was stationed once he left West Point, it is where he met Julia’s brother, and its what brought him to St Louis. This is the place to continue your journey into Grant’s life.
For a longer walk in nature, check out Laumeier Sculpture Park nearby. This park has almost two miles of walking paths, both paved and dirt trails. Large sculptures line the trails along the route. This park is perfect for all ages and is dog friendly.
The Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site is one of my favorite places to visit in St Louis. You will love the passion and knowledge that each of the Rangers at this park possess. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and you’ll leave the park a huge fan, too!
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Check out these other posts for even more to do in St Louis!
A Complete Guide to the National Parks of St Louis
The St Louis Arch: Your Ultimate Guide To Gateway Arch National Park
60+ St Louis Date Ideas That You’ll Absolutely Love
21 Free Things for Adults to do in St Louis
National Parks Passport Program: Why National Park Visitors Love it!
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