And you just can't beat the price.

The St. Louis Zoo, charging no admission since it opened in 1910, has been named one of the best free attractions in the nation by USA Today.

Here's what copywriters said about our free and famous menagerie:

"The 90-acre St. Louis Zoo exhibits 600 species of animals representing every continent and major biome on the planet. It's also one of the nation's few zoos that offers free entry, though some exhibits and shows charge smaller admission fees."

They also showed some love for the flightless birds: "The zoo's Penguin & Puffin Coast exhibit is one of the best penguin habitats in the country ... ."

Readers can vote from a list of 19 candidates, which includes the Alamo, the Golden Gate Bridge, Central Park and Freedom trail in Boston.

Voting ends at 10:59 a.m. Aug. 29, with the winner to be announced Sept. 2.

Your weekly capsule of local news, life advice, trivia and humor from Post-Dispatch columnist Joe Holleman. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.