St. Louis' teenagers have access to a variety of activities in the "Gateway City," which includes skating, rock concerts and sports. This city is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest, drawing teenage visitors from eastern Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky. During the warm spring and summer months, teenagers can enjoy outdoor activities, such as youth baseball games and roller coaster rides at Six Flags.
St. Louis is home to skateparks, which allow teenagers to rollerblade and skateboard. Some of St. Louis' skate parks are on the grounds of religious institutes, including the St. Louis Family Church Skatepark, which ensures a family-friendly environment. Most St. Louis skateparks are closed during the cold winter months; however, the "Gateway City" has a year-round indoor park, Ramp Riders. Ramp Riders also has a pro shop where teenagers can purchase skating and bicycling equipment. This indoor skatepark also provides skateboard and skating lessons throughout the year. Teenage girls and boys may be interested in the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club, which offers opportunities for figure skating lessons and involvement in the St. Louis Synergy synchronized ice skating program.
Athletic teenagers in the "Gateway City" have access to youth sports leagues. During the fall, the St. Louis Junior Football League offers opportunities to over 3,000 children ages 7 through 14 to play American football. This league has age divisions and weight limits which allow kids to play with other kids their own size and age. This city is also home to the St. Louis Youth Soccer Association, a league that allows male and female teenagers to play soccer in the winter months. This league has divisions for teenagers ages 13 through 18. Youth volleyball leagues are available for teenage girls via St. Louis Volleyball. This organization has leagues for girls ages 13 through 18.
The largest theme park in the Greater St. Louis area is Six Flags St. Louis, located in the western suburb of Eureka. This park has been open since 1971, formerly under the moniker Six Flags Mid-America, and features themed areas including Illinois, the 1904 World's Fair and the DC Comics Plaza. The oldest ride in the park is the River King Mine Train -- which was available when the park first opened -- and the newest ride, as of fall 2010, is the Superman: Tower of Power, which has a 230-foot giant drop. Six Flags also has restaurants and live music entertainment, which draws teenagers to the park. The theme park also has a 12-acre water park called Hurricane Harbor Park; access to this area is included with the park's admission fee.
