Located on the Mighty Mississippi River, St. Louis is a hub of culture in Missouri. With a handful of free museums, the culture is easy on the wallet, too. Ideal for a Midwest road trip, add St. Louis to your getaway plans. From the Gateway Arch National Park to paddling on the Mississippi to birding from its shore, this waterway is vital to the area. However, animal and nature lovers (like myself) are delighted to find several reserves and refuges to visit to learn more about the conservation efforts happening in Missouri. Here are the best things to do in St. Louis.
19 Best Things to Do in St. Louis
Gateway Arch National Park
The Tom Sawyer Paddleboat
Padding the Mississippi River with Big Muddy Adventures
Enjoy Forest Park
Attend the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
See the Animals at the St. Louis Zoo
Visit the St. Louis Science Center
Tour the Missouri History Museum
Explore the St. Louis Art Museum
Wander through the Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
Experience The City Museum
Hike at the Shaw Nature Reserve
Tour the Meramec Caverns
Go Birding at the Audubon Center at the Riverlands
See the Birds of Prey at the World Bird Sanctuary
Learn More at the Endangered Wolf Center
Sample a T Rav
Spend the Night in a Museum Hotel
Is St. Louis Worth Visiting?
I have traveled to St. Louis countless times over the years, and with each trip, I find another new-to-me attraction or experience. I still stand in wonder under the Gateway Arch, surveying its engineering and admiring its beauty. On my latest trip, I paddled on the Mighty Mississippi River on a guided tour. It was a totally different perspective.
Many museums and the zoo are free in St. Louis, making it a budget-friendly destination for travelers, especially families. Forest Park is centrally located and larger than NYC’s Central Park, and it houses the Museum District and outdoor venues.
Outside St. Louis, animal-loving visitors will find many reserves and sanctuaries dedicated to protecting the flora and fauna. Finally, foodies will find their fill in St. Louis. One tip: try the toasted ravioli or T-Ravs. They are a specialty of St. Louis.
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Gateway Arch National Park
In the 19th century, St. Louis was the last stop before heading to the sparsely populated west. As thousands headed west, hoping for free land and more opportunity, St. Louis was the gateway to the West.
Designed by Eero Saarinen, this iconic monument represents Thomas Jefferson’s inspirational and transcendent vision as he built a unified continental nation. Perched on the Mississippi River, framing the western horizon, the Gateway Arch feels as modern as ever. However, it opened nearly 60 years ago.
While at Gateway Arch National Park, one of the top things to do is visit the Gateway Arch Museum, located under the arch. There, you can learn about the Arch’s Designers and Construction.
Afterward, you can take a Ride to the Top. If you are afraid of heights, this might be a bit much, as the viewing platform at the top offers limited space.
Be sure and walk around the Gateway Grounds. It offers a large landscaped area and overlooks the Mississippi River.
It is located at 11 North 4th St., St. Louis. The arch and its visitors center are open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the rest of the year, the arch is open open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Gateway Arch grounds are open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the visitor center is free to enter.
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The Tom Sawyer Paddleboat
Paddling up and down the Mississippi River in the replica 19th-century paddle-wheel riverboat, the Tom Sawyer is an add-on activity while in St. Louis. It was originally brought to St. Louis in 1964 to watch the construction of the arch, and it is so popular now that it is a must-do.
Each cruise lasts one hour, with specialty cruises and a skyline dinner cruise. The Tom Sawyer departs from 50 S. Leonor K Sullivan Blvd. Adult tickets start at $24, and kids (3-15) start at $14 and babies 2 and younger are free. Cruises depart at 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 pm, 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., with seasonal hours.
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Padding the Mississippi River with Big Muddy Adventures
For a truly unique experience on the Mighty Mississippi River, paddle it. On a guided trip with Big Muddy Adventures, paddlers will head upstream past the Gateway Arch in a 10-person canoe with an experienced guide.
During my excursion, we paddled near the shore of the river. St. Louis is the largest inland port in the U.S., so the boat traffic is constant. We passed bridges and learned about the Mississippi River’s history while paddling.
Experience is helpful but not necessary. This excursion is for kids 6 and older with an accompanying adult. The Mississippi River paddle is offered during the summer on Friday and Monday mornings. Prices are $75 for adults and $65 for kids (6 to 17), including lifevests and dry bags.
While I didn’t get wet, wear clothes that can get splashed. Water shoes or old tennis shoes are a must. No flip-flops.
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Enjoy Forest Park
The central park in St. Louis offers many free activities, like the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Museum of Art, the Missouri History Museum, The Muny (St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre) and the St. Louis Science Center. Opened in 1876, Forest Park encompasses 1,326 acres and is larger than Central Park in NYC.
In addition to cultural institutions, Forest Park offers a dual walk and bike route across the park. There is a boat house in the park. Visitors can enjoy tennis, baseball, cycling, fishing, soccer, rugby, running and walking during their stay.
Located at 5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis. It is free to enter and open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Attend the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
During my visit, I attended the annual production of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. The 2024 was the 24th year of the free summertime outdoor productions.
Located on a sloping hillside, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival builds a stage each year for its production. Each season offers a different production and it is free to attend.
For more information about upcoming productions, visit its website, https://stlshakes.org.
See the Animals at the St. Louis Zoo
Home to 16,000 animals from 500 different species, visitors can spend the entire day at the St. Louis Zoo. This is one of the top zoos in the U.S., and best of all, it is free.
Zoogoers can ride the Zooline Railroad on a 20-minute narrated tour that runs 1.5 miles through the exhibits. It is $7.95, and the tickets allow for on-off privileges for one day. Another popular ride is the Conservation Carousel. It features 64 colorful hand-carved wooden animals and is ADA-accessible. It is $2.95 per ride.
For visitors who would like a tour, the St. Louis Zoo offers many options, from an elephant excursion to a tour of the on-site vet hospital. These tours require advance reservations and are additional.
Other popular shows at Caribbean Cove include the Bird Show, the Sea Lion Show, and Stingrays at Caribbean Cove. There is also a 4D theatre.
Located at 1 Government Dr, St. Louis. It is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the summer. For the rest of the year, the St. Louis Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in winter).
Visit the St. Louis Science Center
Originally opening as a planetarium in 1963, the St. Louis Science Center is a hands-on STEM education facility. Leading the way, Sue the T Rex, a life-size animatronic dinosaur, is just one of many exhibitions in the science center.
The McDonnell Observatory and the OMNIMAX films are popular. The St. Louis Science Center has a Discovery Room and a Dream It Built It space. Visitors can also learn about energy and the Mission to Mars.
Located at 5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis. Open Thursday to Monday from 9:30 to 4:30 (7:30 p.m. on Friday). General admission is free.
Tour the Missouri History Museum
Founded in 1866, the Missouri History Museum has a collection of 175,000 artifacts. It features exhibits focused on St. Louis and the state’s history, including temporary exhibits.
Located at 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and free to enter.
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Explore the St. Louis Art Museum
With a collection of approximately 36,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of history and culture, the Saint Louis Art Museum features artwork from Georgia O’Keeffe. Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh and Ansel Adams. It was founded in 1879; its collection crosses two buildings: a Neo-Classical building from 1904. Originally part of the St Louis World’s Fair.
The SLAM also features a modern glass and steel building that opened in 2013. During your visit, explore the Grace Taylor Broughton Sculpture Garden.
Located at 1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 p.m. on Friday) and free to enter.
Wander through the Missouri Botanical Garden
With 6.6 million specimens, the Missouri Botanical Garden is second to only the New York Botanical Garden in number of specimens in the U.S. Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest institutions in the U.S. and is a National Historical Landmark. The Missouri Botanical Garden’s horticulturalists actively collect, catalog and cultivate the threatened species worldwide.
Henry Shaw donated this 79-acre parcel and spent time in his native England studying botany and its gardens. Many of its original features take their design cues from English gardens.
For visitors, the 79-acre display garden is spectacular. It offers many themed gardens from the enclosed Climatron, a geodesic dome conservation,ry to the 14-acre Japanese garden to a children’s garden with a playground.
The Missouri Botanical Garden hosts events throughout the year, like the wildly popular holiday Garden Glow, which features over 2 million lights. The Orchid Show brightens February with its tropical blooms.
The Missouri Botanical Garden offers a restaurant and a cafe. There is a well-stocked gift shop at the front of the visitors center. However, picnicking is not allowed in the garden.
Located at 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission (13+) is $16, and kids 12 and younger are free. There is an additional admission to enter the children’s garden, and kids aged 3 to 12 enter for $5 all others enter for free.
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
The 120,000-square-foot St. Louis Aquarium is part of the Union Station Complex, a renovated train station in downtown St. Louis. Visitors will find several exhibits dedicated to rivers, including one on the Confluence, where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet.
Other popular exhibits include the Shark Canyon and The Deep, dedicated to deep-sea marine life. The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station also offers a couple of touch pools, like the jelly touch pool.
In addition to the St. Louis Aquarium, guests will find several other top downtown attractions. The complex also includes the St. Louis Wheel, the Union Station Carousel, a ropes course, a mirror maze, mini golf and a selfie area.
Located at 201 S 18th St. St. Louis. It is open Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The St. Louis Aquarium uses demand pricing, so the price depends on the season; however, expect to pay about $30 for adults and $20 for kids (3 to 12). Discounted $5 parking is available at the Aquarium gift shop for the Market Street on 20th and 18th Streets parking lot.
Experience The City Museum
Housed in the former International Shoe building, this is one place you must see to believe. Opening in 1997, The City Museum is a weirdly wonderful architectural playground that has evolved over the last 25 years.
The City Museum offers four floors to explore, either on your butt (like sliding) or on your hands and knees as you meander through 600,000 square feet. The artists and playground engineers use found objects to craft the ever-evolving space, including slides, ramps and unique objects, like the praying mantis in its rooftop installation.
Located at 750 N 16th St., St. Louis. Single-day general admission starts at $20. The City Museum is open daily from April to September. From Sunday to Thursday, it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, it is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (some Saturdays to 10 p.m.). During the school year, The City Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday most weeks with seasonal hours; it is best to consult its calendar.
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Top Places to Explore Close to St. Louis
Hike at Shaw Nature Reserve
As a satellite location of the Missouri Botanical Garden, this reserve is 2,400 acres in size. The Merrimack River cuts through the property and it offers several areas to explore, like the TK with a wildflower garden.
The Shaw Nature Center offers wildlife habitats and visitors can learn about the natural landscape of Missouri. There are even hiking trails.
Located at 307 Pineturm Loop Road in Gray Summit, about 40 miles west of downtown St. Louis. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. General admission is $5 for those 12 and older.
Tour the Meramec Caverns
Located under the Meramec Valley, this guided cavern tour offers a peak into the world under this corner of Missouri. During my tour, I saw the original saltpeter mining area before heading deeper into the cave.
In the main part of the Meramec Caverns, our tour passed features like soda straws and underground streams. It is an active cave, and many of the walking surfaces are wet, so good shoes with traction are important, as is a light jacket.
This area includes other above-ground activities, like a zip line and riverfloats. Covered picnic tables are found near the parking lot.
Located at 1135 Highway W in Sullivan., about 65 southwest of downtown St. Louis. The cave tour is $28 for adults 12 and older and kids (5 to 11) enter for $15 with those under 5 entering for free. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer season and seasonal hours for the rest of the year and weekends only in January and February.
Go Birding at the Audubon Center at the Riverlands
This 3,700-acre preserve is a Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. For birders, the Audubon Center at the Riverlands is a major destination for Spring and Fall migration with its location along the Mississippi Flyway, a major thoroughfare for migratory birds.
This facility is dedicated to birds, and everyone is welcome, from school groups to professional wildlife photographers. Inside the facility, visitors will find exhibits and a large viewing gallery with benches, plus an interpretive film.
Outside, visitors can look for birds along the 8.5 miles of trails. Along the trails, I found many native plants and scenic overlooks. The birding is seasonal at the Audubon Center at the Riverlands so inquire at the information desk for recent sitings.
Located at 301 Riverlands Way in West Alton, about 20 miles north of downtown St. Louis. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to enter.
See the Birds of Prey at the World Bird Sanctuary
Dedicated to raptors, this bird sanctuary assists in the rehabilitation of injured birds as well as the conservation of endangered and threatened birds across the world. The World Bird Sanctuary features large outdoor enclosures with many ambassador birds.
The facility is over 300 acres in size and includes the Kathryn G. Favre Wildlife Hospital. This unit treats over 600 birds a year.
Visitors can walk Avian Alley, a shaded and paved walk with enclosures on both sides with birds that injuries prevent a release back into the wild or birds that imprinted with humans.
Located at 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road in Valley Park, about 20 miles west of downtown St. Louis. The World Bird Sanctuary is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It charges $12 per carload.
Learn More at the Endangered Wolf Center
Marlin Perkins of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom was a popular TV zoologist. He and his wife, Carol Perkins, started the Endangered Wolf Center in 1971. Since then, the center has helped conserve Mexican wolves and American Red Wolves.
One of its primary missions is to help the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s wolf-managed breeding programs for the American Red Wolf and Mexican wolves. It is the first wolf center certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
For visitors, the Endangered Wolf Center features large enclosures with wolves in its care, those who can’t be released into the wild. The center offers animal encounters for those wanting to learn more about wolves. Many of the center’s visitors are children, especially school groups. The Endangered Wolf Center offers a one-and-a-half-hour educational tour.
Located at Tyson Valley Road in Eureka, about 25 miles west of downtown St. Louis. It is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesday). Adult (15+) tour tickets are $23, and kids (4 to 14) are $18. Reservations are required.
Where to Eat in St. Louis
Salt + Smoke in Ballpark Village
This is Missouri, and BBQ is a must for any visit. During my latest visit, I ate at Salt + Smoke. I sampled its T Ravs first, like the Pimento Cheese Toasted Ravs and the Burnt Ends Toasted Ravs.
I could have gotten my fill of apps, but I needed to save room for my entree. Next, I ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich with House Pickles and a side of White Cheddar Crack Mac. This is a stick-to-your-ribs meal that hits a lot of high points. Do yourself a favor and get the Beef Fat Fries, too. The menu is meat-heavy, though vegetarian options are available.
Located at 501 Clark Ave., St. Louis. There are five locations across the area. Head to its website and add your name to its waitlist during busy times. This location is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bailey’s Range
Inside a converted gas station and garage, diners are in for a treat. Bailey’s Range is your destination for delectable burgers. Made with Missouri-raised grass-fed beef, the burger menu runs the gamut.
I recommend first-time visitors order The Classic with a half-pound patty. Then, you can pick your bun and toppings, including cheese. The fries and onion rings are swoony.
If you are looking to bulk up (or are a teen boy), order a shake. Bailey’s Range also makes boozy shakes and lemonades and offers a full line of beer for adults. Just save room for the ice cream.
Located at 4175 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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The 21c Museum Hotel in St. Louis
This property was originally the downtown St. Louis YMCA location, opening in 1926 as a 10-story Renaissance Revival-style building. In 2018, it started a multi-year renovation and opened as the 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis in 2023.
The 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis offers 173 rooms, from bunk rooms outfitted with bunk beds to king suites. In addition to lodging, the property offers a contemporary art museum, two restaurants and an athletic and swim club, which utilizes the original pool in the basement.
The 21c Museum Hotel is located at 1528 Locust Street.
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