There are so many hidden gems and fun things to do in St. Louis, Missouri.
The hardest part might be narrowing down all of your great options. No matter what attractions you choose, you’re likely to have an unforgettable experience.
St. Louis is located in the eastern part of Missouri near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and is the second largest city in Missouri.
Watch the Light Show in the St. Louis Union Station Grand Hall
1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Union Station Grand Hall has incredible architecture dating back to the late 1800s.
The intricate details of the Grand Hall become even more illuminated during the Grand Hall Light Show.
The 13 different light projection shows make each viewing a unique experience. It also gives you an excuse to come back.
You can read more about the top 20 things to do at St. Louis Union Center here.
Explore the St. Louis Aquarium
201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO
The St. Louis Aquarium has 13,000 animals and 257 aquatic species native to rivers and oceans of the world.
This aquarium has several unique animal encounters including a touch tank with red garra fish and an opportunity to feed a turtle in addition to touch pools with sting rays.
It’s recommended to plan 1-3 hours for a visit to the St. Louis Aquarium so plan accordingly.
You can see another perspective of the aquarium that isn’t open to the public during a 45-minute guided behind-the-scenes tour.
You’ll learn more about the aquarium animals and their habitats, what they eat, and how they make saltwater in the facility.
The tour concludes after a walk across the rope bridge that spans Shark Canyon.
Learn About the Significant Trials at the Old Courthouse
11 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO (Park of Gateway Arch National Park) (The inside of the courthouse is currently under renovation)
The historic building was built between 1839 and 1862.
The Old Courthouse was the site of two trials of the Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850.
Dred Scott, with his wife Harriet, sued for and were granted, their freedom in 1847 but unfortunately, that ruling was appealed and the decision was reversed when it went to the Supreme Court. More than 300 other “freedom suits” were filed there by 1860 as a result of their bravery.
In the 1870s, Virginia Minor‘s case for a woman’s right to vote came to trial at the Old Courthouse in the 1870s.
Take the Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO (Gateway Arch National Park)
If you’re claustrophobic this is NOT the adventure for you but it is an incredible way to appreciate this National Historic Landmark from another angle.
Each pod for the tram can hold 5 seated passengers and the seats are right next to each other. You can sit inside a sample pod if that helps you determine if the ride is right for you.
The tram rides to the top of the arch are very popular and it’s recommended to purchase tram tickets in advance for your desired time and day.
Guests are transported 630 feet to the top of America’s tallest monument referred to as the “Gateway to the West.”
Once on the tram, it is a 4-minute tram ride to the top.
You have around 10 minutes to enjoy the views from the top followed by a 3-minute ride back down.
The entire process of the tour typically takes 45 minutes to an hour.
I rode the tram to the top of the arch in July and the little glass window on the tram helped me not feel as panicked because I could see that we were moving.
From the top, you can see up to 30 miles to the east and west through the 16 windows on each side of the observation deck.
This is one of the best places to enjoy an aerial view of the St. Louis area.
The views at the top are pretty incredible!
My favorite part of the viewing experience was seeing the shadow of the arch.
If you want to enjoy a few different vantage points of the Gateway Arch the best value is a combo ticket that includes the tram and a riverboat cruise located steps away from the monument.
The Museum Under the Gateway Arch at Gateway Arch National Park
If you prefer to stay on the ground you can learn more about the monument for free at The Museum under the Gateway Arch, admission is free to visit.
The museum has 6 interactive galleries taking you from Colonial St. Louis to the process of building the Arch.
Enjoy the Scenic St. Louis Riverfront Cruise With Gateway Arch Riverboats
50 S Leonor K Sullivan Blvd, St. Louis, MO
The one-hour riverboat tour provides fantastic views of the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis on the Mississippi River.
Gateway Arch Riverboats are conveniently located within walking distance of the Gateway Arch.
I would recommend arriving early for your boat tour to secure a seat if you don’t want to stand.
During my tour, there weren’t enough seats for all of the guests onboard.
While on the narrated tour you learn about the Gateway Arch, the local history, and the ecology of the river.
See the Famous Budweiser Clydesdales and More at Grant’s Farm
7385 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO
The 275-acre attraction has a lot to see and do including an open-air tram ride through Deer Park, Grants Farm Animal Friend Show, historic buildings, behind the scene tours (for an additional fee), and more.
Grant’s Farm is the site of the Busch family home dating back to 1903.
What’s even more incredible is that Grant’s Farm has FREE admission!
*There is an additional charge for animal feed, the carousel, and some of the other attractions.
For 68+ years this attraction hasn’t charged an admission fee. Afternoons and evenings are less busy if you want to avoid the crowds at peak times in the morning.
Grant’s Farm has 900+ animals of all sizes in addition to the famous Clydesdales.
The Clydesdales are located at the Bauernhof stables located in the guest parking lot.
While you’re there don’t leave Grant’s Farm without a generous free sample of Anheuser-Busch products for guests 21+ and up at the Biergarten.
Play for Hours at City Museum
750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO
City Museum is one of the coolest museums I’ve ever visited. It’s a combination of repurposed art + play inside a building that was a former shoe factory.
City Museum is a children’s museum where adults will have just as much fun as the kids! Trust me!
The creativity will give you a sense of wonder that with some imagination anything is possible.
Inside you’ll find 29K+ artifacts from all over the world in the 600K square feet museum in addition to rides, slides, caves, and more!
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring walkie-talkies if you have elementary-aged kids who tend to wander.
This is the perfect place to explore and feel like a kid again because it’s so much fun!
I highly recommend going down one of the 5-story- 6-story or 10-story spiral slides.
Pro tip- wear clothes that you would feel comfortable climbing around and sliding in.
Take the Guided Tour at City Museum
I also recommend taking the one-hour guided walking tour of the City Museum available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Tour guides will share the history of the museum, tell stories behind the art and help you get an overview of the places in the museum that you’ll want to return to.
Half the fun is discovering the uniqueness of each room.
Check out the upcoming special events at City Museum that include events for kids and events for 21+ and up if you prefer to visit kid-free.
Visit The Rooftop at City Museum
The Rooftop is only open from March – October, weather permitting so if the weather is good it’s a must-see!
It does require an additional admission fee but the views and interactive art installations on the rooftop are definitely worth checking out!
Taste and Tour During the Budweiser Brewery Experience
1200 Lynch St, St. Louis, MO
There are a variety of Anheuser-Busch brewery tour experiences that you can book at Budweiser Brewery.
There are tours that focus on your interest level, aspect of beer production, tastings, or behind-the-scenes with the Clydesdales.
During my visit, we booked the “Day Fresh Tour.”
The Day Fresh Tour is a 1.25-hour walking tour that takes you around the Budweiser campus. You’ll learn about the brewing methods and the history of the company from seed to sip.
Beer fans 21+ will also appreciate that you get to enjoy a tasting and a Day Fresh beer as a keepsake from your tour.
Building highlights on the tour include:
- Clydesdale Paddock and Stables
- Beechwood Aging Cellars
- The historic Brewhouse
- Bevo packaging facility
*Closed-toed shoes are strongly recommended for the tour.
Budweiser super fans will find plenty of themed merch in the gift shop.
Attend a Cardinals Baseball Game at Busch Stadium
700 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO
If you visit during baseball season it’s fun to attend a game at Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.
The St. Louis Cardinals joined the National League in 1892 and have won the World Series 11 times.
Explore Ballpark Village
601 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO
Ballpark Village is located adjacent to Busch Stadium which means that you are steps away from an assortment of entertainment, live music, and dining options before or after the game.
Enjoy Rooftop Views at 360 Rooftop Bar at St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark
1 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO
This is a great place for panoramic views of downtown St. Louis.
The rooftop views of the Busch Stadium are pretty incredible.
Guests can also enjoy another perspective of the Gateway Arch from the bar inside.
Admire the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO
The historic cathedral was built from 1907 to 1914 and it took until 1986 to complete the 41 million individual tile mosaics.
To learn the most about the history and incredible architecture, you’ll want to take a tour of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. The inside of this church is one of the most beautiful places in the city.
Self-guided tours don’t require reservations but you may want to call ahead and make sure that there isn’t a special event going on.
Guided tours are available by appointment only so plan accordingly.
Find Cuisine For All Types of Foodies at City Foundry Food Hall
3730 Foundry Way, St. Louis, MO
This food hall has plenty of restaurants to choose from and an assortment of culinary preferences and dietary needs including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
This is a great place for dining with a group because everyone can choose their own culinary adventure.
I really enjoyed the Toasted ravioli from Toasted during my visit.
Try Toasted Ravioli
Speaking of toasted ravioli…Toasted ravioli is one of the signature appetizers to try during a visit to St. Louis. One of the best ways to experience a city is to try a few of the local dishes.
What is Toasted Ravioli?
The inside of the ravioli is filled with meat and cheese and the outside of the pasta is coated in breadcrumbs with Italian seasonings.
Toasted ravioli is technically deep-fried not toasted and served with Parmesan cheese on top and a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Angelo Oldani is credited with serving the first toasted ravioli in the 1950s in the restaurant Oldani’s now known as Mama’s on the Hill.
During my visit, I enjoyed toasted ravioli at The Train Shed at Union Station.
Other popular places to enjoy toasted ravioli in St. Louis according to St. Louis Magazine are:
- Anthonino’s Taverna
- Candicci’s
- Café Manhattan
- Charlie Gitto’s
- Farotto’s
- Lombardo’s Trattoria
- LoRusso’s Cucina
- Mama’s On The Hill
- STL Toasted
- Trattoria Marcella
Try St. Louis Style Pizza
While you’re in St. Louis you might as well try their style of pizza.
What makes St. Louis Pizza so unique?
St. Louis pizza uses unleavened dough which creates a super thin cracker-like texture for the crust.
The cheese used on a traditional St. Louis pizza is a 3-cheese blend called Provel made with Swiss cheese, white cheddar, and provolone. Slices for the pizza are typically cut in 3-4 inch squares vs. a pie-shaped slice.
The sauce for the pizza tends to be seasoned with more oregano than other pizza styles.
During my visit, I tried Imo’s Pizza that’s been around since 1964.
Popular places to try St. Louis Pizza according to Yelp:
- Pizzeoli Wood-Fired Pizza
- Anthonino’s Taverna
- Salvage Yard Bar and Grill
- Imo’s Pizza
- Pizzeria Da Gloria
- Adriana’s on the Hill
- Uncle Leo’s Pizza
- Pizza-Go-Go
- Mama’s on the Hill
- Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill
Additional Popular Attractions and Things to Do in St. Louis, Missouri
The following attractions are in or within a reasonable drive of St. Louis:
- St. Louis Science Center – 5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO
- Forest Park – 5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO (One of the largest urban parks in the US located in the heart of St. Louis)
- St. Louis Art Museum – 1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO
- Missouri History Museum – 5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO
- Japanese Garden – Missouri Botanical Garden ( 79-acre garden) – 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO
- St. Louis Zoo – (one of the few free zoos in the United States) 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO
- Laumeier Sculpture Park – 12580 Rott Rd, Sappington, MO (105-acre open-air museum and sculpture park )
- Campbell House Museum – 1508 Locust St, St. Louis, MO
- World Chess Hall of Fame – 4652 Maryland Ave #1, St. Louis, MO
- The Lemp Mansion – 3322 Demenil Pl, St. Louis, MO (Historic home of beer barons with a restaurant, mystery dinners, and ghost tours)
- Tower Grove Park – 4257 Northeast Dr, St. Louis, MO
- Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site – 30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, IL
Save on Your St. Louis Hotel or Vacation Rental
Ready to book your stay in St. Louis, Missouri?
Use the interactive map below to book directly and compare prices on hotels and vacation rentals.
I’ve previously stayed at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. It’s a great place to stay because you’re within steps of so many fun things to do at Union Station.
How Far is St. Louis from Other Midwest Cities?
One of the best things about St. Louis is that it’s a reasonable road trip from several Midwest and southern cities.
Drive time and distance to St. Louis, Missouri:
- Springfield, IL to St. Louis – 1hr 28 min – 96.2 miles
- Jefferson City, MO to St. Louis – 2 hr 5 min – 132.7 miles
- Evansville, Indiana to St. Louis – 2 hr 41 min – 166.7 miles
- Indianapolis to St. Louis – 3 hr 41 min – 242.3 miles
- Kansas City, MO to St. Louis – 3hr 51 min – 248.2 miles
- Louisville, Ky to St. Louis – 4hr 4 min – 260.1 miles
- Nashville, TN to St. Louis – 4hr 50 min – 308 miles
- Memphis, TN to St. Louis – 4 hr 52 min – 290 miles
- Chicago to St. Louis – 5 hr 14 min – 311.3 miles
- Cincinnati to St. Louis – 5hr 16 min – 349.9 miles
Thanks again to St. Louis Union Station for hosting my visit.
