St. Louis, Missouri - What to See + Do
Known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis is one of the most family friendly cities I’ve visited. The bustling city offers a unique mix of culture and history, indoor and outdoor attractions and southern BBQ favorites. Here you will find a guide to a few of St. Louis’ most fun and immersive attractions. From riding the tram to the top of the city’s 630-foot national park to getting lost in the interactive city museum, there is no shortage of things to see and do during your visit.
WHERE TO STAY
St. Louis Union Station Hotel
ADDRESS: 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
COST: $130-$360 per night depending on the season.
This hotel is specifically convenient for families due to its connecting directly to family attractions such as the St. Louis Aquarium, the 200-foot St. Louis wheel, a mirror maze, a train-themed mini golf course. Not to mention the family-friendly amenities located on-site including an outdoor seasonal pool with fire pits.
WHAT TO SEE + DO
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
The St. Louis Aquarium is a fun and fascinating stop at St. Louis Union Station, offering visitors the chance to explore colorful marine life from around the world. With interactive exhibits, sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and more, it’s an engaging experience for both kids and adults. A few of my favorite activities include petting the stingrays, jellyfish and small sharks.
ADDRESS: 201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOURS: 9am-7pm, 7 days per week
COST: $31.75 – $35.46 for adults, $26.75 – $29.87 for children, 3 and under are free
The Gateway Arch National Park+ Tram
St. Louis’ iconic Gateway Arch stands 630 feet above the Mississippi River. The Gateway Arch symbolizes westward expansion and the role of St. Louis as the “Gateway to the West.” For a fee, visitors can ride the tram to the top of the arch for incredible views of the city.
ADDRESS: Located in the Gateway Arch National Park
COST: $15 for adults, $11 for children (prices vary)
City Museum
The St. Louis City Museum is an indoor and outdoor architectural playground for visitors of all ages. The name “museum” is to not be taken since the attractioon features four floors filled with miles of tunnels, 30 playgrounds, a circus and large outdoor climbing space. Budget for other activities and food since there are options like face painting, caricature art, airbrush tattoos and several dining options.
ADDRESS: 750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOURS: Sundays-Thursdays 10am-6pm, Fridays & Saturdays 10am-9pm
COST: $20 per person, children 2 and under free
The St. Louis Wheel
Located outside the Union Station, the 200-foot observation wheel can be spotted from a distance. The climate-controlled gondola rides are 15-minute rides and offer sweeping views of the city. Surrounding the wheel are carnival-themed rides including favorites like the carousel, a kiddie rollercoaster and more.
ADDRESS: 201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOURS: 10am-10pm, 7 days per week
COST: $20.10 for adults, $13.40 for children
Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo is a must-see for families visiting the city, especially because general admission is free. Located in Forest Park, the zoo is home to thousands of animals from around the world, including elephants, giraffes, big cats, seals and primates. With plenty of exhibits to explore, it’s easy to spend several hours or even most of the day here. While admission is free, budget for food, souvenirs and certain attractions that may cost extra.
ADDRESS: 1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
HOURS: Sundays-Thursdays 8am-5pm, Fridays 8am-3pm and Saturdays 8am-6pm
COST: General admission is free
St. Louis Union Station Mirror Maze
Located within the Union Station, The St. Louis Maze is a fun, interactive attraction. Visitors make their way through a colorful mirror maze filled with reflections, twists and turns that make finding the exit more challenging than it looks. There are several educational learning opportunities within the maze for adult visitors. Just a heads up the maze may not be suitable for younger visitors as there are parts that may be considered “too scary” for younger ages.
ADDRESS: 201 S 18th St, St. Louis, MO 63103
HOURS: Daily 9am-5pm
COST: $8
Four days in St. Louis gave me a taste of what the city has to offer, but the stops I made only skimmed the surface. From family-friendly attractions to iconic landmarks, there was plenty packed into our short trip and even more left to explore.
