If you’re looking for a U.S. city to visit with plenty to things to do, St. Louis is the perfect city to visit! Most people know this Midwestern city for the iconic Gateway Arch, it’s most popular attraction. While the Gateway Arch is definitely worth a visit, there are plenty more attractions and fun things to do in St. Louis. Plus, it’s easily accessible and centrally located in the middle of the country. If you’re looking for a fun, domestic city destination, you should considering planning a trip to St. Louis!
Things to Do in St. Louis
St. Louis is a fun city with lots to see and do. If you’re planning a trip to St. Louis, be sure to save this list!
Please note that these attractions may be closed or include altered experiences to do COVID-19. Pin this post for later if you’re planning future travel!
Gateway Arch
First, the Gateway Arch is St. Louis’ most iconic attraction. Visiting here is definitely a must-do if you’re in the city. Gateway Arch National Park sits right along the Mississippi River, and has lots of green space perfect for a stroll or picnic. You can also spend some time exploring the interactive Museum at the Gateway Arch. And of course, the most popular part is going up to the top of the 630-foot Arch. While this is a unique experience, we wouldn’t recommend it if you are at all claustrophobic. The tram you take to the top is quite small and you feel pretty enclosed. However, once you reach the top, you have a great view of the city!
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Another thing St. Louis is known for is the Anheuser-Busch company. St. Louis is the home of their oldest and largest brewery. A tour of the brewery allows you to see the beer being made and packaged, plus get a taste of the beers as well. You’ll also get to see some of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. More of the Clydesdales (plus other animals) can also be seen at Grant’s Farm, the company’s farm which is located just outside the city.
More information about brewery tours.
City Museum
Next, if you’re traveling with children, City Museum is an attraction you won’t want to skip. It’s a hundred-year-old warehouse that’s a mix between a playground, a funhouse and an architectural marvel. Artists have repurposed the pieces of old cities to build miles of tunnels, slides, climbers, bridges, and castles. This is a unique attraction unlike anywhere else, and it’s worth a visit even if you don’t have kids. Don’t miss the longest slide in the building, the 10-story spiral slide.
Cardinal’s Game at Busch Stadium
St. Louis’ baseball team is hugely popular here, so why not catch a game while you’re in town? The iconic brick stadium is centrally located within the city and it’s the perfect way to enjoy a night out. If you’re visiting during baseball season, this would be a really fun way to enjoy the spirit of the city. You can also visit the adjacent Ballpark Village for dining and entertainment.
Missouri Botanical Garden
The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States, and the second largest in North America (behind only the New York Botanical Garden). It’s a great place to learn about sustainability or gardening, or just relax and enjoy a day in nature. Highlights include the 14-acre authentic Japanese Garden and the Climatron, a geodesic dome-shaped greenhouse filled with tropical plants. You can also let the kids burn off some energy in the Children’s Garden or learn about life in the 19th century at the Tower Grove House.
Click here to learn plan your visit.
Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo is widely recognized as one of the best zoos in the country. It’s clean and well-kept, and it has a great variety of animals. Plus, the best part is that it’s free! There are a few activities that are an additional cost, but you can easily spend the day there without paying for the ‘extra’s if you don’t want to. This is a great way to spend a day while visiting St. Louis!
Click for more information about the zoo.
Forest Park
Forest Park is the city’s largest park and is sometimes called ‘the heart of St. Louis’. It occupies 1,300 acres of land, making it almost twice as large as Central Park in New York City. The Saint Louis Zoo is located here, and it’s also home to the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum, and the Muny amphitheatre.
Union Station Aquarium and the St. Louis Wheel
At its height, St. Louis Union Station was one of the busiest and largest train stations in the world. Now, it has now become the home to some of the city’s top attractions. The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station has more than 13,000 animals in 44 exhibits. During your visit, you can also enjoy a ride on the St. Louis Wheel. This 200-foot observation wheel (like a Ferris wheel) offers great views of the city from the sky. There are also plenty more attractions to enjoy like a carousel, mini golf course, mirror maze, and more.
Click here for attraction tickets.
What to Eat in St. Louis
St. Louis-Style Pizza
Like many cities, St. Louis has its own style of pizza that’s definitely worth a try when you’re visiting the city. St. Louis-style pizza has a very thin crust and has Provel cheese rather than the traditional mozzarella. Provel is a processed white cheese made of a combination of provolone, mozzarella and white cheddar that is popular in the St. Louis area. St. Louis-style pizza is also usually cut into squares rather than wedges.
Gooey Butter Cake
Another must-try in St. Louis is gooey butter cake (or ‘ooey gooey butter cake’). It’s a flat, dense cake with a rich, buttery flavor. It’s a very sweet dessert that is topped with powdered sugar. This is a delicious treat that is perfect for those with a sweet tooth!
Toasted Ravioli
While most people are familiar with ravioli, not many outside the St. Louis area are used to having it served this way. An Italian area of St. Louis called ‘The Hill’ is said to be the origin, although many restaurants in the area claim to be the original creators. Despite the name, toasted ravioli is actually breaded and deep-fried. It’s perfectly crispy and a delicious way to eat ravioli, often served as an appetizer. It’s best served with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and a side of marinara sauce for dipping!
Ted Drewes Custard Concrete
St. Louis is home to the best frozen custard there is. While the thick, ice cream-like treat is available in many places, the best custard can be found at Ted Drewes, a St. Louisan institution. The signature dish is a concrete, which is named because the frozen custard is so thick (like concrete). A concrete typically has toppings or add-ins mixed into the custard, allowing you to customize your flavor combinations. A frozen custard concrete is the perfect summer treat to enjoy during your visit to St. Louis!
Where to Stay on a trip to St. Louis
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
The Four Seasons St. Louis the perfect place to stay when visiting St. Louis. This beautiful hotel has a great spa, wonderful restaurants and amazing views of the Gateway Arch. You can even have a view of the Arch from your room! It’s in a great location downtown, right near the Arch and the river. It’s also adjacent to the Lumière Place casino, so if you plan to do any gambling during your visit this is a great place to be located. This is where we stayed on our visit to the city. We would definitely recommend this hotel and hope to stay here again one day!
St. Louis Union Station Hotel (Curio Collection by Hilton)
The St. Louis Union Station Hotel offers a classic and timeless setting to enjoy your vacation! Sweeping archways and fresco detailing make the lobby absolutely beautiful. They even have an amazing 3D light show on the lobby ceiling, along with projection mapping. Being located at Union Station gives you easy access to the many attractions available here, plus a great location in the city just a few minutes from the Arch. This would be another fantastic option to consider when you’re planning a trip to St. Louis!
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Finally, for those planning on attending a Cardinals game during your visit you can’t get any closer to the action than the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. The hotel is just across from Ballpark Village and just a short walk from Busch Stadium. This ideal location right downtown means there are guest rooms with views of the Arch as well as guest rooms with a view of Busch Stadium. With its premium proximity to both the baseball and hockey stadiums, this is the perfect hotel for sports fans.
When will you be planning a trip to St. Louis?
After reading about what to do, what to eat and where to stay in St. Louis, we hope you feel ready to start planning your visit! This is such a great city, we loved so many of these fun attractions and of course, all the tasty food. Let us know if you’re planning a trip to St. Louis, too!
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