Before Derek and I were expats in China, we lived in St Louis, Missouri for the first two years we were married. I went to university in St Louis, so I lived there during the school year for the two years prior to moving there. I also have family in “The Lou” and as it’s only about a two hour drive from my hometown, I’ve been visiting as long as I can remember.
St Louis, Missouri has a rich history dating back to 1764 when French traders founded it as a fur trading settlement. Nearly 40 years later it became a part of the United States when they bought the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803. Since then, the city has made a name for itself as the Gateway to the West, known for its iconic monument, the Gateway Arch. It has grown to become one of the largest cities in the Midwest. In 1904 St Louis hosted the World’s Fair and the Summer Olympic games which brought millions of visitors and left a lasting impression on the city.
St Louis still holds a special place in our hearts, even though we’ve not lived there since 2015. We’ve been back to visit so many times. It is a wonderful city with tons of activities throughout the year (many of them free!), and it has a truly diverse, welcoming culture for residents and visitors alike.
Things to Do in St Louis
St Louis Art Museum
SLAM is my absolute favorite art museum. It is informative and well organized. They have one of Monet’s Water Lily paintings on display and a wonderful Egyptian gallery that is a must see. Best of all, it’s free. Even the parking is free, but be prepared to hunt for a spot if you go during peak visiting times. The art museum is closed on Mondays.
Missouri History Museum
The history museum is right next to the art museum. Most people can easily visit both museums in a single day, but you’ll probably want to get lunch in between. The history museum also has a fantastic rotating gallery, plus regular special events, that keep the museum new and interesting for repeat visitors. The 1904 World’s Fair gallery is one of their permanent exhibits and is definitely worth checking out if you are interested in world culture and history. It is also free, and it’s open all week.
The National Museum of Transportation
This was one museum we didn’t make it to while we were in St Louis. Admission is currently $12 for adults, and hours vary throughout the year. If vehicles and machines interest you, you’ll probably want to put this one on the list.
St Louis Science Center
The Science Center is great for people of all ages. There are tons of fun learning opportunities on every floor. Learn about dinosaurs, how the arch was built, space exploration, and so much more! General admission is free, but some of their special exhibits require tickets for a small fee. The Omnimax theater is one of these special exhibits, but it’s worth doing, especially if you’ve never seen one before.
Magic House
The Magic House is an interactive museum designed to encourage imagination and new discoveries for kids. They have a variety of family friendly events and programs. They are open six days a week and closed every Monday, but hours vary. Admission is $12 for any person over the age of one. The third Friday of every month is Family Night, so up to four children and two adults per family can get in for free between the hours of 5 and 8pm. This is a great destination for families with young children.
City Museum
This museum is anything but typical. It’s one huge jungle gym for all ages, with some more traditional exhibits dotted around. Get lost and explore this truly unique place. Look for the 10 story slide hidden inside. There are also usually acrobatic performances, if you catch them at the right time of day. Admission is $15, but well worth it! They also have a rooftop exhibit that is an additional $5, but it is only open when the weather allows. City Museum is open daily, but they have extended hours on Friday and Saturday.
St Louis Zoo
This zoo is one of the best in the United States and admission is free! Parking in the zoo parking lots does cost, but you can park on the street if space is available. They are constantly renovating and updating their exhibits, and they take very good care of their animals. The polar bear exhibit, the painted dogs, and the sea lion tunnel, are must see stops! The zooline railroad and conservation carousel do cost extra, but they are worth checking out, especially if you have young children.
Grant’s Farm
This is more like an enormous petting zoo! It’s worth checking out if you have the time. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love it! Admission is free, but expect to pay a fee for parking and any extras, like feeding the animals. The daily shows are usually very entertaining and fun for the whole family. Hours vary depending on the time of year.
St Louis Aquarium at Union Station
The newest attraction in St Louis is the aquarium at Union Station. It opened Christmas day 2019. It is still so new that tickets are currently purchased with scheduled tour times. Be sure to book in advance to make sure they have availability. We haven’t had the chance to visit this one yet, but it’s on our list the next time we’re in the area!
The Missouri Botanical Garden
The garden has some truly amazing plants on its grounds. This 79 acre oasis has events throughout the year, like the Orchid Show, Japanese Lantern Festival, Garden Glow (Christmas lights) and more. Look for the “sensitive” plant in the Climatron! It’s a plant that can move! Admission is $14 for the day for adults, and it’s open daily.
Sophia M Sachs Butterfly House
The Butterfly house is perfect for an afternoon out, but be prepared for a bit of a drive if you’re staying downtown. There are several different species of butterflies to find, but their claim to fame is the Blue Morphos that mature in the spring. There is currently an $8 admission charge for adults, and they are also closed on Mondays so plan accordingly.
The Jewel Box
The Jewel Box is a large, glass greenhouse located in Forest Park in downtown St Louis. It is home to some very unique plants, but it is primarily used as a wedding venue and special event space. If you are in the area, stop in to check it out. It won’t take you very long. Admission is $1, but it is free on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Forest Park
This designated green space in the city is one of the biggest urban parks in the country and it’s even bigger than Central Park in New York City. It’s home to the Art Museum, History Museum, Jewel Box, Zoo, and more. Street parking is free and usually easy to score unless you’re there during peak times or special events. It’s a beautiful place to get away from all of the concrete in the rest of the city! Turtle Park Playground is a fun section to visit for anyone with kids.
Castlewood Park
This is a great place to go if you just want to get some hiking in. It’s a lesser known park in the area and has some beautiful trails and views of the Meramec River. It has handicap accessible options and dogs are allowed on leashes.
Lone Elk Park and Bird Sanctuary
Lone Elk is a drive through refuge that will likely give you pretty close views of the elk, deer, and buffalo that live there. The nearby Bird Sanctuary is a rehabilitation center for native species of birds. You can get a close up look at some of the education ambassadors (birds who cannot be released back into the wild) who live there. They are both open daily, and you can easily visit both in an afternoon.
Busch Stadium and The Enterprise Center
If you’re a sports fan, catch the Cardinals baseball team playing at Busch Stadium or the Blues playing ice hockey at the Enterprise Center. St Louisians love their sports teams!
Laumeier Sculpture Park
This park is home to several large, outdoor sculptures. Pack a picnic and go see some truly amazing modern art. The giant eyeball is a little bit creepy, but it’s also my favorite. Check out events here throughout the year, too. It’s open daily 8am to just after sunset.
Central West End
This neighborhood is home to the St Louis Unions Vintage Base Ball Club. On the baseball field in Lafayette Park, teams play by the standards and rules used in the 1860s. It is also home to the St Louis Chess Club, which has a giant outdoor chess set.
The Gateway Arch & Graffiti Wall
The iconic Arch is one of St Louis’s most well known tourist destinations. The unique building houses a small museum about the city’s history and more. Visitors can ride tiny elevators to the top of the Arch for truly stunning views of the city. I like to visit it at night. Admission starts at $12 for adults over 16 to ride to the top, but there are other options for visiting too, including a cruise, and a documentary movie. It is definitely worth doing at least once! The nearby Graffiti Wall is part of the flood wall along the Mississippi River. The city-sanctioned graffiti on the nearly 2 mile wall changes frequently, but it’s always a treat to see. If you’re already at the Arch, walk down and see the Graffiti Wall, too.
Citygarden Sculpture Park
Downtown, you’ll find another sculpture garden. Their sculptures here are varied in style, so there’s a little something for everyone. If you’re downtown, you can’t miss it! Driving by is probably fine, unless you want to stop for pictures.
Go Ape (St Louis)
This ziplining chain is a little different than most. Their ziplines are half obstacle course challenges, and it is so much more fun than just ziplining! Check out the St Louis Go Ape in Creve Coeur Park. For the more adventurous, this can’t be missed. There are other, more traditional, ziplining options near the city, but I recommend this one.
What to See in St Louis
(Plays, Festivals, and Concerts)
The Muny and Fox Theater
Theater is alive and well in St Louis. The Muny is the world’s largest outdoor amphitheater, featuring several shows every summer season. Buy tickets to one, or get the season pass. I highly recommend the Muny. My family used to go every year, and it was always a blast. The weather was almost never a problem (although we did get rained on a little when we went to see The Little Mermaid) and I don’t think there’s really a bad seat in the house. It’s a St Louis staple.
The Fox is an ornate indoor theater, and tends to be more expensive than the Muny. It also has other performances besides plays and it’s open year round. The building itself is worth a visit. So beautiful!
Festival of Nations
Want to travel more, but you can’t afford it or don’t have the time? Go to the Festival of Nations. This was one of our favorite St Louis events. Various associations and groups represent their global heritage at the Festival of Nations. This festival, in Tower Grove Park, has booths from more than 40 countries across the globe. The booths serve traditional food and drink from their countries, and the different groups present dances, music, and other performances, and demonstrations from their culture on several different stages around the park. It usually runs one weekend in August. The event is free, but bring cash to buy food from the vendors and keepsakes from the world bazaar at the festival. If you enjoy experiencing other cultures, this is the place to go.
Renaissance Festival
The Renaissance Festival occurs over 5 consecutive weekends in the late summer. Each weekend is themed and hosts special events, but the main attractions, like the joust, run every day. The event is well managed, and fun for everyone. Visit once, or every weekend, and be sure to try the medieval themed food while you’re there! The turkey legs are tasty, and huge! Admission is cheaper if you purchase tickets ahead of time. Not to mention, you’ll skip the lines! Local Costco or Sam’s stores usually sell even cheaper bundles. Costumes are strongly encouraged!
Shakespeare in the Park
This event runs every year to celebrate the works of Shakespeare. If English literature interests you, then you’ve found your match. One of the major plays is performed every year. The event is free to enter.
Concert Halls
Being one of the largest cities in the region, St Louis gets a constant influx of music artists and traveling performances. No matter what kind of music you listen to, there will almost always be something for you in the city. Check Groupon for tickets. Sometimes you can score really nice deals on concert tickets!
Chaifetz Arena
Enterprise Center
Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
The Pageant
St Louis Symphony at Powell Hall
Where to Eat in St Louis
Like all great cities, St Louis is home to more delicious restaurants than I could possibly list. And new ones are popping up all of the time, but here’s some of our favorites in St Louis.
The Melting Pot
This chain restaurant has two locations in the St Louis area, one downtown and one in the Town and Country neighborhood. They serve amazing fondue dishes and while the prices are on the higher side, it’s well worth it for the experience. If you’ve never been to one, go now!
P’Sghetti’s
This local mom and pop eatery sells one of the traditional St Louis staples: toasted ravioli. They offer fast, cheap, and delicious Italian cuisine! One of my favorites to revisit when we go back to St Louis.
St Louis Bread Co.
Known everywhere else as Panera Bread, all of the locations in St Louis, still go by the original name. True St Louisans just call it Bread Co.
Sweetology
This dessert shop is perfect for any artist with a sweet tooth. Here you can purchase and decorate your own cookies and cupcakes. Eat it there or take it to go. They do parties for groups, too.
Pieology
This chain restaurant is kind of like a Subway for pizzas. They offer so many options to customize your pizza, it’s sure to please everyone. Gluten free options are available.
Tucanos
This Brazilian grill is so popular in St Louis, and for good reason. If you go on a weekend or with a larger group, definitely make reservations. It’s a little pricey, but they bring you so much food, I promise you won’t leave hungry. Vegetarians beware, though. It serves primarily meat from its grill, but the buffet has some plant based options.
Ted Drewes
This ice cream shop has been a St Louis tradition for decades. You really can’t go wrong with ice cream, but I prefer Fritz’s on the other side of town. It’s just as good, but smaller and less crowded. It may even be better than Ted Drewes, but don’t tell any St Louisans that!
Fitz’s Root Beer
This is dinner and a show for one price! This restaurant/factory makes and bottles their own root beer and flavored sodas. They have ridiculously amazing floats, and the food is good, too! Go during the less popular times so that you can get a seat by the bottling stations.
Where to Stay in St Louis
(Disclaimer) We don’t have a lot to recommend in the way of lodging, since we have either been residents or stayed with family in St Louis.
Airbnb
Airbnb seems to have a lot of nice, affordable options in St Louis. Book early, though, if you’re going to be in the city during larger events. Be sure to book a location close to the places you plan to visit if you don’t have a car. Use our link to save $55 on your first Airbnb booking!
Hotels
If you’re interested in staying at a hotel, there are a ton of options within the city limits! We usually use hotels.com or booking.com to search for the best deals.
Getting Around St Louis
St Louis kind of disappoints when it comes to public transportation. If you’ll just be downtown, you can use the Metro, but otherwise, you’ll need a car. Depending on your plans, you can try using Uber or Lyft, but you might just be better off renting a car if your accommodation has free parking available.
What to Wear in St Louis
Be sure to check the weather before you go. The Midwest is notorious for being cold enough for winter coats one day and shorts the next. Depending on the time of year you visit, it’s possible that it could rain every day. Checking the weather when you pack is the safest bet to make sure you’re prepared.
St Louis City Highlights
St Louis is an amazing city to visit, especially on a budget. It’s an even better place to call home. There’s certainly no shortage of things to do in the city, and I’ve probably only scratched the surface here. There’s casinos, bars, and a huge nightlife atmosphere in the city that we never really experienced. The Soulard neighborhood has a large local music scene as well, but it was another part of St Louis we haven’t really had the chance to explore yet. Maybe on our next trip, but we love St Louis, and it will always feel a little bit like home to us.
We hope you find something in our Just Go guide that helps you during your trip!
Did we miss anything? Let us know your favorite things to do in St Louis!
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