If you’re searching for things to do in St. Louis, Missouri, you’ve arrived at the right place.
There’s something for everyone in this vibrant city, which offers everything from top-notch museums and attractions to buzzing nightlife and delicious dining options.
You’ll never run out of exciting things to do in St. Louis, with its excellent outdoor activities, national parks, art galleries, zoos, aquariums, and more.
It has an expansive downtown with quiet streets, intriguing museums, and a spectacular MLB complex.
The renowned Gateway Arch monument, one of the newest additions to the US National Park system, is also located there.
St. Louis, the capital and largest city of Missouri, is known as the “portal to the west” and is located on the Mississippi River.
The city was once the launching point for explorers heading off to conquer the Wild West, and now draws travelers from near and far with its bright lights and magnificent sights.
To save you the trouble of doing hours and hours research yourself, we’ve compiled a list of the top attractions and activities in St. Louis.
Continue reading to know things to do in St Louis; the top choices are as follows:
1. 24 Things to Do in St. Louis
This underappreciated city provides an unexpected and reasonably priced weeklong holiday because it is rich in history and filled with parks.
You might be running about so much that you’ll need a break from your holiday when your visit is finished.
There are countless things to do in St. Louis, from watching a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium to climbing to the top of the Gateway Arch, the largest structure in the country.
The Entrance City is your gateway to fun with excellent restaurants, first-rate pubs and breweries, a bustling arts scene, family-friendly activities, and parks galore.
These are our top 20 suggestions for activities to do when visiting St. Louis, but there are still more on the list.
There is much more to discover, including cuisine, nightlife, shopping, lodging options, and events that are certain to make you smile while you’re in town.
1.1. St Louis Art Museum
The majestic Fine Arts building, constructed in 1904 for the World’s Fair, houses the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park.
When the Saint Louis art museum first opened in 1879, it contained a variety of electrotype replicas and plaster casts.
It now has a sizable collection of 33,000 works of art from worldwide that date back five millennia.
The groups on view change frequently, and the museum hosts special exhibits.
This is a top-notch gallery and museum with outstanding permanent collections and a diverse selection of imaginative temporary shows.
Numerous shows at the St. Louis Art Museum are well worth the trip.
Combine your trip to the museum with a picnic in the lovely Forest Park if the weather is fine.
The most recognizable and visually arresting structure in St. Louis has to be the Gateway Arch. The city is dominated by this magnificent 630-foot monument, the tallest arch in the globe!
The Gateway Arch is a fantastic way to get a full 360-degree view of the city and is also Missouri’s tallest accessible building. For the best idea, take a trip to the top of this stainless-steel building.
While you’re there, visit the on-site museum, which features six thematic exhibit spaces spanning more than 200 years of our region’s history.
A replica paddle-wheel boat from the 19th century is available for a narrated journey down the mighty Mississippi.
Visitors to the Gateway Arch National Park can also take a helicopter tour to fly above the city.
To the east are the mighty Mississippi River and five bridges. One of the most popular St. Louis attractions is the Gateway Arch.
After spending as much time as you like on the Observation Deck, you can take the tram back down the opposite section of the Arch.
1.2. City Museum
Discover the unusual multi-story playground at the City Museum, which features slides, caverns, and climbing structures constructed from repurposed and found objects.
The City Museum in St. Louis is quite different from other museums! This fantastic site is like a vast playground for all ages, with tons of exciting things to see and do!
Children of all ages will undoubtedly enjoy themselves for hours thanks to the caverns, slides, climbing structures, Museum of Mirth, Mystery, and Mayhem.
The Elmslie and Sullivan architectural exhibit, daily circus courses and workshops, and various perplexing installations are just a few of the museum’s highlights.
1.3. Missouri Botanical Garden
A nursery and a public garden are part of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Missouri Botanical Garden was established in 1859 and is the oldest botanical garden west of the Mississippi River.
The St. Louis Art Museum also has a sizable collection of glass art displayed in the garden.
The Missouri Botanical Garden should be at the forefront of your list of activities in St. Louis on a sunny day!
This breathtaking location, also known as Shaw’s Garden, is one of the nicest green areas possible.
Along with the fantastic plant collections and expertly designed gardens, there are frequent markets, fun garden parties, and enjoyable activities like planting workshops for spring bulbs.
1.4. St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo, located at One Government Drive, was built using the Smithsonian Institution’s Fair Flight Cage, which was on show at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.
Over time, it grew to become one of the top zoos in the world, and it is renowned for its work in conservation, education, and research.
The zoo is divided into areas including Lakeside Crossing, which features Sea Lion Sound and Stingrays at Caribbean Cove, Red Rocks, which features Big Cat Country and Antelope Area; and Discovery Corner, which includes the Emerson’s Children’s Zoo and Monsanto Insectarium, among others.
A 20-minute narrated tour of the top attractions is provided by the Emerson Zooline Railroad.
1.5. Six Flags St. Louis
The whole family will enjoy visiting this thrilling theme park! Attractions like Batman the Ride let riders fly like a bat; Catwoman Whip launches riders 16 Storeys into the air; the Screaming Eagle wooden coaster soars at speeds up to 62 mph, and Thunder River’s whitewater rapids adventure lets riders get wet.
Aside from attending live performances and concerts, Six Flags St. Louis visitors may also meet their favorite Loony Toons cartoon characters and have a ton of fun at Hurricane Harbor Water Park.
Many hotel amenities are nearby the park, and visitors can take advantage of discounted prices for youth groups, business outings, family reunions, and much more!
1.6. Forest Park
The central park in St. Louis is called Forest Park. It is one of the country’s biggest urban parks and has many great attractions, walking paths, and biking routes.
After exploring the grounds and taking in their serene beauty, you may find several beautiful places to unwind with a picnic.
Forest Park also boasts the flourishing Jewel Box Greenhouse and the 1904 World’s Fair Pavillion, both fantastic sights to visit.
One of the most excellent ways to spend a day outdoors in St. Louis is to visit Forest Park, which has lush meadows, water features, and lovely flowers.
1.7. Children’s Museums
The Magic House Children’s Museum is devoted to educating kids and offers the engaging learning opportunities that they like.
The majority of the roughly 100 exercises are participatory and practical. Fifty-five thousand square feet of space are available for children to play.
The three-story, elegant Victorian mansion where the museum is housed has undergone considerable expansion since it opened its doors in 1979.
The three-story Jack and the Beanstalk climber; the Van de Graaff generator, which generates static electricity and causes your hair to stand up when touched; the Oval Office, Legislative Chamber, and Courtroom, where kids may play pretend, are some of the most well-liked attractions.
In the children’s village, they can also work as veterinarians, bank tellers, or librarians, among other jobs.
1.8. Campbell House Museum
The Campbell House Museum, located on Locust Street, is a townhouse from the 1850s that has been renovated and preserved.
It houses artwork, furniture from the 19th century, and items that belonged to the family.
It has been declared a City of St. Louis Landmark and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
After being donated to the city in the 1940s, the home underwent several renovations.
The most recent one, completed in 2005, attempted to recreate the home’s appearance as shown in 1885 photographs.
The museum hosts activities, including talks and walking tours and guided tours that take about an hour.
1.9. History Museum
Founded in 1866, the Missouri History Museum is situated on Lindell Boulevard on the northern edge of Forest Park.
It is a history museum run by the Missouri Historical Society and is located in the 1913 Jefferson Memorial Building.
National relics, as well as objects of regional and state relevance, are included in its collections.
Other items are related to Charles Lindbergh and his illustrious journey on the Spirit of St. Louis.
The museum contains a library and a research center, providing educational activities to local schools and the general public.
1.10. Grant National Historic Site
Ulysses S. Grant, a legendary general, lived here with his wife. It is now a historical site open to locals and visitors.
You get to take a tour of the still immaculate residence. You will be given a time of the home’s first floor and the summer kitchen, winter kitchen, laundry room, chicken coop, and icehouse.
In addition to a gift shop, spacious facilities, and an optional informative film, there is a welcome center.
Additionally, the property has a museum where visitors may examine various items, including Grant’s authentic uniform from the Civil War.
1.11. Contemporary Art Museum
The one thing St. Louis excels at is art! The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis is another well-known artistic powerhouse in the area.
There is nothing traditional or stuffy about these exhibits since they are modern, as the name suggests!
The museum holds six significant exhibitions each year that feature new creations by local and foreign artists in various media.
Since so much of the art is experimental, the viewer must form their own opinions about what they are witnessing.
This is one of the most comprehensive collections of contemporary art because of the progressive themes and thought-provoking pieces.
1.12. Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis
This charming little museum will be a vacation highlight for younger visitors and hobbyists who want to travel down memory lane.
The Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis focuses on urban life on a tiny scale.
The dollhouses are the jewels in the crown, with everything from rustic cabins to magnificent mansions on display.
Peer closely, and you’ll see meticulously crafted rooms depicting scenes from everyday life.
Before going to the model stores and tiny streets, check out the messy attics and antique kitchens. Even one or two spooky houses could be included in the mix!
Do you want to establish your small kingdom? Stop by the gift shop to pick up a few necessities on your way out.
1.13. National Museum of Transportation
This charming little museum will be a vacation highlight for younger visitors and hobbyists who want to travel down memory lane.
The Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis focuses on urban life on a tiny scale.
The dollhouses are the jewels in the crown, with everything from rustic cabins to magnificent mansions on display. Peer closely, and you’ll see meticulously crafted rooms depicting scenes from everyday life.
Before going to the model stores and tiny streets, check out the messy attics and antique kitchens. Even one or two spooky houses could be included in the mix!
Do you want to establish your small kingdom? Stop by the gift shop to pick up a few necessities on your way out.
1.14. Play a Round of Golf
Here beginners can benefit from professional instruction, and pros can attempt holes-in-one at various clubs with a global reputation.
For a game that twists around lakes and creeks in a championship-style setting, visit Bear Creek Golf Club.
You could also play a round of golf on St. Ann’s 9-hole public course for something a little less challenging.
Another short course may be found at Incline Village, where the play is atmospheric due to the fairways’ tree-lined design. Make use of the “island green” to display your abilities.
In contrast, St. Peter’s Golf Club provides a well-rounded experience with ponds and bunkers, adding a thrilling factor. Last but not least, regarding refreshments
1.15. The Old Cathedral
Until 1845, the Old Cathedral in St. Louis served as the region’s first and only cathedral west of the Mississippi River.
The Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, was its official name.
The Gateway Arch, another impressive building in St. Louis, is only a two-minute stroll from this gorgeous church.
At other times, a group tour for ten or more people can be requested by emailing the cathedral.
Both tourists and Christian worshipers are astounded by how magnificent and stunning the cathedral’s medieval design is still today.
Additionally, confession is available from 11:30 to 12 on Mondays and from 4:30 to 5:15 on Saturdays. This is accessible to everyone, regardless of religion.
1.16. Saint Louis Science Center
The St. Louis Science Center is an interactive planetarium and science museum situated on Oakland Avenue at the southeast corner of Forest Park.
The Center opened as a planetarium in 1963, and it is currently among the most vital centers in the country, with more than 750 exhibits spread across its 300,000-square-foot space.
It has been ranked among the nation’s top five science centers and the most popular.
The Center features an IMAX dome cinema and displays topics including chemistry, earth science, cutting-edge technology, life sciences, and others in the main building.
An integral component of the center’s instructional program is the Taylor Community Science Resource Center.
1.17. Downtown St. Louis
The city’s historical center is Downtown St., and there is so much incredible architecture to see here!
One must-do activity in St. Louis must be strolling through the historic district, taking in the renowned structures, and learning about the history of the country’s fourth-largest city.
St. Louis was previously a French fur trading center that significantly expanded to become the modern-day metropolis.
A terrific opportunity to observe this history in action is by exploring Downtown’s historic buildings.
1.18. Jefferson Barracks Historic Park
Jefferson Barracks, a functioning U.S. Army station from 1826 to 1946, is housed in Jefferson Barracks Historical Park on North Road south of downtown St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
The Old Ordnance Room, Powder Magazine Museum, Laborers House and Ordnance Stable, and other museum buildings constructed in the 1850s, may be found in the park.
The park also contains a cross-country track, pathways, a theater, and other amenities for various activities.
The Cavalry at Jefferson Barracks and Feast in the Park are two examples of the unique activities held at the park.
1.19. Shakespeare Festival
If you want to attend the Shakespeare in the Park Festival, try to travel to St. Louis in August if you’re going to.
The experience of going to this annual event located in the lovely Foster Park will never leave you.
Reading Bard’s timeless lines while curled on a blanket under verdant grass and a starry sky is magical.
To get the most out of this celebration of theater, you are asked to bring a picnic basket and a bottle of wine. Every production, which lasts a week and is presented every night, is free.
1.20. Farmers Market
The best farmers and craftspeople in St. Louis may be found at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market.
This market is worth visiting because of its magnificent location, spacious interior, and quiet atmosphere.
While you peruse different market aisles, you can have refreshments at the fast food restaurant and on the playground for children.
While perusing the food offerings or simply window shopping and taking in the ambiance, customers and visitors can listen to live music at the market.
The suppliers are categorized to make it simpler for customers to shop for particular things.
While parking in markets can be inconvenient and occasionally tricky, this provides plenty of room.
Shakespeare-related events continue into September when St. Louis hosts its annual Shakespeare in the Streets event.
There will be free concerts and a block party at this event.
The Shakespeare Festival offers summer camps for schoolchildren that last half a day to encourage a love of the Bard in younger generations.
1.21. Civil War Museum
Visit the Missouri Civil War Museum to learn more about America’s most important historical event.
Exhibitions of wartime artifacts offer an insight into daily life and the combatants on both sides of the line.
You’ll see authentic military gear retrieved from various battlefields across the nation. The terrible reality of war is brought home by it.
Learn about Missouri’s role in the overall picture and learn about the experiences of those there.
1.22. City Garden
A botanic garden, a sculpture garden, and a public park have successfully combined to create the magnificent urban sanctuary known as St. Louis City Garden.
The garden, which spans three acres of space on two city blocks between Eighth and Tenth Streets, is an excellent spot for reflection, appreciating art, grabbing a bite to eat, or strolling among the sculptures and trees.
The 24 pieces of contemporary sculpture are enormous in scale and created by well-known national and international artists.
Two hundred thirty-five trees, thousands of shrubs, perennials, grasses, wildflowers, and bulbs coexist in the area with these sculptures. All of the plants are local species.
A massive 14-foot-long video wall is one of the City Garden’s most well-liked elements.
The wall is used as a screen for movies, art films, and occasionally a Cardinals game. It is surrounded by enormous limestone slabs that serve as steps and seating spaces.
1.23. Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum
The Cardinals Hall of Fame commemorates the team’s 100-year history in Ballpark Village with various images, memorabilia, awards, and videos.
With more than 80,000 images and over 15,000 artifacts, the National Baseball Hall of Fame is the only organization with a more extensive collection of baseball-related items than the museum.
There are many areas in the museum. The “Cardinal Way,” or Cardinal George Kissell’s approach to playing baseball, is discussed in the first part. Additionally, a video is included.
Numerous bats, uniforms, gloves, and other pieces of baseball history are also on display at the museum.
The World Series medals won by the Cardinals are on display in the rotunda, and after the tour, visitors may view plaques honoring Cardinals Hall of Famers.
1.24. Cinema St. Louis
A significant event in the film business is Cinema St. Louis, also known as the Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival or SLIFF to its residents.
The festival, which started small in 1992 with 25 film screenings, has evolved over the years, and in 2014 it exhibited 375 films over ten days from more than 50 different nations.
An estimated 24,000 viewers attended to observe what was happening in the world of indie productions, moving foreign films, and top-notch studio films that haven’t yet been publicly distributed.
The festival now draws well-known actors and consumes the city, but for St. Louis movie fans, it is a rare chance to view some fantastic movies that wouldn’t be presented in their hometown.
2. Final Words
There are countless things to do in St. Louis, from watching a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium to climbing to the top of the Gateway Arch, the largest structure in the country.
The Entrance City is your gateway to fun with outstanding restaurants, first-rate pubs and breweries, a bustling arts scene, family-friendly activities, and parks galore.
These are our top 25 suggestions for activities to do when visiting St. Louis, but there are still more on the list.
St. Louis offers a wide range of entertaining activities, including dining, shopping, and sightseeing.
This creative city is infused with music, and you may frequently hear ragtime and blues rhythms erupting into the streets. The town of St. Louis should be added to the list of factors.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
