Things to do & places to visit in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States

The history of St. Louis has been heavily influenced by Westward expansion and blues music. The big "must-see" in this region is the Gateway Arch, while other important sites include the Museum of Westward Expansion, the St. Louis Cathedral and the Anheuser-Busch factory tour. The city offers plenty for the whole family. Children will enjoy the local zoo and the Magic House, while family members will also want to unwind at Forest Park, home to the World's Fair almost a century ago.

Saint Louis municipality in Missouri, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Thursday, May 09, 2024, 13:02.

Top things to do (22)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Missouri Botanical Garden (4.432 reviews)
- STL treasure flows at Holidays
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Gardens

The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis was founded in 1859 by Henry Shaw. Today, the Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural display - widely considered one of the top three botanical gardens in the world. It features 79 acres of horticultural displays, including indoor conservatories and demonstration, formal and international gardens. See more..
5.0 Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis (3.097 reviews)
- Comparable to basilicas in Europe
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals

The Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, the superstructure of the Cathedral was built between 1907 and 1914. The Cathedral's 100th Anniversary is being celebrated in 2014. It is known for its' beautiful interior mosaics, which took nearly 80 years to create using more than 41 million pieces of glass tesserae. The Cathedral is known for having one of the largest mosaic collections in the Western Hemisphere. See more..
5.0 Forest Park (2.487 reviews)
- Amazing Park
Thursday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Parks

The site of the 1904 World's Fair, America's second largest urban park is a prime St. Louis recreation spot. See more..
5.0 Central Public Library (191 reviews)
- One of most beautiful examples of architecture in STL
Libraries

Simply stunning architecture that no one on the planet should miss! The staff in every room greeted us warmly and let us wander as we wanted... There were several people sitting and reading --- enjoying the quiet and beauty. Only one room was loud and the two women working there didn't feel compelled to ask the patron to turn off his loud cell phone. We simply left that room when we saw they either didn't have the authority to do anything or maybe were too scared of the guy to do anything. I'm so happy we toured this gem! See more..
5.0 Campbell House Museum (173 reviews)
- Meticulous1885 Restoration
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums

Since opening on February 6, 1943, the Campbell House Museum has served the greater St. Louis area as one of America's premier historic property museums. The Museum not only preserves the Campbell's house, but also their collection of original furniture, fixtures, paintings, objects and thousands of pages of family documents. Included in these documents is a unique album of 60 photographs of the interior of the house taken in about 1885. In 2005 the Museum completed a meticulous five-year restoration that returned the building to its opulent 1880s appearance, when the house was one of the centers of St. Louis society. See more..
5.0 Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum (136 reviews)
- Dial T for Terrific!
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums

The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1896 building that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located in the 426-acre historic Jefferson Barracks Park which is a 15-minute drive south of downtown Saint Louis. The self-guided, accessible museum has many hands-on, how-things-work displays. In addition to the extensive collection of telephones manufactured from the 1800s through 2000s, the museum also contains: • A working Central Office Step Switch. • Operator switchboards. • Military telephones from WWI through the Gulf War. • Hundreds of pieces of telephone-related equipment and tools. • Hundreds of pieces of telephone-related memorabilia from the 1880s through the 2000s. • A large variety of novelty telephones. Admission: $5 Adults, $4 Seniors; $3 Children ages 5 to 12; Free Children ages 4 and under. Free parking is available directly behind the museum. See more..
4.5 The Gateway Arch (12.6k reviews)
- A Must do
Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Observation Decks & Towers • Monuments & Statues

From the thrilling views to the amazing stories, a visit to the Gateway Arch is an experience that never fails to inspire. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, you’ll find activities to please every member of your party. Attractions include the Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch, the Museum at the Gateway Arch (opened July 3, 2018), a documentary film about the construction of the Arch, shopping at The Arch Store, a new Arch Cafe, and cruises aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. Tickets sell out early and often - advance purchase strongly recommended. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. See more..
4.5 St. Louis Zoo (8.623 reviews)
- Nice zoo, just a hot day.
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Zoos

Visitors are wowed by this zoo that has 6,600 animals and 15 major exhibit areas. See more..
4.5 City Museum (6.638 reviews)
- City Museum
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

Don't take the name so literally. We're about fun. Not your white walls, walk around, and be quiet museum. If you want to climb around, get active with your kids or are a big kid at heart, we're the place. If you get freaked out easily, you might not want to come. We're four floors filled with miles of tunnels, a full cave system, over 30 slides, a circus, an arts area, a large outdoor climbing space, Architectural Museum, a Cabin that serves adult beverages, a Museum of Mayhem, Mirth and Mystery, and a ton more. Also, there's the roof with a Ferris Wheel and a bus hanging off its edge. See more..
4.5 Busch Stadium (4.934 reviews)
- Great ballpark with loyal fan base
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Arenas & Stadiums

This stadium is one of the most visible symbols of St. Louis' success. See more..
4.5 Grant’s Farm (2.363 reviews)
- A Day at Grant’s Farm
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Farms

This is the perfect place for all ages. We booked the Clydesdales Tour, which took 1.5 hours and it was well worth the $25 per person cost. Learned so much about this breed of horse and the training they go through. The $15 parking fee is all we had to pay to enter the grounds and it included the tram ride around the property. You could see the animals up close as you drive by. It stops at the courtyard where there are animals you can feed and activities for the kids. Great big food court with polka music playing while you eat. Lots to do and see. See more..
4.5 Saint Louis Science Center (1.512 reviews)
- Interesting and free museum to pass a couple hours
Thursday: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Spent More than 3 hours Science Museums

With the mission "to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning", the Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, and has been named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents Magazine and one of America's most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine. The complex includes over 96,000 sq-ft of interactive science-technology exhibits that are part of the Science Center's free general admission. The most recent major permanent exhibit is GROW, a one-acre outdoor exhibit that will take visitors on a journey of food, to gain a deeper understanding of our food supply. The Science Center's ticketed areas include the OMNIMAX, a four-story IMAX Dome theater; the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, one of the world's largest planetariums; and the Discovery Room, an activity area for families with younger children. See more..
4.5 Saint Louis Art Museum (1.452 reviews)
- Beautiful museum
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums

Dedicated to Art and Free to All. Located in beautiful, historic Forest Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum hosts a world-class and varied collection of original works of art and artifacts, spanning five millennia and six continents, in one of the most impressive buildings in the city. Admission to the Museum is free every day, and admission to special exhibitions is free on Fridays. See more..
4.5 The Magic House (1.304 reviews)
- It's a Magical Place for Fun and Discovery
Thursday: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Children's Museums

This fun-filled attraction offers kids many hands-on learning activities and provides a special area for younger children. See more..
4.5 Old Courthouse (1.054 reviews)
- Perfect complement to the Arch
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Government Buildings

Walk the halls where ordinary Americans made civil rights history. Built in 1839, the Old Courthouse is a prime example of mid-19th century federal architecture. But it is two landmark cases that secure its place in history. Beginning in 1847, the enslaved Dred Scott twice sued for his and his wife Harriet’s freedom. But, the U.S. Supreme Court decided against them, ruling that African-Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue. In 1873, St. Louis suffragette Virginia Minor and her husband filed a civil suit arguing for women’s right to vote. Although their suit was denied, they brought great attention to the fight for voting rights for all U.S. citizens. See more..
4.5 The Fabulous Fox Theatre (877 reviews)
- Do NOT allow late seating
Theaters

The Fabulous Fox Theatre first opened in 1929 as a movie palace in William Fox's motion picture empire. The theatre was reopened in 1982, and today it is one of the most exquisite venues in the country to enjoy live touring Broadway shows, concerts, and comedians. We hope you'll visit us for an upcoming show or one of our guided tours! See more..
4.5 Missouri History Museum (754 reviews)
- Great Place to Visit
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM History Museums

Originally built as the first national monument to Thomas Jefferson, the Missouri History Museum looks at the history of St. Louis from 1764 to the present day. The History Clubhouse is a hands-on gallery for kids. Free admission! See more..
4.5 City Garden (753 reviews)
- Art Activating a Park
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

This is a great urban park that uses art to engage citizens, both adults and children and it is totally free to walk through. St Louis has about 20 pieces of sculpture art that it has used to create this downtown experience just west of the Arch and Courthouse. Going west from the Arch, St Louis had created a park mall through the city but originally left as green space. Two of the those bulks were converted to this Sculpture Garden that were beautiful, entertaining and active. My wife and I really enjoyed this and wish we had had more time to visit. I highly recommend you plan to stop by. Check out the pictures of the art. See more..
4.5 Missouri Civil War Museum (690 reviews)
- Well done museum in an historic building
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

The Missouri Civil War Museum is housed in the old 1905 Jefferson Barracks Post Exchange (PX) and Gymnasium building, formerly part of the Jefferson Barracks military post, which is still an active military installation to this day. Renovations began in 2003, and were completed 10 years later in 2013, with an opening date of June 29, 2013. During the Civil War, the property which this museum is located upon, contained various hospital ward buildings, where suffering and death occurred, thus making this sacred ground, and a most appropriate location for a Missouri Civil War Museum, honoring our soldiers of the past and present. See more..
4.5 Ulysses S. Grant National Historical Site (546 reviews)
- Great information on Grant
Historic Sites

A park ranger gave the tour. He gave a brief history of Grant (about 15mins). You can walk through the house on your own and meet back up with the ranger before heading to the museum located in the old barn. The house was sparse not too many items adorned the rooms. It was pretty bare bones of just the house. The history of Grant was very interesting and how the house finally came into possession of the National parks. The museum in the barn is very nicely done with a lot of additional information (and it has ac). It was a little confusing which location was the house because it is next to the Busch property that had a lot more people. The Grant house is the first stop on the right. It is free to tour the property. The parking is right in the front, it is free. There is the typical little shop and clean restrooms. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Nice stop on our road trip only took us about 30-40mins with an 11 and 15 year old. See more..
4.5 Anheuser-Busch Brewery (527 reviews)
- Beer Master Tour
Breweries

My wife and I did the Beer Master Tour. I highly recommend booking your tour a couple months in advance as these sell out quickly. We received a A-B baseball cap and wore headphones while the tour was in progress. You’re not going to see anyone adding barley, hops or malt during this tour. I thought the tour was comprehensive and enjoyable. There’s plenty of opportunity to taste beer at different stages of production. The history was interesting and the facility/grounds are historically beautiful to see. If I were to do one tour, the Beer Master tour is the one to do. See more..
4.5 Lone Elk Park (520 reviews)
- Great Wildlife Event
Parks

This was a great experience, the wildlife didn’t disappoint, Elk, Bison and geese were plentiful and made for an excellent photography experience. Would definitely recommend and go back again. The park is free however they recommend a small donation of $1.00. We didn’t go to the bird sanctuary this visit. It was nice to be able to drive through the whole park. Please remember when visiting, we are in their home/habitat. We are their guests keep a safe distance from the animals so we don’t lose the privilege of visiting the animals. See more..
4.5 Gateway Arch National Park (503 reviews)
- Must See & Do
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks • National Parks

A must see and do while visiting St. Louis! From the museum to the views at the top, it’s all worth it! If you want to ride to the top, I recommend booking your tickets online before you arrive to get the time slot you want. Same day tickets are not guaranteed. Note the tram pods to the top are very small and it’s cramped, but it only takes 4 minutes to get to the top then 3 minutes back down. It’s best to go with a group of people you know or you’ll be camped in with strangers. I do wish they would allow more than roughly 8 minutes at the top. The views are amazing! If you aren’t able to take a ride to the top, the park grounds with paved pathways and the FREE museum are worth exploring! There’s beautiful scenery all around from the river and downtown. It’s a well kept and clean place. See more..
4.5 Laumeier Sculpture Park (459 reviews)
- Cultural Gem
Parks

The landscape of this park is dominated by modern sculptures. See more..
4.5 The National Museum of Transportation (420 reviews)
- Really Great
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours History Museums

The National Museum of Transportation has one of the largest and most diverse collections of transportation vehicles in the world! We are open 9AM to 4PM, Wednesday through Sunday, with the last admission at 1PM in January and February 2022. Trace the history of American railroading; see our new Sanford N. McDonnell Tribute wing with a wall full of aircraft models; see one-of-a-kind and historical cars, 70 locomotives, trolleys, planes, a towboat, and more on our 42 acres. Per STL County, masks are recommended indoors for everyone ages 5 and up. Dogs are welcome outside. See more..
4.5 The Muny (412 reviews)
- Amazing Facility and an OK Show
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Theaters

This is a hard one to rate, as the facility is amazing. I've never seen anything like it. Huge capacity (11,000) and state of the art technology. The production of Camelot was underwhelming, however. The cast was not as strong as I had expected. The feamle lead was a fabulous singer but not good at delivering lines. The Muny keeps up an impossible schedule of shows and I can only imagine how difficult it must be to produce so many shows in such a short amount of time. Hats off to the orchestra, an often-forgotten support crew. Sound and lights are very good. Still, I recommend this spectacle and the delight of being entertained under the stars. This was a "very good" experience. See more..
4.5 Tower Grove Park (275 reviews)
- Lovely walking any time of the year
Parks

Tower Grove park isn't huge yet you can meander and come across numerous sweet places. If you love trees and plants, pay attention to the ways trees are positioned~ there are clusters of cypress, dogwood and more that create great beauty in bloom as well as some enormous osage orange and other species. You also find food trees right alongside paths~ persimmon, pecan and more. A lovely place to walk or sit or play with a group. Open green spaces allow for creative uses including tossing a frisbee, having a picnic, laying back and watching clouds and birds go by, drawing or painting. Not a place to go alone at night, which is true for most darker areas in this city that I love. See more..
4.5 Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum (267 reviews)
- Baseball History
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

Few franchises have the acclaim and heritage of the St. Louis Cardinals, and that history lives here, in the Cardinals Museum. Featuring stadiums, players and championship moments, the Cardinals Museum boasts one of the largest team-specific collections of artifacts and memorabilia in the world. The Museum's seven galleries take you on a chronological journey through the rich history of the Cardinals, allowing you to learn about the birth of the franchise, relive special memories and interact with great exhibits. See more..
4.5 Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park (196 reviews)
- The wonders of an equilateral parallelogram
Architectural Buildings

This was a great tour of another Wright gem. The entrance is somewhat hidden, and like the house, is probably meant to blend in with its surroundings. Reservations are very limited and need to be booked far in advance. Our docent was extremely informative, engaging, and very proud and respecting of both the house and its Kraus history. We've been to several other Wright homes; each one has its design similarities and uniqueness. This smaller Utopian home makes use of the equilateral parallelogram inside and out, including of all things the odd size bed! Also unique to this Wright house is that Russell Kraus, a stained glass artist, was allowed to design his own glass windows. There's a small gift shop attached to the house, and you will notice that the patio is itself a parallelogram. Not recalling our docent's name, we did share a brief chat following her tour and discovered we have vacationed in in the same South Jersey beach town of Stone Harbor. Small house and small world! See more..
4.5 Bellefontaine Cemetery (156 reviews)
- A beautiful way to spend a day
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Cemeteries

Bellefontaine is a historic, active cemetery & arboretum, with renowned architecture, a rich cultural history- and we're open everyday! Come visit us! See more..