St. Louis is a beautiful city located along the great Mississippi River in Missouri. This amazing city is home to incredible destinations, landmarks, and attractions that visiting will make your trip memorable. During your visit to this beautiful city, you can climb the iconic 630-ft Gateway Arch to have spectacular views of the city and the surrounding landmarks. Additionally, you should never fail to visit the multiple farmers’ markets located around the city if you want to meet the locals, interact with them, understand the culture of the region better, buy local souvenirs, and even eat local dishes. You can also visit the zoo during your visit to see different species of animals that call it home.
Further, you can pass by the botanical garden to get more details about plant life and various flora from around the city. If you love arts and want to see local, national, and international artists, you should stop at the art museum. Furthermore, you can visit the museum if you want to get more details about the history of the city and the United States. There are beautiful parks that you can visit to stroll, jog or do other outdoor activities. You can also visit the lake to take on water-related activities.
St. Louis, Missouri, was founded in 1764, and it covers an estimated area of 170.9 square kilometers with an elevation of 142 meters. The number of people residing in this beautiful city is estimated to be around 3088,174 per the census from 2019. There are multiple destinations within this beautiful city that you can visit to make your trip memorable. Here are the best things to do in St. Louis, Missouri.
# 10 – Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the best destinations in St. Louis to visit if you are an outdoor enthusiast who is nature-oriented. Additionally, this botanical garden is a great place to visit with kids during your trip to this fantastic city. The botanical garden is an acclaimed arboretum, and it was initially known as Shaw’s Garden after Henry Shaw. This botanical garden was founded in 1859, making it one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States. Further, this botanical garden features a variety of different gardens such as a lovely rose garden, the Climatron, built in 1960 for tropical plants, a Japanese garden, an “aqua-tunnel” under a water-lily pool, and an herbarium. During your visit with kids, they can explore the limestone cave, hurtle down the Spelunker’s Slide, climb a treehouse, even board a steamboat, and many other attractions. During your visit to this botanical garden, you may get a chance to feed the koi fish at the Japanese garden and admire the Chihuly glass sculptures located throughout the garden. The admission fee is $12 for adults and a free entrée for kids below 12 years. The botanical garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd, and it is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Official site: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/
# 9 – Saint Louis Zoo
This zoo is one of the best places in St. Louis, Missouri, to visit if you are traveling with kids. Inside this zoo, there are more than 12,000 animals representing over 500 species that call it home. Some of the animals that call this home that you will be able to see during your visit include tigers, jaguars, Asian elephants, hippos, tree kangaroos, sea lions, and bears.
Additionally, you will be able to see armadillos, sloths, swans, penguins, turtles, gators, and tarantulas. During your visit to the Caribbean Cove located within the zoo, you may get a chance to run your hands over a variety of stingrays. There is a range of events such as Summer Zoo Weekends and concerts in this zoo at different times of the year. Furthermore, there are fun rides for kids, such as a carousel, the miniature Zooline Railroad, and a 4D theater within this zoo apart from animals. The zoo is located at 1 Government Dr. St. Louis, and it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., depending on the season.
Official site: https://www.stlzoo.org/
# 8 – Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum
This museum is one of the excellent destinations in St. Louis to take your kids to have fun and learn while in the region. This attraction is one of the popular destinations in the city, with up to five hundred thousand people visiting it yearly. The exhibits in this museum provide information about science, communications, and computers which is essential to kids. Additionally, the hands-on exhibits are divided into themed areas to improve encouragement from kids, and each area is designed to help kids enhance their curiosity and experimentation. There is a specified area within the museum for babies and toddlers to use for playing.
Further, there is a Calming Corner that kids can visit to take a break from the sensory overload. The museum also features an outdoor play garden with a circular stream, hopscotch courts, a garden kaleidoscope, and many more that kids can use to run and play. There is a museum café you can visit with kids to catch a bite when they are hungry. The museum is located at 516 South Kirkwood Road, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Official site: http://www.magichouse.org/
# 7 – Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park
If you are an outdoor enthusiast and would like to spend some time outdoors, then 13725 Marine Ave, St. Louis, where Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park is your destination. This lake memorial park covers an estimated area of 2,145 acres. During your visit to the city, you can rent a bike to explore the surrounding areas. Additionally, you can also rent a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe and go paddleboarding, kayaking or canoeing in the water. You can also go hiking, biking, or even walking in the 3.8-mile asphalt loop trail that surrounds the lake. While on the 3.8-mile asphalt loop trail, you will have beautiful views of the surrounding areas. Further, there are spray fountain play areas, playgrounds, and many other amenities and facilities around this destination.
# 6 – Six Flags Adventure Park
There are multiple destinations in Saint Louis that you can visit to have a memorable time with kids, and Six Flags St. Louis is one of them. This amazing amusement park was opened in 1971, and it covers an estimated area of 131 hectares. Additionally, if you are craving an adrenaline rush during your visit to St. Louis, Missouri, then Six Flags adventure park is one of the great destinations to visit. There are up to 9 roller coasters inside this park, including thrilling rides such as the American Thunder, Bonzai Pipeline, the turning, twisting Boomerang, revolving fireball, and many more. There are family rides that you can take on while bonding at the same time.
Further, you can spend most of the time in the park splashing away in the water rides. This park is also a great place that you can go swimming while in the city. Other rides within this adventure park include the raft-based Big Kahuna, Tree House, and the Hook’s Lagoon. This fantastic waterpark is located at 4900 Six Flags Road, St. Louis, Missouri, and it operates between Late-March to 1st January.
# 5 – Anheuser-Busch Brewery
If you love beers or want to get more details about beers St. Louis, Missouri has something for you. During your visit to this brewery, you can visit the main lobby to walk through its history that dates back many generations. Additionally, you can stop at the tasting rooms during your visit to try out different beers available. You can then head to The Budweiser Clydesdales to meet some of the most recognized animals globally. Further, you may get more details about the beer-making process and all the ingredients used in brewing beer in this company. The brewery is located at 1200 Lynch St. in St Louis, Missouri. You can visit this brewery daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
# 4 – St. Louis Art Museum
If you love arts and you want spectacular views of fine pieces of art during your trip to St. Louis, Missouri, then the Saint Louis Art Museum, located at 1 Fine Arts Drive, Forest Park, is your destination. This art museum was founded in 1879, and the building is a Beaux-Arts Architecture architectural style, plus it is a three-story building. Additionally, there are more than 33,000 extensive collections of works of art inside this museum that you will be able to see during your visit. The over 33,000 collections in this museum span more than five millennia, and they are from all around the world. Moreover, there is a mix of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and textiles exhibited in this museum that you will see during your visit.
There are also more than 20 works by renowned American artists and over 200 magnificent ancient Asian art pieces in this museum that you will see during your visit. The highlights in this museum are “Jolly Flatboatmen in Port” by George Caleb Bingham, Van Gogh’s “Vineyards at Auvers,” Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Danae,” “Reclining Pan,” Andy Goldsworthy’s Stone Sea, Edmonia Lewis’ “Portrait of a Woman,” Egyptian mummies such as Amen-Nestawy-Nakht, Reliquary Guardian Figure, Aristide Maillol’s “The Mountain,” Covered Wine Vessel, Martingale, and Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” plus many more. The art museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday.
# 3 – Saint Louis Science Center
Saint Louis Science Center is one of the great places in this city that you should visit if you want to have a great time with kids. The science center is located at 5050 Oakland Avenue and south of Forest Park. This facility was founded in 1963 as a planetarium, and it currently covers an estimated space of 300,000 square foot making it one of the largest science centers in the United States. Inside this 300,000 square foot facility, there are more than 750 exhibits that will keep you and the kids entertained during your visit. Additionally, there are multiple engaging hands-on activities at this destination that you can take on during your visit. The over 750 exhibits at this facility are about animals, space, weather, Skyscrapers, and many other topics. During your visit to this facility, you will find complimentary science experiments and live demonstrations.
Further, there is an IMAX dome theater inside this science center. There are also two giant epic dinosaurs in this facility that you will see during your visit. There are activities like educational programs that take place at this facility. This facility is open from Thursday to Monday, while it remains closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
# 2 – City Garden
During your visit to St. Louis, you should never fail to visit this city garden. Inside this beautiful, magical urban oasis, a successful hybrid of a botanic garden, a sculpture garden, and a public park. This destination is spread across three acres of land, and it is located between the 8th and 10th streets. You can visit this magical urban oasis to contemplate, appreciate art, take a quick lunch, or stroll between the sculptures and trees. Additionally, there are around 24 pieces of large-scale contemporary sculptures made by renowned national and international artists in this magical urban oasis that you will see during your visit. Within this magical urban oasis, there are around 235 trees, hundreds of shrubs, and grasses wildflowers from the region. There is also a 14-foot-long video wall in this destination used to screen movies, art videos, games, and many more.
# 1 – Gateway Arch
During your visit to St. Louis, Missouri, you should never fail to stop by at the Gateway Arch. This attraction is a 625 feet high parabolic arch of stainless steel, and it was built between 1959 and 1965. Additionally, the Gateway Arch is considered the pride of the city. At around 625 feet tall and a distance of 630 feet from leg to leg, making it one of the highest man-built monuments in the United States. During your visit, you will be able to admire this breathtaking architectural marvel.
Further, you can board the enclosed tram to get up the arch. Once you reach the observation deck, you will be able to have spectacular views of the city and significant landmarks in the surrounding areas. You will be able to see landmarks such as the Edward Jones Dome, Busch Stadium, Old Courthouse and the Ballpark Village, and the mighty Mississippi River plus five of its bridges while at the observation deck of the Gateway Arch on a clear day.
Official site: http://www.gatewayarch.com/