27 Fun Things To Do In St Louis You Can’t Miss

If you’re looking for things to do in St. Louis, Missouri, you’ve come to the right place! This vibrant city has something for everyone, from world-class museums and attractions to lively nightlife and a delicious food scene.

With awesome outdoor activities, national parks, art galleries, zoos, aquariums, and more — you’ll never run out of things to do in St Louis.

Here are 27 things to do in St. Louis, Missouri, that you don’t want to miss!

Coolest Places To Stay In St. Louis

• Classic View. At Hyatt Regency Saint Louis at The Arch you can experience St. Louis and the iconic landmark every time you gaze out the window. Busch Stadium, the Enterprise Center, America’s Center Convention Complex, and the Mississippi Riverfront are all located within walking distance.

• Best Downtown. Le Méridien St. Louis Downtown was built in 1913 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The hotel reopened in 2020 with a modern art-focused design while maintaining touches of the property’s history.

• Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Stay at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark if in town for a Cardinals game. The hotel is just across the street from Ballpark Village. There’s also a rooftop bar, featuring fire pits, panoramic city views, and live DJs during weekends.

Experience Gateway Arch National Park

Gateway Arch National Park is an official United States National Park. The park was established on October 15, 1965, and is operated by the National Park Service. It commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s role in opening the Westward Expansion of the United States.

The centerpiece of the park is the Gateway Arch, which stands 630 feet tall. The arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, and completed in October 1965.

Ride The Tram

One of the most popular activities is riding the tram. The tram ride offers great views of the city and the park below. It’s a fun and easy way to get around, and it’s a great way to see the sights.

The tram travels from the Visitor Center to the top of the Gateway Arch, making stops at the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse along the way.

Tour The Museum

The Gateway Arch Museum tells the story of the arch and its construction, as well as the history of Saint Louis. Exhibits include artifacts from the arch’s construction, photographs, and interactive displays.

A highlight of the museum is the “St. Louis Story of the Arch” film, which shares the story of how the arch was created. The film is shown in a theater that features a 180-degree screen.

The museum also includes a gift shop and restaurant. The gift shop offers a variety of souvenirs, including shirts, hats, magnets, and keychains. The restaurant, dubbed “The Deli at the Arch,” serves sandwiches.

Float Down The Mississippi River

Floating down the Mississippi River is a popular activity at the national park. The river is wide and calm, providing a peaceful experience as you travel downstream. There are several boats and rafts for rent near the park, so you can easily find one that fits your needs.

If you’re looking for a more adventurous journey, you can also kayak or canoe down the river. There are several put-in points near the park, so you can choose the route that’s right for you. Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful views along the way!

Visit The Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse is a beautiful historic building that visitors can explore. The courthouse was used as a federal court from 1875 to 1933, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors can walk through the courtroom, jury room, and judge’s chambers and learn about the history of the building and the people who worked there. There is also a gift shop on-site that sells souvenirs and gifts.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

A visit to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening cheering on your favorite team. The stadium is located in downtown St. Louis, and it’s a beautiful facility that’s been home to the Cardinals since 2006.

The Cardinals are one of the best teams in baseball, and they always have a strong fan base. If you’re planning on attending a game, be sure to get tickets well in advance, as most games sell out. There’s nothing like being at the ballpark on a beautiful day, surrounded by enthusiastic fans rooting for the Cardinals.

Paint The Town Red At Ballpark Village

If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly activity to do in Downtown St Louis, then check out Ballpark Village. This entertainment complex is located right next to Busch Stadium. There’s something for everyone at Ballpark Village, from restaurants and bars to shopping and a kids’ play area.

One of the highlights of Ballpark Village is the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum. This museum is dedicated to the history of the St. Louis Cardinals, from their beginnings all the way to today. You can see artifacts from the team’s history, learn about important players and moments, and even take a virtual reality tour of Busch Stadium.

Fly Thru The Trees At Ryze Adventure Park

Ryze Adventure Park is a great place to go for a fun day out with family or friends. There are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, including a ropes course, zip lines, and climbing walls.

The park is also home to Missouri’s largest playground, which is perfect for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for a place to have some outdoor fun, Ryze Adventure Park is definitely worth checking out.

Dine And Dance AT Blueberry Hill

Blueberry Hill is a restaurant and club in the University City neighborhood of St. Louis. It was founded by Joe Edwards in 1976.

The restaurant features American cuisine and is known for its pies, which are made from scratch. The music club features live music seven nights a week. Blueberry Hill has hosted performances by many famous musicians, including Chuck Berry, The Temptations, and BB King.

Blueberry Hill is a popular tourist attraction in St. Louis, and it has been featured in several films and television shows, including the 1989 film, Major League, and the 1990s sitcom, Friends.

Go Underground At Onondaga Cave State Park

Onondaga Cave State Park is a Missouri state park about 80 minutes from St. Louis. The park was established in 1929, and features Onondaga Cave, one of the most extensive caves in the state.

The cave was formed by the dissolution of limestone over time. The cave features a number of formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. The cave is open to the public for tours.

The park also features a number of hiking trails, including the 3.5-mile Onondaga Cave Trail, which leads from the park entrance to the cave entrance. The park is open year-round and has a number of camping and picnic facilities.

Ponder The Future (And Mosaics) At Cathedral Basilica

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis. It is located in the DeBaliviere Place neighborhood. The cathedral was designated as a minor basilica by Pope Pius XI on August 15, 1920.

The cathedral was built between 1907 and 1914 and is the largest Roman Catholic church in Missouri. It is also the third-largest cathedral in the United States, after Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. The cathedral has a seating capacity of 6,000 people.

The cathedral was designed by Charles A. Keck and constructed in the Byzantine Revival style. The main façade features a central dome and two smaller domes. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with marble, mosaic, and stained glass. The sanctuary features a large crucifix carved from Italian marble.

You can visit the museum and take a tour of this beautiful church. The museum and tours of the Cathedral Basilica offer visitors an overview about this amazing historic site.

Visit St Louis Aquarium At St. Louis Union Station

If you’re looking for things to do with the kids, a visit to the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is a must. It’s home to more than 10,000 aquatic animals, including sharks, stingrays, and turtles.

After visiting the aquarium, you can explore everything else Union Station has to offer! There’s a Ferris wheel (the St. Louis Wheel), and mini-golf course on-site for added fun, and if you get hungry, there are several restaurants to choose from. You can even stay right in the middle of the action by booking a room at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.

Union Station is located in the heart of downtown St. Louis, making it easy to access no matter where you’re staying.

Stay Here: St. Louis Union Station Hotel

Bring The Kids To Magic House

The Magic House is a Children’s Museum founded in 1979 by philanthropists Betty and Stanley Druckenmiller. The museum has five floors of interactive exhibits for children aged one to twelve. There are also special exhibits for preschoolers and teenagers, an outdoor play space, and a cafe.

The Magic House has been voted one of the top five Children’s Museums in the United States by Parents magazine. It was also named one of the ten best places to take kids in St. Louis by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Wander The Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a public garden and arboretum. It is the oldest botanical garden west of the Mississippi River and was founded in 1859.

The garden’s grounds cover 183 acres and contain more than 9,000 kinds of plants from all over the world. The garden also has a large display of glass art from the St. Louis Art Museum.

Hide Like Jesse James At Meramec Caverns

Meramec Caverns is the most popular tourist cave in the state of Missouri. It was discovered accidentally by a group of boys in 1812, while they were chasing a raccoon. The entrance to the cave is located just south of Stanton, Missouri.

Meramec Caverns is a limestone cavern that is approximately 4,600 feet long. It is made up of a series of rooms, passages, and galleries. The caverns are home to a number of speleothems, including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, flowstones, and draperies.

Meramec Caverns was first opened to the public in 1843. It has been open every year since then, with the exception of a brief closure during the Civil War.

Plan An Excursion With The Missouri History Museum

The Missouri History Museum is one of the largest history museums in the United States. It contains over 35,000 items on display, including historical artifacts, documents, and photographs.

The museum also offers educational programs for students of all ages, as well as special exhibits throughout the year. Some of the more popular exhibits include the “Lewis and Clark: The National Exhibition” and the “World War I: American Experiences.”

You’re sure to get a taste of all of Missouri’s incredible historic sites when visiting the Missouri History Museum!

Remember The World’s Fair At Forest Park

The 1904 World’s Fair was the first world’s fair to be hosted in the United States. Held at Forest Park in St. Louis, Missouri, the exhibition drew nearly 19 million visitors during its six-month run. The fairgrounds were designed by George Kessler, who also designed the park’s landscaping.

Among the attractions at the fair were the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Palace (now the Missouri History Museum), a replica of Christopher Columbus’s flagship, the Santa Maria, and the first midway amusement park.

The fair was organized by two St. Louis businessmen, David Francis and Edward Gardner Lewis. They were motivated in part by a desire to revitalize St. Louis after the city’s disastrous 1902 World’s Fair. The 1904 fair was a financial success, and it helped to establish St. Louis as a major city. In addition, the fair introduced several new technologies to the American public, including the ice cream cone and the chocolate bar.

Today, Forest Park is a 1,300-acre park that is home to several golf courses, museums, and other attractions. The Missouri History Museum, which was built for the 1904 World’s Fair, is one of the most popular destinations in the park. Other popular attractions include the Saint Louis Zoo and the Art Museum of St. Louis.

Forest Park is also a popular place for recreation, with hiking and biking trails, baseball diamonds, and a golf course.

Soak Up Citygarden

Citygarden is a beautiful oasis located in the heart of downtown St. Louis. The garden features lovely gardens, fountains, and sculptures. It’s the perfect place to relax and take in the amazing view of the Gateway Arch.

The garden is also home to Laumeier Sculpture Park, one of the largest sculpture parks in the country. Laumeier features dozens of sculptures by artists from all over the world. It’s a great place to explore and learn about art.

Citygarden is also home to Chesterfield, a beautiful Victorian-style pavilion. Chesterfield is a popular spot for weddings and other special events.

Learn Something New At The Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center is a science museum and planetarium located in Forest Park. It is the largest science center in the Midwestern United States.

The center has more than 700 exhibits, the largest IMAX theater in the United States, a digital planetarium, and a variety of educational programs. You’ll love the life-sized animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex! It is also home to the world’s largest Foucault pendulum.

Pet The Clydesdales On A Budweiser Brewery Tour

The Budweiser Brewery Tour offers guests the chance to see how beer is made, from start to finish.

There are multiple tours available, each with its own unique focus. The Biergarten offers a relaxed setting where guests can enjoy a cold one after the tour. And of course, no visit to the Budweiser Brewery would be complete without tasting some of the premium brands. 

Pinch A Penny At The Saint Louis Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo is home to more than 700 species of animals, from lions and tigers to gorillas and gibbons. You can see them all at the zoo’s many exhibits, which include the Emerson Children’s Zoo, the Primate House, and the new River’s Edge.

The zoo is open 365 days a year, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is always free (!!), and parking is just $15 per car. You can also take the MetroLink to the zoo; the stop is just across from the entrance.

Catch An Outdoor Show At The Muny

The Muny is the oldest and largest outdoor amphitheater in the U.S. Every summer, The Muny puts on a variety of performances, from classic Broadway musicals to more modern productions.

The Muny is also home to the largest cast of any outdoor theater in the world, with over 1,500 performers in total. If you’re looking for a summertime theater experience, The Muny is definitely worth checking out!

Appreciate The Impressionists At The Saint Louis Art Museum

The Saint Louis Art Museum is the second-largest art museum in Missouri, and among the top 25 largest art museums in the United States. The St. Louis Art Museum was founded in 1881 and opened its doors to the public in 1884.

The Museum has a collection of over 30,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and decorative arts. The collections are divided into nineteen galleries that showcase a wide variety of art from ancient to contemporary times.

Talk To The Animals At Grant’s Farm

Grant’s Farm is a 281-acre historic farm and tourist attraction. It was once the home of Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States. The farm features a large number of Clydesdales and is also the home of Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser Clydesdales.

The farm offers visitors a tram ride around the property, a petting zoo, hay wagon rides, and access to Grant’s home.

Climb Like A Kid At The St. Louis City Museum

The St. Louis City Museum is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something fun and educational to do in the city. The museum is housed in a former shoe factory, and features exhibits on everything from local history to natural science.

There’s also a planetarium, a movie theater, and a playground on-site, so there’s something for everyone.

Read More: 10 Top Tips On Visiting City Museum St Louis

Visit Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site

Although officially located in Illinois, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is located just several miles east St. Louis.

Visit this state historic site and learn all about the Mississippian culture, which flourished between 1000 and 1350 A.D. The mounds at this site feature examples of the cultural, religious, and economic center of the culture here.

Here you’ll find 51 platform, ridgetop, and conical mounds, including Monks Mound — the largest prehistoric earthen mound in the Americas. You can climb a stairway to the top of the 100-foot-tall mound, and take in the amazing views.

The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site Interpretive Center features a theater and exhibits, and is a must-visit.

Gear Up At The National Museum of Transportation

The National Museum of Transportation (NMOT) was founded in 1959 and concentrated on the transportation history of the United States, with particular emphasis on the St. Louis area.

The NMOT has over 150,000 square feet of exhibit space on the first and second floors of the building. The museum is home to over 30 historic vehicles, including a Wright Flyer, a Spirit of St. Louis, an Apollo 11 command module, a Concorde supersonic airliner, and a steam locomotive.

The NMOT also includes exhibits on aviation, railroads, maritime history, automotive transportation, and more. There are also many interactive exhibits, including a flight simulator, a train simulator, and a car simulator.

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