The Gateway Arch and a park full of free museums
St. Louis is a Mississippi River city in eastern Missouri, crowned by the 192 m stainless steel Gateway Arch. Forest Park, bigger than New York's Central Park, holds a zoo with free entry plus art and history museums, which makes the city great value for families. Add blues and jazz clubs, a famous brewery and the playful City Museum. It suits families, budget travelers and baseball fans.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
A 192 m stainless steel arch on the riverfront, the tallest monument in the US, with a small tram that carries visitors to a viewing room at the top. A museum below covers westward expansion.
The grounds and museum are free; the tram ride to the top is paid.
A huge city park that hosted the 1904 World's Fair, now home to the zoo, art museum, history museum and science center. It has lakes, trails and boat rentals.
Park entry is free; some attractions may charge.
A highly rated zoo in Forest Park with free general admission, known for its penguin and puffin coast and big cat exhibits. Some rides and exhibits cost extra.
General admission is free; some attractions and parking are paid.
An enormous playground built from salvaged architectural and industrial objects in an old shoe factory, with tunnels, slides and a rooftop Ferris wheel. Adults love it as much as kids.
Check the official site for current prices.
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the US, with a large Japanese garden and the Climatron geodesic dome greenhouse. It is a peaceful half day.
General admission for ages 13 and up was 16 dollars on the official site in 2026; children 12 and under free.
A grand museum on Art Hill built for the 1904 World's Fair, with a strong collection of European, American and ancient art. Its galleries overlook the Grand Basin in Forest Park.
Check the official site for current prices.
A cathedral famous for one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world, covering domes and walls in glittering tiles. It is in the Central West End.
Visiting is free; donations welcome.
The historic home of Budweiser in Soulard, with brick brewhouses and stables for the Clydesdale horses. Tours show the brewing process and end with tastings.
Check the official site for current prices.
A family attraction on the former Busch estate with animals, a tram ride through a deer park and the Clydesdales. It is seasonal.
Check the official site for current prices.
The downtown home of the St. Louis Cardinals, with views of the Arch from many seats. Game days fill the area with fans in red.
Check the official site for current prices.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day one at the Arch and City Museum, day two in Forest Park with the zoo and art museum, day three at the Botanical Garden, the Cathedral Basilica and the brewery.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with the remains of a huge pre-Columbian city.
9 mi · Car, about 20 minutes each way
A German heritage river town with wineries.
81 mi · Car, about 1.5 hours each way, or Amtrak
Brick streets, shops and the start of the Katy Trail.
22 mi · Car, about 30 minutes each way
A small river town with views and wineries.
40 mi · Drive about 1 hour
Best: April to June and September to October. Pleasant temperatures for Forest Park and the riverfront, outside the humid summer heat.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Around July 4
Independence Day concerts and fireworks under the Arch.
February or March, leading up to Mardi Gras
One of the biggest Mardi Gras parties in the US, in the Soulard neighborhood.
September 12 to October 25, 2026
Dates listed by the visitor board for Rotary Park.
November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027
A seasonal winter event listed by the visitor board.
November 11 to 15, 2026
A multi-day comedy event listed by the visitor board.
There is no US government advisory for domestic travel, so this follows the UK FCDO USA advice, which says violent crime rarely affects tourists; tourist areas like the Arch grounds, Forest Park and the Central West End are generally fine, but the city has a high crime rate in some neighborhoods, so stay alert at night.
Downtown, the Central West End and Forest Park are pleasant on foot, but they are spread apart.
MetroLink light rail connects the airport, Forest Park and downtown, with buses elsewhere; buy tickets at machines or in the Transit app.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, sports fans
Walk to the Arch, Busch Stadium and City Museum.
Best for: couples, food
Leafy area of cafes next to Forest Park and the Cathedral Basilica.
Best for: business, couples
Upscale suburb with good restaurants and a MetroLink link.
Best for: music, nightlife
Historic brick neighborhoods with blues bars near the brewery.
Best for: first-timers, sports fans
Close to the Arch, stadiums and riverfront.
Best for: food lovers
An Italian-American neighborhood with classic restaurants.
| Main airport | St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 14 mi from the center |
| To the center | MetroLink light rail runs from both terminals to Forest Park and downtown, or use a rideshare or taxi. |
| Around town | Use MetroLink for the airport, Forest Park and downtown, and rideshares or a car for neighborhoods like The Hill and Soulard. |
| Ride apps | Uber, Lyft |
Breaded fried ravioli, born on The Hill.
Cracker-thin crust with Provel cheese, cut in squares.
A dense, sweet local cake.
Thick custard, made famous by Ted Drewes.
Pork ribs with sweet sauce.
Thin-crust pizza with the local processed cheese.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Safe to drink |
| Tipping | Tip 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and 15 to 20 percent for taxis and rideshares. |
| Payments | Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for small vendors, parking meters and tips. |
| Etiquette | Dress is casual and people are friendly. Cardinals red is everywhere on game days. |
French fur traders founded St. Louis in 1764 near the meeting of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and nearby Cahokia was once the largest Native city north of Mexico. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Lewis and Clark set off from here, and the city became the gateway for westward expansion. German immigrants built its breweries, and the 1904 World's Fair was held in Forest Park. The Gateway Arch, finished in 1965, honors the city's role in the westward movement.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.