Things to do in St. Louis
Spring and fall bring mild, comfortable days ideal for Forest Park and the riverfront. Summers are hot and humid; winters are cold but quiet, with most major museums and the zoo open year-round.
Best months: April, May, September, October
What is worth your time in St. Louis
Cathedral Basilica of Saint LouisDo not miss
Home to one of the largest mosaic collections in the world, its interior shimmering with 41 million glass tesserae under soaring domes.
Architecture · 1.1 hr4.9
Missouri Botanical GardenDo not miss
America's oldest botanical garden, with a Japanese strolling garden, the geodesic Climatron rainforest dome, and Victorian glasshouses.
Park · 2.5 hr4.9
Forest ParkDo not miss
One of America's largest urban parks, bigger than Central Park, holding the zoo, art museum, science center, and miles of trails.
Park · 2.3 hr4.8
Saint Louis Art MuseumDo not miss
A free, world-class collection from antiquity to modern masters inside a grand 1904 World's Fair Beaux-Arts palace in Forest Park.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.8
Saint Louis ZooDo not miss
Consistently ranked among the nation's best zoos, with free admission and an immersive penguin and puffin coast.
Activity · 3.3 hr4.8
City MuseumDo not miss
A surreal warehouse of caves, slides, planes, and salvaged-industrial sculpture to climb through, unlike anything else in America.
Activity · 4 hr4.7
Gateway Arch National ParkDo not miss
Ride the tram to the top of the 630-foot stainless-steel Arch for a sweeping view over the Mississippi and the city below.
Landmark · 2.8 hr4.7
Soulard Farmers MarketDo not miss
The oldest public market west of the Mississippi, a lively 1779-rooted hall of produce, spices, and local food in the historic Soulard neighborhood.
Market · 1.1 hr4.7
Anheuser-Busch BreweryDo not miss
Tour the historic home of Budweiser, meet the Clydesdale horses, and explore the landmark 19th-century brick brewhouse and stables.
Historic Site · 1.6 hr4.6
Saint Louis Science CenterDo not miss
A free, hands-on science museum with a planetarium, an OMNIMAX dome, and a bridge over the highway lined with interactive exhibits.
Museum · 2.8 hr4.6
The Fabulous Fox Theatre
A lavish 1929 Siamese-Byzantine movie palace, now a glittering venue for Broadway tours, with daytime architecture tours.
Cultural Experience · 2 hr4.9
Bellefontaine Cemetery
A 314-acre arboretum-cemetery of grand mausoleums and old-growth trees, the resting place of explorers and beer barons.
Historic Site · 1.1 hr4.8
Busch Stadium
Home of the storied St. Louis Cardinals, an open downtown ballpark framing the Gateway Arch over the outfield.
Landmark · 2.8 hr4.8
Campbell House Museum
An immaculately preserved 1851 Victorian mansion with its original furnishings, a window into Gilded Age St. Louis.
Historic Site · 1 hr4.8
And 31 more, which the planner picks between based on your dates, pace and what you are into.
Worth knowing
- Forest Park is a powerhouse of free attractions: the Saint Louis Art Museum, Zoo, Science Center, and History Museum all have free general admission.
- The Gateway Arch tram to the top requires a timed ticket; book it online in advance, especially on weekends.
- Summer is hot and humid, so plan outdoor stops like the Arch grounds and Botanical Garden for the morning.
- Free MetroLink trains connect downtown, the Central West End, and the airport, but a car helps for The Hill, Grant's Farm, and day trips.
- Many top museums close on Mondays; check hours before building a Monday around indoor stops.