Top Things to do in Saint Louis
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The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Saint Louis, Missouri (MO)
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.
Restaurants in Saint Louis
1. Missouri Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,356 reviews
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.
Reviewed By Buckeye-in-Jtown - Perryville, United States
The Missouri Botanical Garden (formerly Shaw's Botanical Garden) was founded in 1859 and is the country's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation. It is a National Historic Landmark with nearly 80 acres of gardens and historic structures. Outdoor and indoor displays include the Climatron tropical rain forest housed under a geodesic dome; the Kemper Center for Home Gardening; a Japanese Garden; the George Washington Carver Garden; historic Tower Grove House; the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum; and the seasonal Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden. This landmark is a horticulturist's dream!
2. Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,034 reviews
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.
Reviewed By Kat26S - Plainfield, United States
The craftsmanship, the history, the reverence of the Cathedral is so very impressive. Take the free tour! We did go to the museum downstairs, and that helps put in perspective the talents, the time, and the vision that created the mosaic masterpieces you see in the cathedral. It's an amazing place to see no matter your faith is. I've been to St. Louis multiple times and never knew about this place.
3. Forest Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,450 reviews
The site of the 1904 World's Fair, America's second largest urban park is a prime St. Louis recreation spot.
Reviewed By LC95 - Saint Louis, United States
Forest Park is one of the most beautiful and attractive parks around! First of all it is very large, so there is room for everyone. You don't have to be surrounded by other people if you don't want to. It is easy to find a nice quiet spot for reading, meditating, or resting! Or you can hang out with the crowd on Art Hill! Second, there is a lot to do! Picnicking, zoo, art museum, science center, history museum, golf, handball, tennis, picture taking, hiking, walking trails, special events, bird watching, duck watching, fishing, weddings, school outings, boating, baseball, soccer, restaurants, etc. Third, it is easy to get to. Either via street or highway and there is plenty of free on-street parking. You can drive, bike or take the train. However you get there, get there when you can!!
4. Central Public Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By stlflygirl99
Once voted in the top 12 architecturally significant libraries in the world. Yes, the world. A beautiful masterpiece, a must see when visiting St. Louis.
5. The Muny
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 406 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre, commonly known as The Muny, is widely recognized as the oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre in the United States. Located in Forest Park, it is an amphitheatre that seats 11,000 people with about 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Muny is to St. Louis what Ravinia is to Chicago and the Ryman Auditorium is to Nashville. The first municipally owned outdoor theatre in the country was created in 1917 when the St. Louis Advertising Club was looking for an entertainment feature for its 13th annual convention. Mayor Henry Kiel, attorney Guy Golterman and St. Louis Parks Commissioner Nelson Cunliff stepped in and pulled it off in 49 days. Since then, the Muny has featured hundreds of big names in theatre, television and film on its stage. Over the past three decades, the Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, My Fair Lady, 42nd Street, West Side Story and The Wizard of Oz have been the most popular titles, each receiving four productions since 1990. Typically, the Muny produces seven musicals in a season, which runs only in the summer from mid-June to mid-August. A date to a Muny production wouldn't be complete without a backstage tour with a knowledgeable guide.
6. The Gateway Arch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,193 reviews
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.
Reviewed By PUDSEYCAT - Swadlincote, United Kingdom
A really awesome place to visit and a Must do in St Louis, the view from the top is amazing, It is so well organised and a truly unique experience you cannot possibly visit St Louis without a visit to the Gateway Arch.
7. St. Louis Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,479 reviews
Visitors are wowed by this zoo that has 6,600 animals and 15 major exhibit areas.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
As native Chicagoans, we are proud of our two zoos, Lincoln Park and Brookfield, that have earned national and international reputations over the years. My wife and I live a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo and regularly take weekend walks through the facility. So it is with admiration and respect that we take notice of the fact that the St. Louis Zoo was named "best zoo in the United States" in 2017 and 2018 by USA Today. I visited the zoo when I worked at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 1966-1868 and my wife and I have visited twice. There is always something to see, new attractions. The zoo covers 90 acres of St. Louis' massive Forest Park and annually attracts about three million people to see 18,700 animals. It is the most visited feature in Forest Park, which also includes the St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Science Center and Missouri History Museum. Admission is free. Founded in 1910, the city purchased its first exhibit, The Flight Cage or primate house, from the Smithsonian Institution following the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Before you begin strolling through the zoo and its five animal zones, be advised to take a spin on the park's two-foot narrow gauge Emerson Zooline Railroad than encircles the zoo, stopping at the most popular attractions. They include Lakeside Crossing or Caribbean Cove, which is open during warmer months and is a shallow touch-pool that features cownose rays, southern stingrays, bonnethead sharks and bamboo sharks; River's Edge, which displays rhinos, hippos, cheetahs, hyenas wild dogs, Asian elephants and giant anteaters; Discovery Corner, which displays birds, snakes, frogs, spiders and scorpions; The Wild, home to penguins, polar bears, grizzly bears, gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans; Historic Hill, the oldest facility in the zoo which features bald eagles, king vultures, sea lions, seals, alligators, iguanas, turtles, frogs, king cobras, Gila monsters, giant tortoise, river otters, monkeys, great egrets and wood ducks; and Red Rocks, home to several species of big cats such as African lions, Amur leopards, Amur tigers, jaguars, cougars and snow leopards. Also see a Bactrian camel, Grevy's zebra, giraffe, gazelle, wallaby and red kangaroo. Interestingly, one of the former directors of the St. Louis was Marlin Perkins, who also was a director of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and gained fame as host of the TV show Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.
8. Laumeier Sculpture Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 439 reviews
The landscape of this park is dominated by modern sculptures.
Reviewed By Mehlia
Constantly evolving, nature meets art at it's best. You can take a long hike in the woods or an accessible paved trail through the park. Picnic areas are available and the park is FREE!
9. City Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,515 reviews
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.
Reviewed By dachellek
City Museum is a must for anyone traveling to St. Louis! It's great for all ages and everyone!! Make sure you rest up and plan on spending the majority of your day here so you can explore the caves, the slides, the aquarium, the indoor skate park, the circus, the oddities, and everything else the museum has for you! There's plenty to do here all times of the year but you can really experience the fun of the outside attractions during the warmer months. This really is one of the best attractions in St. Louis. Oh, and if you're planning to really be active, wear jeans and maybe bring some knee pads.
10. The Magic House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,283 reviews
This fun-filled attraction offers kids many hands-on learning activities and provides a special area for younger children.
Reviewed By sgisme
Took my grandson to the Magic House and we had a great time! He had a ball, loved playing with digging equipment, playing in the bubble room, putting on the Blues gear and well he loved everything. Can’t wait to go back, we purchased a yearly pass and he now asks his parents to go all the time. Great time for kids and family.
