Top Things to do in Saint Louis
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What to do and see in Saint Louis, Missouri (MO): The Best Free Things to do
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. 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.
2. 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!!
3. 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.
4. Holocaust Museum and Learning Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By williamsC709BO - Belleville, United States
As generations succeed one another, a knowledge and reverence of the Holocaust is paramount, less history repeats itself. As an advocate that has toured Dachau (later learned my Grandfather was the 2nd wave in liberation of Dachau), and visited other Holocaust Museums in Europe and the US, this Museum and Learning Center is vibrant with research, first hand accounts, and exhibits. What I like best is, it's just not about the past. They also have an ethos to educate about their causes and illustrating how what happened during this tragic period relates to our lives today. They way the see it, while learning Holocaust history is the key to understanding its roots, they have another duty: to empower visitors to make the world a kinder, safer, more tolerant place by rejecting all forms of hate, intolerance, racism, and bigotry. Amen.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. Old Courthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,047 reviews
Walk the halls where ordinary Americans made civil rights history. Built in 1839, the Old Courthouse is a prime example of mid-19th century federal architecture. But it is two landmark cases that secure its place in history. Beginning in 1847, the enslaved Dred Scott twice sued for his and his wife Harriet’s freedom. But, the U.S. Supreme Court decided against them, ruling that African-Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue. In 1873, St. Louis suffragette Virginia Minor and her husband filed a civil suit arguing for women’s right to vote. Although their suit was denied, they brought great attention to the fight for voting rights for all U.S. citizens.
Reviewed By julie1653217 - Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom
Lovely to wander around a see all the paintings high up in the dome and around the courthouse beautiful building. Interesting history some rooms set up with artefacts from 1800's court rooms up on 3rd floor set up as the were in the day
8. Jefferson Barracks Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
When established in 1826, this was the largest military base in the U.S., which serves today as a national cemetery.
Reviewed By davidsT4683VQ - Saint Louis, United States
If visiting Jefferson Barracks Historical Park area you need to plan to visit the Cemetery which has soldiers from every American Conflict - I'll leave this up to you to figure out. Additionally there are three small museums, Missouri Civil War, POW/MIA, telephone and one other small museum. If you stop by the cemetery front desk they can provide you a handout that will provide many very interesting facts about the grounds. If you have some extra time and want to take a walk, there is also a county park of which the land used to be part of Jefferson Barracks. I promise you if you are there in the early or late part of the day you will see deer roaming the park.
9. Soulard Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Soulard Market is the oldest farmers market west of the Mississippi established in 1779 and is open Wednesday-Saturday. We have local farmers, one organic farmer, a world class bakery, spice shop, and many produce vendors that handle local and shipped in produce. The market also carries a variety of other general merchandise like shirts, jewelry, incense, sports memorabilia, hand made soaps, carpet, photography and hand made crafts. We are open 52 weeks a year. Our location is within a mile of Busch Stadium, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the Gateway Arch & Riverboat Cruises, and the National Blues Museum. Our neighborhood is home to approx. 40 restaurants & bars, historic homes, and live music 7 days a week.
Reviewed By MelissaS424 - Mayfield, United States
We come here year round to buy spices because my husband loves to cook and grill. They have a variety of spices, coffee, and teas. Also have Cajun food accessories such as dirty rice, gumbo, etc. They also have a meat market, deli, fruits and vegetables, honey, jellies and jams, homemade breads and rolls and desserts. You can also eat and drink and be merry and enjoy the live musicians. My one wish is that they're open on Sundays but after seeing how busy they are on Saturdays, they need Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday to rest!!!
10. Saint Louis Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,494 reviews
With the mission "to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning", the Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, and has been named one of the Top 10 Science Centers for Families by Parents Magazine and one of America's most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine. The complex includes over 96,000 sq-ft of interactive science-technology exhibits that are part of the Science Center's free general admission. The most recent major permanent exhibit is GROW, a one-acre outdoor exhibit that will take visitors on a journey of food, to gain a deeper understanding of our food supply. The Science Center's ticketed areas include the OMNIMAX, a four-story IMAX Dome theater; the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, one of the world's largest planetariums; and the Discovery Room, an activity area for families with younger children.
Reviewed By DuneBug2 - Illinois, United States
We take our daughter (6) to the St. Louis Science Center regularly and it never disappoints! Admission is free, parking in the main lot is paid but there is free parking on the Forest Park side (entering through the Planetarium), there is a lot to do, and they have some great events. Things like the Omnimax, Discovery Room, and Planetarium shows do cost but there is plenty to see and do if you're looking for a very budget friendly outing. Some of my daughters favorite exhibits are the dinosaur dig, the bridge over the interstate, the Discovery Room, and the outdoor Grow exhibit. She also really enjoys the shows on the lower level. SciFest and the Fist Fridays events are great as well. We currently have a membership and plan to renew it when it is up. We usually visit 2 or 3 times a month and always look forward to our next visit!
