St. Louis sits in the prairie lands just west of the Mississippi River along the Missouri-Illinois border. Like many of the nation’s oldest cities, St. Louis values its culture and history. This is seen citywide in the lovingly restored architecture and passion for jazz. The defining attraction of St. Louis is the Gateway Arch, a welcoming memorial that commemorates the city as the Gateway to the West. Check out the many attractions the Greater St. Louis downtown area has to offer.
St. Louis Hill is a cheerful neighborhood that offers tours of its authentic Italian restaurants. Sign up for a peak behind the scenes of mom-and-pop pizza shops, pasta places, and other great Italian joints to be found in St. Louis.
Here are the best attractions near Saint Louis:
Snap a photo at Gateway Arch
Ride the slides at the City Museum
Spend the day at Tower Grove Park
Stop and smell the roses at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Admire pieces from around the world at the Saint Louis Art Museum
For a photo worthy of your next Instagram post, look no further than the religious buildings in St. Louis. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, also known as the “Old Cathedral,” is a gorgeous Roman Catholic church completed in 1914. The cathedral is home to the largest mosaic in the Western Hemisphere. Be sure to tour the crypts and basement museum dedicated to their famous mosaic.
Other popular attractions near St. Louis include:
A tour through Anheuser-Busch Brewery
The many cultural and natural attractions in Forest Park
Learning about ancient people at Cahokia Mounds
Touring the restored courtrooms at the Old Courthouse
Visit Eads Bridge, first steel truss bridge and National Historic Landmark
Find something new in the boutiques and malls of St. Louis. The Saint Louis Galleria is the place to go for name-brand shops. The Loop, located in midtown, has more than 140 shops and vendors that offer books, art, and clothing. And for those looking for a more unique shopping experience today, visit the mom-and-pop shops and small cafes on Central West End.
More exciting activities near St. Louis today:
Have a picnic near Gateway Geyser at Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
Fish in one of the two ponds at Carondelet Park
Relax in the gazebo of the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Play with the winged beauties at The Butterfly House at the Botanical Garden
Learn about the city’s history at Missouri History Museum
As 11-time World Series champions, the St. Louis Cardinals regularly sell out Busch Stadium. Right next door is Ballpark Village, a sports-focused entertainment district with 125 different brews on tap. If you’re in town for a game, Busch Stadium will help you start your night off on the right foot.
The top nighttime attractions in St. Louis:
Hit it big at the Lumiere Place Casino & Hotel
Bust a move at Europe Night Club
Get discounted drinks on Ladies Night at The Pepper Lounge
Laugh your hat off at Helium Comedy Club
Hear the truth behind the music at the National Blues Museum
St. Louis offers a variety of kid-approved attractions. Grant’s Farm, located just outside of St. Louis, is a 281-acre farm owned by the Busch family. The farm is a refuge for more than 100 different types of animals, and has a variety of activities including camel rides, goat feedings, and tram rides.
Below are a few of the top family-friendly things to do near St. Louis:
Epic 6 laser tag and sports arena is the best place to battle it out with your friends
HealthWorks! Kids Museum St. Louis has tons of dental hygiene exhibits
The Magic House Kids Museum is a surprisingly great place to build a sandcastle
Willmore Park is a great place to fly kites on windy days
Big Joel’s Safari is home to the rare big cat hybrid, the liger
St. Louis has plenty of indoor activities to choose from. For example, Fabulous Fox Theater is St. Louis’s top venue to concerts and touring Broadway Musicals. Originally a movie palace opening in 1929, this restored theater offers tours two days a week and has a variety of dining options nearby in the surrounding Grand Center.
Things to do indoors in St. Louis include:
Doubling down on pasta at Pastaria
Pampering yourself at FLOAT STL
Experiencing the rainforest at the Climatron Missouri Botanical Garden
Petting the furry residents at the Mauhaus Cat Cafe
Catching the latest blockbuster at STL Cinemas
Sports and outdoor activities in Saint LouisView All
Saint Louis University is a private Jesuit college and is the oldest university west of the Mississippi. Home to the Saint Louis Billikens, the the campus has four libraries, two museums, and the newly added Edward A. Doisy Research Center among a number of restored buildings.
The top outdoor attractions in St. Louis:
Meet the wolves at the Endangered Wolf Center
Climb the boulders and cliffs at the Elephant Rocks State Park
Take horseback riding lessons at Ace Stables
Enjoy the natural waterpark at Johnson’s Shut-In State Park