Meet Me in St. Louis, Missouri!
St. Louis is often called the “Gateway to the West,” but it's also a gateway to one of the most unexpectedly fun city getaways we've experienced. From Broadway-caliber theater and major league baseball to…
Our Favorite Things to Do in St. Louis
St. Louis is often called the “Gateway to the West,” but it’s also a gateway to one of the most unexpectedly fun city getaways we’ve experienced. From Broadway-caliber theater and major league baseball to world-class museums, iconic local eats, and family-friendly attractions, this Midwestern gem packs a punch. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer adventure, here are our favorite Travel Brat-approved things to do in St. Louis.
Start with the Star of the Show: The Gateway Arch
No matter how many times you visit, the Gateway Arch remains a must-see. Standing 630 feet tall along the Mississippi River, it’s the tallest monument in the United States and offers incredible panoramic views of the city and beyond. Ride the tram to the top, then explore the museum below to learn about America’s westward expansion and St. Louis’s important role in shaping the nation. It’s the perfect place to kick off your St. Louis adventure.
Here is our favorite tour of the Gateway Arch, including a tram ride, museum entry, and a guided tour through the Gateway Arch National Park. This VIP Gateway Arch tour offers a seamless, guided experience through one of St. Louis’ most iconic landmarks. Starting at Kiener Plaza, you’ll explore Gateway Arch National Park, hear powerful history tied to the Old Courthouse and the Dred Scott case, and learn about America’s westward expansion. The experience includes a tram ride to the top of the Arch for panoramic views of the city and the Mississippi River, followed by time in the interactive Museum at the Gateway Arch. With skip-the-line access and expert local storytelling, it’s an immersive and stress-free way to experience this historic St. Louis landmark.
Discover St. Louis on a 75-Minute City Trolley Tour
If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to get oriented in the city, the St. Louis 75-Minute City Trolley Tour is a great option. This guided experience takes you through the heart of St. Louis in a comfortable, climate-controlled trolley while a knowledgeable local guide brings the city’s history and landmarks to life with engaging commentary.
In just over an hour, you’ll pass some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the Mississippi River, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Union Station, and the Old Courthouse. The route continues through key neighborhoods and cultural highlights such as Forest Park, the Cathedral Basilica, Laclede’s Landing, Millionaire’s Row, and even Blueberry Hill and the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
What makes this tour especially great is how much ground you cover in a short amount of time—perfect for first-time visitors who want a full overview of the city without feeling rushed. Guests consistently praise the guides for being friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about St. Louis history, making the experience both informative and entertaining.
Whether you’re in town for a quick visit or planning your next stops, this trolley tour is an easy, comfortable way to get a true feel for the city and everything it has to offer.
St. Louis: Arch and River Cruise Small Group Guided Tour
To see St. Louis by water, the St. Louis Arch and River Cruise Small Group Guided Tour offers an unforgettable way to experience the city from every angle. Your day begins at the historic Old Cathedral (Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France), where your local guide sets the stage for a journey through the city’s rich history. From there, you’ll visit the Gateway Arch and take in sweeping 360-degree views from the top, before continuing through downtown St. Louis on a guided walking tour past landmarks like Busch Stadium, City Hall, the National Blues Museum, the Wainwright Building, and City Garden, with storytelling that brings each stop to life. The experience finishes with a relaxing Mississippi Riverboat cruise, where you’ll glide past the Gateway Arch and admire the skyline from the water while learning more about the city’s history and architecture.
Grab a Concrete at Ted Drewes (Trust Us on This One)
If there’s one food stop you absolutely cannot skip, it’s Ted Drewes Frozen Custard. This legendary St. Louis institution has been serving creamy frozen custard since 1929 and is beloved by locals and visitors alike. Order one of their famous concretes, packed with your favorite toppings and served upside down. We can confirm they’re worth the hype.
Step Back in Time at Crown Candy Kitchen
If you’re looking for a true St. Louis classic, make time for Crown Candy Kitchen. Open since 1913, this beloved soda fountain and candy shop feels like stepping into a different era, complete with vintage décor, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and a nostalgic charm that’s hard to find these days. Founded by two friends who brought their candy-making skills from Greece, Crown Candy has been serving generations of St. Louis families for more than a century. Today, visitors can enjoy hand-crafted chocolates, towering sandwiches, old-school malts and shakes, and legendary sundaes that have earned a devoted following. Whether you’re stopping in for lunch, satisfying a sweet tooth, or simply soaking up the nostalgic atmosphere, Crown Candy Kitchen is one of those iconic local spots that deserves a place on every St. Louis itinerary.
Broadway Under the Stars at The Muny
Located in beautiful Forest Park, The Muny is the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre. Every summer, the venue hosts Broadway-quality productions in a magical open-air setting. During our visit, we attended the opening night of the acclaimed musical Come From Away starring Heidi Blickenstaff, and it was absolutely incredible. Between the talented performers, the energy of the crowd, and the beautiful summer evening, it was one of our favorite experiences in the city.
Experience Cardinals Nation at Busch Stadium
Baseball is more than a sport in St. Louis—it’s a way of life. Catching a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium is a must, even if you’re not a diehard baseball fan. The atmosphere is electric, the fans are passionate, and the views of the Gateway Arch from the stadium are unbeatable. Before the game, head over to Ballpark Village for food, drinks, and plenty of pregame excitement.
If you are a real baseball fanatic, the St. Louis: Private Baseball History & Fan Experience is the ultimate way to experience St. Louis’ deep love affair with the game. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich baseball history on a guided private tour that brings legendary players, historic ballparks, and iconic stories to life across the city.
Start at Busch Stadium’s Ballpark Village and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame, where memorabilia and exhibits celebrate legends like Stan Musial and Bob Gibson. From there, explore Stars Park, an important site in Negro League baseball history that highlights a powerful and often overlooked chapter of the game.
Continue through The Hill, St. Louis’ famous Italian neighborhood, where you’ll enjoy a lunch stop and pass by the boyhood homes of legends like Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. The experience also includes the Rawlings Experience, where batting cages, interactive exhibits, and behind-the-scenes stories from Rawlings employees make it a hands-on dream for any baseball lover.
Along the way, you’ll also drive past historic landmarks like the Sporting News Building, a cornerstone of baseball journalism. Whether you’re heading to a Cardinals game later that day or simply want to dive deep into America’s pastime, this tour blends history, culture, and pure baseball passion into one unforgettable St. Louis experience.
Nothing like a good game of baseball!
Cheers to a Brewery Tour at Anheuser-Busch
Beer lovers won’t want to miss a tour of the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Learn about the brewing process, explore the beautiful brewery grounds, and discover the history behind one of America’s most recognizable brands. Many tours include tastings and behind-the-scenes access, making this a fun and educational stop.
A Hidden Gem: The World Chess Hall of Fame
One of the most unique attractions we visited was the World Chess Hall of Fame. Located in the charming Central West End neighborhood, this museum blends history, art, and strategy through rotating exhibits and fascinating collections. Whether you’re a serious chess player or simply curious, it’s a surprisingly fun stop that deserves a place on your itinerary.
Matt strategizing
Spend a Day Exploring Grant’s Farm
Just outside downtown St. Louis, Grant’s Farm offers a fun day for families, animal lovers, and history enthusiasts alike. Once owned by President Ulysses S. Grant, the property is now home to hundreds of animals from around the world. Hop aboard the tram, enjoy animal encounters, and spend time exploring the beautiful grounds.
Meet the Famous Budweiser Clydesdales
One of the highlights of both Grant’s Farm and the Anheuser-Busch experience is seeing the legendary Budweiser Clydesdales up close. These majestic horses are even more impressive in person than they are in the commercials. Learning about their care and history was one of our favorite parts of the trip.
Scoot Through Forest Park Like a Local
Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States—even bigger than Central Park in New York City. Home to walking trails, paddleboats, museums, and more, it’s the heart of St. Louis. One of our favorite ways to explore was by renting scooters and cruising throughout the park and downtown. It allowed us to see so much more of the city while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Travel Brat Tip: Rent scooters if the weather is nice. It’s one of the easiest and most fun ways to experience Forest Park and downtown St. Louis.
Get Lost in the Saint Louis Art Museum
Perched atop Art Hill in Forest Park, the Saint Louis Art Museum houses an impressive collection spanning thousands of years. From ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces, there’s something for every art lover. Best of all, admission to the main collection is completely free.
Visit One of America’s Best Free Zoos
The Saint Louis Zoo consistently ranks among the best zoos in the country, and after visiting, we completely understand why. Home to more than 16,000 animals, the zoo features beautifully designed habitats and interactive exhibits that make it enjoyable for visitors of all ages. Even better? Admission is free.
Channel Your Inner Scientist at the Saint Louis Science Center
With hundreds of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and an OMNIMAX Theater, the Saint Louis Science Center is perfect for curious travelers of all ages. Whether you’re walking through a giant human heart or learning about space exploration, it’s easy to spend several hours here.
Step Back in Time at the Missouri History Museum
Want to learn more about St. Louis? The Missouri History Museum offers fascinating exhibits covering everything from the 1904 World’s Fair to local sports history and civil rights movements. It’s another fantastic free attraction located inside Forest Park.
Unleash Your Inner Kid at City Museum
Forget everything you think you know about museums—City Museum is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Housed inside a former shoe factory in downtown St. Louis, this one-of-a-kind attraction is part playground, part art installation, and part architectural wonder. Created by artists using reclaimed materials, the museum is filled with tunnels, slides, caves, climbing structures, hidden passages, and larger-than-life creations that invite visitors to explore, crawl, climb, and play. With indoor, outdoor, and even underground spaces to discover, every corner feels like a new adventure waiting to happen. Whether you’re traveling with kids or simply young at heart, City Museum is one of those places that reminds you that travel should be fun, unexpected, and a little bit weird—in the best possible way.
Eat Your Way Through The Hill at Anthonino’s Taverna
After a day of exploring, head to The Hill, St. Louis’s famous Italian neighborhood, and grab dinner at Anthonino’s Taverna. This family-owned favorite serves a delicious mix of Italian and Greek cuisine and is known for its toasted ravioli—a St. Louis specialty.
During our visit, we enjoyed the toasted ravioli, artichoke hearts, shrimp scampi, Braciole, and some absolutely incredible loukoumades topped with ice cream. The food was fantastic, but what really stood out was the hospitality. A huge thank you to Katelynn, Anthony, Angelina, and Bri for making us feel so welcome.
One of our favorite ways to experience St. Louis is through the A Taste of Two Cities: St. Louis Food + History Walking Tour. This 2-mile guided stroll through the historic Central West End combines local flavors with fascinating stories, featuring iconic St. Louis specialties like gooey butter cake, St. Louis-style pizza, toasted ravioli, and more. Along the way, you’ll explore the neighborhood that flourished during the city’s Gilded Age heyday, making it the perfect blend of food, history, and culture.
A lovely evening at Anthonino’s Taverna
Experience the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden
If you’re visiting St. Louis over Labor Day weekend, don’t miss one of the city’s most unique cultural events—the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden. As one of the largest and longest-running celebrations of Japanese culture in the United States, this annual festival transforms the stunning garden grounds into a vibrant showcase of Japanese traditions, food, music, and entertainment. Wander through the beautiful Japanese Garden while enjoying taiko drumming, Bon Odori dancing, martial arts demonstrations, and even sumo wrestling exhibitions. You’ll also find authentic Japanese cuisine, unique vendors, hands-on cultural activities, and magical evening candlelight walks through the gardens. Drawing more than 50,000 visitors each year, it’s a beloved St. Louis tradition that offers a fun and immersive way to experience Japanese culture right in the heart of Missouri. Be sure to arrive early, wear comfortable shoes, and come hungry—you’ll want to spend the entire day exploring.
Why St. Louis Surprised Us
We came to St. Louis expecting to see the Gateway Arch. We left talking about Broadway shows, baseball games, incredible food, world-class museums, and some of the friendliest people we’ve met on our travels.
What makes St. Louis so special is that it offers something for everyone while remaining incredibly affordable. Between the many free attractions, vibrant neighborhoods, and unique local experiences, it’s a destination that deserves far more attention than it gets.
Come for the Arch, stay for everything else—you’ll be glad you did.
🎙️ Want the full scoop on our Missouri adventure? Listen to our podcast episode, Meet Missouri: The Show-Me State Uncovered, where we share our favorite experiences in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Macon, along with plenty of travel tips to help you plan your own Missouri getaway.
Click on our episode Meet Missouri: The Show-Me State Uncovered to hear all about St. Louis, Kansas City, and Macon, Missouri!
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In this post
- Our Favorite Things to Do in St. Louis
- Start with the Star of the Show: The Gateway Arch
- Discover St. Louis on a 75-Minute City Trolley Tour
- St. Louis: Arch and River Cruise Small Group Guided Tour
- Grab a Concrete at Ted Drewes (Trust Us on This One)
- Step Back in Time at Crown Candy Kitchen
- Broadway Under the Stars at The Muny
- Experience Cardinals Nation at Busch Stadium
- Keep reading