The city of St. Louis is alive with excitement and energy. It is home to the famous Gateway Arch, miles of trails and world-class attractions. It also has a vibrant cultural scene and is one of the hottest food cities in the nation. The city has more free attractions than any US city, except for Washington D.C. This makes it an excellent and affordable family vacation destination. Whether you want to take in the sights or savour some of the best brews in America, St. Louis will deliver. Take a cue from Lewis and Clark, who discovered the area, and make time to enjoy the Midwestern metropolis.

The Gateway Arch

The iconic symbol of St. Louis is the Gateway Arch. The unique structure sits on the Mississippi Riverinside Gateway Arch National Park. The monument reflects St. Louis’s role in the Westward Expansion of the United States. At 190 metres high, it is the world’s tallest arch. It is also the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. The National Park Service voted to build the arch in 1935, and it officially opened in 1967. The arch commemorates Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States.

At the Gateway Arch museum, you can trace the story of the Native Americans and explorers who made America possible. There are six themed exhibit areas in the innovative and interactive museum. If you aren’t afraid of heights, you can take the tram to the top. The view is well worth the trip to the top. You can see west over St. Louis and east into Illinois. For an even more exciting adventure, you can book a helicopter tour of the arch grounds.

Forest Park

St. Louis’s Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It is a beautiful natural oasis in the heart of the city. The park is nearly 500 acres larger than New York’s Central Park. It boasts more than 180 acres of nature reserves, including forests, wetlands, prairies and savannas. Forest Park is home to iconic destinations and gathering spots such as the World’s Fair Pavilion. The 1944 Judy Garland film Meet Me in St. Louis made the area famous.

The Park is a fitness lover's dream. There are two public golf courses. There is a 9 km long bike and walking path that circles the perimeter of the park. A total of 48 km of trails give visitors the chance to explore every corner of the park. There is a tennis centre, skating rink, and handball and racquetball courts.

In the centre of the park you’ll find the Boathouse restaurant. It offers year-round dining and a variety of boat rental opportunities. Annual events held in the park include a marathon, a Shakespeare festival, and a hot air balloon race. The park is also home to The Muny, the country’s largest outdoor musical theatre.

Forest Park also contains several of St. Louis’s major cultural institutions and a zoo.

St. Louis’s museums and more

The St. Louis Zoo is one of the most popular attractions at Forest Park. One of the best parts — admission is free. More than 3 million people visit the zoo every year. It is home to more than 14,000 animals. The St. Louis Zoo is recognised worldwide for its innovative approach to animal care. It also offers educational programs for the public. A day at the zoo is guaranteed to be full of family fun. In addition to the animals and rides, there are several dining options. Try toasted ravioli, a typical St. Louis treat. Or enjoy an ice cream cone, which was first featured at the 1904 World’s Fair.

Forest Park is home to two of St. Louis’s museums. The Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Science Center. Both offer free admission. The History Museum fascinating exhibitions focus on local and regional history. The Saint Louis Art museum offers a variety of exhibits, featuring works of art of the highest quality across time and cultures. The Science Center has more than 700 interactive experiences. Admission is free.

Though not located in Forest Park, City Museum is another popular attraction. The unique museum is a combination of children’s playgrounds and funhouses. The museum is inside a 10-story warehouse in the city centre. Inside, you will find objects made out of found and repurposed materials.

Union Station and Aquarium

St. Louis’s Union Station dates back to 1894. Today it is home to shopping, dining and lots of fun experiences. The options for a fun filled day include; a ferris wheel, a mirrored maze, mini golf and more. The newest addition is the Aquarium, with more than 13,000 animals in 44 exhibits.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

For a more relaxed experience, head to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. The National Historic Landmark is just over the highway from Forest Park. It is an oasis in the city. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful plants and flowers. It features flower shows, live music and special events. There are also shopping and dining options.

St. Louis’s fun and funky neighbourhoods

The city has 79 different neighbourhoods, each with its own style and characteristics. Some highlights include the Soulard Farmers Market. The market is in the shape of an H. In the centre, you find shops, while the outer wings are for vendor stalls. In total, there are 147 stalls selling fresh produce, meat, seafood and more.

The Delmar Loop is eight blocks of excitement. The area got its name from streetcars that once drove in a loop around it. Today, it is recognised as one of the 10 great streets in America. You will find unique shops, restaurants, art galleries and live music venues. One of the most famous restaurants is Blueberry Hill. Its internationally-renowned Duck Room is home to live music. The father of Rock & Roll himself, Chuck Berry, has played there more than 200 times.

The Hill is famous for its Italian restaurants and markets. This is another place where you will find St. Louis’s famous toasted ravioli. The area is packed with bakeries, mom-and-pop trattoria and the Italian colours.

For a fun and funky vibe, head to The Grove. In the 1980s, the LGBTQ+ community invested in a revival of the area. This helped transform it into the premier entertainment district that it is today. The Grove is built on the ideal of acceptance. Today, you’ll find an eclectic mix of businesses, clubs, shops and more. The neighbourhood is lively and colourful and includes amazing street art.

In all these neighbourhoods, you will be able to find the classic St. Louis dessert, Gooey Butter Cake. It's all in the name. The cake came into existence by accident in the 1930s. A baker accidentally used too much butter in a coffee cake. Because butter was so expensive at the time, he didn’t want to waste it and start from scratch. He sold it as is and decades later it is still a local favourite.

Busch Stadium

The St. Louis Cardinals call the city their home. The baseball team was established in 1882 and is an institution in the city. Busch Stadium is located downtown and is an iconic part of the city’s skyline. The stadium was rebuilt in 2006. 'The Cards', as they are known by fans, went on to win the World Series that season. Busch is an open-air stadium that gives visitors a panoramic perspective over the outfield wall. The view includes the downtown skyline and, of course, the Gateway Arch.

Next to the stadium, you'll find Ballpark Village. The entertainment venue includes a variety of restaurants and shops. Whether you choose to attend a game or check out Ballpark Village, Busch Stadium and the 'Cardinal nation' will leave a strong impact on you.

Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Busch Stadium’s name derives from the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The brewery dates back to 1852. Today, the company has breweries in 12 locations, but the flagship location and headquarters are in St. Louis. You can tour the brewery, experience its incredible history and traditions, and sample some delicious brew. One of the highlights of the tour is its famous horse stables. Anheuser-Busch’s mascot is the majestic Clydesdale. The Scottish breed is absolutely stunning and huge. Stroll through the stables and see the horses close up. At the end of the tour, there is a complementary beer tasting. The brewery is a hub for innovation, and brews more than 30 types of beer.

Speaking of beer, there are 65 different breweries in the greater St. Louis area. Sip and sample your way through the city’s new age of microbrews and speciality beers.

St. Louis celebrities

Fun fact, there are a lot of famous people who are from St. Louis. TV personality Andy Cohen. He is famous for his role as executive producer of the Real Housewives. Actresses Ellie Kemper and Jenna Fischer are from St. Louis. Both rose to fame on the TV comedy The Office. TV and film star John Hamm is another. Track and Field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee also hails from the city. She is known as the world’s greatest female athlete. She won more Olympic medals than any other American woman in Track and Field. Three music icons also call St. Louis home: Nelly, Chuck Berry and Tina Turner.

No matter what you plan for your St. Louis trip, one thing is for sure, you will definitely experience the warmth and hospitality of St. Louisans.

St. Louis’s Climate

St. Louis is in the Midwest of the United States and has four seasons. The city has cold winters and hot summers. The average temperature in the winter is -0.1℃. Winter lasts from late November to early March. On average, the city sees 45 cm of snowfall per year.

Summers in St. Louis are hot and humid. The average temperature is 26.7℃, but it often gets much warmer. Summer lasts from June to August, and thunderstorms can sometimes break out in the afternoons.

Spring lasts from mid-March to May. The average temperature is 13.7℃. Spring brings high chances of rain. Autumn is from September to mid-November. The average autumn temperature is 14.8℃. The days are shorter in the autumn.