St. Louis is our family’s favorite place to visit a family-friendly getaway packed with unique attractions, hands-on fun, and amazing food. Here’s a list of everything we love about the city, organized to help you build your own perfect St. Louis weekend…
🏨 Where to Stay (and Play): Union Station
We always stay at St. Louis Union Station, because it’s a whole experience on its own. Beyond being a beautiful historic hotel, it’s also packed with attractions that make it incredibly convenient, especially with kids.
The hotel itself is worth exploring, and there are light shows every hour in the front lobby and out back on the pond after dark. Tip: Ask the valet about the whispering arch.
The St. Louis Aquarium was one of our favorite experiences. It’s easy to navigate and well-organized, making it a great option even during a busy weekend. It’s large enough to feel like a full experience but not so overwhelming that it becomes exhausting (ideal if you’re traveling with kids).
If you’re up for some adventure, the ropes course adds just the right amount of thrill, while the mirror maze brings plenty of laughs.
In the evenings, the Wheel Park comes alive. Riding the St. Louis Wheel gave us amazing views, especially at sunset when the city starts to glow. There are several rides, food trucks, and carnival games to enjoy in the park.
There are also several restaurants and snack spots right inside Union Station, which made it easy to take breaks without having to go far.
Visit the Union Station website to view booking options, a list of attractions and restaurants, hours, and ticket pricing here: https://www.stlouisunionstation.com
🌿 Outdoor & Nature Experiences
When you’re ready to get outside and slow things down a bit, St. Louis has some beautiful options.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is peaceful, scenic, and perfect for a relaxing morning. The Japanese Garden was a standout… so serene and beautifully maintained. (There are also fun areas for kids to play in the late spring and summer months!) Leading up to Christmas, they also have a holiday lights display that is absolutely magical.
Visit the Missouri Botanical Garden’s website for tickets, hours, and seasonal event information: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
For animal lovers, Grant’s Farm is a must. It’s interactive and fun, with opportunities to feed animals and see the iconic Budweiser Clydesdales up close. The farm itself is free to visit, but they have paid add-ons and experiences: snacks and souvenirs, to feed the animals, and for the animal encounters tours. We did the animal encounters tour as well, which was a lot of fun! Note: We learned on this last trip that the animal encounters tour allows you to skip the line getting into the farm. It was our first time visiting, so we went inside and toured the farm first. We had to make our way back to the parking lot for the tour, and then after the tour, we had to get back on the tram ride to the parking lot again. If you choose to do the tour, book it for the time you plan to arrive at the farm.
Visit the Grant’s Farm website for hours and tour tickets: https://grantsfarm.com
The Saint Louis Zoo is another highlight… and admission is free! It’s large, well-designed, and full of engaging exhibits that kept everyone entertained. If you park onsite, you will pay for parking, but there’s plenty of free parking around Forest Park as well.Get there early to beat the crowds! The Zoo also hosts several seasonal evening events throughout the year, so check the website for information on those ticketed seasonal fun.
Visit the STL Zoo website for seasonal information, hours, and events: https://stlzoo.org
🧠Hands-On Museums & Kid Favorites
St. Louis stands out when it comes to interactive, family-friendly museums.
While you’re in Forest Park… The Saint Louis Science Center is packed with hands-on exhibits that make learning fun (and it’s FREE to visit). It’s a great option if you want something educational but still fun.
Visit the Science Center’s website for hours and visitor information: https://www.slsc.org
The City Museum is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. It’s part playground, part art installation, with tunnels, slides, climbing structures, and endless places to explore. WARNING: Your kids will never want to leave!
Visit the City Museum’s website for tickets and visitor information: https://citymuseum.org
And if you’re traveling with younger kids, The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum is absolutely worth a visit. It’s filled with creative, interactive exhibits designed just for them.
Visit the Magic House website for tickets and visitor information: https://www.magichouse.org
🏙️ Iconic St. Louis Experiences
You can’t visit St. Louis without checking out a few of its most famous landmarks.
The Gateway Arch is as impressive up close as you’d expect. Riding the tram to the top is a unique experience, and the views are incredible.
Visit the Gateway Arch website for Arch, Riverboat, and Combo tickets: https://www.gatewayarch.com
For a different perspective, hop on a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River. It’s relaxing, scenic, and a nice way to take a break from walking.
🍔 Where to Eat (Our Favorites)
St. Louis has such a fun and diverse food scene, and these spots were some of our favorites from the trip:
- Fitz’s – A must-visit, especially with kids. Watching the root beer bottling process is half the fun, and the floats are delicious.
- The Fountain on Locust – A retro-style spot with comfort food and over-the-top desserts (including ice cream martinis!).
- Bailey’s Range – Great burgers, great shakes, and a lively atmosphere.
- Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop – The cutest little coffee stop with a calm, cozy vibe.
- Clementine’s Ice Cream – Some of the best ice cream we’ve ever had, with creative and indulgent flavors.
🛍️ Bonus Stop: City Foundry
If your group has different cravings (or you just want options), the City Foundry is perfect. This modern food hall has a little bit of everything, making it an easy and fun stop to add into your plans. Be sure to pop into Puttshack and the Museum of Illusions for a little fun while you’re there.
✨ Final Thoughts
What makes St. Louis so special is how versatile it is. No matter how you plan it, St. Louis is the kind of place that leaves you with unforgettable memories (and probably a list of things you’ll want to come back and do next time).
Explore St. Louis website: https://explorestlouis.com