A Family Day Trip to St Louis

A Family Day Trip to St Louis – St Louis Attractions

For many families living throughout the Midwest United States, a day trip to St. Louis, is a big deal.  St Louis attractions are many. There is so much to do in the city, that a family could visit several times a year, and find new experiences every time.  What is really great is the number of free activities available, so even those with budget challenges can enjoy a St. Louis day trip.

St. Louis was originally founded in 1764, by French fur traders, Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau.  The city was purchased by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase, opening up the door for western expansion.  Serving as a primary crossing point for the Mississippi River, it became known as the Gateway to the West.

By 1870 it was the 4th largest city in the entire US, and a major port and railroad center.  This enabled the city to play a role in many historic events, including the 1904 World’s Fair, officially known as the Louisiana Purchase Exhibit, and the 1904 Olympics.  Many of the structures built for these premier events are still in use today under different guises and purposes.

Today, it is relatively small in the realm of cities, with a population of only 350,000 in the city, although the metropolitan area consists of about 2.9 million.  That means there are a lot of great things to do in St Louis, but not nearly as much traffic as huge cities. Getting around downtown is pretty easy. A family can do a lot of cool things in St Louis without the stress of heavy traffic.

So, if you are wondering what to do in St Louis then let’s look at some of those fun things to do St Louis, so you can make a plan.  Your family is going to love their St. Louis day trip. So here are some of the best St Louis attractions and things to do in St Louis with kids.

St Louis attractions – Visit the Arch

For any first time visitor to St. Louis, a trip to the city’s most famous landmark, the Gateway Arch, is required.  Standing 630 feet, it is the tallest man-made monument in the United States.  For younger children, just walking beneath the Arch, can be a source of wonder.  For families with older children, plan to make that trip to the top, and do some exploration.

The surrounding areas have been developed into the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.  This area includes the riverfront park and walkways, the Gateway Arch Riverboats, the Arch itself, and the Old Courthouse.  Within these, there are museum exhibits, gift shops, and a cafe. Entrance to the park, the Old Courthouse, and the museum’s exhibits, is free.

Tickets for entrance to the Arch, the ascent to the top, a ride on the steamboats, and even a helicopter flight for a view from above, can all be purchased at the Old Courthouse, or at the riverside entrance to the Arch.

The area is now a part of the US National Park Service, rangers are onsite and available.  Educational demonstrations and narrations are scheduled throughout the day. There is also a Junior Ranger Program for children aged 3 to 12.  Although we have not participated in the program at the Jefferson Expansion Memorial, my grandchildren and I have completed several other Junior Ranger Programs and found them fun learning experiences.

As an added bonus, if historic churches are among your interests, the Basilica of St. Louis, King, also known as the old cathedral, is located in the park just to the south of the Arch.  The first cathedral on the west of the Mississippi River, in the US. Mass and special events are still held regularly. Visitors can explore the interior when the church is not in service.

A word of caution- This is one of the few areas St. Louis that may seem tricky to get around in a car.  Most visitors will come off the interstate to the south of the Arch, and it will be necessary to drive past it t get to parking.

St Louis attractions – Laclede’s Landing

If you spent quite a bit of time at the National Memorial, and would rather not drive through town for more options, there are a couple of nice options within walking distance.  At the north end of the riverfront park, is Laclede’s Landing. This is the oldest part of St. Louis, with original buildings and cobblestone streets.

On the way through the park, it is necessary to walk under Eads Bridge.  Eads is a 19th-century steel and truss bridge, with a fascinating understructure.  This is a great source of interest for children who love to build, and it may lead to some in-depth observation and discussion.

The Landing is not designed with families in mind, so it is not geared towards a lot of entertaining activities for children.  Nonetheless, children are often intrigued by the historic buildings and streets, and find many curiosities simply walking along the sidewalks.  There is a free mobile walking tour that can be downloaded at Laclede’s walking tour.

In the Landing, there is a wax museum and a novelty shop that is inviting, although in some cases it may be hard not to touch. There is also a small aquatic museum, called World Aquarium.  If stomachs are beginning to growl, there are several restaurant options available. In the later afternoon, carriage rides depart from the Landing, taking a route through the downtown area.

St Louis attractions – Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village

The other option within walking distance is in the opposite direction.  Sports-minded families may enjoy the Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village experience.  For visitors from outside the US, this is an opportunity to get a feeling for the country’s favorite sport.  It is located a couple blocks south of the Old Courthouse, and clearly visible on the street.

Tours of Busch Stadium are available all year round and include stops in the dugout, the Redbird Clubhouse, and the broadcast booth.  During the offseason, the last tour of the day is at 12:30 but in season another is given at 2:00 p.m Tickets can be purchased on site, or at least 24 hours in advance online.

Behind the stadium is the newly developed Ballpark Village.  The Hall of Fame Museum is quite an experience for baseball fans.  Various displays and exhibits include scale models of historic stadiums, a chance to announce historic moments from the broadcast booth, and an opportunity to handle authentic Cardinals bats.  The highlight is the Championship Gallery, showcasing the teams 11 World Series titles.

Also located within Ballpark Village are a number of restaurants and shops, most with a focus on a baseball and sports theme.  At Cardinal Nation, children eat free on Wednesday evenings.

On the other hand, if you are ready to drive a bit, we suggest a couple of other options for family fun, still right in the city.

St Louis attractions – City Museum

There is no real way to describe City Museum or compare it other experiences.  It is a completely unique experience, constructed by artists, with a focus on exploration.  It is built in the former International Shoe building, made entirely of found and repurposed items.  The result is an entirely eclectic environment and a source of endless curiosity.

Recently voted the #1 family attraction in the world in the Trip.com Awards, it features four floors of exhibits, including multiple play areas, tunnels to crawl through, a miniature train to ride, and circus performances.  There is also a huge outdoor play area called Monstrosity, and a rooftop play area, that are both open when weather permits. This must be top of your family trip.

There is a lot to explore at City Museum, and some families make an entire St. Louis day trip out of the museum alone.  In light of that, they offer a bracelet option, that enables re-entry for the entire day. There are also a couple of gift shops, and several concessions options, from sandwiches and smoothies to BBQ, although some are seasonal.

St Louis attractions – Upper Limits

If your children are a little older, something a little more challenging may be more in line.  Upper Limits is an indoor rock climbing facility, right in downtown.  It features climbs for all levels, including 10 different belays for beginners, as well as a boulder experience.

All newcomers to the facility are given a 15-minute orientation to the layout and features.  Experienced climbers can get right to the action after orientation. Those who are looking to try the experience for the first time should schedule in advance for a 2 hour instructional course.  Rock Climbing 101 is offered if everyone is over the age of 14, and Family Climb is offered for those with younger children.

St Louis attractions – Forest Park

One other option we suggest for a day trip to St. Louis, and especially for those on a budget, is Forest Park.  The park is a jewel in the crown of St. Louis. Designed for the 1904 World’s Fair, it features 1370 gorgeous green acres, in the middle of the city, and numerous educational and entertaining options.  What is more, almost everything in Forest Park is free.

If getting some fresh air and nature appeals to you, there are numerous walking trails through the park, and lots of space to sit and relax, including waterside areas at the lake and the small river.  Along with this, the Jewel Box is a greenhouse in the midst of the park, with a lush tropical garden inside. In the winter, there is ice skating available at Steinberg Skating Rink, and sledding on Art Hill, alongside the art museum.

The St. Louis Art Museum features over 33,000 works, spanning every era from ancient art to modern art, and encompassing work from all 6 inhabited continents.  The St. Louis History Museum celebrates the history of this diverse and important city with both standing and temporary exhibits.

The St. Louis Science Center offers a fun discovery environment.  Exhibits range from dinosaurs to space exploration, and a plethora in between.  On our visits, highlights included the hands-on experiments with motion and momentum, tracking radar of vehicles on the interstate overpass, and trying our hand at stitching up a patient after surgery.

The St. Louis Zoo is a world class zoo with absolutely free admission, although there are typically 1-2 feature areas that have a fee.  The zoo covers a large expanse of ground and simulates several ecosystems, and lovers of all kinds of animals will find something they love.

For my children, it was the gorillas and orangutans. For my grandchildren, it is the Humboldt penguins. There are several concession areas available for those who end up staying most of the day.

How To Get To St. Louis, Missouri

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Where to stay in St. Louis, Missouri

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Tours/Activities available in St Louis

St Louis attractions pass are available for the best St Louis tours. Book tours and activities in and around St Louis.

St Louis Tours

St Louis tours and excursions. Check out Viator’s reviews and photos of St Louis tours

At the end of the day

St. Louis is an excellent choice for day trips.  There are dozens of fun and unique things to do in St Louis for people of all ages, and it is our top Midwest US choice for families.  To top it, there are many free things to do in St Louis. All of our suggestions keep a visitor near the downtown area, so a minimum of driving is required!  However, if you are looking for more than just a day, there is more than enough for a weekend in St. Louis.

Before leaving town, we highly recommend swinging back to the riverfront, to see the arch at night.  It is a spectacular sight, lit up against the night sky. It is a beautiful ending to a busy St. Louis day trip.

Check out some of our United States related posts:

Six Best Attractions in Chicago
Finding Relaxation in California’s Desert
A Day Trip to Las Vegas
Top 10 Places for Stargazing in the World

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