If I’m being honest when I think of places I’d like to travel to, Missouri doesn’t usually come to mind. Other than the Gateway Arch I had no idea what else I would do there. I was pleasantly surprised that I found several wonderful things to do in Missouri. I don’t know about you but I still get giddy as a child when I see the skyline of a city I’ve never been to before. It’s thrilling to see the skyscrapers appear on the horizon, and even more thrilling to see a national landmark such as the Gateway Arch. Keep reading to learn more, including all the free things to do in St. Louis.
Gateway Arch National Park
Traveling to the top of the Gateway Arch is not for the faint of heart. The tram car seats five but you feel like you’re in a tiny submarine, not for those with claustrophobia issues. Scared of heights? Then looking down 630 feet from the top of the arch may make you queasy. I wouldn’t want to discourage anyone from taking part in this wonderful opportunity because it is definitely worth it. For those of you that brave the ride, you can watch out the small glass doors as you ascend to the top, cranking your way up on a four minute ride you won’t forget. Once at the top you can peer out the tiny windows over all of St. Louis. On a clear day you can see 30 miles away. You get ten minutes that go by super fast so make the most of it. I love that they time it and limit the number of people at the top because it gives everyone equal opportunity to look around, ten minutes is enough for anyone. Then it’s a three minute “roller coaster” ride back down. Before or after your ride to the top, meander through the museum timeline that gives you all the info about westward expansion. Learn how it came about, those that were affected, and what it did to and for our country as we know it today.
Best View of the Gateway Arch
Across the Mississippi River is the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park. This is the best place to get views and pictures of the Gateway arch as well as downtown St. Louis. At the top of the viewing tower you will also find a live Archcam that anyone can watch at anytime. You can watch the live feed to see the arch, which is great if you can’t get over the river to see it from that vantage point. You will also find the largest fountain in the U.S. here, the Gateway Geyser rises 630 feet in the air. Malcom W. Martin wanted to create a landmark that complemented the Gateway Arch on the Illinois side of the river. The fountain erupts everyday at noon for about ten minutes from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Fun Fact: Did you know the design for the Gateway Arch was a competition won by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen?
Tip: There are many options for parking in downtown St. Louis but prices vary. I recommend you make a plan before choosing if you’re looking to be budget friendly.
Missouri History Museum
In the beautiful Forest Park you will find all types of activities including the Missouri History Museum. A free museum that contains so much information on the influence of “new” music such as ragtime, blues, and jazz. There’s a room devoted to the 1904 World’s Fair that was held in the Forest Park area of St. Louis. The museum takes approximately two hours if you read most of the information.
Fun Fact: The World’s Fair lasts one year and the last one was in New Orleans in 1984.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
The Laumeier Sculpture Park is a great place to stretch your legs, hang out in nature, and see some very interesting pieces of artwork. There are 69 sculptures in the park. It is a free activity where you can stop to have a picnic, and get in your steps. This is one of the few places that you can interact with the art. Some of the pieces you may recognize such as Alexander Liberman’s “The Way.”
St. Louis Art Museum
If you love art and want more of it I recommend the St. Louis Art Museum. Spend a few hours roaming the halls at this free museum. If you’re short on time but want to hit the highlights, pop over to room 218 which holds the works of Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, among other well known artists. If you want to see everything I would plan to spend several hours here.
Missouri Botanical Gardens
Even if you’re just passing through St. Louis I would suggest visiting the Missouri Botanical Gardens. This is not a free activity but it is worth every penny. I was very impressed with the variety of flowers, the size of the gardens, and the overall atmosphere. It was like visiting one of the most beautiful parks I had ever seen. If I lived in St. Louis I would absolutely come here weekly just to walk around and smell the roses. A place like this really makes you appreciate the work that goes into maintaining a garden. I spent a little over an hour here but didn’t get to see everything. I would have loved to spend three or four hours just walking around, enjoying the blooms, or sitting on a bench taking it all in. Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies flock to this garden and so should you. Get inspired to create your own home butterfly/bee garden for these vital insects.
St. Louis Zoo
Another great free activity in Forest Park is the St. Louis Zoo. There are two entrances but keep in mind that parking in the zoo’s parking lot costs $15 per vehicle, since it goes to the animals I thought it was a worthy cause. They have a good variety of animals that are visible in some very nice enclosures. Some activities cost a little extra so budget accordingly. There are some great food options such as dole whip, and even a Starbucks. Plan for two to three hours here in order to see everything.
Eats + Treats
Blondie’s Coffee and Wine Bar
Blondie’s Coffee and Wine Bar is a cute cafe with a great mocha latte made with Ghirardelli chocolate, (or so says my husband), grab a treat to go, or sit and enjoy a yummy breakfast sandwich at this trendy location. Enjoy something sweet like a muffin, or savory like bagel and smear. I bought a butter cake bar (a St. Louis staple), and it was delicious. The butter cake reminds me of a chess bar (Kentucky name for it); it was one of the best I have ever had.
Hi-Pointe Drive-In
Hi-Pointe Drive-In is a quick bites type of place, very casual dining. Walk-up to the counter to order and by the time you sit down your food will be ready. A fast casual retro style place with great sandwiches, that’s easy on the budget. What could be better?
Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas
In the “hill” area Guido’s is a fantastic place to get some of St. Louis’ most well known treats. The fried ravioli appetizer is a must, paired with homemade marinara and cooked to perfection, it’s a delectable dish. You must get a St. Louis style pizza which is a thin, snappy, cracker like crust and topped with provel cheese. I added mozzarella to make it extra cheesy, and a little pepperoni for substance. I couldn’t be happier with this choice. The pepperoni tasted like Italy. It was like eating a great lasagna that had been pancaked and still tasted just as good.
Salt + Smoke BBQ
Salt + Smoke BBQ is a must when in St. Louis. Get the Bestie Combo to try as many of these mouth watering meats as possible. The mac n’ cheese is an absolute must! All the sides were amazing and the pecan pie for dessert was the perfect end to a fantastic meal. The cheddar popover was new to me and I loved it. The ribs were falling off the bone and full of flavor. The shredded pork was tender and very well seasoned, no sauce needed even though the sauces were equally fantastic. This was my favorite restaurant of the trip because every bite was incredible.
Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Cream
Drop in to Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Cream, this adorable ice cream shop has some flavors that will knock your socks off. No matter if you order from the naughty or nice list you’re bound to be happy. Not only is this charming place one of the best stops, it also has a great story behind it. Tamara Keefe’s story of how ice cream changed her life not once but twice is an inspiration to all. Can’t make it to St. Louis to try it or want some more after you get home? No problem! They ship all across the U.S. I would get ten gallons of the salted caramel cookies and cream, with a gallon of their homemade hot fudge.
End of the Road
I couldn’t be happier with my time in St. Louis. There are so many fun things to do there. I hope you take a trip to St. Louis to enjoy all of the activities and great food. It’s right along Route 66 and makes for a fabulous stop on any road trip. I spent about three days total in St Louis in order to do all of these fabulous activities. I went at a fast pace and my feet about fell off so you might want to schedule a little more time if you want to fit everything in. There are so many free things to do in St. Louis that it is really budget friendly, which makes all trips a little better. If you’re visiting Missouri you might as well visit Kansas City. Plan your trip with the Best Things to do in Kansas City guide. Happy travels!
