Jayne & Andrew
Things To Do
Saint Louis Zoo
Obviously we are biased :) but we highly recommend planning a visit to the Zoo while you are in town. Home to over 12,000 animals, representing 500 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo attracts approximately 3 million visitors annually and is the most-visited attraction in the region. Yes, the wedding is at the Zoo, but since the event is after hours, opportunities will be limited to see the animals and there are a lot of great animals to see!
Saint Louis Art Museum
Another free Saint Louis attraction located blocks from the Zoo! The Saint Louis Art Museum’s collection includes more than 34,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of history and cultures. For a $12 admittance fee, you can also see the featured exhibition: Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa, with works spanning more than 2,000 years. The exhibition presents the Nubians’ artistic achievements, including magnificent jewelry, pottery, sculpture, metalwork, and more and showcases the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Missouri History Museum
Another free attraction! One of the most visited history museums in the nation, the Missouri History Museum looks at the history of the St. Louis region from the Mississippian people up to the present day. The Museum’s historic building was the first national monument to Thomas Jefferson, and opened to the public in 1913 on the site of the entrance to the 1904 World’s Fair. Visitors can discover the city’s baseball history from the Browns to the Cardinals, see “The Spirit of St. Louis” — sister plane to Lindbergh’s, explore life on the Mississippi River, marvel at the magnitude of the 1904 World’s Fair, learn about the Civil Rights movement, and much more.
Saint Louis Science Center
The Science Center is one of the only free nonprofit science museums in the country, and serves more than one million people each year, making it one of the largest science centers in the U.S. and abroad. The campus features more than 700 interactive experiences in ten galleries, as well as an indoor-outdoor GROW agricultural pavilion and gallery, famous McDonnell Planetarium, and a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Founded in 1859, this is the country's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation. It is a National Historic Landmark with 79 acres of gardens and historic structures. Outdoor and indoor displays include the Climatron tropical rain forest, Kemper Center for Home Gardening, Japanese Garden, George Washington Carver Garden, historic Tower Grove House, Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum and the seasonal Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden.
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
Located in what was one of the busiest passenger rail terminals in the world, the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station takes you on an aquatic journey unlike any other. Whether you are coming face-to-face with a prehistoric paddlefish in the Confluence Gallery or Zebra sharks in Shark Canyon, getting your hands tickled by a Doctor fish or feeling the rubbery skin of a ray, or meeting amazing program ambassadors in a personalized animal encounter, we guarantee the Aquarium's got something for everyone.
Gateway Arch National Park
The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West and to Dred Scott who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. Beyond the amazing views, the Gateway Arch offers an abundance of things to see and do. The stunning 630-foot stainless steel Arch is the nation's tallest national monument. Visitors can explore the stunning structure on numerous levels: underground in the park's subterranean Visitor Center, above ground on the banks of the Mississippi, and high in the air from the viewing deck at the top of the Arch, accessed by a short tram ride inside the legs of the structure. The Visitor Center features a new museum that interprets the nation's westward expansion, St. Louis' early history, and the design and construction of the Gateway Arch. Highlights include an extensive collection of artifacts from the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Ballpark Village
Ballpark Village is where sports and entertainment meet! Ballpark Village is a dynamic sports-anchored, mixed-use district located in the heart of St. Louis, MO next to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. The District features a variety of dining and entertainment experiences, including Cardinals Nation and Hall of Fame & Museum, Budweiser Brew House and Beer Garden and FOX Sports Midwest Live!. With seven venues (each with its own entrance), a 40’ LED TV, five concert stages, 125 different brews on tap and a view that’s fit for a champion, Ballpark Village is St. Louis’ premier destination for anyone who enjoys being part of the action.
The Soulard Neighborhood
If you are staying through the weekend (please do not go bar hopping before the wedding...seriously, we are begging you!) we recommend stopping by and grabbing a beer in Soulard on Saturday. Yes, we are biased because we used to live there, but it is the oldest neighborhood in St. Louis with 40 bars, restaurants, and shops to visit. Soulard is conveniently located 10 minutes from downtown and right by the Anheuser Busch Brewery. We recommend Nadine's for breakfast and the Venice Cafe for a drink outside!