An essential St. Louis destination, there is truly nothing like this one-of-a-kind place anywhere else. Part immersive sculptural installation, part playground, part museum, the City Museum defies all categories. Explore a vast system of caverns, slide down a 10-story-tall spiral slide, ride a ferris wheel high atop the roof, high above the city (you will not regret the extra $10 they charge for roof access.) Make sure to wear comfortable clothes you don't mind crawling around in, and you will be awestruck by the enchanting weirdness of this place.
Yummy food, even better cocktails.
St. Louis's most eccentric and beautiful bar patio. Cash only.
One of St. Louis's many world-class free museums--this one is a universal survey with everything from antiquities to contemporary art.
Another free museum--this one is just contemporary art.
A free museum with an esoteric exhibition calendar and a killer building by architect Tadao Ando which is worth the trip on its own.
Great pizza, wine, and live jazz every night. We go here most Wednesdays for half-priced pizza to do grading and lesson plans lol
Fun and welcoming microbrewery with very weird beers. Great patio, cool architecture inside. On weekends they have Filipino barbecue for dinner.
A very popular hangout spot for Stl art/music/etc. folks—we had our first date here in 2018! Cheap beers and a huge patio.
Such a delightful and enchanting place—flower fans and plant heads will love it!
St. Louis's second-largest park, and arguably its best for strolling, picnicking, and relaxing. They have a catalogue of every tree in the park on their website, and many beautiful pavilions.
One of the country's largest city parks, Forest Park is a massive, sprawling landscape with everything from golf courses to rehabilitated native prairies, to several museums (Art, History, and Science—all free!) and the Zoo (also free!) You could easily spend a whole day here. Highlights include any of the free institutions, wandering the prairies and forests, or renting a paddleboat, kayak, or paddle board from the boathouse and relaxing in the grand basin!
The most iconic landmark in the city, the Arch truly does not disappoint, and is worth exploring. If you're the kind of person who likes to be inside of things, you may enjoy riding the elevator to the top, but do not skip wandering the grounds and riverfront near the bottom! Stroll down the levee to the banks of the Mississippi, walk south on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard to its intersection with Chouteau Ave. to see massive graffiti murals on the flood wall, admire the native plant gardens just north of the arch, and explore the fabulous Eads Bridge!
These are just a hoot—get out on the big river in one of GANP's old-timey riverboats (the Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher) and feel the breeze in your hair! The captains usually have a lot of historical tidbits to share and do a great job of pointing out interesting sights on shore.
A popular sandwich shop which usually has live music on Saturdays—this may be one of the best and most fun lunches in the city. Don't get discouraged by the long line! It moves fast, and you'll have no trouble finding a place to sit once you get your food.
It may seem silly to visit this rather Wonka-esque beer factory, but their free tour is very informative and entertaining. See the famous clydesdales and learn how your favorite macrobrews are made!