Saint Louis Things to Do – Attractions & Must See

Saint Louis Things to Do

On the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, St. Louis is the “Gateway to the West.”  Framed through a glittering arch, here are some of the top things to do while in St. Louis.

On the Waterfront

Dominating the skyline and the riverfront is the 630-foot Gateway Arch, a monument to founding of St. Louis as the door to the western frontier. Open to the public with an underground visitor’s center and a pod system that carries people to the top observation deck, it is the biggest attraction along the Mississippi River. But not the only one.  Once a series of warehouses, shipping docks and factories, the nine block area now called Laclede’s Landing, is an entertainment and dining destination. Cast iron buildings that once held tobacco, fencing, and barrels of whisky bound for the west now are art galleries, music venues and clubs. Two riverboat casinos are moored to the docks and one land based is on the waterfront.  Looking for a real river ride? Several companies offer working riverboats up and down the Mississippi with guides and a show.

Breweries, Blues and Butterflies

Museums, gardens, historic homes, Halls of Fame, hands on exhibits and amusement parks, St Louis a vast quilt of interesting places for all ages.  Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour is free, lasts about an hour, you get to see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales  and get free beer at the end.  Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District is located in Forest Park. It consists of five districts: St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, Missouri History Museum, and Missouri Botanical Garden. The cost is currently free, though a tax subsidy, and is open seven days to the public. The Botanical Garden has a geodesic dome, the Climatron which simulates changes in climate and a butterfly habitat. The Scott Joplin House and the Blues Museum explore some of the genres of music that originated in St. Louis.  Sports shouldn’t be left out after all St. Louis is the home to the Chess Hall of Fame.

A rich and varied cultural experience awaits anyone visiting the Gateway City.  There’s More Than Meets the Arch.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in St. Louis.