‘At 630 feet, the Gateway Arch has stood over the Mississippi since 1965 as a steel reminder of westward expansion and city pride.’ That one line still sets the tone for a visit to St. Louis: public riverfront space, walkable neighborhoods and museums you can actually spend a morning in. With accessible attractions, several free cultural institutions, a spirited local food and music scene, and easy river access, this city rewards short trips and long weekends alike. I’ve rounded up eight genuinely cool things to do in st louis that show why the city is worth exploring — from the Arch and Forest Park to offbeat museums, neighborhood food crawls, brewery tours and live entertainment. Expect practical tips (timed tickets, best photo times) and a few strong recommendations: the Arch is worth a half-day, Forest Park can fill an entire afternoon, and the City Museum is delightfully unpredictable. Below I’ll guide you through Iconic sights & parks; Neighborhoods & food; and Breweries, sports & music so you can pick the perfect mix for your visit.
Iconic Sights & Parks
These landmarks shape St. Louis’s public face: a commanding riverfront monument, a vast urban park with free museums, and one of the country’s most eccentric hands-on museums. They’re great for first-time visitors who want a mix of skyline views, green space and playful exploration.
1. Gateway Arch & Riverfront
Visit the Gateway Arch, ride the tram to the top and stroll the riverfront — it’s a compact, iconic half-day. The Arch stands 630 feet tall and was completed in 1965; a museum below, the Museum of Westward Expansion, places the structure in historical context about settlement and the Mississippi. The tram ride is a short 4–5 minute ascent to the observation pod, and the views of the river and city skyline are classic photo material.
Pair a tram visit with a riverboat cruise from Gateway Arch National Park and a quick stop at the Old Courthouse nearby. Seasonal schedules matter: tours and cruises run more frequently in spring–fall, and many services reduce hours in winter. Buy timed tram tickets in advance for busy weekends and holidays, and aim for early morning or golden hour for the best light and smaller crowds.
2. Forest Park & the St. Louis Zoo
Forest Park is a major urban green space — roughly 1,300 acres and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair — and it’s where the city goes to relax, exercise and visit free institutions. The park is home to the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum and the Missouri History Museum, among others.
The St. Louis Zoo offers free general admission and historically drew about 2–3 million visitors a year before the pandemic, making it one of the country’s busiest free zoos. The St. Louis Art Museum also maintains free general admission and houses strong collections in American and European art. Practical plan: spend a morning at the zoo, grab lunch at the park boathouse, then bike or walk the loops and finish the afternoon at the Art Museum.
Forest Park is ideal for families, runners and anyone who wants a large-city park without leaving the urban core. Bring layers for changing weather and consider renting a bike to cover more ground.
3. City Museum — Expect the Unexpected
The City Museum is a single-attraction phenomenon: part playground, part architectural salvage, and entirely hands-on. Opened in the late 1990s, it repurposes industrial materials into sprawling multi-level exhibits that invite climbing, crawling and discovery.
Highlights include the outdoor MonstroCity playground, an indoor network of tunnels and slides, and a ten-story slide that’s a favorite for adventurous visitors. The experience suits families and adults who like tactile, exploratory spaces. Plan to spend 2–3 hours, wear closed-toe shoes, and expect to climb; the museum’s layout rewards wandering rather than rigid scheduling.
Neighborhoods, Food & Markets
St. Louis neighborhoods offer distinct dining, shopping and music personalities — from custard counters and legendary barbecue to lively markets and late-night venues. If you want a taste of local life, these districts are the place to start; they’re compact enough for an evening crawl.
For ideas on what to try, the Delmar Loop, The Hill and Soulard cover live music, old‑world food and a bustling farmers market. And if you’re curious about cool things to do in st louis beyond the major sights, neighborhood strolls deliver the best local color.
4. The Delmar Loop — Music, Shopping and The Pageant
The Delmar Loop is a compact arts-and-entertainment corridor with an easy evening rhythm. It’s home to venues like The Pageant, a steady concert stop for national touring acts, plus the St. Louis Walk of Fame and plenty of music bars and clubs.
Spend a night catching a show at The Pageant, browsing vintage and indie shops, and grabbing a casual meal at Blueberry Hill, which celebrates local music history (Chuck Berry memorabilia is on display). The district works well for a relaxed, walkable evening of dinner, music and people-watching.
5. The Hill — Old-World Italian Eats
The Hill is St. Louis’s famed Italian neighborhood, known for family-run restaurants, bakeries and delis that stretch back generations. It’s the place for hearty plates, espresso and outstanding pastries.
Build a focused food crawl: start with a bakery for coffee and pastry, try toasted ravioli at a longtime tavern, then sit down at a neighborhood trattoria for handmade pasta and family-style portions. Weekends get busy, so consider reservations for popular dinner spots and plan your route to include a few small shops along the way.
6. Soulard Farmers Market & Nightlife
Soulard blends a historic market with a lively nightlife strip. The Soulard Farmers Market is one of the oldest public markets west of the Mississippi and runs most days, offering fresh produce, baked goods and artisanal items from local vendors.
Start a morning run through market stalls for seasonal produce and specialty foods, then return in the evening for bar hopping and live music at neighborhood joints. Soulard also hosts big annual events — its Mardi Gras festivities are among the largest in the city — so check calendars if you want to time a visit for a festival.
Breweries, Sports & Live Entertainment
St. Louis has a deep brewing history, a devoted sports fan base and venues to match every musical taste. From historic Anheuser-Busch tours to a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium or an intimate concert at The Pageant, you can pair a brewery afternoon with an evening show or a ballgame.
7. Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour & Beer Halls
A brewery tour at Anheuser-Busch is a classic St. Louis experience that mixes history with spectacle. The company’s roots in the city date to the 19th century, and the visitor center highlights historic bottling displays, brewing artifacts and the famous Budweiser Clydesdales.
Tours typically run about 45–90 minutes and include exhibits and optional tastings. The site is family-friendly during the day — people come for the horses, displays and large beer-hall atmosphere — and it’s a good option for groups or beer-curious travelers. Book ahead for popular weekend slots and plan to pair the tour with a meal at a local beer garden or taproom.
8. Catch a Cardinals Game or Local Concert
Attending a St. Louis Cardinals game is a cultural ritual for many locals. The Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, and Busch Stadium seats roughly 45,000 fans, making game day an energetic, communal experience.
Buy tickets in advance for weekend games, arrive early to try stadium food and local beers, and use public transit or rideshares to avoid parking headaches. If you prefer smaller-scale shows, the city’s venues — from The Pageant to neighborhood bars — host intimate concerts and touring acts year-round. Game nights and concert nights both give you a strong sense of local pride and music culture.
Summary
- The Gateway Arch remains the city’s defining sight: 630 feet of skyline drama with a short tram ride and a thoughtful museum below.
- Forest Park’s roughly 1,300 acres and free institutions — notably the St. Louis Zoo and Art Museum — make it easy to spend an entire day without spending much.
- The City Museum is delightfully odd and hands-on: expect MonstroCity, a ten-story slide and lots of repurposed industrial materials to climb through.
- Neighborhoods drive much of the city’s flavor: The Hill for Italian comfort food, the Delmar Loop for live music and Soulard for market mornings and lively evenings.
- Historic brewery tours, Cardinals games (Busch Stadium ≈45,000 seats) and a vibrant live-music scene round out what to see in St. Louis — book timed-entry activities (tram, brewery tours, major events) and pick 2–3 items from this list for a weekend visit.
