20+ Top Things to do in St. Louis with Kids
St. Louis is known as the gateway to the west. Located on the western side of the Mississippi River, St. Louis is a midwest town known for its blues music and Blues sports team.
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We’ve spent multiple trips in St. Louis for weeks at a time, and every time we are amazed at how much this city offers in terms of outdoor fun and city attractions. So if you are looking for the best things to do in St. Louis with kids for your next visit, here is a list that will last a while.
From a national park to sports and unique visitor attractions, you’ll find all sorts of family activities in St. Louis. Enjoy popular cuisine and scenic rides on the river. St. Louis makes the perfect family getaway with fun for all ages.
Table of Contents
Best Things to do in St. Louis with Kids
Let’s get right to the point and explore some of the most fun, family activities in St. Louis. Pick a few or if you have time, pick a lot!
1. Gateway Arch
Gateway Arch is the only national park in Missouri. It sits on 90 acres of national park land and stands 630 feet into the sky. It serves as a welcome to the west as it marks westward expansion during the 1800’s.
It’s free to enter the national park. Families can walk through the newly renovated museum that holds stories of Missouri’s past and how people lived upon inhabiting the land. You’ll also find exhibits about how the arch was constructed (its foundation goes 60 feet into the ground to keep it safe from earthquakes and wind!)
The best part of the arch is riding in the little tram up to the top. This part is not free, but if you have an interagency / America the Beautiful pass you can get discounts on the ride up. You’ll get to enjoy 10 minutes at the top as you overlook both the river side of the arch and the city on the other side.
2. Riverboat Cruise
I always hear that the best way to view a city is from the water. That’s no exception here!
Hop aboard a riverboat with a paddle wheel along the St. Louis waterfront and enjoy a narrated, scenic ride along the Mississippi River. You’ll get great views of the Arch, as well as other aspects of the city.
If you need something unique to do in St. Louis with the kids, this is one they will remember.
Hoping to do both the Arch and a Riverboat Cruise? Check out this tour that gives you both, plus a tour to some significant places around the city.
Arch & Riverboat Tour
- Go to the Top of the Arch
- Guided Tour of National Park area and museum
- Riverboat Cruise
- Drive by on a narrated tour of other St. Louis Landmarks
3. Union Station
1820 Market St
Union Station is a whole day in and of itself, but you can choose one or two things to do if you are short on time and have other great things to do in St. Louis with the kids.
A few of the fun things to do at Union Station St. Louis include:
- Indoor Aerial Ropes Course
- St. Louis Aquarium
- Mirror Maze
- The Selfie Express
- Ride the Carousel
- The St. Louis Wheel (Ferris Wheel)
- Whispering Arch
- Polar Express Train Ride (seasonal)
- Mini Golf
- Fire and Light Show (at the lake outside, on the hour 12-9pm daily)
See how it would be easy to spend an entire day here?
Here’s our experience with a few of the attractions.
Mirror Maze at Union Station in St. Louis
The Mirror Maze is upstairs inside Union Station. You’ll pay a fee to enter, and then try and make your way through the maze.
It’s quite tricky trying to decide which way is open vs which way is just a mirror. Much harder than it sounds.
As a warning, there is kinda a creepy theme toward the end. We didn’t know about this and my kids got pretty nervous. But it’s short and quick and by the time we were out, they wanted to go again.
Whispering Arch
This was a fun and free family activity in St. Louis that the kids really got a kick out of.
To get to Whispering Arch, you actually have to go around the back of Union Station to the Union Station Hotel. As you walk inside, before you go upstairs, you’ll notice a big arch in the ceiling.
Have a kid stand on one side and you or another child stand on the opposite wall. Then just whisper something and you’ll be able to hear crystal clear!
Besides the arch, the Union Station hotel is absolutely beautiful. It’s worth a stay to be close to all the attractions and have access to the pool.
Union Station Hotel
- Gorgeous property with famous Grand Hall and Whispering Arch
- Hosts weddings and events
- Beautiful Pool on site (seasonal)
- Multiple restaurants on site and within Union Station area
- Books up quickly! Reserve ASAP
4. St. Louis Zoo
1 Government Dr
The St. Louis Zoo is located within Forest Park in St. Louis. Not only is it great because USA Today rated it among the top 10 zoos in the US, but it is FREE to visit.
The zoo is large and I found it to be very easy to navigate. Plus, during the hot midwest summer, I really appreciated the vast amount of shade from trees along each section and habitat. This made it a little easier to be outside in St. Louis during the summer.
You can see all the typical animals here, like elephants rolling a ball, tigers, cheetahs, flamingos, penguins, monkeys, giant hippos right against the glass, and so much more.
Another great thing? Since the zoo is free, I was happy to buy overpriced concessions for my kids. It’s a great way to support the zoo…and keep the kids going strong.
5. Forest Park
5595 Grand Dr
Forest Park is a huge area, even bigger than New York’s Central Park. You’ll find the zoo (as noted above), fountains, a lake for paddle boating or kayaking, the MUNY Theater, the Missouri History Museum, Art Museum, Science Center, and more!
You can also enjoy just strolling along the paved paths throughout the park.
Check out all that Forest Park offers (and great pictures of what to expect).
6. Missouri Botanic Gardens and Tower Gove House
4344 Shaw Blvd
The Tower Grove House is a 9,000 square foot home where Henry Shaw lived until he died in 1889. He was the founder of the gardens, planting plenty of species you can still see today.
It then became home to Dr. William Trelease and his family.
It has since been renovated and restored while trying to keep the historical importance alive.
Today, tourist can walk through the home and admire the grandeur of space, furniture, and design.
The Tower Grove house is within the Missouri Botanic Gardens, where you can find nearly 5,000 trees. You’ll also get to see some of the plant species that Henry originally planted.
Walk along 79 acres to explore all variety of gardens, including the Chinese Garden, Victorian District, English Woodland Garden, or the 14 acres Japanese Garden.
7. St. Louis Aquarium
201 S 18th Street
While this was part of the Union Station section above, it’s a large enough and cool enough family activity in St. Louis to mention on it’s own.
The St. Louis Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the midwest. At 120,000 square feet, you’ll get to spend plenty of time learning and exploring.
Within the aquarium you’ll find ocean creatures, of course, but you’ll also get to discover water animals from Missouri’s rivers and rivers around the world.
From piranhas and Catfish to sharks, octopus, eels, and sting rays, there are plenty of ocean and river life animals to enjoy.
Open daily; check hours here
8. Grant’s Farm
7385 Grant Rd
Grant’s Farm is a great little farm that has been rated in the top 10 local businesses in the nation by Yelp.
General admission to is free, though you’ll have to pay parking and for any specific activities you’d like to do inside.
Once inside, you can pay a couple dollars for a bottle of milk to feed the baby goats, ride a camel, have a close-up with some Clydesdales, feed the parakeets, try to find the peacocks lounging around, visit the petting zoo, or ride the carousel.
Grant’s farm is open all seasons, with different seasonal activities taking place.
Summer brings warm nights and drone shows. Winter brings holiday lights and carriage rides.
You can check seasonal events and hours ahead of time.
9. Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
4431 Lindell Blvd
This cathedral is incredible. The church was completed in 1914 and is the head of the archdiocese of St. Louis. You can walk through and witness one of the world’s largest collection of mosaic art.
It’s open daily and tourists are welcome to visit, though be prepared that it may be closed due to weddings, funerals, or other events taking place.
You can tour the cathedral on your own, but if you’d like a guided tour you can all ahead to schedule one (314-373-8241).
10. Walk of Fame
Delmar Blvd
Forget going to Hollywood, you can take your own walk of fame on the streets of St. Louis.
Between the blocks of 6000-6600 on Delmar Blvd you can walk across stars on the sidewalk of people who have contributed historically and culturally, and all called St. Louis home at some point.
See the stars and plaques of people like Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Nelly, Tina Turner, T.S. Elliot, Scott Joplin, and John Goodman. There are over 150 stars to find.
As you walk, the street is surrounded by plenty of shops, galleries, bookstores, and more.
Check it out to plan your visit.
11. Bailey’s Chocolate Bar
1915 Park Ave
This is no quick candy factory. Bailey’s Chocolate Bar is a place great for unwinding and settling down. As a heads up, this is a nicer atmosphere. You don’t have to dress up for it (though you can if you want), but you do have to get your senses prepared for an incredible culinary experience.
As the name says, this place offers a menu of drinks, including plenty of chocolate martini choices. You’ll also have a variety of decadent chocolate desserts made from scratch.
While the majority of the menu is chocolate, you can also have your choice of a few appetizers and flatbreads, all made with creative ideas and high quality ingredients.
While hitting up a restaurant isn’t usually on my “things to do” lists, Bailey’s Chocolate Bar is a unique experience that is about more than just filling your belly.
Visit on the weekend in St. Louis or during the week to get your chocolate fix.
Find Bailey’s Chocolate Bar in Lafayette Square, noted below 🙂
12. Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Road
Laumeier Sculpture Park is a unique kind of park to visit. It’s one of the great things to do in St. Louis with kids if you need something FREE and active.
The sculpture park was created in 1976 after much of the land was donated years earlier from Matilda Laumeier in honor of her husband. Ernest Trova, a local artist, then donated 40 pieces of artwork to the park.
Today, the park is home to over 70 sculptures that are open for public viewing. You’ll get a great walk in the park as you roam around to find them and try to guess what each is and the meaning behind it.
13. Lafayette Square
2023 Lafayette Ave
San Francisco isn’t the only place that gets iconic painted ladies!
St. Louis has its own set of Painted Ladies, a name given to historical and colorful Victorian homes.
Lafayette Square is actually registered on the National Registry of Historic Places, thanks to its old (150+ years) homes, beautiful tree growth, green space, and social scene.
If you visit during the summer months, you might get to enjoy music in the park on some Saturday mornings.
14. Watch a Cardinal’s Baseball Game
700 Clark Ave
If you’re visiting during baseball season, check out the St. Louis’s Cardinals for a game. The games are held at Busch Stadium, not far from the Arch. You’ll get great views as well as a fun family time eating hot dogs as you root, root-root for the home team.
15. Catch a Blues Game
1401 Clark Ave
Winning the Stanley Cup in 2019, the Blues are the beloved hockey team in St. Louis. You can catch a game if you’re in town and cheer them on. Choose from budget or regular seating, or get close to the ice with premium seating.
16. World Chess Hall of Fame
4652 Maryland Ave
Got a chess player in the house? They’ll love going to a museum just for them!
The World Chess Hall of Fame features many, many themed chess sets. Take your photo in front of the building with the Guiness Book of World Records largest chess piece.
Then go inside to explore fun or fancy chess sets made by various artists and designers (like Gucci) at the Chess Capital of the US.
Visiting is free, though there is a suggested donation of just a few dollars to enjoy the exhibits.
17. Circus Flora
3401 Washington Ave
Experience a one-ring circus show that’s been around nearly 4 decades in St. Louis. Give the kids a classic childhood memory of going under the Big-Top and witnessing aerialists, acrobats, and animals in a highly entertaining show at Circus Flora.
Fun Fact: Why is it named “Circus Flora?” The circus got its name from an orphaned elephant that David Balding rescued after its mother was killed by poachers. The elephant was cared for and brought into the circus. That elephant’s name was Flora, and it starred in the show for 15 years.
18. City Garden
801 Market Street
During the summer months, kids will love running among the fountains and even hopping in the shallow reflection pool of City Garden in St. Louis to cool down. The park area also features summer events like music Mondays or yoga Wednesdays.
City Garden makes for a great family activity in St. Louis where the kids can run free. It is FREE to visit for the public.
19. City Museum
750 N 16th Street
This is not your average museum! If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in St. Louis with little kids, this is a great place where they can get active.
The City Museum in St. Louis offers all sorts of architectural playgrounds. Gone are the days of “keep hands off” and in are the days of “please climb around!”
This museum offers tunnels, caves, slides, and so much more that the kids can explore. Enjoy this imaginative place and grab your tickets ahead of time to explore this anything-but-normal-museum.
20. The Magic House Children’s Museum
516 S Kirkwood Rd
My kids were itty bitty when we visited the Magic House, so it’s been a minute. But I DO very clearly remember how they stayed sooo long climbing up and down the Jack and the Bean Stock over and over. Kids who really like those gross motor skills will probably do the same.
But there’s more to Magic House than climbing. This is a children’s museum that is really focused on play. Whether its music, art, or construction (another one we stayed a while at), there is something to interest every kid and make learning and moving fun and interesting.
21. National Museum of Transportation
2933 Barrett Station Rd
This is the real Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. When you’re visiting St. Louis with kids, this is a great place to entertain them as well as learn about about transportation history.
With nearly 200 exhibits, the National Museum of Transportation has the largest collection of transportation vehicles in the world.
From a passenger coach railroad from 1833 to the aircraft that was used on D-Day during the invasion at Normandy, the variety of things to see will last a while!
You can also opt to take a ride on the mini train or go explore the gardens on each level of the museum.
22. Six Flags
And last but not least, one of the classic family activities in St. Louis and around America is to visit the local Six Flags amusement park.
Whether you’re geared more for a gentle but thrilling ride on the swings or something more intense like the Ninja coaster, there’s something for every age. There’s even a great waterpark if you find yourself there on a hot day and need some relief.
Best Things to do in St. Louis with Kids
As you can see, you’ll need at least a few days to enjoy all the great family activities in St Louis. A town that is known for The Arch actually has so much more to offer for a family vacation to St. Louis. Visit a farm, walk through a maze, visit the sculptures, check out a unique museum, or attend a sports event. The options vary to suit any family.
Wear the kids out and then make sure to head to Bailey’s Chocolate Bar for a delicious end-of-day wind down. And don’t miss the Arch and Riverboat, two classic things to do in St. Louis with the family.
Enjoy these St. Louis attractions for kids as you spend some time at the Gateway to the West!
👉🏼 Don’t forget to book your stay at Union Station!
