St. Louis is an exciting midwestern American city renowned for its iconic Gateway Arch and rich cultural heritage. St. Louis boasts many old and new attractions that appeal to travelers of all kinds; whether your interest lies in history, art, nature, or sports – St. Louis offers something for all travelers! In this article, we will outline some of the top activities you should experience while visiting St. Louis.
Visit The Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch is perhaps St. Louis’ most recognizable landmark and should be on any visitor’s itinerary when in town. Standing 630 feet tall, the Arch offers breathtaking views of both St. Louis and the Mississippi River from its peak vantage point. Visitors can even take a tram ride up to its summit for spectacular panoramas from up top.
Explore Forest Park
Forest Park, situated at 1,300 acres in St. Louis’ heart, is one of the country’s largest urban parks, offering visitors an array of activities. Home to Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, and Saint Louis Zoo, as well as offering walking/biking trails and a golf course, visitors will have plenty of reasons to come explore Forest Park!
Visit The Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park stands as one of the top art museums in the country. Boasting an extensive collection of European, American, and Asian artwork – including Vincent van Gogh’s “Olive Trees,” Jackson Pollock’s “Blue Poles,” and Andy Warhol’s Campbell Soup Cans – among others – its highlights include some truly memorable exhibits.
Discover Missouri Botanical Garden! Come explore it
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a 79-acre botanical garden situated in St. Louis’ Shaw neighborhood and features multiple gardens such as Japanese, Chinese, and Victorian, as well as its Climatron dome that houses a rainforest environment. Visitors to this beautiful oasis will also appreciate visiting its Climatron dome, which allows for some restorative rain showers during a visit!
Visit The Saint Louis Science Center
The Saint Louis Science Center, situated in Forest Park, features hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, and planetarium shows that are fun for visitors of all ages. Topics explored by exhibits at this institution range from physics and biology to space exploration; two popular attractions are McDonnell Planetarium and OMNIMAX Theater.
Take a Brewery Tour
St. Louis boasts an illustrious beer brewing tradition, and visitors can learn more by taking a brewery tour. One popular tour option in St. Louis is Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour which gives an exclusive behind-the-scenes view into beer production as well as offering tasting opportunities at its conclusion.
Visit The City Museum
Located in downtown St. Louis, the City Museum is an interactive museum that features numerous exhibits, such as a giant ball pit, a roof-mounted Ferris wheel, and a 10-story slide. Furthermore, visitors can explore underground caves and tunnels beneath the museum for added thrills and adventure!
Attend a Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is home to one of Major League Baseball’s most celebrated franchises – the St. Louis Cardinals – offering fans an opportunity to witness live baseball action while experiencing its electric atmosphere. Visitors are welcome to experience this unforgettable experience for themselves at any Cardinals game at Busch Stadium!
Missouri History Museum
The Missouri History Museum can be found in Forest Park, and features exhibits that explore Missouri and St. Louis history, from Louisiana Purchase, Civil War, and World’s Fair events. There are various artifacts on display as part of its exhibits that display this state’s rich past – Louisiana Purchase, Civil War & World’s Fair exhibits are just a few examples.
Visit The St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo is situated in Forest Park and is one of the top-rated zoos in America, boasting more than 16,000 animals from all corners of the globe, such as elephants, lions, penguins, primates, and numerous primates. In addition, several exhibits can also be found here, such as Emerson Children’s Zoo or River’s Edge, which features animals from Asia, Africa, South America, and even North America.
Walk Around Delmar Loop
The Delmar Loop in St. Louis is an exciting neighborhood boasting shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues of all kinds. Renowned for its eclectic mix of vintage clothing stores, record shops, and live music venues, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along its pathways and absorb its unique atmosphere.
Visit The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis can be found in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood and is widely considered one of the country’s most stunning churches. With a stunning interior adorned with over 41 million mosaic tiles, visitors can take guided tours to explore its history and architecture.
Take a Riverboat Cruise
St. Louis lies along the Mississippi River, offering visitors the chance to explore it from another perspective by taking a riverboat cruise. Offering stunning views of the Gateway Arch and the city skyline as well as live entertainment or dining services onboard some cruises, riverboat cruises provide unique ways to discover this city from a whole new angle.
Visit The Old Courthouse
Situated in downtown St. Louis and recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the Old Courthouse stands as a National Historic Landmark. Built during the mid-1800s and hosting some historic trials such as the Dred Scott case trials – visitors can take guided tours to learn about its history and significance.
Explore The Soulard Farmers Market
Soulard Farmers Market has been open since 1779, featuring over 100 vendors selling fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and other food items for sale. Visitors can stroll the market while sampling some local cuisine.
Conclusion
St. Louis offers something for everyone, from its iconic landmarks and world-class museums to vibrant neighborhoods and outdoor activities. No matter if it’s your first visit or you have lived here for some time – there’s always something new to experience and explore in St. Louis, with its rich history, cultural heritage, and variety of attractions making this city worth seeing!
