St Louis reveals itself through contrasts: interactive history at the Gateway Arch, expansive green spaces, blues and a distinctive pizza tradition. You can explore the city according to your interests, through museums and science, gardens and parks, stages or regional cuisine. The attractions also differ in what they offer visitors: a tram ride with a clearly stated duration, interactive galleries or a garden with its own Japanese strolling garden.
History at the Gateway Arch
The tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch takes 45 to 60 minutes; interactive exhibits are included from the start. In the museum beneath the Gateway Arch, six interactive galleries present more than 200 years of St. Louis history. Admission to the museum is free for all visitors. For planning your time, the tram ride offers a specific time frame, while the galleries provide their own way to explore the city's history.
The Old Courthouse can also be visited for free. Sightseeing cruises with views of the skyline are offered along the St. Louis Riverfront—another way to experience the city from a different perspective.
Art and science
The Saint Louis Art Museum has collections featuring works of exceptional quality from nearly every culture and period. Admission is free every day, and the museum is also within walking distance of two MetroLink stations. The Saint Louis Science Center offers a different focus: admission is free there too, and its attractions include an OMNIMAX theater and a Discovery Room. If you're choosing between the two, art collections and science experiences are the distinct highlights.
Parks, gardens and conservation
Gateway Arch National Park encompasses more than 91 acres of urban green space, with reflecting pools, gardens and paved paths. Forest Park offers museums, golf courses and tennis courts. The Missouri Botanical Garden covers 79 acres; its Japanese strolling garden measures 14 acres. The garden was founded in 1859 and is a National Historic Landmark. The acreage gives a sense of their different scales: more than 91 acres of urban green space at Gateway Arch National Park and 79 acres at the Botanical Garden, including 14 acres for the strolling garden.
The Saint Louis Zoo is committed to protecting animals locally and around the world. Alongside gardens and parks, animal conservation is another distinct aspect of experiencing nature in St Louis.
Music and local cuisine
The Muny is an outdoor theater that has filled Forest Park with Broadway sounds for more than 100 years. The National Blues Museum explores the history of blues and celebrates the genre as the foundation of all modern American music. The museum also hosts indoor and outdoor performances throughout the year. Check the current events calendar before your visit.
The music venues offer different experiences: The Muny is an outdoor theater, while the National Blues Museum combines blues history with performances. Regional cuisine includes St. Louis-style pizza topped with Provel cheese. Gooey butter cake is available at restaurants in the St. Louis region—another culinary tip for your explorations.
Discover more destinations: Edmundson, Kinloch, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, Wildwood, Florissant, St Ann, Eureka, Chesterfield, Fenton, Kirkwood, Ellisville, Berkeley, Bridgeton, St. Louis, Earth City, Valley Park, Clayton, Sunset Hills, Green Park, Concord Township, Oakville, Ferguson.
For the overarching travel overview: Missouri.
