Top Attractions in St. Louis

St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, a geographic fact that shaped its destiny as the gateway to the American West. Today, the city blends that pioneering heritage with a remarkably generous cultural scene, where nearly every major museum and attraction is free of charge.

Gateway Arch National Park

The 630-foot Gateway Arch, designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen, is the tallest man-made monument in the United States and the defining symbol of St. Louis. A tram ride to the top offers panoramic views stretching 30 miles on a clear day. The renovated Museum at the Gateway Arch below tells the story of westward expansion, Native American history, and the construction of this engineering marvel. The surrounding park grounds along the Mississippi riverfront have been beautifully redesigned with walking paths, rain gardens, and direct connections to downtown.

Forest Park

Larger than New York's Central Park, Forest Park is the crown jewel of St. Louis and the site of the 1904 World's Fair. The park houses five of the city's top institutions, all free: the Saint Louis Art Museum with its collection of masterworks from antiquity to the present, the Saint Louis Zoo consistently ranked among the best zoos in the country, the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center, and the Muny, the nation's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater. Walking paths, lakes, golf courses, and the beautiful Jewel Box greenhouse round out the experience.

City Museum

There is no place in the world quite like City Museum. Built inside a former shoe factory by artist Bob Cassilly, this surreal indoor-outdoor playground features tunnels made from industrial salvage, a school bus hanging off the roof, a 10-story spiral slide, caves, aquariums, and a rooftop Ferris wheel. It is as much fun for adults as it is for children, and it perfectly captures the creative, offbeat spirit of St. Louis.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

This stunning Byzantine-Romanesque cathedral in the Central West End houses one of the largest mosaic collections in the world. Over 41.5 million glass tesserae pieces cover the walls, arches, and domes, depicting biblical scenes and the history of the Catholic Church in St. Louis. The sheer scale and beauty of the mosaics leave visitors awestruck. Admission is free.

Food and Dining Scene

St. Louis has a proud and distinctive food identity. Toasted ravioli, breaded and deep-fried pasta pillows filled with meat, was invented in The Hill, the city's Italian American neighborhood. Mama's on the Hill and Charlie Gitto's both serve excellent versions alongside red gravy and freshly baked bread. The Hill is also home to Amighetti's Bakery, where the signature special sandwich on fresh-baked bread is a local obsession.

St. Louis-style pizza is another divisive local treasure, featuring a thin cracker-like crust, Provel cheese (a processed blend unique to the region), and sweet tomato sauce cut into squares. Imo's Pizza is the classic chain, loved and debated in equal measure. For barbecue, Pappy's Smokehouse in Midtown draws lines down the block for its Memphis-style ribs. The Delmar Loop in University City is a vibrant strip of restaurants, shops, and music venues, anchored by Blueberry Hill, the beloved bar where Chuck Berry performed weekly residencies for decades. Do not leave without trying gooey butter cake, the rich, sweet, custardy St. Louis dessert found at Gooey Louie and bakeries citywide.

Outdoor Activities

St. Louis offers more outdoor recreation than most visitors expect, thanks to its extensive park system and riverside location.

  • Biking the Great Rivers Greenway: A growing network of paved trails connects St. Louis's parks and communities. The River des Peres Greenway and Grant's Trail are popular routes for cycling and running through forests, parks, and historic neighborhoods.
  • Paddling on the Meramec River: Just southwest of the city, the Meramec River offers excellent canoeing and kayaking through scenic bluffs and wooded valleys. Outfitters in the area provide canoe, kayak, and tube rentals for half-day or full-day trips.
  • Tower Grove Park: This Victorian-era park in South City features ornate gazebos, lily ponds, a farmers market, and community events. The surrounding Tower Grove South neighborhood is one of the most diverse and walkable areas in the city.
  • Exploring Castlewood State Park: Perched on bluffs above the Meramec River, Castlewood offers challenging hiking trails with panoramic views, river access for fishing and wading, and ruins from the old resort community that once occupied the area.

Nightlife and Entertainment

St. Louis has deep roots in blues, jazz, and rock and roll, and the live music scene remains vibrant. The Delmar Loop is the cultural heartbeat of the metro area, with Blueberry Hill, the Pageant concert venue, and the Duck Room all within walking distance. Broadway Oyster Bar downtown serves Cajun food and books some of the best blues and roots acts in the region in its quirky courtyard setting.

The Grove neighborhood on Manchester Avenue has emerged as the city's most energetic nightlife district, with cocktail bars, dance clubs, and LGBTQ-friendly establishments lining the street. For a more refined evening, head to the Central West End, where cocktail lounges like Brasserie by Niche and the rooftop at the Chase Park Plaza offer elegant surroundings. The Fox Theatre, a spectacular 1929 Siamese-Byzantine movie palace, hosts major touring Broadway productions and concerts in one of the most breathtaking theater interiors in America.

Hidden Gems

Lemp Mansion

The Lemp family was a brewing dynasty whose story ended in tragedy, and their lavish 33-room mansion in the Benton Park neighborhood is now a restaurant, inn, and reportedly one of the most haunted places in America. Mystery dinner theater events and ghost tours draw visitors year-round, and the brewing caverns beneath the property offer a fascinating glimpse into St. Louis's beer-making past.

Cahokia Mounds

Just across the river in Illinois, Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site preserves the remains of the largest pre-Columbian settlement north of Mexico. At its peak around 1100 AD, Cahokia was home to 20,000 people and featured massive earthen mounds, the largest of which, Monks Mound, rises 100 feet above the floodplain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is free to visit and profoundly awe-inspiring.

Soulard Farmers Market

Operating since 1779, Soulard is one of the oldest public markets in the country. The Saturday morning market fills the open-air pavilion and surrounding streets with vendors selling fresh produce, flowers, spices, meats, and prepared foods. The surrounding Soulard neighborhood is a charming district of brick row houses, corner bars, and live music venues, especially lively during the massive Soulard Mardi Gras celebration each February.