How Kids can enjoy at St Louis?
St. Louis is the state’s second-largest city, and it’s home to stunning vistas of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers as well as a rich history that dates back to the time of French fur traders in the 1760s. Here are some family-friendly activities to enjoy in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as some of the city’s finest restaurants and accommodations. We can attest that many fun things to do here won’t break the bank.
Places That Kids Will Love in St. Louis, Missouri
Gateway Arch National Park
St. Louis is sometimes called “The Gateway to the West,” which is why the city’s namesake arch is so significant. Visit Gateway Arch National Park to take pictures in front of this shining, 630-foot-tall monument. A magnificent museum explains the arch’s amazing construction in 1963, as well as St. Louis’ interesting history of early Native Americans, bold pioneers, and intrepid explorers. Visiting the museum and arch is free of charge, but the tram ride to the observation deck is not.
Zoo in St. Louis.
The St. Louis Zoo was named America’s Best Free Attraction by USA Today in 2016 and with good cause. The zoo’s grounds are immaculately maintained, and its 14,000 animals represent nearly 500 species. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the amazing tree house building at the Primate Canopy Trails, where they can also watch monkeys swinging overhead. The train and carousel are available for an additional fee, as are the stingray feeding at Caribbean Cove and the dinosaur display Dinoroarus.
Forest Park
This gorgeous 1,300-acre park is home to some of St. Louis’ top attractions and is worthy of a full day of your time. The Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Muny Theatre, and the St. Louis Zoo are all located there. Pagoda Circle, a beautiful island with an elegant marble building, and the Cabanne House, the first brick farmhouse west of the Mississippi River, are only two of the park’s other notable features. Walk beside a 75-foot waterfall, explore Kennedy Forest, and have fun in the Nature Playscape, a 17-acre playground with sand play, tree tunnels, stump steps, and more.
The Saint Louis Science Museum
With over 96,000 square feet to explore, this free museum packs in over 700 hands-on exhibits. Visits to the IMAX cinema, planetarium, and Discovery Room (an activity area for younger children) have separate entrance prices, as do parking and any special rotating exhibits. Learn more about ecology and the environment, energy, agriculture, laboratory skills, space, and more at the Saint Louis Science Center, which consistently ranks among the top five science facilities in the United States.
The Missouri Botanical Gardens
With its origins dating back to 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis is among the oldest botanical gardens in the United States. It is one of the best three botanical gardens in the world, covering a whopping 79 acres of greenery. There is a Japanese garden, a children’s garden, and a dome conservatory known as the Climatron at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. A variety of plants, from water lilies to roses to crepe myrtle, are on display for guests.
The Muny
As America’s first and largest open-air theatre, the Muny is a cultural icon. The Muny is a free outdoor amphitheater where shows including Disney and Cameron Macintosh’s Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and more are performed before an audience of 1,500. Over the past century and a half, the theatre has brought a taste of Broadway to Forest Park.
The Municipal Art Gallery
This one-of-a-kind facility in St. Louis is a century-old warehouse for shoes that have been converted into a variety of interesting exhibits and museums. The museum contains a Ferris wheel on the roof and a bus that seems to be leaning over the edge of its fourth level, among other unusual exhibits. Children under the age of six are welcome in the Toddler Town Area. You don’t want to get a friction burn from sliding down the slides, so make sure to wear shoes and clothes that will prevent you from potential damage.
Union Station in St. Louis
Union Station in St. Louis, Missouri, was once a hub of activity on the railroad, and it now serves as a terrific starting point for a day of sightseeing and entertainment. Incredible sights include the St. Louis Aquarium, which is home to 13,000 species and six halls of aquatic wonders; the 200-foot-tall St. Louis Wheel; a carousel; a ropes course; 18 holes of mini golf; a mirror maze; a train park and a variety of restaurants. The St. Louis Union Station Soda Fountain serves the best “freak shakes,” and therefore, in our opinion, is the best in the city.
Missouri History Museum
Every fascinating aspect of St. Louis’ past, from the Civil Rights Movement to Cardinals baseball, is documented in this free museum. Open from Tuesdays to Sundays, the History Clubhouse is a kid-friendly museum with replicas of famous structures, a World’s Fair, a riverboat, and a part where visitors can dress up in clothing from different eras.
Saint Louis Art Museum
Over five thousand years, this free museum displays over thirty-three thousand paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and cultural occurrences. Children who are at an appropriate age to appreciate art will enjoy a visit to the St. Louis Art Museum the most.
City Garden
Fountains, gardens, and sculptures can all be found in City Garden, an urban sculpture park. Children of all ages will have a blast playing in the 102 fountain spray plaza. In addition to the six rain gardens, 180-foot-long pool, and 6-foot-tall waterfall, families may enjoy the park’s 24 sculptures. The park is open all year and has over 235 different species of trees, plants, flowers, and bushes. Tours of the garden that highlight its sculptures, architecture, and landscaping can be arranged for guests, but they must be scheduled two weeks in advance.
Final Words
St. Louis is a great place to visit as a family because there are so many exciting activities for children to enjoy. Whether your family is like sports, museums, the outdoors, or theatre, St. Louis has something for everyone.