St.Louis, Missouri, the gateway to the west is the perfect destination for families from anywhere in the United States because of it’s central location and airport that all major cities fly to. Not only is the town pretty compact, but most attractions are free or cheap. The food is outstanding, and the weather, especially in summer, is really enjoyable.
TRANSPORTATION:
Our flight from Dallas to STL St.Louis Lambert airport was less than 2 hours. Although we had only 48 hours there, we rented a car simply because of having to use car seats. The city is small and all the attractions are close by which means Uber is also a great option. Most places were within 15 mins drive of each other.
STAY:
We stayed at a chain hotel in the Forest Park area. Clayton to the west is also a great neighborhood to stay in, that’s close to the main attractions.
DO:
There is a ton of things to do! Here’s what we did in 48 hours:
The City Museum: This is unlike anything we have ever seen. It is an indoor and outdoor playground situated in a 10-story building. Built entirely of recycled materials, city museum has the most fun slides, caverns, mazes, restaurants and so much more! Purchase your tickets online, and once you get there, purchase the optional Rooftop tickets. But trust me, you do not want to miss the rooftop! Plan on staying all day! They are constantly adding more, so make sure you set apart a whole day or most of it for this place. Check out my reel below.
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The Gateway Arch: The most well-known landmark of the city. Visiting this place is a rite of passage for Americans. While it is free to visit the museum inside, it does cost a fee to ride to the top where you get a magnificent view of the city. Book well in advance as tickets are limited! Even if you don’t go inside, make sure to take a picture of it. Check out some of ours! Pack a picnic and spend some quiet time at the park Gateway Park. You can even cross over to neighboring Illinois, to the Malcolm Martin Memorial Park to get an entire different and beautiful view of it!
Forest Park: This is a HUGE public park that has several attractions Full info on all of them can be found here
The most prominent of them is the Zoo, Art Museum and Science Center. All of these are free but make sure to check their website on requirements for reservations. During the pandemic, reservations were needed for entry. Plan on spending a day or two here. There is so much to see. We saw a little of the zoo, and all of the Science Center. But the zoo being one of the finest in the country, absolutely deserves a good deal of time. The Science Museum was also pretty nice, but not a must. On a beautiful day, bike or walk Forest Park, rent a canoe or kayak at the Boathouse, and look for events hosted at the Muny.
Missouri Botanical Garden: While this isn’t free, it is well worth the cost. We took advantage of our reciprocal membership from a local garden to visit for free. The most notable parts of MoBot for us were the Origami in the garden, and the Climatron, but the garden has much more, such as the Ottoman and Japanese sections, as well as a program for kids.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis: Religious places are always on our list simply because they are built out of love, faith and belief. The Cathedral Basilica is one of the few we’ve visited in the last few years that has actually made our jaws drop. The green main dome, the altar and the baldachino are breathtaking. Stay awhile and admire the mosaic and grandeur of this church that took over 80 years to complete.
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EAT
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: Believe it or not, this is the main reason we went to St. Louis! Both locations are in St. Louis, so you and me have no other choice but to keep coming back here for the real thing. My fave: The Terramizzou concrete, a mix so thick, you can turn the cup upside down, and it won’t fall. Pro-tip: check the menu online before you go, so you won’t have decision paralysis. Or if you do, just come back soon to try the other flavors!
St.Louis Style BBQ: Pappy’s, Bogart’s and Salt+Smoke are known for St.Louis style of BBQ with it’s saucy deliciousness. The children’s pick: the burnt ends at Pappy’s.
Gooey Butter Cake: Yet another food that is unique to the city, gooey butter cake is sold in many restaurants and cafes, but two favorites that deserve their reputation are Russell’s on Maclind, and Park City Coffee. The latter also offers many varieties, so get one of everything. Park Cities also has delicious coffee, so come in anyway!
Imo’s Pizza: Luckily they are a chain and have more than a few locations in the area, so you are never far off from one. Our kids loved them so much we took a whole pie home to Texas! They also have toasted ravioli, yet another STL specialty.
Patisserie Choquette: We love bakeries, and this one delivered a hit with every item! Ordering windows during the pandemic are only during each workday. So set your alarms so you don’t miss out on their signature item The Darkness.
Check out my IG post on more details and places!
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NOTES:
There was so much to do that 48 hours on a holiday weekend was simply not enough! On our next trip, we plan to also visit
- Cahokia Mounds in nearby Illinois
- St. Louis Art Museum
- Visit St. Charles and other towns outside of St. Louis. I’ve been before, and think it is a great place to visit with family.
