What to do in Saint Louis with Kids
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Saint louis is very family friendLy. This photo was taken by katie beach pHotographY
I fell in love with Saint Louis. I didn’t know what to expect as I planned our trip, but what I came to find is that Saint Louis is one of the friendliest cities I have ever been to in the United States. There are so many things to do in Saint Louis with kids and it needs to be on your travel bucket list. I’ve compiled all of our favorite things to do with kids in Saint Louis; from the best places to eat to the best places to stay. Use this traveler’s guide to Saint Louis to help you plan your family adventure!
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Table of Contents - click any of the links to jump to what you’re looking for!
How to Get to Saint Louis
Charletta getting on our non-stop Allegiant flight from Destin to St Louis
Fly to Saint Louis
Saint Louis has TWO main airports. The first and most popular is the Louis Lambert International Airport located in Saint Louis proper. Here you will find flights from Air Canada, Delta, Frontier, Air Choice One, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest, and even chartered flights. This is the largest airport in the area.
The second is the MidAmerica St Louis Airport located about 25 miles outside the city. This airport is serviced by Allegiant Airlines which only offers direct flights, but they are at a great price. This is how we got to Saint Louis; a direct flight from Destin, Florida to Saint Louis.
READ NEXT: 15 Ways to Entertain Kids on Plan or in Car!
Drive to Saint Louis
Driving to Saint Louis is a great option, especially if you’re traveling across the country. However, I must say that parking is limited Downtown, so plan to pay to park hourly, daily or in 24-hour increments.
How far is Saint Louis from Chicago? 4 hours and 40 minutes driving
How far is Saint Louis from Oklahoma City? 7 hours and 30 minutes
How far is Saint Louis from Kansas City? 3 hours and 50 minutes
How far is Saint Louis from Nashville? 4 hours and 40 minutes
Did you know that Saint Louis is only 4 hours and 45 minutes drive from Mammoth Cave National Park, only 6 hours from Hot Springs National Park, and only 4.5 hours from Indiana Dunes National Park? If you’re interested in adding National Parks to your trip, St Louis is a great jumping-off point.
Best Places to Stay in St Louis with Kids
Best Hotels in St Louis for Families
Drury Plaza St Louis at the Arch: Drury Plaza was a very family-friendly accommodation in Saint Louis. The staff greeted us and helped us at every stage of our stay. The rooms are very clean and spacious. The indoor pool provided a nice warm reprieve from the windy cold. In the morning, Drury Plaza offers a large selection for their complimentary continental breakfast. Specifically, Charletta loved the freshly made waffles, pancakes, and hard-boiled eggs. In the evening from 5-7 pm, every guest will enjoy 3 complimentary alcoholic beverages and a nice selection of heavy appetizers at the “Kick Back.” The main feature of this hotel is its proximity to Gateway Arch and its amazing hotel room views! I highly recommend this hotel and will stay here ANY time I am in Saint Louis in the future!
Drury Inn St. Louis at Union Station: This hotel is extremely convenient to Union Station. The front doors are only steps from the St Louis Aquarium, the Saint Louis Wheel, delicious dining and so much more. The superbly clean rooms offer city views. The staff is extremely friendly. You can’t go wrong with the Drury Inn St Louis at Union Station.
Check out my guide to the the The Best Family Friendly Hotels in St Louis.
Views from our room at the Drury Plaza Saint Louis at the Arch — it was amazing!
The indoor pool at the Drury Plaza Saint Louis was a welcome break from the cold weather!
The Best Places to Eat in St Louis with Kids
Sauce on the Side was an absolute GEM. I loved it and have been day dreaming of our meal!
Sauce on the Side: This new take on pizza will have you dreaming of more. Every dish is baked like a calzone with, of course, sauce on the side. Every dish is also made to order with fresh, carefully thought out ingredients. I had the famous “Hot Mother Clucker” and it’s Mozzarella, Buffalo Chicken, Fontina, Shredded Carrots, Green Onions, and Crumbled Blue Cheese. Served with Garlic Chipotle Ranch “on the side.” — I think about this meal all the time. It was amazing.
Soda Fountain: Located in the Saint Louis Union Station, this restaurant is one of the most kid friendly places to eat in Saint Louis. It’s set up like an old Soda Fountain. The staff is super friendly and the food is good. BUT the real star of the show is the ice cream, milkshakes, floats, sundaes, and freak shakes. We got the Un-Birthday Freak Shake and it was incredible. My daughter was in ice cream heaven.
Fitz Rootbeer: Fitz’s Root Beer, the flagship soda, is made according to an original recipe developed in St. Louis in 1947. While Fitz was opened in 1993, its Rootbeer dates back to the 1940s. Now located on the Delmar Loop, families can enjoy delicious food, original rootbeer straight from the bottling room (and other sodas) as well as their famous rootbeer floats!
Barbeque: For the best BBQ in Saint Louis, be sure to check out Pappy’s Smokehouse or Sugarfire Smokehouse. Both are excellent options for some of the best Barbeque in Saint Louis.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: For an authentic Saint Louis custard experience, be sure to visit Ted Drewes. Since 1929 Americans haven’t been able to get enough of this delicious custard. in 1930, the first Saint Louis shop opened and Ted Drewes Frozen Custard has become a popular treat for St. Louisans and tourists to enjoy after visiting the Arch, the Fox and Muny Theaters, the St. Louis Zoo, or a Cardinal’s baseball game.
READ NEXT: 6 Tips for Traveling with a Picky Eater
Everyone loves the un-birthday freak shake from soda fountain in union square
What to Do in Saint Louis with Kids
There are so many fun things to do in Saint Louis with kids. This list isn’t all-inclusive, but it’s a great place to start. We have explored many corners of this city and found a plethora of family-friendly things to do in St Louis. Below is the list of our favorite kid activities in Saint Louis.
The three of us with Gateway Arch in Saint Louis
Visiting Gateway Arch with kids is an absolutely must-do on your visit. Gateway Arch is an American icon and extremely family-friendly. This is the smallest National Park in the registry, but it surely shouldn’t be overlooked. The newly renovated museum takes visitors through the history of Missouri, Saint Louis, and the process of designing and building the Arch. There is a very nice area to grab lunch, a gift shop with a variety of items to choose from. The park costs $3 to enter but the fee is waived for National Park Pass holders. To take a Ranger-guided tour of the National Park visit the NPS website.
But the highlight of this visit has to be riding up to the top of the Arch. I highly recommend booking your tour to the top in advance as they sell out. Tickets to go to the top can be purchased HERE and cost $15-$19 per adult and $11-14 for children over 3. On windy days, you can feel the sway. We have gone to the top of the Arch on two different trips and it is worth it every time! Heading to the top of Gateway Arch is one of the most fun things to do in Saint Louis with kids!
The Junior Ranger Program is one of the best things to do in Gateway Arch with Kids
When you visit Gateway Arch with kids, don’t forget to participate in the Junior Ranger program and earn their Junior Ranger Badge! The Junior Ranger Program is one of the best things to do in Saint Louis with kids because it teaches the full history of the native peoples, the creation of the city, the importance of Saint Louis to the USA, and of course, how the Arch was built! This is a free thing to do in Saint Louis with kids, but probably one of the most rewarding.
Check out the 48+ other National Parks we’ve visited with Kids!
The view of Saint Louis from the top of Gateway Arch
The kids standing under the Arch
In 1993 a 10 story, 600,000 square foot shoe factory was purchased and turned into a “city within a city” - a creation of interactive art exhibits straight from your dreams. The museum officially opened in 1997 and has been home to some of the largest and most unique art exhibits in the United States. Here you will find 10-Story slides, indoor/outdoor adventure, a rooftop area to explore, Toddler Town, a network of caves, and so much more! You never know where each tunnel will lead, so get your imagination going at City Museum! City Museum is definitely one of the top things to do for fun with Kids in Saint Louis!
This museum is extremely popular, so try to arrive right when they open or later in the evening. The cost is $16 per person for anyone over 2 years old. This museum is worth it’s price. This is by far one of the best museums in the United States.
City Museum Pro Tips:
1) Bring or buy knee pads there.
2) Do not bring several young children with only one parent….I suggest a one to one adult/child ratio to experience the museum fully. (If your kids are older this won’t matter as much)
3) Be prepared to spend a full day here. There are snack/drink vendors throughout the facility.
Magic House:
We had the chance to spend an entire day at the Magic House in Saint Louis and let me tell you, it deserves an entire day. This would rank as one of the most thorough children’s museums in the country. With over 19 exhibits including both indoor and outdoor adventures and a miniature town, Magic House finds a way to stimulate all ages and minds. If you’re in St Louis with kids, you must add Magic House to your itinerary. You can pack a picnic or enjoy an amazing lunch at the Picnic Basket Cafe (it’s really good). Parking is free. The cost of admission is $12 per person over the age of 1. ***Military and Foster families get FREE admission.
Latham working on cars at the Magic House
charletta serving ice cream to friends at magic house in saint louis
Union Station
On September 1, 1894 the first trail pulled into Union Station. Soon, Union Station in Saint Louis would become one of the largest and busiest passenger terminals in the entire world. Not only was St Louis the Gateway to the West, it became the Gateway to America!
Today, trains no longer come and go from the station, but Saint Louis continues to pay homage to the impact Union Station had by renovating the space to deliver a variety of activities and adventures all in one place. Here you’ll find some of the best food in Saint Louis, some of the best activities in Saint Louis, and you’ll be standing inside of a National Historic Landmark all the while. Below are some of the best spots in Saint Louis Union Station!
The Saint Louis Aquarium is a new hands on aquarium.
Saint Louis Aquarium: This destination is known as an interactive aquarium. With touch pools located in several locations, you’ll have the chance to hold a sea cucumber, let Doctor Fish gently nibble (clean) your hands, pet a stingray, let shrimp crawl on your fingers, or even touch a Starfish! A knowledgeable staff is located at every exhibit to explain each animal’s ecology, lifestyle and dive further into its origin. For kids, there is a learning program where kids can scan their cards and be quizzed on different habitats. Complete all of them for a prize! The St Louis Aquarium boasts over 13,000 animals in more than 250,000 gallons of water. Dozens of world-class animal exhibits and indoor activities. **Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance as a limited number of tickets are available each day.
Build a Bear: We had our first ever Build A Bear experience in St Louis. It was WAY more fun and exciting than I imagined. First, you pick a bear, then it’s sounds, then dress it however you want! We left with an amazing Elsa bear who sings her signature song from Frozen 2 and has a sweet message from my husband. We also left with a fully decked-out Chase dog from the show Paw Patrol; he even has 4 roller skates! The location in Union Station is soon to be the “Bearquarters” (headquarters) for the company, so definitely stop in for a one-of-a-kind experience! Be sure to ask for the 10% Military Discount!
Saint Louis Wheel: The St. Louis Wheel™ is a 200-foot high observation wheel with 42 fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that seat up to six adults each. Wheel passengers take three to four rotations high over the St. Louis skyline during the 15-minute ride. When we went, we did at least 8 rotations, it was such a cool experience and kids love it. Cost: Adult $15, Child (3-12) $10
Ropes Course: More than 90,000-cubic feet of climbing space and 30 obstacles take you almost to the top of the trainshed. Feeling really brave? Try the SkyRailTM, a 100-foot long rigid zip line that glides 50 feet above the Union Station lobby. Cost: $15 for the adult course, $5 for Tykes Course
Carousel: A ride on one of the beautifully-designed horses or exotic animals is sure to delight the young and young-at-heart. Cost: $5
Mini-Golf: Perfect for families and beginner golfers, the beautifully-landscaped 18-hole course will feature a variety of interactive elements, a fun yet challenging design and is ADA-accessibility. Cost: $10
Union square has so much to offer families. Plan to spend an entire day playing and eating your way through this refurbished space!
Take Family Photos!
Saint Louis is the perfect backdrop for family photos. Each trip, I have been more intentional about booking professional photos because it takes the stress off of my husband or me to get the perfect shot. It also allows our entire family to be in the photo and gives us memories we will cherish forever. While in St Louis, we booked Katie Beach Photography. Katie was prompt, professional, and very friendly. She made me instantly feel at ease. Throughout the entire photoshoot, she encouraged us to just be ourselves and loved when my daughter played. Her photos are so special to me and I can not recommend her enough to anyone traveling to St Louis! You can contact Katie HERE to book your family session and secure your memories.
We had a mommy daughter photo shoot with Katie beach photography….I will treasure these photos for the rest of my life.
Free Things to Do in Saint Louis with Kids
On your trip be sure to check out all of the free things to do in Saint Louis!
Charletta in front of an oringal claude moneT at the saint louis art musuem.
Saint Louis Zoo: Home to over 13,000 animals representing 555 species, the Saint Louis Zoo is recognized worldwide for its innovative approaches to animal care and management, wildlife conservation, research, and education. One of the few free zoos in the nation, the Saint Louis Zoo is the most-visited attraction in the region.
Saint Louis Science Center: Here everyone is invited to create a more connected world through the power of their curiosity. The Saint Louis Science Center combines experimentation, creativity, and play to help people discover a passion for science and technology. With over 15 exhibits plus a planetarium and 3D IMAX theater, there is something for every mind to be engaged in!
Saint Louis Art Museum: The Saint Louis Art Museum collects, presents, interprets, and conserves works of art of the highest quality across time and cultures; educates, inspires discovery, and elevates the human spirit; and preserves a legacy of artistic achievement for the people of St. Louis and the world. Here you will find art spanning many centuries and works from the likes of Monet, Picasso, Van Gough, Dali, and many many more.
Missouri Botanical Garden: The Missouri Botanical Garden is a center for botanical research and science education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers 79 acres of beautiful horticultural displays, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered orchids. For over 158 years, the Garden has been an oasis in the city, a place of beauty and family fun—and also a center for education, science, and conservation.
In addition to the above-mentioned places, be sure to check out these free things to do in Saint Louis: Missouri History Museum, City Garden, Laumier Sculpture Park, Powder Valley Nature Center, Saint Louis Zoo, Purina Farms, Grant’s Farms, Lone Elk Park, and the World Bird Sanctuary.
Get Ready for your trip to Saint Louis!
The Saint Louis Science Center is FREE!!!
How to Get Around Saint Louis
We traveled with our hifold high-back booster seat - perfect for moving from our rental to an uber easily. it folds so compact. click the image to check it out!
Walk: If you are staying downtown, you can walk almost anywhere. On our first day, we hit the road with our sneakers on and oriented ourselves with the city! For places further away, such as Magic House or the Zoo, try Uber, Driving, or the Metro!
Uber: Uber is a fantastic option for Saint Louis. Parking can be a nightmare downtown (and expensive), so you can Uber from place to place for cheaper than parking. (Yes! It would have cost me $15 to park at City Museum or only $6 per way with UBER!)
**Children still need to be in proper restraints in UBER. Please use age-appropriate car seats while traveling. See my full list of recommended travel car seats HERE.
Metro: Saint Louis offers a metro and bus system. Find out how to buy tickets, map out your route and find stops HERE.
Saint Louis is a wonderful destination for families. There are so many fun things to do with kids in Saint Louis! and this guide takes you through the best places to eat in Saint Louis with kids, the best place to stay in Saint Louis with Kids, and the best things to do with kids in Saint Louis! Saint Louis’s history rich culture will make for an unforgettable family adventure.
Don’t forget to check out our other guides on other cities of the south! Click below!
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