First Time in St Louis? Here’s 10 Things To Do

You’ll want to start with the Gateway Arch’s breathtaking tram ride to the top, then explore Forest Park’s incredible free museums like the Saint Louis Art Museum and Science Center. Don’t miss the City Museum’s ten-story playground built from repurposed artifacts, catch a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium, and wander through the authentic Italian neighborhood of The Hill for amazing toasted ravioli. Add the Missouri Botanical Garden and a Mississippi riverboat cruise to discover why St. Louis captivates first-time visitors.

Ride the Tram to the Top of the Gateway Arch

What’s the best way to experience St. Louis’s iconic Gateway Arch? Take the unique tram ride to the top. This signature experience combines elevator and Ferris wheel principles, carrying you 630 feet up in small cylindrical cars that rotate to keep you level while following the arch’s curve.

The four-minute ascent offers glimpses of the arch’s interior through clear doors.

At the top, you’ll spend 8-10 minutes in the observation deck, enjoying 30-mile views through 32 windows. Look east over the Mississippi River and west over downtown St. Louis and Busch Stadium.

The entire experience lasts 45-60 minutes, including exhibits. Since tickets frequently sell out, especially on weekends and peak seasons, book in advance. The journey covers 63 stories through over 43,000 tons of concrete and steel construction.

Trams depart every 10 minutes, carrying up to 80 passengers per departure.

Explore Forest Park’s World-Class Free Museums

When you’re looking for world-class culture without the hefty admission fees, Forest Park delivers an unbeatable combination of free museums spanning art, history, science, and wildlife. This 1,300-acre space—larger than Central Park—houses the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center with planetarium, and Saint Louis Zoo.

You’ll find it easy to hop between museums using walking paths and public transit.

The Saint Louis Art Museum attracts 500,000 visitors annually with free daily admission, while Friday evenings offer extended hours and free access to special exhibitions.

The Missouri History Museum covers local stories from 1764 to present, including the 1904 World’s Fair legacy. The park’s 36-hectare zoo provides an additional world-class attraction within this cultural hub.

You can explore multiple institutions in one day without spending a dime on admissions.

Get Lost in the City Museum’s Ten-Story Playground

While most museums ask you to keep your hands off the exhibits, City Museum actively encourages you to climb, crawl, and slide through its ten-story wonderland of repurposed industrial art. This former shoe factory contains over 29,000 artifacts transformed into an architectural playground where getting lost is the point.

You’ll navigate hand-sculpted Enchanted Caves featuring mythical creatures and a historic Wurlitzer organ, then descend via the five-story spiral slide or ten-story slide system.

Outside, MonstroCity offers suspended airplane parts accessible through steel tunnels, plus climbing structures with fire engines and castle towers.

Don’t miss the rooftop Ferris wheel for downtown views. With 30+ slides total and maze-like tunnels connecting every floor, you’ll spend hours exploring this artist-built adventure. The museum’s unique design incorporates locally sourced salvaged materials including bridges, chimneys, and construction cranes throughout its sprawling structure.

Catch a Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium

After exploring the City Museum’s artistic wonderland, you’ll want to experience another St. Louis icon: Busch Stadium. This downtown ballpark offers stunning Gateway Arch views from many seats, making it perfect for first-time visitors.

Arrive early when gates open 1.5 hours before first pitch to explore the Cardinals Hall of Fame and grab local treats like Ted Drewes frozen custard or Gus’s Pretzels.

The stadium’s part of Ballpark Village, so you’ll find plenty of pre-game dining and entertainment options. This development sits on part of the original footprint where the previous Busch Stadium once stood before being demolished in 2005.

Getting there is easy via MetroLink’s Stadium station or downtown parking.

Remember the clear bag policy and download the MLB Ballpark app for mobile tickets.

With 44,383 seats and the Cardinals’ passionate fanbase, you’re guaranteed an authentic baseball experience in America’s heartland.

Wander Through the Missouri Botanical Garden

Since you’re already downtown at Busch Stadium, you’ll find the Missouri Botanical Garden just a short drive south in the Shaw neighborhood—and it’s absolutely worth the trip.

Founded in 1859, this National Historic Landmark spans 79 acres of world-class horticultural displays and houses over 7.5 million plant specimens in its research herbarium.

You’ll want to explore the stunning 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, Seiwa-en, built around a central lake. Don’t miss the historic Linnean House—the oldest continuously operating greenhouse west of the Mississippi River.

The Victorian-style plantings and themed gardens showcase seasonal displays that change throughout the year. If you’re lucky enough to visit during one of their annual cultural celebrations, you might catch the Japanese Festival or Chinese Culture Days featuring traditional music, crafts, and even sumo wrestling demonstrations.

With mature tree-lined paths and a mission combining beauty with scientific research, it’s consistently ranked among the world’s top botanical gardens.

Visit the Old Courthouse Where the Dred Scott Case Began

From the Missouri Botanical Garden, head back toward downtown to explore the Old Courthouse, where one of America’s most consequential legal battles began. This Greek Revival building, completed in 1862, housed the first two trials of the Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850.

Enslaved man Dred Scott and his wife Harriet sued for their freedom here, launching a case that would reach the Supreme Court and intensify pre-Civil War tensions.

You’ll discover four exhibit galleries covering the Scotts’ story, pathways to freedom, and St. Louis history. Don’t miss the restored 1850s courtroom where ranger talks bring this pivotal moment to life. Visitors can participate in mock trials to better understand the legal process that shaped American history.

More than 300 freedom suits were filed here by 1860, making this courthouse a vital site in America’s struggle for civil rights.

Experience Grant’s Farm and Its Free-Roaming Animals

While downtown St. Louis offers incredible historical sites, you’ll want to venture 13 miles southwest to Grant’s Farm for a unique wildlife experience. This 280-acre park houses over 900 animals from 100+ species, many roaming freely across rolling grasslands.

You’ll ride the Deer Park tram for 10-15 minutes, passing bison, elk, and deer in their natural habitats.

The hands-on experiences make this attraction special. You can pet goats, bottle-feed animals, and catch the Animal Friends Show featuring macaws and other creatures.

Don’t miss the Clydesdale stables where you’ll see the famous Anheuser-Busch horses up close.

Built on Ulysses S. Grant’s former farmland, the property includes his preserved 1855 log cabin. The Busch Family has owned and operated this wildlife park since opening it to the public in 1954.

Admission’s free, but you’ll pay for parking and need advance reservations during peak times.

Stroll Through The Hill for Authentic Italian Food

Just south of Forest Park, you’ll discover The Hill—St. Louis’ Little Italy that’s been serving authentic Italian cuisine since the 1880s. This compact, walkable neighborhood packs more than 30 restaurants and four Italian groceries into just a few blocks, making it perfect for food hopping.

Start with toasted ravioli at Charlie Gitto’s on The Hill, where this St. Louis classic was invented over 70 years ago. Browse imported cheeses and cured meats at DiGregorio’s Imported Foods, then grab a salsiccia sandwich at one of the family-run trattorias. Don’t miss Rigazzi’s, the neighborhood’s oldest restaurant operating since 1901.

Between meals, you’ll spot Italian flags, bilingual signage, and bocce courts that maintain the area’s authentic cultural character. The neighborhood’s restaurants often share their Sicilian roots with the community, creating an authentic cultural experience that goes beyond just the food.

Discover Science at the Saint Louis Science Center

Where can you explore over 750 interactive exhibits under one massive roof? The Saint Louis Science Center offers exactly that experience across its 300,000-square-foot complex. You’ll discover hands-on galleries covering Earth science, emerging technology, life sciences, and chemistry—all included with free general admission.

Plan to spend more than three hours here, especially if you’re visiting with family. The planetarium and OMNIMAX theater require paid tickets but deliver spectacular shows on a four-story domed screen. Don’t miss the Skybridge connecting buildings over Interstate 64, or the outdoor GROW exhibit exploring agriculture.

The Discovery Room caters specifically to younger children with early STEM activities. Under new leadership, the center is expanding its focus on local scientific research in aerospace, transportation, and health sciences to inspire future careers.

With the center ranked among America’s top five science museums, you’re guaranteed an educational adventure that ignites curiosity.

Take a Mississippi Riverboat Cruise From the Arch Grounds

Since you’re already at the Gateway Arch grounds, you can easily board one of St. Louis’s historic paddlewheel riverboats docked on the cobblestone levee below. These one-hour cruises offer the best river-level view of the Gateway Arch and downtown skyline you’ll find anywhere.

You’ll enjoy narrated tours explaining Mississippi River history while watching working barges and tugboats navigate the water. The Tom Sawyer riverboat features climate-controlled cabins and open-air decks perfect for photography.

Choose from standard sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, or specialty themed events. Operating seasonally from March through November, these are the only riverboats in St. Louis. Travelers consistently rate these experiences at 4.2 stars, praising the relaxing atmosphere and informative commentary.

Consider combo tickets pairing your Arch visit with a cruise for added savings.

The Sum Up

You’ve got plenty to keep you busy during your first St. Louis visit. Don’t try to cram everything into one trip – you’ll burn out quickly. Instead, pick three or four activities that genuinely interest you and explore them thoroughly. The city’s compact downtown makes it easy to walk between attractions like the Arch and riverboat cruises. Save Forest Park for a separate day since you could easily spend eight hours there alone.