Seeing St. Louis in Style

St. Louis is a great getaway for Kansas City families to visit again and again! From the iconic Gateway Arch to the one-of-a-kind City Museum to the St. Louis Union Station and its many attractions and amenities, to Grant's Farm to the Butterfly House, and the Zoo... there is something for everyone.

Lodging: St. Louis Historic Union Station

For a luxurious and stylish stay, you can't beat St. Louis's Union Station hotel. This historic hotel offers comfortable rooms, a gym, restaurants, and an unforgettable Grand Hall. The Grand Hall features elegant historic touches like the original terrazzo floor, green glazed terracotta bricks,  stained glass windows, and wooden carpentry detailing. A scene in the Tiffany glass depicts three women representing the expanse of train travel in the 1890s from  New York to San Francisco with St. Louis in the middle. Near the original entrance, there is a "whispering arch" one of our girls' favorite features of the hotel. You can stand on one end of the archway and whisper and your friend will hear you on the other end. Every evening enjoy magnificent laser light shows choreographed to music on the hour from 5-10 pm during the Grand Hall Light Show. Each show is different from the one before, making these shows one of the highlights of our visit.

Our room was luxurious and comfortable.

We enjoyed a gourmet breakfast buffet every morning (additional fee) which included made-to-order omelets, fresh fruit, pastries, bacon, sausage, eggs, fresh juice, coffee and more.

More information at StLouisUnionStation.com

Gateway Arch

No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to the city's most iconic landmark, the Gateway Arch. The National Park was designed in the 1940s by architect Eero Saarinen. The 630-foot stainless steel arch was chosen as a monument to America's pioneers and Westward Expansion. Construction of the Arch began in 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965. 

We began our visit to the Arch with some photos on the lawn. The girls marvel at the sheer height of the monument.

Next, we explored the museum.  This free museum features six interactive galleries. Visitors learn the history of St. Louis and its founding, many perspectives of westward expansion, and many artifacts and exhibits depicting pioneer life. One of our favorite exhibits explained the inspiration for the arch design, the architectural and engineering science behind it, and models showcasing the tram ride process. We spent over an hour exploring the museum.

Great monuments inspire you to explore new heights. Precious few take you there. The unique tram will lift you 630 feet up to the top of the tallest monument in the United States. At the Museum at the Gateway Arch, trace the story of the Native Americans, explorers, pioneers, and rebels who made America possible. Featuring six themed exhibit areas, this innovative and interactive museum celebrates America’s pioneer spirit. More information at GatewayArch.com

Things to Know Before You Go:

• Visits to the Museum are Free. Recommend 1-2 hours for the museum.
• Tram Rides require advanced tickets and reservations. 
• There is a cafe where you can purchase food and a gift shop.
• Visitors go through security before entering. Allow thirty minutes for this process.
• Find parking tips and ticket information here.

City Museum

On vacation, my favorite things are the things I can’t do at home. If there was ever an Olympics for Unique Attractions, the City Museum would definitely take Gold! City Museum is one of our family's favorite vacation attractions - a sentiment we share with St. Louis natives and visitors alike.

City Museum is spectacular for many reasons, but one of the most remarkable things is that I can honestly say my husband and I had just as much fun as the kids… and I don’t mean, “Parents having fun watching their kids have fun,” … I mean we had a BLAST! 

However, after our trip, I was left with one incredible challenge... trying to describe the City Museum to readers and adequately warn parents of what to expect, because I do feel that in the case of the City Museum, warnings are definitely in order. The City Museum is a "play at your own risk" facility, with many risks presented. Please read our tips (below) carefully and check out the photos and videos before going to determine if this is something your family will enjoy.

So, what exactly is City Museum? Try to imagine what would happen if Willy Wonka raided the local junkyard and selected the best pieces for interior decorating. In this case, the Willy Wonka of St. Louis is not a candy man, but an internationally acclaimed artist, Bob Cassilly, who used his skills as a classically trained sculptor and serial entrepreneur, to transform junkyard collections into gigantic labyrinths, jungle gyms, and people-sized gerbil cages and mazes, as a fantasy world meant for exploration and discovery all housed inside, around, and atop a 600,000 square foot downtown St. Louis shoe factory… now known as the City Museum. Since his passing, his vision has continued through many skilled artisans and designers as the museum is ever-changing and evolving with new treasures added all the time.

This is the most interactive museum you will ever experience with every nook and cranny waiting to be explored. Look closely because hidden tunnels and surprises are waiting where you’d least expect them.

Admission to the museum grants you access to 11 stories of fun and for an additional fee, you can explore the rooftop as well. A few of our favorite attractions included a giant ball pit with big balls for jumping and playing, the Enchanted Caves, more slides than we could possibly count, including an eleven-story spiral slide, Monstro City with two Saber 40 aircraft fuselages, a fire engine, a castle turret, a 25' tall cupola, and several 4' wide wrought-iron slinkies, the Museum of Mirth, Mystery, and Mayhem with carnival attractions, a tiny tot railroad, the world's largest pencil, toddler town, renovated architecture, and more... in fact, this is the only museum I've ever visited where I am confident I didn't discover everything there was to behold in even one room of the facility. What's more.. the fire engine, castle turret, giant pencil, human-sized slinkies, EVERYTHING.... it is not there for "looking and admiring" it is there for climbing, crawling, exploring, and playing!

The rooftop features more slides and tunnels and a Ferris wheel atop the eleven-story shoe factory, where my girls and I enjoyed a nighttime ride and view of St. Louis we will never forget. And that is probably the very best way to describe City Museum... an experience you will never forget.

Things to Know Before You Go:

• If your children are not old enough to explore on their own, a 1/1 adult-child ratio would be ideal with every adult equipped with a cell phone. The fun of City Museum is getting lost and discovering new secrets in the maze… the more freedom you have to explore, the more fun you’ll have. And getting lost is inevitable.
• You will be climbing, crawling, sliding, and sometimes slithering through the giant labyrinth. Dress for the part. Wear closed-toed shoes (tennis shoes are best), jeans or long pants (my knees were grateful), and appropriate clothes. Dress for full-on play at the playground.
• Come well-fed and well-rested, you'll get a workout! Food is available for purchase at the museum.
• Leave the loot. Bring only what you need. If you have a purse or bag, it’ll get in the way of exploring. It’s ideal if you can have all you need in your pockets… and check them often so that you don’t drop, lose, or damage anything as you’re crawling and climbing.
• You can bring a stroller, but it’s ideal if you don’t.
• City Museum is fun for ALL ages. Older kids, teens, and adults LOVE it and they have a special toddler section for little ones as well. It is truly a place for all ages, as long as you're agile and up for exploring.
• Parents…. Let go of inhibitions and be a kid for a day too!
• We were there for 5 hours… this wasn’t long enough. There is so much to see and explore, and it’s so interactive and engaging, that I’d recommend spending an entire day there if possible.
• Most Important: This is a "play at your own risk" facility and there are many risks. Be aware of this as much as possible before going and assess if this is the best outing for your family. If you are claustrophobic, afraid of heights, pregnant, etc., you will not be able to participate in many of the attractions. The City Museum is an "acquired taste" and as much as my family loved it, there are many families that may not enjoy it because it is so interactive and there are risks.

If you're up for an adventure, there is no place like the City Museum! More information at CityMuseum.org

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in St. Louis is an exquisite and "icky" (in a really fun, educational, great-for-kids way) stop on our St. Louis vacation.

When you visit the Butterfly House, you begin with a visit to the Grand Hall with exhibits on insects including cockroaches where my brave daughters popped up for an up-close view of thousands of cockroaches... thankfully well protected in glass. We saw spiders, scorpions, and other arachnids. For my oldest daughter, who is especially crazy about butterflies, her favorite exhibit in the Grand Hall was the Butterflies of the World exhibit which showcases butterflies from across the globe. Finally, we watched "The Butterfly Effect" a 17-minute film explaining the life cycle of butterflies and their impact on the environment.

After watching the film, we were finally ready to visit the gem of the Butterfly House, the Tropical Conservatory. The Conservatory is home to nearly 2,000 tropical butterflies in free flight among lush gardens of 150 blooming tropical flowers and a small pond and waterfall. Everywhere you look there are bright and vibrant butterflies too numerous to count. We are amazed at how impressive the Butterfly House is, far surpassing any exhibit we'd ever seen.

At the end of the pathway through the Conservatory (which is very warm), we saw the "Miracle of Metamorphosis" where you were able to watch through the window of the labs and see butterfly chrysalids carefully mounted and guides provided detailed explanations, with real-life visuals, of the life cycle of a butterfly.

After enjoying the Conservatory, we strolled through the Butterfly Garden outside, where plants attract native butterflies in a beautiful setting.

This was a favorite St. Louis attraction for our family and one we strongly recommend!

Things to Know Before You Go:

• For Powell Gardens Members or members of other reciprocal gardens, admission is free.
• In the Conservatory, you are asked to stay on paths and not to touch butterflies, unless they touch you. Talk to your kids in advance and reassure them of the gentleness of butterflies if they are apprehensive about being touched, or landed on, but beautiful insects.
• Pick up a brochure with a species identification guide to help your children spot the butterflies in the conservatory.
• If possible, bring kid-safe cameras as well as the family camera. Your kids will love taking pictures of the butterflies for their scrapbooks.

More information at Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

Grant’s Farm  

A visit to Grant’s Farm begins with a tram ride through our Deer Park, where you can see a variety of our bovine and other four-legged friends. Then, you’ll be dropped off at the  Tier Garten where you can enjoy the petting zoo area – featuring our famous baby goat bottle-feeding – carousel rides, food and vending in the Bauernhof Courtyard, and of course, free beer tasting. More information at GrantsFarm.com.

One of the most popular attractions in St. Louis for sixty years, Grant's Farm is a great family destination enjoyed by generations. I remember visiting Grant's Farm as a girl, and it was a joy to share this great place with my family. Grant's Farm boasts that it has been a St. Louis institution longer than the Gateway Arch, Science Center, and City Museum! 

The 281-acre farm is home to more than 900 animals representing more than 100 different species. The attraction is a favorite for animal lovers and history buffs alike. In the 1850s, the farm was founded by Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States. The cabin he built, one of only two homes remaining to have been built by and lived in by a U.S. President is scene on the tram tour of the park.

During our visit we took a Behind-the-Scenes Tour that included a tour of the grounds and a tram and ride through Deer Park where we were able to feed the animals. The guide shared the history of Grant's Farm from Ulysses S. Grant to the Bush Family, as well as educational information about the animals who lived there.

Deer Park is home to a variety of deer, bison, and elk. We were given ice cream cones to fill with animal feed and the various animals would come to the tram for treats. We enjoyed watching the animals eat, play, rest, and "swim" in the stream and there were many great photo ops!

After our tram ride, we entered the main park. The park is part zoo, part petting zoo, and part amusement park. We were able to bottle-feed goats (they are very active and extremely eager to eat). In addition to feeding goats, you may purchase passes for interactive experiences including feeding parakeets (they fly a lot in the cage), riding a carousel, and or camel rides. 

Throughout the farm, we enjoyed watching kangaroos, wallabies, lemurs, iguanas, tortoises, zebras, bald eagles, and more.

Visitors may also enjoy live shows. The Animal Encounters show is extremely fun and educational. At several points, they solicit volunteers for the audience and we enjoyed watching as children linked arms while rats raced across their "human race track," birds performed magic tricks, and a porcupine attempted to pop a balloon. 

For lunch, we enjoyed the shaded picnic area of the Bauernhof where we ate brats and sandwiches. As the attraction is operated by Anheuser-Busch, guests 21 and over are given two free samples of Budweiser beer. We also walked through the stables and saw the collection of historic carriages and sleighs, and many horses and donkeys (including the one of Super Bowl Commercial Fame).

No trip would be complete without visiting the famous Budweiser Clydesdales! You can see these majestic horses in the stables near the parking lot.

Throughout the park, there are three gift shops with stuffed animals, t-shirts, postcards, and toys. 

We loved our day at Grant's Farm and recommend it wholeheartedly for families vacationing in St. Louis. In the fall, be sure to check out their Halloween Event when guests enjoy costumed trick-or-treat fun!

Things to Know Before You Go:

• Admission is FREE including a tram tour of the park and shows. There is a fee for parking.
• Visit the Grant's Farm website for general information and hours.
• Driving Directions
• There is a fee for: Carousel Rides, Parakeet Feeding, Goat Feeding, Camel Rides, Food, and Souvenirs.
• Outside food and drink are not permitted. 

More information at GrantsFarm.com.

St. Louis Aquarium

Located at Union Station, the St. Louis Aquarium is a smaller aquarium that takes 1-2 hours to visit. The visit begins with a 4D experience "train ride" telling the history of St. Louis and introducing the aquarium to visits. Exhibits being with a freshwater river and the shallow waters of a salt marsh, then moves into the deep, dark abyss of the open ocean.

Exhibits include many tanks where you meet animals including a variety of fish, river otters, stingrays, seahorses, sea stars, urchins, and more. One of the most interesting animals was the archerfish, a tropical fish known for "shooting down" its prey, consisting of insects and other small creatures, with jets of water they spit from their mouth like a fountain. Once the prey is hit, it falls where the fish can eat it on sight. Throughout the day, they offer various animal feedings and chats. The river otter chat was our favorite.

My husband loved the Doctor Fish exhibit. The Doctor Fish (Garra rufa), also known as the Pedicure Fish, is famous for eating dead skin cells. Guests are permitted to dip their hands into the tank, where the doctor fish nibble away - leaving your skin feeling nice and smooth. It is a truly peculiar sensation.

Our family enjoyed the many touch experiences throughout the aquarium, the jellyfish being a highlight. Educators teach visitors how to safely touch the animals and answer questions making this a truly interactive educational experience.

Visiting the aquarium takes 2-3 hours. More information at StLouisAquarium.com

Additional Attractions at Union Station

Our combo ticket included the aquarium, selfie station, and mirror maze. It took 15-20 minutes for the smaller attractions. At Selfie Station visitors are able to take a variety of fun photos in unique settings. The mirror maze is reminiscent of a classic carnival funhouse.

St. Louis Wheel

The Gateway Arch isn't the only way to enjoy skyline views of the city. Located in the railyard at Union Station, The St. Louis Wheel is a 200-foot high observation Ferris wheel (49-feet taller than the Statue of Liberty with 42 fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas seating up to eight riders each.  Passengers enjoy a view of the city as they take three to four 2-minute rotations high over the St. Louis skyline, for a ride lasting 6-8 minutes. We enjoyed this new perspective of Downtown St. Louis, ideal for a family experience on a clear day.

More information at TheStLouisWheel.com

Carousel

An old-fashioned outdoor carousel is another attraction you may enjoy at Union Station. This beautifully-designed carousel with horses and exotic animals is located beneath the historic Union Station trainshed. Admission charged.

Miniature Golf

And, the entire family enjoyed miniature golf at Union Station in the evening. This classic 18-hole course features a variety of interactive elements. Best of all the course is ADA-accessibility. Admission charged.

Fire & Light Show: Outside at Union Station

This free outdoor show can be enjoyed daily at the Lake 12 pm-9 pm- at the top of the hour.

This multi-million dollar fire, water, and light music show features a 100-foot-long waterfall with 50 nozzles that spray water 40 feet down into the lake. Each show is choreographed to music. This is a must-see while you're visiting Union Station. Learn more about the Fire and Light show.

Saint Louis Zoo  

The St. Louis Zoo always offers free admission. Guests pay to park and purchase special admission for rides aboard the train, carousel, and animal feeding opportunities. Plan to spend an entire day at this zoo, where you can see animals up close and personal. The bear exhibits are favorites for our family.

Sea Lion Sound offers an incredible sea lion exhibit where visitors watch the animals swim in their aquarium with a walk-through tunnel for guests. Be sure to visit the climate-controlled Antarctic Penguin and Puffin Exhibit. Visitors learn all about bugs at the Monsanto Insectarium where children see a variety of insects from beetles to butterflies. 

The Emerson Zooline Railroad is an excellent way to see the zoo. This 20-minute narrated tour weaves through tunnels and past favorite animal exhibits on a 1½-mile round trip. The railroad operates year-round, weather permitting. The Zooline Railroad is ADA-accessible. Passengers in wheelchairs have a large area on the train car, with fold-down seats for companions. The Zoo has also added ramps with lower slopes. You do need to purchase tickets to ride.

Dinoroarus: thru Nov. 5, 2023. This special exhibit is a ticketed attraction and is included in an Adventure Pass. Walk through the zoo as 14 different groupings of animatronic and stationary dinosaurs — colorful, prehistoric creatures that move realistically, some roaring and spitting or placidly munching on the lush vegetation. 

More information at StLZoo.org

Missouri Botanical Garden

Founded in 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation and a National Historic Landmark. The 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 display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, historic architecture, and one of the world's largest collections of rare and endangered flora. For over 163 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. This was our last stop on our trip this year, so we only spent a little more than an hour exploring the gardens. You can easily spend a half day or more at this beautiful site. This is one of the prettiest botanical gardens we've ever seen with more variety in their choice of gardens than most. More information at MissouriBotanicalGarden.org

Things to Know Before You Go:

• For Powell Gardens Members or members of other reciprocal gardens, admission is free.
• You will likely spend 2-4 hours enjoying the gardens.
• The paths are stroller and wheelchair friendly.

Amp Up Action Park

Amp Up Action Park is a great place to enjoy a bit of leisure and fun in the evening. This attraction offers a variety of action-packed fun and dining, including kart racing (our FAVORITE), axe throwing, laser tag, virtual reality, a high-ropes ninja course, arcades and more.

Our family loved the European go-kart racing at Amp Up Action Park. The challenging indoor race track timed races as siblings and parents raced to the finish. They offer various skill levels so children and adults can race reaching speeds up to 40 mph.

We also enjoyed arcades and laser tag. You can purchase combo tickets for the  best deal.

More information at AmpUpActionPark.com  

Dining:

Fitz’s in The Delmar Loop (6605 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO). Fitz's serves burgers, fries, fabulous shareable pizzas, and shakes. Our girls loved this restaurant - a definite family favorite. Famous for its bottled sodas (which you can watch as the bottle on site on select days). We ordered shakes and asked to split - the photo above is half a shake (we ordered two shakes and they were served in four glasses - a hearty serving still!). Fitz's is at home in the heart of the Delmar Loop, a 10-block section of shops and restaurants. One of the highlights of this area is the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Inaugurated in 1988, the Walk of  Fame honors more than 100 men and women with plaques on the sidewalk over a six-block area. These are St. Louisans who have made contributions to our culture in many different areas of endeavor. The honorees include Kevin Kline, Chuck Berry, Tina Turner,  Tennessee Williams, Charles Lindbergh, and Stan Musial just to name a few.  FitzsRootbeer.com  

Soda Fountain at Union Station. The Soda Fountain is a refreshing blast from the past with sweets, treats, and eats for everyone.  The food was tasty, but we did prefer Fitz's. SodaFountain-stl.com  

St. Louis is an excellent family weekend getaway your entire family will love!