Are you looking for a fun and exciting vacation destination that the whole family can enjoy? Look no further than St. Louis, Missouri! With its world-famous sights, spectacular attractions, and an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from, your family will have a wonderful St Louis family vacation.
My family visited St. Louis in the summer and had a blast! I was honestly surprised by how kid-friendly St. Louis is. We kept busy every day of our stay and still didn’t see everything on my list!
The Perfect St. Louis Family Vacation: Must-See Places & Things To Do
I’ve put together an amazing guide jam-packed with must-see places and things to do in St. Louis so you can have an incredible St. Louis family vacation!
Day 1: Iconic St. Louis
Kickstart your St. Louis family vacation with a visit to the city’s most iconic landmarks.
City Museum
Start your first day in St. Louis with kids at the amazing City Museum as soon as it opens! The “museum” is a multi-story indoor/outdoor playground with a huge variety of things to do. Trust me, it’s a one-of-a-kind attraction that keeps getting better and better!
The indoor area has multiple floors to explore. Step outside for even more fun! MonstroCity has various slides and climbing areas. You can also climb into two airplanes. On the Rooftop, you can enjoy the Ferris wheel, different slides, a multi-story climbing ladder, and more.
Once you are done at the City Museum, head to the iconic Gateway Arch. If you have some extra time, stop by the Citygarden Sculpture Park along the way.
Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch, an iconic symbol of St. Louis, now stands as a National Park site. A visit to St. Louis would be incomplete without experiencing the grandeur and significance of this architectural marvel. It stands at a massive 630 feet, the tallest man-made monument in the U.S.
During your visit to the arch, make sure to allocate some time to go through the Museum of Westward Expansion at the base. It is actually a very good museum.
Children have the opportunity to earn their Junior Ranger badge at the Arch by completing specially designed books that contain activities corresponding to the exhibits in the museum.
If you want to ride the tram to the top of the arch, I suggest that you book a late afternoon or evening ride. It is highly recommended to book your tickets in advance. Tickets are limited and often sell out.
St. Louis Riverfront Cruise
End your day on the Mississippi River with a delightful ride on the St. Louis Riverfront Cruise! It’s a one-hour cruise where the captain shares fascinating information about the area and its history as you glide up and down the majestic Mississippi River. We specifically chose the latest time slot to see the sunset behind the iconic arch.
Restaurants Nearby
Grab a no-fuss breakfast or lunch at Chili Mac’s Diner. Sugarfire Smoke House and Salt + Smoke both serve up mouth-watering St. Louis-style barbecue.
Day 2: St. Louis Zoo
On the second day of your St. Louis family vacation, you’ll definitely want to spend most of it at the St. Louis Zoo! The zoo is amazing and free! My family spent 8 hours seeing everything that we could during our visit.
The zoo is split into 6 areas, each a different color on the map. The River’s Edge area focuses on African and Asian animals. Discovery Corner includes an Insectarium with a butterfly house. The Dinororaus with animatronic dinosaurs is also in this area.
Lakeside Crossing has an amazing sea lion show and the stingray touch pool. The Wild area houses a polar bear, penguins, puffins, red pandas, and apes.
Historic Hill is the oldest part of the zoo. It includes various buildings showcasing birds, snakes, and primates. Red Rocks has a variety of larger animals including big cats, antelopes, camels, zebras, and giraffes.
Add on an Adventure Pass to see everything the zoo has to offer. It allows you to ride the carousel, ride on the train, see the dinosaurs, watch the amazing sea lion show, pet some stingrays, and watch a movie at the theater.
Restaurants Nearby
After a long day at the zoo, grab dinner at Dewey’s Pizza. Order a specialty pizza, calzone, or a fresh salad.
Day 3: Forest Park
St. Louis has an amazing list of free museums to visit. Spend day 3 checking out a few of them.
St. Louis Science Center
Start the third day of your St. Louis family vacation at the St. Louis Science Center.
Explore the amazing three levels and the fascinating planetarium! On the lower level, you’ll find exhibits about dinosaurs, energy, and ecology. The first floor will take you on an exciting journey through space and life science. And on the second floor, unleash your inner engineer and delve into the wonders of space! The museum also has Omnimax Theater shows and Planetarium shows available for a fee.
Missouri History Museum
Next, head to the Missouri History Museum. The museum has exhibits showcasing the 1904 World’s Fair. It also highlights the evolution of St. Louis’ commerce, culture, and technology.
And don’t miss out on the History Clubhouse, a super fun and interactive space designed just for kids to explore the history of St. Louis. Come and have a blast!
St. Louis Art Museum
I know that art museums aren’t on every family’s list, but the free St. Louis Art Museum is worth even a quick visit. The museum is divided into three levels.
On Level 1, you’ll find galleries featuring Islamic, African, Oceanic, Ancient American, Decorative Arts, Textile, and Armor. Level 2 is where you’ll find the majority of the galleries, including Contemporary, Ancient, European, and Asian. Level 3 houses the Egyptian, Decorative Arts, American, and Native American galleries.
Nature Playscape in Forest Park
After being quiet in the museum, take your kids to the nearby Nature Playscape in Forest Park. It’s an outdoor playground with natural elements like wood and water, instead of the usual metal or plastic equipment. The elements are spread out, creating an adventurous feel when exploring the area.
Restaurants Nearby
Blueberry Hill, serving classic American fare, is a St. Louis staple. In addition to its delicious food, Blueberry Hill also has a vibrant music scene with frequent live shows.
Fitz’s Delmar, well-known for its crazy floats, serves up a variety of American classics including burgers, sandwiches, and housemade pizzas.
Day 4: Gardens, Aquarium, and More
Day 4 of your St. Louis family vacation has a bit of everything: nature, animals, and excitement.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Begin the fourth day of your St. Louis family vacation with a visit to the stunning Missouri Botanical Garden. Spanning across 79 acres, this garden is an oasis with a diverse collection of over 30 distinct gardens.
Walk through the Climatron, a conservatory in the shape of a geodesic dome that contains over 2,800 tropical plants.
One of the highlights of the Missouri Botanical Garden is the incredible Japanese garden. You’ll be blown away by the stunning beauty, the serene atmosphere, and the tranquility. Don’t forget to bring some quarters to feed the Koi fish! The kids will absolutely love it.
Another area that the kids will enjoy is the Children’s Garden. There are four paths in this area for kids to explore: settler’s path, botanist’s path, adventurer’s path, and discoverer’s path.
The Children’s Garden is open from April through October and there’s an additional cost. If the temperature goes above 70 degrees, they turn on the splash area too!
St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
After you have explored the gardens, make your way to the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. With its diverse galleries showcasing both freshwater and saltwater ecosystems, the St. Louis Aquarium is sure to impress both you and your children.
The Confluence Gallery features fish from the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The Global Rivers gallery displays fish from South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The Changing Rivers gallery educates about other animals that inhabit rivers, such as otters and turtles.
Ocean Shore lets you discover tidal pools and feed sharks and stingrays. Shark Canyon offers glimpses of sharks, rays, and other fish peacefully swimming together. The Deep features animals that emit light, as well as octopuses and jellyfish.
St. Louis Wheel
The St. Louis Wheel is another attraction in the area worth checking out. It is a 200-foot-high observation wheel with 42 enclosed gondolas. One ride lasts about 15 minutes and takes you around 3 to 4 times. Visit at night to see the Wheel lit up.
You can purchase a combo ticket for the Aquarium and Wheel. A Fantastic 5 combo ticket includes the Aquarium, St. Louis Wheel, Carousel, Mini Golf, and Mirror Maze.
Busch Stadium
Another option for day 4 is to catch a game at Busch Stadium, the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, if they happen to be playing during your visit.
Day 5: Southwest St. Louis
With a number of family-friendly things to do in southwest St. Louis, day 5 of your St. Louis family vacation is a mix of fun for the kids, nature and the outdoors, animals, and history.
The Magic House
The Magic House is an absolutely amazing place in St. Louis to visit with kids! With hundreds of interactive exhibits, your children are guaranteed to have a blast.
The goal of The Magic House is to ignite curiosity, fuel imagination, and cultivate a lifelong love for learning. Some exhibits are tailored for younger kids, while others can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
In addition to the amazing indoor exhibits, there’s a whole bunch of fun stuff to do outside too! You can enjoy the waterfall patio, explore the nature play area, and have a blast in the outdoor play garden.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
If you want to explore the outdoors during your visit, head next to the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center. Learn about the native plants and animals at the Nature Center before heading outside to hike on the trails.
There are three trails in the area, the longest being a 1.2-mile loop. They are all paved and start near the parking area.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
The Laumeier Sculpture Park is nearby and worth a visit. It displays over 70 large-scale sculptures within its’ 105 acres. There are three paths in the park ranging from the quick 10-minute Western Woodland Trail to the longer 45-minute Art Hike Trail.
Grant’s Farm
Grant’s Farm, owned and operated by the Busch family (yes, the same family behind Budweiser), has been welcoming visitors for over 60 years.
Start your visit with a tram ride through the farm. Once you reach the Tiergarten, take your time to explore at your own pace. You’ll find a wide variety of animals, from farm animals to more exotic ones.
One of the highlights of Grant’s Farm awaits you at the end of the parking lot—the Clydesdale barns and pastures. You can get up close and personal with these famous Clydesdales.
While admission to Grant’s Farm is free, they do charge for parking.
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Our family makes it a priority to stop at National Park Sites when traveling. The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, located near Grant’s Farm, is a nice place to visit.
This is where the White Haven estate is located, the place where Grant met Julia. You can now view the remaining buildings: the White Haven home, horse stable, ice house, chicken house, and summer kitchen.
During your visit, watch the informational film, take a guided ranger tour of the house, view the museum, and have your kids earn their junior ranger badge.
Restaurants Nearby
With a wide variety of items offered on the menu, Billy G’s Kirkwood is a great place for picky eaters. Choose from wings, salads, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and even barbecue on the weekends.
If you are looking for a nicer meal in the city, head to Farotto’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. They serve up delicious pasta and pizza.
Day 6: Exciting Adventures
Day 6 of your St. Louis family vacation is all about adventure. Here is a list of some options to add to your itinerary.
Six Flags
Drive about 30 miles southwest of St. Louis to check out Six Flags. From kid rides to thrill rides, Six Flags is guaranteed to be an absolute blast for your family.
For most kid rides, you need to be at least 36″ tall to ride alone. If your child is at least 42″ tall, they can enjoy even more rides. The bigger roller coasters require a minimum height of 48″ or higher.
Hurricane Harbor is another fantastic option if you’re visiting during the summer months! Beat the heat by taking a refreshing dip in the pool, zooming down thrilling water slides, or simply floating along the lazy river.
Adventure Valley Zipline Tours and Paintball Park
If amusement parks aren’t your thing, get ready for an exhilarating adventure at Adventure Valley Zipline Tours and Paintball Park. It is located about 28 miles from St. Louis.
Soar high above the ground, reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour on a thrilling 10-zipline canopy tour. The tour typically takes between one and two hours to complete. Adventure Alley also offers exciting activities like paintball and airsoft.
Raging Rivers Waterpark
If you’re planning a summer visit, you should consider visiting Raging Rivers Waterpark! It’s located about 40 miles from St. Louis and offers a fantastic experience.
The 4-acre complex is packed with tube slides, speed slides, a lazy river, and even an aquatic play area for the little ones. While it may not be as grand as Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags, it’s a more budget-friendly option.
Aerie’s Resort
If you have any time left in your day, Aerie’s Resort is located near Raging Rivers Waterpark. The resort offers zipline tours, open-chair rides, an alpine coaster, and enclosed gondola rides. You can also grab dinner with a view at the top.
Day 7: History Lessons
If you like to learn some history while traveling, there are a few sights outside of St. Louis that are both educational and entertaining. You wouldn’t want to see all of these sights on the same day but put a few together based on your interests.
Mastodon State Historic Site
Mastodon State Historic Site, located approximately 24 miles southwest of St. Louis, is significant because it provides evidence of human coexistence with the American mastodon.
It offers a museum, hiking trails, picnic tables, and a playground, making it an excellent destination for families with children. The museum features artifacts, exhibits, and an interpretive video about the site, as well as a replica of a mastodon skeleton.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, about 10 miles east of St. Louis, is an incredible place that preserves the remains of a prehistoric native civilization. It’s a U.S. National Historic Landmark and a United Nations World Heritage Site, recognized for its immense significance in the prehistory of North America.
The interpretive center is a great place to start your visit! You’ll find an orientation film, a recreated village, and exhibits showcasing different aspects of this fascinating civilization. Once you’re done exploring the center, grab an affordable guidebook from the museum shop and discover the Plaza, Monks Mound, and Woodhenge.
The interpretive center is currently closed for renovations. Check the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Website for the latest update.
Historic Daniel Boone Home
Located approximately 42 miles west of St. Louis, the Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park offers a glimpse into the past.
This historic site not only preserves the final residence of the legendary Daniel Boone but also showcases various structures that once stood in the surrounding area. Within the expansive 300-acre village, visitors can explore a charming general store, a quaint schoolhouse, and a grist mill.
National Great Rivers Museum
The National Great Rivers Museum, just 25 miles north of St. Louis, is an amazing 12,000-square-foot facility that brings the importance and history of the mighty Mississippi River to life. With interactive exhibits that are perfect for keeping the kids entertained, it’s a great family-friendly destination.
One of the highlights is taking a free guided tour of the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. The tours last about 45 minutes and you can also enjoy watching a couple of educational videos in the Discovery Theater. It’s a great way to spend some time and learn!
Meramec Caverns
To learn about the geological history of Missouri, head to Meramec Caverns. It is located about 65 miles southwest of St. Louis and is the largest commercial cave in the state of Missouri.
This place has some really cool features like the Wine Table and the Theatre Room Light Show. It was also a hideout spot for the notorious Jesse James! The guided tours are around 80 minutes long and cover a distance of 1.25 miles.
Where to Stay in St. Louis
St. Louis is home to a variety of vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm. When it comes to finding the perfect place for families, here are the top areas to stay in St. Louis with kids.
Downtown St. Louis
Downtown St. Louis is an awesome place to stay while in St. Louis with kids! It’s super convenient for checking out many of St. Louis’ top sights. Plus, you’ll be centrally located to explore other amazing areas of the city.
- Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch
- The Pennywell St Louis Downtown by Hilton
- Drury Inn at Union Station
Forest Park
There are tons of fun things to do with kids in St. Louis’ Forest Park. Staying in this area gives you quick access to a wide range of kid-friendly attractions. Plus, it’s centrally located, making it easy to explore other awesome spots in St. Louis.
- The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis
- Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Forest Park
- Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park
Final Thoughts On The Perfect St. Louis Family Vacation
From thrilling attractions to educational museums, this Midwestern gem offers a wide range of kid-friendly activities that are sure to keep everyone entertained. And the best part? Many of these attractions are absolutely free!
So, whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or an avid nature lover, St. Louis is the perfect destination for a memorable vacation filled with family fun.
