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Home of the Gateway Arch, St. Louis stands proud along two mighty rivers. This “River City” has borne witness to the Lewis and Clark expedition, steamboats explorers, and plenty of sports lore! We’ll walk through the historic sites around the Gateway Arch, including the Old Courthouse and the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France.
We’ll begin our tour within view of the iconic Arch – the must-see stop for anyone visiting St. Louis! As you get ready to ride the trams to the top, hear the stories behind the city.
Next, we’ll drive through the city to see stately French Revival architecture at the Custom House and Library. Nature-lovers rejoice – we’ll drive through the massive Forest Park and get a chance to see the Zoo, as well. We’ll visit the Emerson Grand Basin, a scenic spot right in front of the art museum, then finish our day at the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor Center.
As you explore all that St. Louis has to offer, you’ll see how the city has been shaped through the centuries.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the main hub for most travelers and is about a 20-minute drive away from the Gateway Arch. MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV) offers good deals and is about a 30-minute drive away from the Arch. The St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) is only 10 minutes away from the Arch, and mainly serves business travelers.
St. Louis is a major crossroads, so most main highways in the Midwest cross through the city. You can enter St. Louis through Interstates 70, 64, 44, 55. St. Louis is only about four hours away from other major midwest cities, including Chicago, Indianapolis, Nashville, and Kansas City.
Amtrak train services enter St. Louis at Gateway Station, where you can rent a car. Metrobus offers convenient service across the city; download the Transit App from MetroStLouis.Org to check schedules and fares.
Many of the top spots in St. Louis are free to visit, including the Gateway Arch. While exploring the park and museum is free, there is a fee to take the tram ride to the top that varies slightly depending on the season. It’s a good idea to reserve tickets online, especially during busy periods like summer, spring break, and Thanksgiving weekend.
The St. Louis Zoo offers free admission, but charges a parking fee. The Zoo is cashless, so bring a card for parking fees and extras inside the Zoo.
The Muny offers Broadway performances in the summer inside Forest Park. These need to be purchased ahead of time through the the official Muny box office.
The Cathedral Basilica offers guided tours. They are free, but require a reservation, except for a public tour offered Sunday noon mass.
Entry is free at the Forest Park Hatchery.
There are several chain and boutique hotels available within easy driving distance of the Gateway Arch and Forest Park. Popular neighborhoods to stay in the city include Central West End, a historic neighborhood right next to Forest Park with lots of dining options; The Hill, St. Louis’s central-located Italian neighborhoods; or Soulard, which offers a famous farmer’s market on Saturdays and lots of blues clubs.
The suburbs around St. Louis offer additional options. Consider the Brentwood or Maplewood areas, which have several national chain hotels and easy parking. Clayton is a business district with plenty of housing and dining options catering to travelers.
Spring is the peak season for exploring St. Louis on foot. The air is cool, so it’s comfortable to walk around the historic sights, through Forest Park, and the St. Louis Zoo. Plenty of flowering trees populate the parks. The Gateway Arch is easier to get into in March and April, before the busy school tour season starts in May; though spring break can create long lines. Take in a Cardinals game if you have time, since the baseball season begins in Spring.
Summer is a busy time for St. Louis, so popular attractions like the Gateway Arch and the Forest Park Zoo offer extended hours. Try to visit top spots early in the morning or in the evening, when crowds are smaller. It can get hot and humid, but the Arch and the Art Museum offer great sights to see in the air-conditioning. Allow extra time to go through the Arch security and tram lines. Theater fans can take in a Broadway show at the Muny in Forest Park in the summer.
Fall offers smaller crowds once students are back in school, and less waiting time at the Gateway Arch or the Zoo. Keep an eye out for fall colors around the Park and historic districts, and cooler temperatures and low humidity make a stroll through the city. downright pleasant. Thanksgiving week always sees a surge in visitors, though, so there will be more crowds if you choose to visit then
In St. Louis mornings and evenings can be a good time to view popular attractions like the Gateway Arch and the Forest Park Zoo, as there tend to be fewer crowds. Hours vary seasonally, so check ahead of time to make sure that what you want to see is open at the time of day you want to see it.
Afternoons are hot and humid in the summer, so it’s a good time to see indoor spots like the Art Museum. The rest of the year, afternoon is typically the warmest part of the day, so enjoy the walking portion of the tour then.
This guided audio tour offers an easy stroll through St. Louis’s Gateway Arch area, and then a driving tour past more historic and cultural landmarks and through main points in the expansive Forest Park. While the entire tour can be completed in about three hours, we recommend allowing plenty of extra time – up to an additional hour – to go through security at the Gateway Arch and take the tram ride up to the top for the view.
Two full days in St. Louis allows you plenty of time to enjoy the attractions inside Forest Park. The free-to-enter Forest Park Zoo and St. Louis Art Museum have plenty to see for all ages, and you can round out the day by taking a leisurely stroll along one of Forest Park’s many trails – we recommend the Emerson Grand Basin Loop.
Visit the original site of the 1904 St. Louis Fair at this peaceful pool nestled inside Forest Park. Marvel at eight lit fountains spraying high into the air with Art Hill in the background – making this the perfect spot for some group photos of your trip!
As you drive through the expansive Forest Park, make sure to stop in to see the animals! The free Zoo is home to red pandas, giraffes, hippos, otters and more. Visitors of all ages are sure to have a blast exploring here.
The marvel of modern engineering that gave St. Louis its nickname “Gateway to the West,” we’ll explore the museum inside the Arch and the riverfront Park surrounding it. Make time to take the tram ride to the top and see the city view from 630-feet up!
This historic Courthouse is the entry point to the Gateway Arch National Park, and hotels its own tragic history. Hear the tale of the most infamous court case in all of American history that was heard within these walls – and how the building itself narrowly escaped demolition.
Explore all kinds of art, from ancient to modern, at the free St. Louis Art Museum, housed in Forest Park. Make sure to wander the outdoor Sculpture Garden and take some silly selfies, then hunt for ancient treasures like a Sumerian Bull inside the world-class galleries inside.
One day in St. Louis will give you enough time to visit the historic landmarks surrounding the Gateway Arch and take the tram ride to the top. You may have some extra waiting time if you visit during the busiest times of Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and the May school tour rush. Then, drive through Forest Park and see the top spots like the Zoo, World’s Fair Pavilion, and Art Museum.
With a second day, visitors will want to take more time at the Forest Park attractions. The Forest Park Fish Hatchery offers a unique eco-tour experience, and animal fans will find plenty to do at the free admission Zoo. For art lovers, the St. Louis Art Museum offers world-class collections and an outdoor sculpture garden, while the surrounding park offers a lovely setting to picnic or just enjoy a scenic stroll.
You can enjoy St. Louis at your own pace. This flexible tour can be completed in one day or spread over multiple days. Make sure to download the app and the tour inside it before you set out on your walk!
Start your day on foot, as you enter the Gateway Arch National Park by the historic Old Courthouse, the setting for America’s most infamous court case. Leave plenty of time to go through security and take the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch. After taking in the view, pop inside the Basilica of Saint Louis to see its connection to the riverfront, then stop by the Kiener Plaza Park to hear some St. Louis sports history.
For the driving portion of the tour, we’ll drive past some unique architecture at the Post Office, Customs House, and Public Library before entering the 1,300-acre Forest Park. We’ll drive past the Zoo, the Forest Park Fish Hatchery, World’s Fair Pavilion, Emerson Grand Basin, and Art Museum.
From here, you can keep exploring on your own or circle back to spend more time at favorite sights along the way.
If you have two days, there’s plenty of time to thoroughly explore the historic sights around the Gateway Arch and allow enough time to see everything in Forest Park. We recommend giving half a day each for the Forest Park Zoo and St. Louis Art Museum, depending on the interests of your group.
Remember that the Gateway Arch can take some extra time to get through in the busy season, so you could take one day to complete the on-foot portion of the tour plus the first few driving stops past historic buildings near the riverfront. Then, allocate the second day for the Forest Park attractions like the Zoo and Museum.
Water Bottle: Start the day out with a full water bottle and keep some extras in the car, so you can stay hydrated as you explore the sites around St. Louis.
Snacks: While there are plenty of dining options around St. Louis, you might want to keep some convenient snacks in your bag or car to keep your energy up.
Sturdy walking shoes: There are several blocks of city streets along our route, plus stairs at the Gateway Arch. Wear shoes that will keep you comfortable during a full day of exploration.
Sun protection: Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to protect your eyes and skin from sunburn during the summer.
Insect repellent: Even in the city, spring and summer bring bugs. Reapply some insect repellent before walking near the river or in Forest Park.
Car charger: Keep a charger in your car. Using location services for our GPS-enabled tour will drain your battery a little faster than normal, so make sure you can replenish it during the driving portion of the tour.