What are the best things to do in St. Louis?
Top picks in St. Louis include Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Citygarden, City Museum, Contemporary Art Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this St. Louis travel guide.
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🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
St. Louis Travel Guide
St. Louis, United States
Photo: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, NPS from St. Louis, MO, USA · CC BY 2.0
Why visit St. Louis
Travel guide for St. Louis, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
St. Louis is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 4 days. If time is short, prioritise Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, Citygarden, City Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in St. Louis
1
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
2
Citygarden
3
City Museum
4
Contemporary Art Museum
5
National Museum of Transportation
6
Forest Park
7
Missouri History Museum
8
Soulard Market
Budget travel
Free things to do in St. Louis
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
Citygarden
Forest Park
Soulard Market
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
St. Louis itinerary (4 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
- Visit Citygarden
- Visit City Museum
- Eat at Gus's Pretzels
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Contemporary Art Museum
- Visit National Museum of Transportation
- Visit Forest Park
- Eat at Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Missouri History Museum
- Visit Soulard Market
- Visit Lafayette Square and Park
- Eat at Federhofer's Bakery
Budget
St. Louis trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in St. Louis, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for St. Louis
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match St. Louis mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Gus's Pretzels
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
Federhofer's Bakery
Adriana's
Cunetto's House of Pasta
Favazzas
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Drury Pear Tree Inn
Drury Inn Union Station
Moonrise Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
Shopping
- Delmar Loop
- Downtown St. Louis
- The Hill
- Washington Avenue
- Cherokee Street
Nightlife
- Blueberry Hill
- Halo Bar
- Hair of the Dog
- Heavy Anchor
- Pinup Bowl
- The Silver Ballroom
Museums & culture
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
- City Museum
- Contemporary Art Museum
- National Museum of Transportation
- Missouri History Museum
In pictures
St. Louis gallery
Good to know
St. Louis travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit St. Louis?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in St. Louis?
Plan at least 4 days in St. Louis for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in St. Louis?
Popular stays in St. Louis include Drury Pear Tree Inn, Drury Inn Union Station, Moonrise Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to St. Louis cost?
On the ground in St. Louis (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in St. Louis, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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