St. Louis, United States travel guide

The Gateway Arch, free world-class attractions, blues history and Midwestern charm.

Best time to visit: April-June and September-October
Average daily budget: $110 to $220 USD
Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days

St. Louis is a city of grand landmarks and surprising value, crowned by the soaring Gateway Arch and packed with world-class attractions that are mostly free, from the zoo and art museum to Forest Park. Add a rich blues and barbecue heritage, historic neighbourhoods and the famous Anheuser-Busch brewery, and the Gateway to the West rewards a relaxed couple of days. Joy Plus sequences the Arch, Forest Park and the free museums so you get the most from the Midwest's best-value city break.

St. Louis itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Visit the Gateway Arch. Ride the tram to the top of the 630-foot national monument for sweeping views over the city and river.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & the Gateway Arch, Home to the iconic Arch, the riverfront, Busch Stadium and the city's landmark sights.

Evening: Explore Forest Park. Spend a day at the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum in this vast park.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. See the historic Budweiser brewery and Clydesdale horses on a classic St. Louis visit.

Afternoon: Explore Forest Park, One of the largest urban parks in the US, with the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum.

Evening: Experience blues in Soulard. Catch live blues and grab a bite in this historic, lively neighbourhood.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Eat St. Louis specialties. Try toasted ravioli on the Hill, gooey butter cake and St. Louis-style barbecue ribs.

Afternoon: Explore The Central West End, An elegant, walkable district of historic mansions, boutiques, cafés and the grand cathedral.

Evening: City Museum, a wildly creative playground built from salvaged materials, fun for all ages.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Downtown & the Gateway Arch: Home to the iconic Arch, the riverfront, Busch Stadium and the city's landmark sights.
Forest Park: One of the largest urban parks in the US, with the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum.
The Central West End: An elegant, walkable district of historic mansions, boutiques, cafés and the grand cathedral.
Soulard: A historic neighbourhood famous for its farmers market, blues bars and Mardi Gras celebrations.
The Hill: St. Louis's Italian quarter, beloved for its authentic trattorias and toasted ravioli.

Must-do experiences

Visit the Gateway Arch: Ride the tram to the top of the 630-foot national monument for sweeping views over the city and river.
Explore Forest Park: Spend a day at the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum in this vast park.
Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery: See the historic Budweiser brewery and Clydesdale horses on a classic St. Louis visit.
Experience blues in Soulard: Catch live blues and grab a bite in this historic, lively neighbourhood.
Eat St. Louis specialties: Try toasted ravioli on the Hill, gooey butter cake and St. Louis-style barbecue ribs.

Hidden gems

City Museum, a wildly creative playground built from salvaged materials, fun for all ages.
The Cathedral Basilica's stunning mosaic interior in the Central West End.
Soulard Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.
The Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in the nation.

Daily budget

$110 to $220 USD per day.

What to eat

Toasted ravioli (a local invention)
St. Louis-style barbecue ribs
Gooey butter cake
Provel-topped St. Louis-style pizza

Getting around

St. Louis is fairly spread out, so a car or rideshare is the most convenient way to get between downtown, Forest Park and the neighbourhoods. The MetroLink light rail connects the airport, downtown, the Arch and Forest Park, which is handy for those key stops, and downtown and individual neighbourhoods are walkable. For exploring areas like the Hill, Soulard and the botanical garden, a car or rideshare gives the most flexibility.

Safety

St. Louis is fine for visitors who stick to the main tourist areas, downtown near the Arch, Forest Park, the Central West End, the Hill and Soulard, with normal big-city caution advised. As crime is concentrated in certain residential areas away from the attractions, plan your routes, use rideshare at night, and apply standard urban awareness, keeping valuables out of sight in parked cars.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in St. Louis?

Two to three days is ideal. Two days cover the Gateway Arch, a full day at Forest Park's free attractions, and the brewery, while a third day lets you explore neighbourhoods like the Central West End, Soulard and the Hill, plus the City Museum or botanical garden at a relaxed pace.

Is St. Louis safe for solo travellers?

Yes, if you stick to the main tourist areas like downtown near the Arch, Forest Park, the Central West End, the Hill and Soulard, which are fine with normal big-city caution. Crime is concentrated in certain residential areas away from the attractions, so plan routes, use rideshare at night and keep valuables out of sight in cars.

When is the best time to visit St. Louis?

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant weather for exploring the city and its parks. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold. The shoulder seasons bring comfortable temperatures ideal for combining outdoor attractions like the Arch and Forest Park with indoor museums.

Are St. Louis attractions really free?

Many are, which is the city's big appeal. The Saint Louis Zoo, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Science Center in Forest Park are all free, as is admission to the grounds around the Gateway Arch (the tram to the top and the museum have fees). This makes St. Louis excellent value for families.

Do you need a car in St. Louis?

It helps. St. Louis is fairly spread out, so a car or rideshare is convenient for getting between downtown, Forest Park and neighbourhoods like the Hill and Soulard. The MetroLink light rail connects the airport, downtown, the Arch and Forest Park, covering the key stops, but a car gives more flexibility for the rest.

What food is St. Louis known for?

St. Louis has distinctive local specialties: toasted ravioli (breaded and fried, invented on the Hill), St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, gooey butter cake, and a unique thin-crust pizza topped with Provel cheese. The Hill is the city's Italian quarter and a top spot to eat, while barbecue and brewery culture are also central to the city's identity.

Is St. Louis expensive?

No, St. Louis is one of the better-value major US cities, with affordable accommodation and dining. The many free attractions, including the zoo, art museum and Forest Park, make it especially budget-friendly. Save further by eating local specialties in neighbourhoods like the Hill and visiting in the shoulder seasons.

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