The Very Best St. Loius Attractions
Top Attractions of St. Louis
Gateway Arch
This monument to America's westward expansion, as well as an engineering marvel, is something St. Louisans have been proud of for over 50 years. Eero Saarinen designed the Gateway Arch in stainless steel and submitted it during a national competition. It is 630ft high and spans approximately 630ft between legs. More information is available at the Museum of Westward Expansion about the arch's history as well as the Gateway Arch Visitors Center. Six galleries tell the West's story and were opened in the building's July 2018 opening. There are over 5 miles worth of walking and biking paths in the park.
There is no charge for the Gateway Arch to be used on the ground. Ex-travelers recommend spending $10 to $13 to ride up to the top for the amazing views from the air. To see the stunning views from another vantage point during summer, a one-hour sightseeing cruise ticket will cost $20 for adults and $10 for children aged 3-15. Tickets for both activities can be purchased in advance through the Gateway Arch ticket portal.
Forest Park is huge. You can get an idea of the park's size by thinking about how it is 500 times larger than New York City Central Park. Nearly 1,300 acres of activities are included in this "forest". The forest has many activities, such as a zoo and summer concerts, museums, and fish hatcheries. You can also stroll its trails, boat its waterways, and swing your racket on its tennis courts. If you simply glance at the map, you won't get bored.
There is plenty of St. Louis history on-site. Forest Park, which has hosted the 1904 World's Fair since 1876, has been open to the public since that time. In 1909, the proceeds of the 1904 World's Fair were used to build the park's World's Fair Pavilion. It is now open to all. You can also find the Cabanne House, the oldest brick farmhouse west side the Mississippi.
Saint Louis Cathedral Basilica
This stunning, neoByzantine Roman Catholic cathedral was constructed less than a century after many other churches in Europe. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is known for its large mosaic collection. Nearly 42 million pieces are found in this installation, making it the largest glass tesserae collection anywhere.
To see the vast mosaic collection, many people recommend spending several hours at this cathedral. Check the hours of operation for your church. During Mass, tours are not allowed.
Saint Louis Zoo
There are many bears, tigers and lions! These three mammal species are kept at the Saint Louis Zoo. They also board penguins, armadillos, and sloths. Stingrays can be seen, but they have been cut.
Past visitors love the attraction for its wide range of animals. Recent visitors were impressed by the attraction's free admission and large, natural enclosures for the animals. You might find it difficult to see everything in the zoo. You can avoid crowds by visiting on a weekday, or arriving early.
Grant's Farm
Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant built Grant's Farm. Grant purchased the land in 1854 to farm and raise cattle. Grant became the first president of the United States in 1869 thanks to the Civil War.
After Grant had left the property, August A. Busch Sr. saved it. Since then, it has been in the Busch family. Grant's Farm covers 281 acres. It hosts concerts, animal shows and petting zoos. The stables also house some of Budweiser’s Clydesdale horses. This attraction is a popular choice for St. Louis visitors, even though it comes with high prices for special activities.