Places to see

Secular Destinations

Get a bird’s eye view from the Gateway Arch

Take a 630-foot ride to the top of this world-famous stainless steel monument for the finest view in the Gateway City. Then stop by the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to get a glimpse of where Lewis and Clark set out on their historic expedition! Visitors can also hop aboard a 19th century paddle-wheel boat replica for a narrated cruise down the mighty Mississippi.

Immerse in the culture of Forest Park

Once home to the 1904 World’s Fair, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States (more than 500 acres larger than Central Park!). It attracts 12 million visitors a year with world-class attractions and scenic walking and biking trails. The St. Louis Zoo, Science Center, Art Museum and History Museum are among the attractions you’ll find at Forest Park. Other points of interest include the Jewel Box, a beautiful greenhouse filled with magnificent floral displays, the golf courses and the World’s Fair Pavilion, a perfect site for a company picnic or private party.

Check out a creature feature at the Saint Louis Zoo

Get up close and personal with the furry, the flying and the fishy creatures of the Saint Louis Zoo. One of the city’s many free attractions, the Saint Louis Zoo has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading zoological parks and has been rated #4 in the world. Take a ride on the Emerson Zooline Railroad and get a guided tour of some of the most exciting animal exhibits in the park, or venture on your own through attractions like Big Cat Country, Penguin & Puffin Coast or the Interactive Stingray Pool.

Go on a journey of scientific discovery

See what’s new at the St. Louis Science Center. Find out what it’s like to venture out into the wild, journey under the sea or fly high up in the air at the four-story Omnimax Theater, a film experience unlike any other. See a thrilling space show at the Planetarium, one of nation’s leading space education facilities.

Appreciate art from the classics to contemporary

View a collection of art ranging across centuries and cultures from sculpture and oil paintings to charcoal drawings and photography at the St. Louis Art Museum. Enjoy the works of newly established artists both locally and internationally at the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis. In addition to innovative exhibitions, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts features concerts by the Saint Louis Symphony, panel discussions and educational programs. A more permanent collection of contemporary art resides in the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum.

Take an interactive history lesson

Walk the halls of the Old Courthouse featuring restored courtrooms and galleries that depict significant moments in St. Louis history. Take an exciting and educational trip through the past at the Missouri History Museum where guests can also join a local excursion to various historical points of interest in the city.

Taste the tradition of St. Louis breweries

Take a tour of the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery, where you can visit the Budweiser Clydesdales and sample a variety of premium brands, or check out a variety of breweries with Brewery Tours of St. Louis. For more local flavor, stop by Schlafly Bottleworks for a free brewery tour and to try a few of the 50 different styles of beer. Enjoy live music and dining at both the Bottleworks and the Schlafly Tap Room. For a taste of something new, stop by one of St. Louis’ many microbreweries such as the Square One Brewery & Distillery, which opened in 2006 as the first micro-distillery restaurant in Missouri.

Discover your inner child at City Museum

Explore the City Museum’s unique all-ages playground filled with caves, slides and climbing apparatus made from recycled and found objects. Visitors can interact with over 10,000 sea creatures in the World Aquarium, venture through the Museum of Mirth, Mystery and Mayhem and wander through the Elmslie and Sullivan architectural exhibit. Stop in for circus-themed food, parties and educational circus classes and workshops held daily. Create your own masterpiece in Art City, take notes with the world’s largest pencil and enjoy the view while grabbing a bite at The Roof Top Cantina.

Eat your heart out

Don’t miss the opportunity to try some of the city’s tastiest (and unique) treats. Munch on a slice of delectable St. Louis-style thin crust pizza smothered in Provel cheese and then pick up a mouth-watering gooey butter cake (the most delicious accident ever created). Snack on scrumptious deep-fried toasted ravioli at one of the many dining establishments on The Hill, a quaint St. Louis neighborhood famous for Italian cuisine. And to top it all off, satisfy your sweet tooth at Ted Drewes with some signature frozen custard.

Embrace spirituality through creative expression

Visit Saint Louis University’s Museum of Contemporary Religious Art (MOCRA), a venue committed to peaceful interfaith dialogue and understanding. Take in the beauty of one of the largest mosaic collections in the western hemisphere inside the spectacular Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis or see the historic Old Cathedral and St. Ferdinand Shrine, both constructed in the early 19th century with ties to the oldest Catholic congregation in St. Louis. Across the river, attend mass, walk the grounds and have a delicious meal at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

Stroll through the Missouri Botanical Garden

Explore 79 acres of lush gardens, landscape architecture, greenhouses and conservatories at the oldest Botanical Garden in the United States. Wander through collections of botanical and horticultural plants among beautiful fountains and statuary. Visit the Climatron for a real rainforest experience featuring magnificent waterfalls, tropical birds and exotic plants like bananas, cacao, coffee trees and orchids. Other points of interest include the serene Japanese garden and the interactive and educational Children’s Garden.

Walk down the Delmar Loop

Make a day of it at the Delmar Loop. This six-block entertainment and shopping district is packed with hip bars, eclectic restaurants, live music venues, vintage clothing boutiques and a Hollywood-inspired walk of fame featuring St. Louis celebrities. Catch a show at the historic Tivoli Theatre or learn about our solar system along the outdoor Planet Walk exhibit. Shop for quirky gifts or souvenirs and grab a bite to eat at one of the dozens of restaurants and outdoor cafés, from Turkish and Thai delights to Mexican and American classics.

Cahokia Mounds

For a true look at history in the St. Louis area, there’s Cahokia Mounds. This ancient archeological site was once home to the most advanced civilization north of Mexico. The U.N. has named Cahokia Mounds a World Heritage Site because of its role in early American history. Visitors can climb to the top of the mounds, take a guided tour or check out the exhibits in the Interpretive Center. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $4 for adults and $2 for children. Cahokia Mounds is open daily from May to October, and Wednesday through Sunday from November to April. It is located at 30 Ramey Street in Collinsville, Illinois.