St Louis is the Gateway City. It also happens to be the gateway to the Ozarks. Besides the Arch, find out what else to do during your stay in the big city—from the free zoo to unique dining experiences.

Downtown | West End | Arts | Eureka | Kid-Friendly | Outdoors | Museums | Plan

St. Louis, Missouri is a historic, renowned city in southeast Missouri. It sits on the eastern edge of the Springfield plateau, making it a notable city in the Ozarks region. As you drive through the city, you’ll notice a dramatic change in the scenery as you begin to enter the hills of the Ozarks.

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Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer or city-dwelling social butterfly keen on taking in a Cardinals ball game or a little bit of art and culture–St Louis has a little something to offer for everyone, especially for families traveling with kids of all ages.

Get Acquainted with the City of St Louis

The city of St Louis is home to an eclectic combination of neighborhoods, each offering a slice of something nice.

Downtown St Louis

The historic downtown St Louis neighborhood is full of hustle and bustle. Here, you’ll find plenty of industry, art, culture, and entertainment.

• Take a Tour of the St Louis Gateway Arch
• Catch a Ball Game at Busch Stadium
• Enjoy the Walkable Cityscape Full of Playgrounds and Historic Monuments
• Spend a Day Playing at the City Museum
• Dine in More than 300 Downtown Restaurants
• Visit the Old Cathedral–the oldest church west of the Mississippi

Central West End

Another notable St Louis neighborhood is home to a diverse combination of history, nature, and fun. This neighborhood is home to Forest Park, a 1,300 acre urban retreat. 

• Spend the Day Antiquing
• Listen to Street Music & Grab Some Barbeque
• Enjoy Ice Cream at Jeni’s
• Rent a Bike and Enjoy Bicycle Tourism Through Historic Neighborhoods
• Visit the Cathedral Basilica of St Louis to View the World’s Largest Collection of Mosaics
• Take the Kids to the St Louis Zoo
• Stroll the CWE Window Walk During the Holidays

Cherokee Street Arts & Culture District

Cherokee street is a six block section of the city that’s well-known by locals as artisan alley. It’s full of pop-ups selling curated antiques and sustainably sourced goods.

There is plenty of unique shopping, art, and culture beginning at the Cherokee Indian statue sitting on the corner of Cherokee and Jefferson.

• Enjoy a Microbrew at Earthbound Brewery
• Drink with Friends at a Cheers-Style Local Pub Named Whiskey Ring
• Enjoy Latino Vibes with Art and Food from the City’s Largest Collection of Latino Shop Owners
• Enjoy Street Fairs from Thousands of Indie Artists

Eureka [The Gateway to the Ozarks]

Eureka is just 20 minutes west of downtown St Louis, yet the scenery here is very different than what you’ll find there. Eureka, Missouri is a suburb of St Louis and often referred to as the gateway to the Ozarks. Here, you can enjoy 164 acres of parks and public land, theme parks, caverns, and traditional Ozarks delights.

• Spend a Day at Six Flags St Louis
• Cool Off at the Six Flags Water Park
• Rent Canoes, Kayaks, or Hunt for Indian Artifacts on the Meramec River
• Get Outdoors at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
• Shop Local Boutiques in the Historic Downtown District

Continue to explore all that the city of St. Louis has many other great neighborhoods including the Grand Center Arts District, Laclede’s Landing riverfront neighborhood, and North County.

Enjoy Outdoor Adventures in the St Louis Area

The Mighty Mississippi River is the main waterway feeding the city of St. Louis. Between the river and the Ozarks, this vibrant and historical city has plenty of opportunities to get out in nature and explore.

• Big Muddy Adventures Paddle Trips
• Adventure Valley Zip Line
• Great Rivers Greenway
• Meramec Caverns
• Forest Park

Family Friendly Immersion Activities

Indulge your senses in something educational–and fun in the city of St. Louis.

• Challenger Learning Center Simulated Space Missions
• Magic House Imaginative Playscapes
• The City Museum
• The St. Louis Zoo
• St Louis Science Center Featuring More than 700 Exhibits
• Ryze Adventure Park

Museums & Historic Sites to Learn & Discover

St Louis is a city rich in history. Here, you’ll find a collection of museums that pay homage to those who built this vibrant cultural hub just east of the Ozarks.

• Griot Museum of Black History
• Museum of Contemporary Religious Art
• Pulitzer Art Foundation
• Contemporary Art Museum of St Louis
• St Louis Art Museum
• Missouri History Museum
• Cahokia Mounds (Home of an Ancient Civilization)
• Bellefontaine Cemetery
• Chain of Rocks Bridge

Are You Ready to Start Planning Your St. Louis Getaway?

Let us help you find a good deal to make the most of your Ozarks family vacation.

Book a Hotel: Find a place to stay in St. Louis, Missouri with Trip.com. I recently stayed at the Hilton St Louis Airport, taking advantage of their convenient park and fly package which made holiday travel a breeze!

Rent a Car: Get around the city with your own set of wheels. Compare and save with Economy Bookings.

Transportation: St Louis features Lambert International Airport. Find a great deal on airfare today.

If you’re not sure where to start–the Gateway Arch (casually known as the St Louis Arch) is a bucket-list experience for all ages and abilities.

Take a tour, go up in the arch, and explore 200 years of history in the on-site museum. Then, board a riverboat tour on the Mighty Mississippi for a different perspective on the city’s culture and history.

Top off your stay in the city with a visit to Grants Farm, another local favorite that’s especially great for kids under 5.