st louis gateway arch riverboat cruise

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

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Gain a new perspective while cruising the Mighty Mississippi. With a variety of sightseeing, dinner, and specialty outings to choose from, a riverboat cruise makes a unique and relaxing way to experience the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis.

Available March through November. Cruise dates and times vary. Located on the St. Louis Riverfront below the Grand Staircase of the Gateway Arch.

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Riverboats at The Gateway Arch

50 South L.K. Sullivan Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63102

TripAdvisor Rating:

The outside speakers need to be fixed or replaced.

The outside speakers on this boat really need to be fixed and replaced. About 5 minutes into the tour there was a group of us who wanted to actually hear it and we all stood underneath the speakers...

Fine dinner cruise once we actually found the parking area.

As of December, 2023, the directions on how to get to parking area were confusing. They say don’t use GPS but neglect to explain how hard it is to find the entrance to drive/park to the river front...

Decent Boat Ride

It's a nice way to spend an hour, but it's not a must do if you're visiting the area. The rivershore of st. Louis is not stunning like Chicago is. Good view of the Arch though.

Cruises: Mar.-Nov., 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

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Gateway Arch Riverboats

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Review Highlights

“ Louis we decided to ride this riverboat along the river and it was such a fun experience! ” in 17 reviews

“ There were concessions on board, but no one minded that I brought a drink onboard with me that I had purchased in the arch cafe . ” in 2 reviews

“ You'll pass your dock and go under a few more bridges before turning around and heading back to the dock . ” in 11 reviews

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50 S Leonor K Sullivan Blvd

Saint Louis, MO 63102

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Take a relaxing cruise and discover the best view of the St. Louis skyline from replica nineteenth-century paddle-wheel riverboats, the Becky Thatcher and the Tom Sawyer. They were brought to St. Louis in 1964 so spectators could get a close-up view of the Arch as it was being constructed, and are the only riverboats on the St. Louis Riverfront today. During a variety of cruises offered, hear the waters churn and admire the view as you ride along the mighty Mississippi River, where Lewis and Clark completed their historic journey. Choose a One-Hour Sightseeing Cruise, Skyline Dinner Cruise or one of many specialty cruises. Hours Cruises run March-November, rain or shine. Departure times and costs vary for each cruise. Tickets Advance ticket purchases are recommended, and are required for certain cruises. Tickets available by phone or online. On-board concessions vary for cruises. Also your entire family may enjoy casual dining, dockside at the Paddle Wheel Café, with a spectacular view of the Gateway Arch. Parking is available on the levee in front of the riverboats. Parking on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard is illegal and cars will be ticketed. Accessibility Ramps from the street to the levee provide wheelchair access to the riverboats. The first floor of both riverboats and the riverboat dock are wheelchair accessible. The second and top decks of both riverboats require using stairs. …

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Are good dogs allowed?

Is this available starting in April?

They opened March 15.

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The Arch is always a nice touch to a STL visit! The entire experience was fun and informative. Going up the arch was fun. Before we got on the tram, we participated in a learning session. We saw videos of how things were constructed and about the builders. I believe that there are sessions held with the founders and builders as well. I love how organized everything was. We stayed with our group took fun photos and learned so much! Once we made it to the top, it was a really nice view. Now I don't know if it was my fear of heights or what, but I became super dizzy and nauseous. But I did get a few pics and videos. Once we came back down, we stopped in the restaurant to eat. They have a really good system to make sure you get your food quickly. We had the ribs and wings. All of the sides come with original lays potato chips. We also had the juices. They were good! Finally, we shopped in the souvenir shop. It had so many great items. I always get a magnet for my refrigerator collection. If you are in St. Louis, this is definitely a place to visit!

Take a cruise on the Mighty Mississippi River. Board on a replica 19th century paddle-wheel riverboat for a different view of the Gateway Arch and the banks of the Mississippi. Love the names, the Becky Thatcher and the Tom Sawyer, that were originally used to take sightseers to view the construction of the Gateway Arch in the 1960s. Today, the cruise goes under several bridges, the Eads, the MLK, the MacArthur. On a beautiful sunny fall day, it was nice to be on the river enjoying the sunshine, but the tour itself was not that interesting and it was hard to hear the narration. Buy tickets at the National Park Service office inside the Arch and then walk down the steps to the riverbanks to board. The sixty-minute cruise is $25 ($24 plus a $1 service fee). If I had to do it again, I'd opt for a themed cruise like the Blues Cruise or Halloween for $30.

See all photos from Helene S. for Gateway Arch Riverboats

Now I can say I've been on a riverboat on the Mississippi. Otherwise not much to write home about. We did this before going up in the arch, so we knew some landmarks to look for from the top. I was glad they had food on board because we had totally run out of time to grab lunch after landing at the airport and needing to head straight to the riverboat!

View of the arch from the boat

Good food is not something I would have expected from a riverboat, but the food on our boat was really good. I'm still thinking about the gooey butter cake. The service was amazing and very friendly, too. You should know: When the boat is up and running, it gets very loud in the dining room area of the riverboat. I was trying to hold up a conversation with people at my table while I was eating, and I felt like I had to shout and ask them to repeat what they said. Upstairs on the deck, it's a little more quiet. But inside, you hear the roar of the engine from start to finish. But you should't spend too much time inside, anyway. The point of these riverboat cruises is to look out at the scenery, and your best view is from the deck. There is no bad seat on the deck, so just pick a spot and relax while the St. Louis skyline whooshes past you. From the riverboat, you can see the St. Louis Arch really well, as well as the behind-the-scenes graffiti and whatnot that you typically don't see from land. I love urban decay, so this is right up my alley. You also pass under bridges and see other watercraft go by. Our riverboat ride was about two hours. Just enough time to eat, snap some selfies on the deck, and bask in the sunshine on a really cool boat that's chugging down the Mississippi River.

I wanted to do a riverboat tour when in town as I had fond memories of doing it when I was a kid. Boarding process was quick, they take your photo ( you can skip it) and they bring it to you on the boat hoping you buy it. We initially sat on the upper deck but it started raining with thunder and lightening so we went down to a covered deck. Should have went indoors as it had the air conditioning! As you go down the river there is a staff from the Missouri history society talking about what you are seeing and changes in history. The sites themselves were actually pretty depressing. As someone who grew up here and came down to visit the floating McDonald's, eat or shop in Laclede's landing it was very bleak. Lots of unhoused person encampments, a rotting casino dock. You cruise up the river for 30 minutes and come back down for a total of an hour. They had food and drinks at the dock, as well as restrooms. It wasn't a terrible experience just sad if you remember this area in it's former glory.

On our trip to St. Louis we decided to ride this riverboat along the river and it was such a fun experience! The riverboat was really big and had lots of seats for people to sit and relax in... but it really didn't help that it was a pretty humid day, but we were prepared beforehand. As we cruised down the Mississippi River, we got to see so many cool things such as historic sites and landmarks. There were big bridges that we went under, and we even saw some big cargo ships that were carrying all kinds of goods. We also saw some wildlife, like birds and fish jumping out of the water. The best part of the cruise was when we got to see the Gateway Arch from the river. It looked even bigger and more impressive from down below! The captain of the boat also told us lots of interesting facts about the history of St. Louis and the river. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Gateway Arch Riverboat cruise if you're ever in St. Louis. It's a great way to see the city and the river from a different perspective, and it's a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

View right before we went under the bridge.

The old power plant, I think. I was melting due to the heat so I would forget some things the tour guide would say.

My friends and I were looking for something convenient to our location (Busch Stadium) it's only about 3 blocks away and right past the Arch, down the stairs. It was sadly only an hour but filled with lots of info. Bar on board had nice choices.

The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: we did the Tom Sawyer riverboat cruise. Actually took it as part of the Arch ticket. The margarita by the bartender was really good. Some history is narrated throughout about the bridges etc seen while sailing on the Mississippi River, but the cruise is just too slow; and the speaker had this crackling sound while announcing, didn't feel like listening to it. Super hot as well. Overall didn't feel worth the money. We went at 4.30 pm. Don't know if they have a better experience at other times.

Ehh... This really isn't a "must do." The Mississippi River water is pretty disgusting and the sights around aren't that spectacular. The approximately one hour narrated tour (by a park ranger and also the captain) seemed to be a little strapped for fun facts around the area.

It's nice and scenic and informative, and it's nice you can bring your own drinks on and enjoy the view. However the plastic chairs are old and filthy, you can't tell me for one second they can't afford to buy new chairs to make it look a little better. It would make the experience so much nicer. They are simple plastic lawn chairs that run for 20-30 a piece at most stores. Those chairs need to be thrown out immediately. If the company is reading this, do better.

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Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

Type: Family Friendly , Tours and Excursions

Last updated on June 29, 2015

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800 N 1st St St. Louis, MO 63102

314-621-4040

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Fine dinner cruise once we actually... - Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

• United States    
• Missouri (MO)    
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• Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

The outside speakers on this boat really need to be fixed and replaced. About 5 minutes into the... read more

It's a nice way to spend an hour, but it's not a must do if you're visiting the area. The... read more

Fine dinner cruise once we actually found the parking area.

As of December, 2023, the directions on how to get to parking area were confusing. They say don’t use GPS but neglect to explain how hard it is to find the entrance to drive/park to the river front. If on foot, you can just walk down The Arch steps to the boats. There is a lot of construction, do not try to park at The Landing; the casino, their parking lot and road construction block access to the Arch grounds by car. By foot, it is a far walk from The Landing side on Lenore K Sullivan so time your arrival not to miss the boat. The Arch parking garage by the Old Courthouse is no longer there. You will park on the cobblestones between the Arch steps and the river. We had to turn at a dark, unmarked, entrance with a surly STL police officer finally guiding us when we said the magic phrase “Dinner Cruise”. It is hard to find if at night, turn at the flood wall and head for the cobblestones into the shadow of The Arch. They are the old Becky Thatcher/Tom Sawyer riverboats that have been there for decades. We have done this cruise twice and is prettier at night. The riverfront is not scenic in the light but it is a cool view of the city lights when dark. The Mississippi River in STL will never win awards for prettiest water or riverfront but it is a flood zone and that is what you get. For the dinner cruise, the food is okay but the sever, bartenders and DJ were good. Also, vehicles regularly get broken into in the area, don’t leave anything visible in your car (regardless of security, just follow that rule downtown).

It's a nice way to spend an hour, but it's not a must do if you're visiting the area. The rivershore of st. Louis is not stunning like Chicago is. Good view of the Arch though.

While visiting the Gateway Arch was handicapped friendly, the riverboat was not. We purchased tickets online, and throughout the whole purchase process it mentioned nothing about the fact the Gateway Riverboats are not at all accessible for the disabled. Parking is a nightmare. After paying $10 for parking all you get is a slant cobblestone hill. No handicapped spots are available, and unloading / loading a wheelchair, or scooter, is not possible. The ramps that lead to the gangway are too steep to traverse. Trying to get from the Gateway Arch park to the Riverboat area is a joke. Even when one reaches that area, one is met with uneven cobblestones, and ramps to steep to take a wheelchair on. (My husband dropped his debit card at the gift shop right at closing time. We went back the next day to retrieve the card. He got it back. That evening our bank called and told us the someone tried to use it to pay a $5000 bill, and to send money to someone we didn't know.)

When we left the dinner cruise (the Becky Thatcher) our Jeep would not start. I asked the security guards (with River Boat Cruises) if they would help us. I was told no. We called AAA;had the hood up on the Jeep. Eventually,the staff all left; including their 2 security guards. The security guards did not ask us if we were okay. We were left alone; the only car/people left on the levy parking. This was so unsafe.

I was hoping to catch the sunset on the cruise, but unfortunately, based on the cruise times and the time of the year when the sun was setting. I was stuck right in the middle of two options. The 6pm standard cruise vs. the 730 dinner cruise. I decided to go with the earlier option which I was happy I did. The route the ship takes - it goes North first passing under a few bridges before it turns back South (passed the dock) and then goes under a couple more bridges before turning back around to the dock. I would recommend sitting on the left side of the boat as you enter as you board - your back will be to the arch as you head North but will have a great view when heading South. The East side of the river is pretty bare with nothing to see.

The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: we did the Tom Sawyer riverboat cruise. Actually took it as part of the Arch ticket. The margarita by the bartender was really good. Some history is narrated throughout about the bridges etc seen while sailing on the Mississippi River, but the cruise is just too slow; and the speaker had this crackling sound while announcing, didn’t feel like listening to it. Super hot as well. Overall didn’t feel worth the money. We went at 4.30 pm. I don’t know if they have a better experience at other times.

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The Best Mississippi River Cruises to Discover America's Heartland

By Jackie Sheckler Finch

The luxury ships and historic tours are nice, yes. But the real star of Mississippi River cruises has always been the river. There’s nothing quite so Americana as getting to know the many personalities of this 2,350-mile stretch, flowing from northern Minnesota’s Lake Itasca through 10 states until it reaches Louisiana , where the Mississippi River Delta gives way to the Gulf of Mexico.

The slow, meandering journeys of Mississippi River cruises have long proven an ideal way to discover the distinct stories of America’s heartland. In the words of Mark Twain (which no Mississippi River story would be complete without), the towns and cities located on the mighty river's shores are “cheering to the spirit” and “reposeful as a dreamland,” with “nothing to hang a fret or a worry upon.”

The challenge modern travelers now face is when, where, and how to go about this iconic American voyage . Below, see our answers to these frequently asked questions, plus our favorite Mississippi River cruises to book in 2024.

Which cruise lines do Mississippi River cruises?

After American Queen Voyages shut down in February, only two Mississippi River cruise lines currently remain in operation.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, American Cruise Lines (ACL) is American-built and remains family-owned and American-crewed. ACL offers a Mississippi River fleet of three luxurious 180-passenger modern riverboats– American Melody , American Symphony , and American Serenade —plus two classic paddlewheel ships, the 180-passenger American Splendor and the 150-passenger American Heritage.

The new kid on the Mississippi is the Viking Mississippi, a 386-passenger, five-deck vessel that first set sail in September 2022. The cutting-edge cruise is Viking’s first US-built ship, adding to their fleet of more than 90 ocean, river, and expedition vessels navigating the world’s seven continents.

What is the average cost of a Mississippi River cruise?

For an 8- or 9-day cruise, the average cost of a Mississippi River cruise is around $4,000 per person in a stateroom. Although prices might seem high initially, many of these cruises include extras that aren’t always complimentary on ocean cruises such as free WiFi, at least one free shore excursion in every port, paid port taxes and fees, and a pre-cruise hotel stay. Viking offers complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, American Cruise Lines offers complimentary beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. Gratuities are also included in American Cruise Lines fares.

What is the best time of year to go on a river cruise?

Spring (late March through mid-June) and autumn (September through November) are the best times of year to go on a river cruise in the US. Spring blossoms add a colorful touch to the shoreline, and you can never go wrong with autumn foliage. The temperatures are mild, if not pleasantly cool, and passengers are eager to welcome a new spring travel season—or to enjoy one last autumn river adventure before winter arrives.

What month is best for a Mississippi River cruise?

If we had to pick just one, September is the best month for a Mississippi River cruise. The weather is usually mild with less likelihood of rain, and autumn colors are beginning to paint the shoreline. Keep in mind, however, that the Mississippi is the fourth largest river in the world—so temperatures any time of year are not going to be the same in warmer Louisiana as they are in cooler Minnesota.

Below, see our favorite Mississippi River cruises to book in 2024, featuring stops in iconic American cities like Nashville , Memphis , and New Orleans .

22-day Mississippi River Odyssey: New Orleans to Red Wing, Minnesota

Enjoy the charms of America’s great river on a journey aboard the Viking Mississippi from New Orleans to Red Wing, departing September 20. Custom built to sail American waters, the vessel features river-facing staterooms with either French or step-out balconies.

Stops include Baton Rouge and St. Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez, Vicksburg, Greenville, and Rosedale in Mississippi; Memphis in Tennessee; Paducah in Kentucky; Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, and Hannibal in Missouri; Burlington, Quad Cities, and Dubuque in Iowa; La Crosse in Wisconsin; and ending in Red Wing, Minnesota.

With so many fascinating shore excursions to choose from, it’s well worth taking time to tour the St. Louis Arch . Opened in 1965, the monument to America’s westward expansion is far more than just a stunning photo by the riverside. Venture underground between the arch legs for a museum. Climb aboard a tram to be transported 630 feet up to the top of America’s tallest monument for some stunning views.

12-day Heart of the Delta: Memphis to New Orleans

The 386-guest Viking Mississippi spans five decks, making it one of the largest passenger vessels on the Mississippi. Inaugurated in 2022, the ship features a modern Scandinavian design with an infinity pool and a two-story Explorers’ Lounge observation area similar to its ocean ships. Directly in front of the Explorer’s Lounge is an expanded outdoor seating area known as The Bow. Three restaurants serve both Southern regional cuisine and international favorites.

The cruise starts in Memphis on November 14 and includes stops in Rosedale, Greenville, Vicksburg, and Natchez in Mississippi as well as St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow in Louisiana, ending in New Orleans. The “Mississippi Sings the Blues” shore excursion visits iconic sites along the Mississippi Blues Trail such as historic Dockery Farms, considered the “birthplace of the blues.”

The tour stops in Clarksdale, the fabled “Crossroads” where legend says blues great Robert Johnson reputedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his guitar prowess. Stops at the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi and the Delta Blues Museum completes this perfect trip for music lovers.

9-day Music Cities Cruise: Nashville to Memphis

Music is the main focus of this cruise, which begins in Nashville on July 9 with an unforgettable visit to the legendary Grand Ole Opry and ends in Memphis, where passengers will enjoy live music on Beale Street and a tour of Elvis Presley’s Graceland . On board the American Splendor, passengers will enjoy spacious cabins and popular rocking chairs. First inaugurated in 2016 and fully redecorated in 2022, this ship offers the nostalgia of a classic paddlewheeler along with the comfort of modern amenities.

While in Nashville, explore the Johnny Cash Museum, then walk upstairs to The Patsy Cline Museum. Nightly entertainment spotlights the musical heritage of this region as the world’s newest paddlewheeler journeys along the river. The itinerary also includes Clarksville and Dover in Tennessee plus Paducah in Kentucky. In Paducah, stroll along the riverfront with more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals depicting Paducah’s past. Stop by Paducah’s National Quilt Museum, the world’s largest museum devoted to quilt and fiber art.

23-day Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul

Sail 1,393 miles through 10 states on a comprehensive exploration of the mighty Mississippi on the new American Serenade . Inaugurated in 2023, the 91-cabin American Serenade won Best New River Cruise Ship of the Year 2023 by Cruise Critic , the first time an American ship has received this prestigious award.

“With extra-large all-balcony staterooms and suites, trendy interior décor, an innovative hydraulic bow and retractable ramp, and one of the most gorgeous sun decks we’ve seen on a river-going ship, American Serenade sets the bar for domestic US river cruising high,” the award notes.

The epic itinerary beginning July 18, 2024 includes 22 ports of call including Oak Alley, Houmas House, Baton Rouge, and St. Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez, Vicksburg, Greenville, and Tunica in Mississippi; Memphis in Tennessee; Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, and Hannibal in Missouri; Muscatine and Dubuque in Iowa; and Winona, Red Wing, and Saint Paul in Minnesota.

Stacey Lastoe

Tonya Russell

Steph Koyfman

Emily Pennington

12-day Mississippi River Gateway Cruise: New Orleans to St. Louis

From the French Quarter in New Orleans to the towering Gateway Arch in St. Louis , this American Heritage cruise lives up to its name. Inaugurated in 2015 and totally redecorated in 2022, the 84-cabin American Heritage is the perfect vessel for this interesting itinerary, its design reminiscent of the days when steamboat paddlewheelers plied the Mississippi in the 1800s.

The 12-day voyage departs from New Orleans on July 2. Ports of call along the way include Baton Rouge in Louisiana; Natchez and Vicksburg in Mississippi; Memphis in Tennessee; and Paducah in Kentucky . An onboard expert shares tales of the importance of steam-driven paddlewheels in establishing riverfront communities along the great Mississippi River.

Step ashore in Natchez and enjoy a cold drink at the Under-the-Hill-Saloon, once one of the rowdiest establishments on the Mississippi River in the 1800s. Legend says that Mark Twain stopped here when he was just another riverman named Samuel Clemens.

9-day Lower Mississippi River Cruise: Memphis to New Orleans

This nine-day American Melody cruise departs Memphis on September 8 and features eight ports of call including Vicksburg and Natchez in Mississippi, and St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Houmas House in Louisiana. At Vicksburg Military Park, learn how the 101st Airborne Division got its “Screaming Eagles” nickname, plus the tale of its famous soldier, a young guitar player named Jimi Hendrix. At Houmas House, see the bedroom where Bette Davis stayed to film the 1964 movie Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte . Joan Crawford was the intended co-star but Bette and Joan feuded so Joan quit and Olivia de Havilland replaced her.

Launched in 2021, the five-deck American Melody has 91 staterooms, all with private balconies and full-length sliding glass doors. The ship has several spacious lounges, a fitness center, large dining room, café for casual dining, sun deck, library, and an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. The ship’s unusual bow opens and lowers a platform for passengers to easily walk ashore.

9-day Upper Mississippi River Cruise: St. Louis to St. Paul

Board the American Symphony cruise ship to visit Mark Twain’s hometown and experience the real-life inspiration behind Life on the Mississippi, the classic memoir chronicling the author's days on the river as a steamboat pilot.

The 91-cabin American Symphony, recently inaugurated in 2022, has 100% private balcony accommodations and a unique bow that opens with a retractable gangway that can be extended for landings virtually anywhere. The ship also features lounges soaring 40 feet above the water with triple the glass of other riverboats for spectacular views. Comfy deck chairs welcome passengers to enjoy the undeveloped countryside, picturesque islands, and fascinating dams and navigation locks.

Departing September 27, this itinerary features seven ports of call including Muscatine and Dubuque in Iowa, and Winona and Red Wing in Minnesota. In Hannibal, visit the actual home—with a whitewashed Tom Sawyer fence—where Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) grew up. In Dubuque, see the 1989 “Field of Dreams” movie site known for the famous quote, “If you build it, they will come.”

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8 Fun Things to Do in St. Louis with Kids

L ong known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis is usually associated with its famous Arch or maybe Budweiser beer (both accurate). But for families, there’s so much more to St. Louis than a tour of the King of Beer (though children are welcome are some tours ). That’s because many of the best things to do in St. Louis with kids also happen to be fun for adults. It’s win-win.

Fun Things to Do in St. Louis with Kids

St. Louis is a river city, hugging the shoreline of the Mississippi. And in recent years, the city has undergone a makeover of sorts, with updates that include a major renovation of the Gateway Arch National Park plus a new aquarium and other attractions at Union Station. These days, the city is a perfect long weekend destination for families with children of all ages. Here are eight fun things to do with kids in St. Louis.

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1. Gateway Arch National Park

While the Arch is the major attraction at Gateway Arch National Park , you’ll want to start a visit with a stop at The Museum at the Gateway Arch. Offering a look at St. Louis’ history from its First People to development as a river town, the museum includes interactive exhibits that shine a light on the city, which was originally founded at nearby historic Laclede’s Landing.

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An Arch experience starts with a short ride to the to the top in four-person egg-shaped pods. From the top, 630 feet above the ground, visitors peer through the slots of the Arch for views of St. Louis and the Illinois side of the Mississippi River stretching for about 30 miles. Visitors generaly have 15 to 20 minutes to enjoy the views. The Arch isn’t accessible for people in wheelchairs, as visitors need to walk at least 96 steps at the pods and the observation floor.

The Old Courthouse , site of the famous Dred Scott decision, which legalized slavery before the Civil War, is also considered part of the Gateway Arch National Park. A paved path takes visitors from the Arch to the Old Courthouse.

2. St. Louis Union Station

More than 100,000 people made their way through St. Louis’ Union Station during the heyday of rail travel. And though the last train passed through this station in the 1970s, the station’s limestone exterior and Romanesque design has remained a part of the cityscape. Since its rail hub days, Union Station has tried on identities ranging from shopping center to entertainment complex, but nothing thrived here until someone reimagined the space as a giant aquarium plus a ropes course, mini golf course, and home to a Ferris wheel. Today, Union Station is once again a major attraction in the city.

With more than 13,000 animals, the St. Louis Aquarium anchors the revitalized Union Station. The aquarium’s exhibits include marine life from around the world, including zebra sharks and river otters. For some rail-themed fun, grab a seat aboard a train exhibit and take a virtual tour of the area, traveling below the Mississippi River as you view scenes from the train’s windows.

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When you’re ready for thrills, navigate 30 obstacles over three stories as you traverse the Rope Course . With wooden bridges, tightropes and other challenges, the course takes climbers above Union Station’s lobby. After conquering the ropes course, enjoy a victory lap on the SkyRail zipline as you soar 50 feet above the lobby.

Enjoy a special view of St. Louis with a ride on the St. Louis Wheel , a Ferris wheel with 42 four-passenger-enclosed gondolas. The 15-minute experience takes riders 200 feet high, and features unique views of St. Louis.

Visitors to Union Station can also enjoy 18 holes of Mini Golf , as well as maneuver through Mirror Maze’s hallway of mirrors, with interactive exhibits reflecting on the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.

3. St. Louis Zoo

Considered one of the best zoos in the world, the St. Louis Zoo is home to about 16,000 animals—plan to spend an entire day here—including African painted dogs, Amur tigers, red pandas, and a variety of primates and bears, including polar bears.

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Check out the sea lion exhibit, where you may find these marine mammals resting atop the underwater tunnel; and the penguins, which waddle and play just a few feet from you in an open-air environment. The zoo also features unique attractions like the Conservation Carousel (ADA compliant), Zooline Railroad, 4D Theater, and Stingrays at Caribbean Cove.

While the St. Louis Zoo offers free admission, there is paid parking and some of the exhibits do require a fee.

4. Magic House

Located inside a Victorian-era mansion, Magic House is a children’s museum that offers learning experiences while children play with interactive exhibits. From fun with science at the STEAM exhibit to exploring the world of nature, the beloved Magic House in Kirkwood features more than 20 permanent and special exhibits for families to explore.

5. Missouri Botanical Garden

The oldest botanical gardens still active in the United States, the Missouri Botanical Gardens have called St. Louis home since 1859. A respite in the busy city, the botanical gardens features several outdoor gardens—picture Japanese and Chinese gardens as well as a Victorian garden—surrounded by lovely Victorian era buildings. While you’re there, don’t miss a stroll through the Rose Garden with its variety of colorful roses.

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Indoor attractions at the Missouri Botanical Garden include the Climatron, which is a geologic dome used to house more than 2,800 plants and trees in a tropical forest. The Botanical Gardens also hosts special exhibits, such as Chihuly blown-glass art and Chinese lanterns.

6. Grant’s Farm

A gift to future President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife Julia, Grant’s Farm mixes history and nature. While the Grants’ log cabin is located at the farm, the family only lived there for a short period. Now owned by the Busch family, public trolley tours are offered of the family’s mansion.

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But, the main attractions at the popular Grant’s Farm may be the wildlife. While the famous Clydesdale horses are kept on site in historic stables, visitors are urged to reserve a spot on an open-air vehicle that includes a drive through Deer Park wildlife reserve, where they can see animals such as bison, black buck antelope, zebras, and longhorn cattle up-close. Be sure to grab an ice cream cone full of pellets to feed animals by hand.

7. City Museum

Exploring City Museum is like finding a giant playground for kids of all ages. The well-reviewed City Museum has fun for both adults and children, with structures that range from a treehouse and caves on the first floor to a slide that covers several floors. An aquarium features giant replicas of sharks and other marine life along with fish from around the world.

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Explore three stories of curiosities that feature everything from a giant pencil to classic architecture. Outdoor attractions include a rooftop slide, Ferris wheel, and a school bus that extends over the edge of the building.

8. Riverboat Cruise

Enjoy a one-hour Riverboat Cruise on the Mississippi River, passing some of the city’s historical landmarks such as Laclede’s Landing and the Gateway Arch, as well as taking on views of downtown St. Louis. Riverboat cruises include a daily tour, dinner cruise, brunch cruise, and specialty tours, such as a jazz cruise. Note that it’s a good idea to book this popular attraction in advance, since tickets sell out quickly.

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Where to Stay

Missouri-based Drury Hotels offer a family-friendly experience at a comfortable price. Opening its first hotel in 1973, the chain now has more than 150 hotels in 26 states. Of course, the area has a variety of hotel options in all areas and price ranges.

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