97 Things to Do in St. Louis in 2020

The Gateway to the West is a city full of cultural attractions, from the St. Louis Art Museum and Busch Stadium to the St. Louis Zoo and the Science Center. A city known for its love of baseball, the Gateway Arch and its super thin pizza topped with provel cheese, St. Louis has a variety of activities for the whole family.

Here is your guide to start your exploration.

Top Things to Do in St. Louis: The Ultimate Guide

There’s no shortage of fun things to do in St. Louis.

To that end, we’ve put together a short list of the top things to do in St. Louis that are almost universally enjoyed.

Of course, you can’t visit this city without marveling at the Gateway Arch, an iconic example of mid-century modern design and a symbol of Thomas Jefferson’s vision of a transcontinental United States. Brave the tram ride to 630 feet above the Mississippi riverfront for breathtaking views of downtown.

Looking for a thrill? Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka is an adventure seeker’s playground, with nearly 50 rides and attractions, from rushing water slides to soaring roller coasters, plus arcade games, live entertainment and more.

If you’re a sports enthusiast, head to Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. The retro-style ballpark seats 46,000 fans, and the outfield opens up to the Arch for a stunning view of summer sunsets and home run fireworks.

While watching a game inside the stadium is currently off limits, Ballpark Village, the adjacent entertainment district, is the next best thing. Watch the live action from the Brew House Bud Deck, a rooftop venue with direct views into the stadium.

One of the best attractions in St. Louis is the St. Louis Zoo. Admission is free to this home of more than 13,000 animals. Pack a picnic and spend the day marveling at creatures great and small.

Union Station, a St. Louis icon, has been lovingly restored and features the new 120,000-square-foot St. Louis Aquarium, the chic St. Louis Union Station Hotel, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel and more.

Fun with Family: Things to Do in St. Louis with Kids

St. Louis is a family-friendly city with lots of activities and attractions both kids and adults will enjoy. The St. Louis Zoo is guaranteed fun, with its vast collection of animals, interactive shows and world-class exhibits such as Sea Lion Sound and River’s Edge.

The St. Louis Science Center, one of the only free nonprofit science museums in the country, is filled with hands-on exhibits and attractions such as the Life Science Lab and the Discovery Room.

Marvel at the life-sized animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex, stargaze at the McDonnell Planetarium, and watch a movie at the OMNIMAX Theater. Even teens will be amazed by the truly immersive experience of the five-story, 80-foot diameter dome.

The Magic House St. Louis Children’s Museum is over 60,000 square feet of interactive learning exhibits. Kids can catch toy fish in a pond in the Children’s Village, splash around in the new outdoor Waterfall Patio, and sew on a real sewing machine in the Art Studio.

The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is one of the city’s newest things to do with kids. If your kids can’t stop singing “Baby Shark,” they’ll be amazed by all the sharks swimming in the 250,000-gallon Shark Canyon. At the Touch Pools, kids can pet cownose rays, bamboo sharks, sea stars and more. Get up close to the aquarium’s animal ambassadors, such as a ball python and a sugar glider, and ask their caregivers questions.

Grant’s Farm is a great place for the whole family. Home to Ulysses S. Grant’s 1855 cabin, Grant’s Farm features exotic animal species from around the world, the Busch family’s carriage collection surrounded by a Bavarian farm-style courtyard, an area to feed parakeets and baby goats and more. Kids will love interacting with the animals, and adults can enjoy complimentary samples of Anheuser-Busch products at The Bauernhof.

Budget-Friendly Options: Free + Cheap Things to Do in St. Louis

Looking for inexpensive things to do in St. Louis? You’re in luck. Many of the city’s attractions are free or charge only a small fee. The zoo has been free since its founding in 1910, giving equal access to its 3 million visitors annually. Its neighbor in Forest Park, the St. Louis Art Museum is free every day and admission to main exhibitions is free on Fridays. The St. Louis Science Center also offers free admission.

Grant’s Farm does not charge admission fees, but parking costs $15 per vehicle. Animal shows and tram rides are also free. Feed the baby goats for just $2 and parakeets for $3, or ride a camel for $7.

Admission to the Missouri History Museum is free. Explore exhibits such as Beyond the Ballot: St. Louis and Suffrage, Mighty Mississippi, What’s in a Name? and more.

Tours of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery are free. Tours include a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s largest and oldest brewery site, get up close to the renowned clydesdales, and sip a complimentary beer at the conclusion of the tour.

The Missouri Botanical Garden offers discounted tickets to St. Louis City/County residents. With proof of residency, adult tickets are $6, seniors are $4 and children 12 and under are free. Roam the 79-acre garden, the nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation, and admire beautiful displays such as the Chinese Garden, the English Woodland Garden, the Victorian District and the Climatron.

Kids will love riding the St. Louis Carousel at Faust Park. Rides are just $2 each for people 11 months and older, making it one of the cheapest things to do in St. Louis. Riders under 12 months are free with a paying adult (age 16 or older).

The historic carousel has 60 horses, four deer and two sleighs and was built in 1921. It opened in its current location in Faust Park in 1987 to ensure this artifact will be protected for the enjoyment of patrons for many years to come.

The Muny, St. Louis’ outdoor musical theater in Forest Park, has nine rows—more than 1,450 seats—at the back of the theater known as the Free Seats. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan to arrive early and enjoy the pre-show entertainment in Lichtenstein Plaza located behind the free seats.

Romantic Things to Do: Impress Your Significant Other

Are you looking for ways to surprise your boyfriend, your girlfriend or your spouse with a special date? Whether you are planning something for an anniversary, birthday, proposal, or just because you want to appreciate them, there are many romantic things to do for couples in St. Louis.

Maybe you and your partner are super outdoorsy and a walk through a beautiful nature scene is the most romantic thing you could plan.

Maybe you’re all about having fun together and playing games and getting a little competitive to spark the romance. Or maybe you love dressing up for each other and taking in some art and culture while finding the cutest places to take pictures around town.

Outdoorsy Charm in the Parks

Boathouse Forest Park: Rent a paddle boat, canoe or double kayak together and see Forest Park from a different point of view as you travel around the 22 acres of water. It’s always romantic to learn new skills together and help each other succeed.

Sharing a boat or a kayak gives you the opportunity to work together, practice patience and also just have tons of fun. If you go in the morning, by the time you are back to the dock, you’ll be ready for lunch at the Boathouse restaurant. Don’t forget to share the profiterole sundae to reward yourselves for all of your hard work.

Picnic at Forest Park: If you’d rather stay on land where it’s nice and dry, you can plan a bike ride or a walk through Forest Park instead.

Pack a picnic with all of your partner’s favorite snacks, and don’t forget their beverage of choice too! For bonus points, bring a mini portable speaker with you to create your desired ambiance once you land on a spot to set up your picnic.

Romantic Competition for the Adult ... Kid at Heart

Up-Down St. Louis: If you and your partner are total kids at heart, you’ll love competing in the arcade games at Up-Down while enjoying your adult craft beers. There are so many different kinds of games to try from the ‘80s and ‘90s, plus lifesize games like Jenga and Connect Four. Just don’t let your competition get too carried away, and always remember how much you love each other at the end of the night!

All Dolled Up in Elegant Venues

St. Louis Carriage Company: Finally, you can be recognized as the royalty that you really are. Book a princess carriage tour so you and your partner can live out your fantasy of being paraded around Laclede’s Landing to greet your loyal subjects. Just be prepared for Prince Harry and Meghan to call you up asking for tips on royal presentation!

The Wheel at Union Station: This isn’t your average ferris wheel. The Wheel at Union Station features luxury gondolas that are climate controlled so no matter what the weather is like outside, you’ll be perfectly comfortable in your nice clothes throughout the entire ride. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the wind messing up your hair during your couples selfies!

Book a private gondola for just the two of you with leather seats, a glass floor and a complimentary photo of you two from The Wheel. It will be tempting to look at how stunning your partner is the whole time, but make sure you take in the incredible view of St. Louis too!

Things to Do in St. Louis This Weekend

Happy weekend! Ready to get out of the house and do something fun today? Whether your ideal weekend is doing something chill and relaxing or being active and getting a bunch of things done, there are things to do in St. Louis that fit both moods.

Visit a Winery Outside the City

Just less than an hour outside of St. Louis, there are some beautiful wineries that will make you feel like you aren’t in Missouri anymore. Spend a Saturday or a Sunday with your girlfriends or your partner and have a little one-day weekend getaway.

Augusta Winery: The Augusta Winery knows how to have fun! Their events calendar is packed full of live music events, festivals, games and holiday celebrations.

This year’s Halloween is on a Saturday, and Augusta Winery is hosting a family-friendly costume party and wine tasting 1-5 p.m. You’ll have plenty of time to make it back home with the little ones before it gets dark. Stay tuned for more information about their Friday evening candlelight Christmas walks in December too!

Montelle Winery: Montelle Winery has live music events every weekend so you always have something special to enjoy when you visit. The events are held on Saturdays and Sundays and vary from being in the afternoon (1-4 p.m.) to the evening (5-8 p.m.). You absolutely must plan to stay for dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Parliament Room to experience the seasonal menu. Reservations must be booked in advance.

The Montelle Winery is also in Augusta and will be included in the candlelight Christmas walks with Augusta Winery and December.

Cedar Lake Cellars: At Cedar Lake Cellars in Wright City, you can enjoy an outdoor experience picnic table rentals, Smokehouse outdoor dining and fire pit rentals available on weekends. There is also live music scheduled every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at different times. Throughout September and October, you can visit during their signature events such as Derby Day (a Kentucky Derby watch party), Pyromania (a huge fireworks display) and the annual Fall Fest.

Chandler Hill Vineyards: Chandler Hill Vineyards in Defiance is all about elegance. This is where to go for special occasions and glamorous photo opportunities! A main thing to note here is the use of lighting from magnificent fireplaces to tasting bars lit by candles and celestial sky lights. You can also enjoy live music at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. on Sundays.

Fitness First: Start Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is an activity that takes a lot of patience—mentally and physically.

You might not have a lot of time during the week to devote to learning a new skill, but if you do a climbing session each weekend, you’ll give your body some time to rest in between.

It can feel extremely empowering to achieve new goals each time you climb and do something that makes your adrenaline start pumping. Plus, climbing is a very social activity as you will need someone to be your belay partner. Grab a friend who is also interested in learning how to climb so you can encourage each other and move along at a similar pace.

Enjoy the strength building and the relationship building all in one! Here are some places to check out.

Explore the City Museum on a Saturday

The City Museum is so quirky and fun and definitely something that you’ll want to experience multiple times. So even if you went there a long time ago or as a kid, it’s time for a revisit! City Museum is unique in that it is constantly adding on and renovating sections. The construction is on display while they work, so if you go regularly, you can keep up with the progress and feel like you are a part of the community.

There are four floors plus a rooftop, so you could truly spend an entire Saturday here if you wanted to. Each floor has its own different places to get snacks and drinks so if you’re with kiddos will play and play until they almost pass out from hunger, you’ll have a quick fix wherever you are in the museum!

Challenge your fear of heights and ride the rooftop ferris wheel or explore the slides that pass through multiple floors. Just make sure you stay in contact with your group throughout the day because it’s easy to wander around and have no idea how you ended up somewhere!

Things to Do in St. Louis at Night or Early Evening

What do you want to do tonight? If it’s been a long day at work, you might be looking for a relaxing evening with a peaceful ambiance. Maybe you’ve hired a babysitter so you can have an adult-only night stress-free. Or maybe you want to have some fun and experience St. Louis nightlife! Here are some different things to do at night for any experience.

Get to Know the Nightlife: Lively Music Venues

You never know who is in town! Even if it’s a smaller indie band that you haven’t heard of, you might discover some new music that you really enjoy by experiencing them live. Sometimes it’s more about having a great time with friends and enjoying a night out than who is performing.

Elevated Concert Halls + Performing Arts

If you’d rather enjoy a symphony, some theater or some jazz music while dining instead of jumping around at a standing room only concert, check out the performance schedules at these concert halls and art centers to find a show or event tonight.

Relaxing Shopping + Dining

In these areas, you get to make your evening what you want it to be. Find some casual dining options with patios for drinking and laughing with friends or go for a finer dining experience with your partner. There are so many choices available to you to unwind from your day.

Surprises + Secret Locales: Unique Things to Do in St. Louis

Are you the kind of person who works hard to avoid tourist traps when you travel? Do you like to find the hidden gems and enjoy things in your own unique way? Here are unique things to do around St. Louis for quirky and odd entertainment.

Laumeier Sculpture Park: You never know what you’ll find at this unique sculpture park, including a giant eyeball! The park is free to visit, and sometimes you can catch special events or classes being held as well.

Gateway Geyser: The Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park holds the tallest water fountain in the United States, called the Gateway Geyser. It’s also the third tallest in the world!

HealthWorks! Kids Museum: If you have young kiddos, this is a great place for them to learn about health and wellness while they get to be active.

Exhibits include a mock dentist office, pharmacy, farmers market and more. If your kids get nervous about going to the doctor or the dentist, this fun museum will help them understand more about what the purpose of their health care visit is and how it benefits them. Plus, in this environment, they get to act as the professionals to feel in control of the situation. Don’t forget to catch a lively performance at the Delta Dental Health Theater!

Venice Café: Try delightfully enchanting Caribbean cuisine surrounded by unique decor, art and live music.

The Lemp Mansion: Is the haunted mansion at Disneyland one of your favorite rides? Then you’ll love this haunted mansion where you can actually stay awhile and explore. Sign up for a haunted history tour, dine at the restaurant and even book an overnight stay to truly test your courage! If you’d rather laugh than be spooked, experience a show at the comedy-mystery dinner theater.

World Chess Hall of Fame: Who knew the game of chess has played such a significant role in the history of the world? St. Louis knew! At this museum you can see exhibits about science, philosophy, art and politics—all relating to chess. Discover all of the nuances of chess games played around the world and leave with so many fun facts that you’ll never run out of things to say in a conversation.

Get in Touch with Nature: Outside Things to Do in St. Louis

An urban oasis in downtown St. Louis, Citygarden occupies two blocks of the Gateway Mall between Eighth and Tenth streets. Completed in 2009, Citygarden is a sculpture garden, a botanic garden and a city park all in one. The park consists of 24 contemporary sculptures; native Missouri trees, shrubs, groundcovers, grasses and wildflowers; plus water features like the Voyage Pool, the Spray Plaza and the Lower Basin Pool.

Katy Trail State Park, the longest developed rail-trail in the country, runs through St. Louis. The 240-mile trail attracts cyclists, equestrians, hikers, nature lovers and history buffs alike. The Katy Trail has 26 trailheads and winds through some of the most scenic portions of the state of Missouri. The majority of the trail closely follows the Missouri River, meandering through small towns and historic sites.

Castlewood State Park in Ballwin is nestled in the lush valley of the Meramec River. It has plenty of outside things to do including fishing, hiking and biking. The park’s amenities include picnic shelters, a playground and several trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Visitors may spot cricket frogs, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, great blue heron and more along the way. Cast your line in the Meramec River and catch catfish, gar, carp, bass and more. Birdwatchers can look for more than 191 bird species found at Castlewood State Park, such as Bufflehead, Purple Finches and Olive-sided Flycatchers.

Inside Things to Do in St. Louis

If you’re looking for some ways to enjoy Downtown St. Louis without being in the moody St. Louis weather, you’re in luck! There are plenty of interesting things to do indoors so no matter what’s going on outside, you’re having fun inside.

Catch a Sports Game

What would St. Louis be without its sports fans? Depending on the season, you can go to an SLU basketball game at Chaifetz Arena or a Blues hockey game at Enterprise Center. Alternatively, you can go to a sports bar or restaurant to watch the game with plenty of food and drinks available

Visit a Greenhouse

Take in some beautiful nature without actually being outside! Some of the greenhouses and botanical gardens in St. Louis have both indoor and outdoor areas, so you can be outside if it is nice out and head inside when the weather changes.

Jewel Box at Forest Park: The Jewel Box is a popular wedding venue in St. Louis, and once you see it, you’ll understand why! It’s filled with hundreds of gorgeous, healthy flowers, and the way the glass panes are structured makes it literally glow from the sunlight. You can visit any day of the week, and admission is just $1 or completely free depending on when you choose to go.

Bowood Farms: There are so many different plant-related things to do at Bowood Farms! You can take an indoor class to learn how to paint flowers, vegetables and houseplants. You can also learn how to arrange your own floral bouquets! You can shop for plants and containers, or you can just stroll through the greenhouse and enjoy the scenery without bringing anything home. Be sure to stop for a meal, snack or drink at Cafe Osage during your visit.

Missouri Botanical Garden: St. Louis is fortunate to house the official Missouri Botanical Garden, a massive collection of plants, art and culture. While there is much to see outdoors, for the indoors there is the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum; classes on conservation, sustainability and gardening; the Linnean House; and the incredible Climatron.

Tour a Museum

Whether you are interested in art, sports, science or history, there’s a museum for you to explore in St. Louis! Check out some of these options for a day spent indoors.

Things to Do in St. Louis in the Winter

Winterfest at Kiener Plaza brings ice skating to downtown St. Louis for the holiday season on the weekends. Rent skates for $12 or bring your own and skate for free. Winterfest also includes a Winter Market shopping district, reserved igloo seating at Igloo Village with food and drinks, special appearances from princesses and superheroes, fireworks and more. Experience the magic of the holiday season in downtown St. Louis at Winterfest.

Experience the magic of more than 1 million twinkling lights at Anheuser-Busch. The Brewery Lights is a free, family-friendly holiday tradition where guests are invited to stroll along Pestalozzi Street and admire the beautiful brewery buildings adorned with festive lights. Walking tours are available Friday through Sunday from 5-10 p.m. Driving tours are welcome Monday through Wednesday from dusk until midnight. Upgrade your experience with the Clydesdale Holiday Package, the Firepit Fun Package, the Holiday Cheers Package or the Brewery Lights VIP Package. Ice skating at the Brewery Lights is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 for skate rentals. Adults can enjoy a variety of Anheuser-Busch products, while the little ones hit up the Kids Zone.

The Fabulous Fox Theatre is a spectacular venue in Midtown with unmatched decadence and more than 90 years of storied history. Catch Broadway shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, Ain’t Too Proud, The Prom and many more. The Fox also offers walking tours of the theater, designed in a style known as “Siamese Byzantine,” a blend of Moorish, far Eastern, Egyptian, Babylonian and Indian themes of various periods.

Beat the Heat: Things to Do in St. Louis in the Summer

St. Louis is home to the country’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, The Muny. The Muny in Forest Park produces seven seven musicals each year and welcomes 350,000 guests during its nine-week season. Tickets are available for purchase if you’d like to sit closer to the stage, but the free seats toward the back are also a great option for free entertainment. Now in its 101st year of production, The Muny has adapted to the times and is presenting online entertainment. Catch The Muny 2020 Summer Variety Hour Live! Tuesdays and Thursdays on YouTube.

Have you ever taken a cruise on a riverboat? Riverboat Cruises at the Gateway Arch is currently offering three different experiences: St. Louis Riverfront Cruise, Skyline Dinner Cruise and Arch View Lunch Cruise. Take in the views on a relaxing one-hour daytime cruise narrated by the captain or a National Park Service Ranger. The Skyline Dinner Cruise is a two-hour cruise that features live music, a chef-inspired dinner menu and stunning views of the downtown skyline at night. Enjoy lunch with a view on the Mississippi River with the Arch View River Cruise, complete with live music.

Cool off and make a splash at Six Flags’ water park, Hurricane Harbor! Hurricane Harbor boasts 11 water attractions, such as Typhoon Twister, Hurricane Bay and Big Kahuna to get your thrills while staying nice and cool in the summer heat. Race your friends on the Wahoo Racer, raft down a giant funnel on the Tornado or float down the lazy river at Gulley Washer Creek. Make your day more luxurious by reserving a private cabana, complete with seating, lounge chairs, bottled water and even a TV at the VIP cabanas.

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is a St. Louis institution in South City. The family-owned business has been serving frozen custard for more than 80 years, getting its start in Florida in 1929 and in St. Louis in 1930. Ted Drewes has become synonymous with St. Louis summers, with concretes being the most popular menu item. This malt or shake, created in 1959, is so thick that it’s passed through the service window upside-down! Order a specialty concrete like The Dutchman or The Cardinal Sin, or create your own sundae, float or malt. “It really is good, guys—and gals!”

The Ultimate Gateway to Midwest Attractions + Activities

St. Louis is truly a city with things to do for everyone. Sure, it’s known for its sports fans. But there is also a rich culture of fine art, music, science, botany, performing arts, food, wine, beer and so much more. No matter your age, personality, or what the weather is outside, you can have a great time in St. Louis!

FAQ

Things to Do When You’re 18 in St. Louis

Pieces St. Louis Board Game Bar & Cafe is an all-ages establishment with more than 950 board games. Guests pay $5 for access to Pieces’ games, from trivia and cards to strategy and stacking. Not sure what to play? Game Navigators are at your service to help you choose and set up games. Pieces’ food menu includes everything from quesadillas and tacos to sandwiches and salads. Brunch is served on the weekends, with options like five-egg omelets and biscuits and gravy.

Broadway Oyster Bar is a household name in the St. Louis entertainment circuit. This New Orleans-style restaurant and bar serves sustainable seafood and Cajun and Creole dishes in a historic building downtown, but BOB is best known for its live music. Broadway Oyster Bar offers live music twice a day every night of the week except for Fridays, when one band is featured. Hear every genre of music from blues and rock to reggae and funk. Shows are all ages except for late-night shows, which are 21+.

Things to Do When You’re 21 in St. Louis

For the 21+ crowd, St. Louis has lots to offer. Whether you like bar hopping, concerts, dance clubs or wine tastings, there’s something for everyone who has reached the legal drinking age.

If you like to spice things up, head to Club Viva in the Central West End. Latin Nights are on Thursdays and Saturdays, featuring salsa, bachata, merengue and cha cha cha.

Perched atop the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, Three Sixty offers stunning views of downtown—including Busch Stadium. The 6,000-square-foot rooftop bar has both indoor and outdoor bars and seating, fire pits, flat-screen TVs, a wine wall and contemporary styling. Enjoy a cocktail or a beer, order a pizza or a burger and take in the sights at one of the city’s best rooftop bars.

Going to Fast Eddie’s Bon Air for your 21st birthday is a right of passage. This legendary dive bar in Alton, Illinois, has a massive patio, delicious and cheap food and plenty of drinks to go around. Enjoy live music on the outdoor stage, marvel at the neon signs and quirky wall decor and take part in a tradition that started back in 1921! Tip: Fast Eddie’s is a cash-only establishment.

Things to Do in St. Louis When It’s Raining

When it’s raining outside, you don’t have to sit inside and twiddle your thumbs. Get your heart pumping at one of three Sky Zone locations in St. Louis. This wall-to-wall trampoline park has plenty of action for kids and kids at heart. Attractions include Ultimate Dodgeball, which takes your favorite gym class sport to the next level; Skyladder, where you climb a fidgeting ladder and plant your flag at the top; Skyhoops, which elevates classic arcade basketball into the air; and more.

America’s Incredible Pizza Company is an indoor entertainment center with arcade games, laser tag, mini bowling and more. Race your friends on the go kart track, take a ride on the spinning roller coaster and immerse yourself in the 4D simulation ride. Hungry? America’s Incredible Pizza Company has an all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, hot dogs, salad, tacos, pasta, desserts and more.

Are you up for an exciting challenge? Try an escape room with your friends or family. At Escape the Room St. Louis, each room has its own setting, secrets, storyline and escape route. Choose from The Clock Tower, The Submarine, Western Bank Heist or The Theater. Your team will have 60 minutes to look for clues and solve the puzzles in order to escape the room before time is up. Mastermind Room Escape has 10 different rooms to choose from, including Diamond Heist, Cursed Castle and The Shed. Bond with your group, use your imagination and test your critical thinking skills in a fun, thrilling environment!

Things to Do in St. Louis When It’s Hot

Beat the heat at the award-winning Inside the Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Learn how the economy works in a fun way by exploring nearly 100 interactive exhibits, including videos, games, sculptures and displays.

Don’t let the hot summer weather keep you from enjoying all the activities at Swing-A-Round Fun Town! Slather on the sunscreen and drink plenty of water; this entertainment park has thrills for the whole family both indoors and outdoors. Race around the track in the go-karts, play a round of mini golf, spray your opponents with squirt guns on the bumper boats and perfect your swing at the batting cages. Then seek relief from the heat at the indoor arcade, which has two floors of games; explore the Kids Korner Indoor Playground; and order a pizza and Ted Drewes ice cream from the concession stand.

Things to Do in St. Louis When It’s Cold

When the freezing air outside stings your face, it can be hard to find a reason to leave your cozy couch. The Loop Ice Carnival in January makes bundling up and venturing out more than worthwhile, with its impressive ice sculptures throughout the Delmar Loop. The festival also includes ice carving demonstrations, ice slides, carnival rides and even a rooftop skate park at the Moonrise Hotel. Marvel at the illuminated ice sculptures at the Loop Ice Carnival After Dark on Saturday night, and try your hand at a few bar games too.

Mardi Gras is one of the city’s biggest parties, and the cold never stops the festivities. Join the fun at the nation’s second largest Mardi Gras celebrations in St. Louis’ Soulard neighborhood, complete with a Cajun Cook-Off, a Family Winter Festival, the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball and so much more. Dress up your pooch in purple, gold and green for the Purina Pet Parade, burn some post-holiday calories at the Missouri Lottery 5K Run for Your Beads, and marvel at the elaborate floats in the Bud Light Grand Parade. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Things to Do in St. Louis When It Snows

When it snows in St. Louis, locals looking for a thrill head to Art Hill in Forest Park. The city’s most iconic sledding destination starts just steps away from the St. Louis Art Museum entrance, and the iconic statue of King Louis IX of France and takes sledders down the snow-covered hill to the Grand Basin. This beloved tradition started in 1905 when World’s Fair workers grabbed folding chairs and rode them down Art Hill.

Skiing in Missouri? Yep! Hidden Valley Ski Resort is a winter wonderland in Wildwood, featuring 17 trails and two peaks for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. The resort is equipped with 110 fan guns that can pump over 6,600 gallons of water per minute, covering the entire terrain with powdery snow. Hidden Valley offers ski lessons for all ages and abilities at its Snowsports Academy, plus equipment rentals for everything you need for a day on the slopes. Warm up by the fireplace at the lodge, and grab a snack from the cafeteria. Hidden Valley is now open year-round and features ziplining, hiking and scenic chairlift rides.