If you’re looking for a quick and close summer getaway with the kids that doesn’t take a lot of planning, St. Louis is a mere four and a half hours away and holds so many treasures for the kids. Here are our top six picks for a weekend trip (or longer) to The Gateway City.
If you haven’t visited America’s tallest monument, this is a must. Take the tram up to the tip top of the arch and gaze out from 630 feet in the sky over the mighty Mississippi River. On a clear day, you can see up to thirty miles in either direction. Then go underground to the Museum at the Gateway Arch below the magnificent stainless steel structure to learn about the history of the arch and the city on the river. Visit www.gatewayarch.com for details.
The kids will love The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum located just 15 miles west of St. Louis in Kirkwood, Missouri where they will enjoy 60,000 square feet of fun and educational interactive exhibits. Check out Dinosaur Train: the Traveling Exhibit available till September 6th. Plus, play outdoors at Sand Castle Beach, a beachfront park, complete with tons of sand, hidden seashells, and beach umbrellas. Visit www.magichouse.org.
See what’s new at the Saint Louis Science Center. Kids can explore over 700 hands-on displays. Be amazed by the life-sized animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex. Take a wild ride in the Pulseworks Simulator, experience air combat with the I-360 Interactive Flight Simulator, or fly a plane through the arch using the Take the Controls! simulator. Take in a show at the four-story Omnimax theatre, or see a thrilling space show at the Planetarium. Visit www.slsc.org.
There’s so much to do at St. Louis Union Station. Play golf on an 18-hole mini-golf course. Ride the carousel or the 200-foot ferris wheel. Check out the Aquarium at Union Station with 1.3 million gallons of water and thousands of aquatic animals. Plus, get lost in the mirror maze or test your agility on the three-story ropes course. Finish the day with an outdoor Fire and Light Show on the lake. Visit stlouisunionstation.com.
5. Grant’s Farm
This family-themed farm about 25 minutes southwest of St. Louis is home to over 900 animals. Take a ride on the tram through the wildlife preserve. Your kids will love the animal shows, deer park, feeding the goats, milking a cow, riding the carousel, taking a camel ride, feeding the parakeets and more. Best of all, admission is free! Visit www.Grantsfarm.com.
6. City Museum
A museum unlike any other, constructed from reclaimed building materials, including old chimneys, salvaged bridges, construction cranes, even abandoned planes, it is an eclectic mixture of children’s playground, fun house, and architectural ingenuity. This all-ages playground is filled with caves, slides and climbing equipment made from recycled and found objects. Hit the roof and grab a bite to eat, a view of the city, and a rooftop ferris wheel! Visit www.citymuseum.org.
With limited capacity on some attractions due to COVID restrictions, we encourage you to make reservations whenever possible to ensure you get to experience everything on your list.
