Planning a trip to St. Louis with kids? After visiting twice as a family, once when our kids were little and again when they were older, St. Louis has become one of those Midwest cities that really surprised us.

Between the Gateway Arch, the free St. Louis Zoo, City Museum, Cardinals baseball, and a few extra family-friendly stops, this city makes a fun and affordable long weekend or road trip stop.

This guide combines both of our St. Louis trips, including what we loved, what surprised us, what we would do again, and what families should know before visiting.

Is St. Louis Worth Visiting with Kids?

Yes, St. Louis is absolutely worth visiting with kids, especially if you are looking for a Midwest road trip destination that combines affordable activities with big family memories.

We have visited St. Louis twice, and both trips gave us something different. When the kids were younger, we loved the zoo, City Museum, and easy hotel pool time. On our more recent trip, they were old enough to fully enjoy the Gateway Arch, City Museum, and a Cardinals game.

St. Louis is a great city for families because you can mix free attractions, sports, national park history, unique museums, and casual food stops without feeling like every single thing costs a fortune.

Visiting the Gateway Arch with Kids

The Gateway Arch was one of the highlights of our St. Louis trip. It is one of those landmarks that feels even bigger and more impressive in person than it does in photos.

We rode the tram to the top of the Arch, and I was honestly nervous beforehand because I am claustrophobic. Several people in my family are too, but none of us had any issues. The ride was smooth, quick, and much easier than I expected.

Once you reach the top, the views are worth it. The windows are small, but it is such a cool experience for kids to say they have been inside the Gateway Arch.

St. Louis Science Center with Kids

The St. Louis Science Center is another great family-friendly stop in St. Louis, especially if your kids enjoy hands-on exhibits, dinosaurs, and places where they can explore without everything feeling too quiet or formal.

This is a nice option to pair with the zoo because they are located near each other, and it gives families another affordable activity to add to the itinerary.

One thing we appreciated about the Science Center was that it offered a completely different experience from the zoo and City Museum. It was educational without feeling boring and gave our kids opportunities to interact with exhibits instead of simply looking at them.

City Museum with Kids

City Museum is one of the most unique family attractions we have ever visited. It is part museum, part playground, part climbing maze, part art project, and part “how did they even build this?” adventure.

The exterior of City Museum gives visitors a glimpse of the adventure waiting inside. Rooftop attractions, climbing structures, tunnels, and the iconic airplane suspended above the museum make it one of the most unique family attractions we have visited anywhere in the United States.

This is not a quiet museum where you stroll slowly and read signs. Kids climb, crawl, slide, explore tunnels, cross bridges, and squeeze through all kinds of spaces. Adults can join in too, but you will feel it later.

We visited City Museum when the kids were younger and again when they were older, and it worked for both ages. It is chaotic in the best way, and it is one of those places that kids will talk about long after the trip is over.

St. Louis Zoo with Kids

The St. Louis Zoo is one of the best things to do in St. Louis with kids, and admission is free. We have visited twice, including once during a holiday experience, and both times it took up a huge part of our day.

On one visit, we spent almost eight hours at the zoo. It is large, beautiful, and easy to turn into a full-day activity if your kids like animals and you want to see as much as possible.

Because the zoo is free, it also helps balance out the cost of other paid attractions during your St. Louis trip.

We have visited the St. Louis Zoo during multiple trips over the years, and it remains one of the few attractions our kids enjoyed just as much as tweens as they did when they were younger.

Going to a St. Louis Cardinals Game with Kids

If your family enjoys baseball, a St. Louis Cardinals game is a great addition to a St. Louis family trip. Busch Stadium has a classic baseball feel, and the skyline views make the setting even better.

Our weather was not perfect during the game, but it gave us one of our favorite memories from the trip. We watched the crew cover and uncover the field after a storm, and then a rainbow appeared over the stadium. Sometimes the imperfect travel moments end up being the ones everyone remembers.

Other St. Louis Attractions to Consider

We have not personally done every attraction in St. Louis yet, but there are a few popular family-friendly spots I would consider adding on a future trip.

• St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station: A good indoor option, especially if the weather is not great.
• The St. Louis Wheel: A fun Ferris wheel experience near Union Station.
• Union Station area: Helpful if you want to group several activities together in one area.

Where to Stay in St. Louis with Kids

We have stayed in two different areas of St. Louis during our family trips, and both worked well for different reasons.

Drury Inn & Suites St. Louis Convention Center

On our downtown trip, we stayed at the Drury Inn & Suites near the Convention Center. This location made it easy to access the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, and other downtown attractions. The included breakfast and evening snacks were a nice bonus for a family of five.

Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park

On another visit, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park. We loved the location because it was convenient to both the St. Louis Zoo and the Science Center. It felt a little less hectic than staying downtown while still providing easy access to many of the city’s top family attractions.

For families, I would choose your hotel based on the style of trip you are planning. If St. Louis is your main destination and you want to visit Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch, downtown is a great choice. If your focus is the zoo, Science Center, and other family attractions, the Forest Park area is worth considering.

What We Loved Most About St. Louis

• The St. Louis Zoo being free
• The surprisingly easy ride to the top of the Gateway Arch
• The creativity and adventure of City Museum
• The family-friendly atmosphere at Busch Stadium
• The ability to enjoy multiple attractions without spending a fortune

3-Day St. Louis Itinerary with Kids

Day 1: Gateway Arch + Cardinals Game

• Arrive in St. Louis
• Visit Gateway Arch National Park
• Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch
• Take photos by the Arch and national park sign
• Go to a Cardinals game if the schedule works

Day 2: Science Center + City Museum

• Start with the St. Louis Science Center
• Head to City Museum for climbing, crawling, slides, and tunnels
• Wear comfortable clothes and bring knee pads if you have them
• Relax at the hotel afterward

Day 3: St. Louis Zoo

• Spend most of the day at the St. Louis Zoo
• Plan several hours if you want to see most of it
• Grab pizza or a casual dinner nearby
• Swim at the hotel or start your drive home

St. Louis with Kids FAQ

Is St. Louis good for a family trip?

Yes. St. Louis is a great family trip because it has a mix of free attractions, unique museums, sports, national park experiences, and kid-friendly activities.

How many days do you need in St. Louis with kids?

Two to four days is a good amount of time for a family trip. You can see the Gateway Arch, City Museum, St. Louis Zoo, and possibly a Cardinals game in a long weekend.

Is the St. Louis Zoo really free?

Yes, general admission to the St. Louis Zoo is free, which makes it one of the best budget-friendly family attractions in the city.

Is the Gateway Arch tram scary?

We were nervous because some of us are claustrophobic, but the ride was smooth, quick, and easier than expected. We did not have any issues going up or down.

Do you need knee pads for City Museum?

You do not technically need them, but I would strongly recommend them. City Museum involves a lot of crawling, climbing, and moving through tight spaces.

More Family Travel Guides You’ll Love

If you’re planning more family adventures, here are a few of our other favorite destinations that combine sightseeing, family fun, and memorable experiences.

Family City Getaways

• Chicago with Kids: A Family-Friendly 3-Day Itinerary
• Toronto with Kids: Our Family’s Favorite Things to Do
• New York City with Kids: A 5-Day Family Itinerary
• Washington DC with Kids: Museums, Monuments, and Family Fun

Road Trips & Outdoor Adventures

• Niagara Falls with Kids: What to See, Do, and Skip
• Corning & Finger Lakes Family Road Trip
• Mackinac Island with Kids: A Family Travel Guide
• Upper Peninsula Michigan Road Trip with Kids

Final Thoughts: Would We Visit St. Louis Again?

Yes, we would definitely visit St. Louis again. It is one of those cities that works well for different ages and different types of family trips.

When our kids were little, St. Louis gave us easy family activities, a free zoo, and hotel pool time. When they were older, we were able to add bigger experiences like City Museum, the Gateway Arch tram ride, the Science Center, and a Cardinals game.

For a Midwest road trip, weekend getaway, or family stop on the way to somewhere else, St. Louis is an easy city to recommend.