About St Louis
St. Louis is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while its metropolitan area, which extends into Illinois, had an estimated population of over 2.8 million. It is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri and the second-largest in Illinois. The city's metropolitan statistical area is the 23rd-largest in the United States.
Places to visit in St Louis
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Gateway Arch
LandmarkThe stainless steel arch on the Mississippi riverfront is the city's defining symbol; small tram cars carry visitors to a viewing area at the top, and a museum below covers westward expansion.
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Forest Park
Park · 5 mi from centreA vast urban park that hosted a world's fair and now holds several free institutions, including the zoo, art museum, history museum and science center, plus lakes and trails.
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Saint Louis Zoo
Zoo · 5 mi from centreLocated in Forest Park and free to enter, this well-regarded zoo features a wide range of animals in habitats such as a penguin and puffin coast and a historic flight cage.
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Missouri Botanical Garden
Park · 3 mi from centreA large historic garden featuring the Climatron, a geodesic dome greenhouse filled with tropical plants, along with a tranquil Japanese garden around a lake and many other themed gardens to explore.
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City Museum
EntertainmentA playful, one-of-a-kind attraction built from salvaged architectural pieces, where visitors of all ages climb, crawl and slide through tunnels, caves and rooftop structures; wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes.
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Saint Louis Art Museum
Museum · 5 mi from centreHoused in a world's fair building in Forest Park, this free museum displays art from many periods and cultures, with notable German Expressionist and American collections.
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Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Religious · 3 mi from centreThe interior of this cathedral is covered with an extraordinary amount of mosaic artwork, making it a worthwhile stop even for visitors not interested in religious sites.
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Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe historic brewery in the Soulard area offers tours of its ornate brick brewhouse and the stables that are home to the famous Clydesdale horses, ending with a tasting for adult visitors.
Things to do in St Louis by type
3 tours, tickets and experiences across 1 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
- 1-3 hours 2
- Senior 1
- Couples 1
- Families 1
- Youth 1
Top experiences in St Louis
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 3 available.
See all things to do in St Louis
Where to stay in St Louis
Popular hotels in St Louis, out of 182 properties you can book.
Hilton Pennywell St. Louis At The Arch
From $184 per night
Moonrise Hotel
From $182 per night
Hampton Inn St. Louis-Downtown (At the Gateway Arc
From $174 per night
Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
From $394 per night
Red Roof Plus+ St Louis - Forest Park/ Hampton Ave
From $79 per night
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
From $186 per night
Marriott St. Louis Grand
From $290 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis Downtown
From $289 per night
Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch
From $156 per night
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
From $246 per night
Hilton St. Louis Frontenac
From $178 per night
Comfort Inn & Suites St. Louis-Hazelwood
From $97 per night
Best time to visit St Louis
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit St Louis is October, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
St Louis weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 74° 47° 2%
- Thu 22 Oct 79° 60° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 79° 60° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 80° 60° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 79° 62° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 76° 60° 2%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/ChicagoUTC−5
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to St Louis
These are the airports closest to central St Louis. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- CPS St. Louis Downtown Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
- STL St. Louis Lambert International Airport12 mi (19 km) from the city centre
- SUS Spirit of St. Louis Airport25 mi (40 km) from the city centre
Getting around St Louis
MetroLink, +1 314-231-2345 – A light rail system that runs to many of the metropolitan area's most popular destinations. There are two branches on the Missouri side of the river—the Red Line begins at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, while the Blue Line begins in the suburb of Shrewsbury. The lines merge at the edge of Forest Park, and travel through downtown and into Illinois. MetroLink stops at the Delmar Loop, Grand Center arts district, Forest Park, the Central West End, Downtown St.
By bus
Metro St. Louis operates buses around the St. Louis metro area, although in many cases, they don't run as frequently as you would like. A single fare is $2.
By car
Travel by car is the most common mode of transportation in St. Louis.
By taxi
Taxis generally do not drive around looking for street hails; you must order service by phone or from an app. Uber is extremely popular and useful in St. Louis.
St Louis travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit St Louis?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit St Louis is October, when average daytime highs are around 70°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in St Louis?
July is usually the warmest month in St Louis, with average highs of 89°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 23°F (-5°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 159 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to St Louis?
St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of St Louis. Other nearby airports include St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL, 12 mi) and Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS, 25 mi).
What time zone is St Louis in?
St Louis uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around St Louis?
MetroLink, +1 314-231-2345 – A light rail system that runs to many of the metropolitan area's most popular destinations. There are two branches on the Missouri side of the river—the Red Line begins at Lambert–St. Louis International Airport, while the Blue Line begins in the suburb of Shrewsbury.
What are the best places to visit in St Louis?
Top sights in St Louis include Gateway Arch, Forest Park, Saint Louis Zoo and Missouri Botanical Garden. The stainless steel arch on the Mississippi riverfront is the city's defining symbol; small tram cars carry visitors to a viewing area at the top, and a museum below covers westward expansion.
What are the top things to do in St Louis?
Popular experiences you can book in St Louis include City Museum St. Louis: Entry Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 3 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in St Louis?
The most popular types of experiences in St Louis are shows, sports and special events (2) and art & culture (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in St Louis?
Popular areas for hotels in St Louis include Downtown, Saint Louis Area and Airport. Well-reviewed options include Hilton Pennywell St. Louis At The Arch and Moonrise Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in St Louis?
Destina Holidays currently lists 182 properties in and around St Louis, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
