St. Louis with Kids: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Travel Guide
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Planning a family trip to St. Louis?
This Midwest city is one of the most fun, kid-friendly, and surprisingly affordable vacation spots in the U.S.
Whether you’re coming for a quick weekend getaway, making a quick stop on a road trip, or planning a longer stay, St. Louis is full of hands-on museums, outdoor spaces, unique attractions, and great food that work well for families.
After visiting St. Louis multiple times with my four boys, I’ve learned what’s actually worth your time, what kids love most, and how to plan a trip that feels doable, not overwhelming.
Below, I’m sharing our top places to stay, eat, and play on a St. Louis family vacation.
Where to Stay in St. Louis with Kids
Our favorite place to stay in downtown St. Louis is the Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch.
It’s walkable, family-friendly, and offers several amenities that make traveling with kids easier.
Why We Love It
- Indoor pool and hot tubs, plus an outdoor terrace with views of the Arch
- Unbeatable location right next to the Gateway Arch grounds
- Room and suite layouts that work well for larger families
- Free hot breakfast every morning
- Evening “Kickback” with snacks and a light dinner included
➡️ Learn more: Top 5 Reasons to Stay at the Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch
Things to do in St. Louis with Kids
We’ve visited St. Louis with our kids numerous times, and these are the spots we keep coming back to. They’ve been fun and manageable for our family every time.
City Museum (Most Unique Family Attraction)
If your kids like climbing, sliding, crawling, and exploring, the City Museum will blow their minds.
This is less of a museum and more of a giant indoor/outdoor imagination playground built with recycled industrial materials.
Highlights:
- Tunnels, caves, and climbing structures
- A 10-story slide (!)
- A rooftop school bus + ferris wheel* (seasonal)
- Aquarium area + hands-on play spaces
- Indoor and outdoor sections for all-weather fun
Plan at least: ½ day (but it’s easy to spend close to an entire day here)
Parent Tip: Write your cell number on kids’ wristbands. Kids can get separated in the excitement, especially in the dark cave system.
*Rooftop access has to be purchased at the museum.
➡️ Planning details: City Museum St. Louis: What to Know Before You Go
The Magic House (Best Children’s Museum)
The Magic House is one of the best children’s museums we’ve ever visited. It’s packed with hands-on learning, pretend play, STEAM exploration, and outdoor play spaces.
Our favorite exhibits:
- Children’s Village: Kids pretend to work in a kid-sized town—post office, diner, mechanic shop, doctor’s office, and more.
- Construction Zone: Build, dig, and learn how buildings are made.
- St. Louis Blues Hockey Experience (Ice Zone): If you have hockey fans in your family, this exhibit is a hit. Kids can dress up like a player, learn how the ice works, and even take a photo sitting on the team bench.
- St. Louis City SC Soccer Training Center: Kids can train like a soccer player, explore what the locker rooms look like, and even try a soccer simulator.
There are also outdoor play areas and rotating seasonal exhibits, so every visit feels a little different.
We usually spend a few hours to most of the day here depending on energy levels and how much imaginative play everyone gets into.
Note: Exhibits do change from time to time, so it’s always a good idea to check the Magic House website before you visit.
St. Louis Zoo (Best Free Family Attraction)
Yes, it’s free, and it is fantastic. The St. Louis Zoo is located inside Forest Park and offers incredible exhibits, walkable paths, and a beautiful outdoor environment.
Top exhibits:
- Polar Bear Point
- Penguin & Puffin Coast (fan favorite—chilly inside!)*
- Big Cat Country
- Fragile Forest (gorillas + chimpanzees)
- River’s Edge
Bonus Stop:
Right across Interstate 64 from the St. Louis Zoo, you’ll find Turtle Playground — a set of large turtle sculptures kids can climb on and explore. You can walk to it using the pedestrian overpass that connects the zoo area to the playground.
➡️ For more budget-friendly St. Louis ideas: Our Top 5 Free Things to Do in St. Louis with Kids
Gateway Arch National Park (Best Must-Do Landmark in St. Louis)
The Gateway Arch is a must-do for any family trip to St. Louis.
Even if you don’t ride to the top, simply walking the grounds, playing on the grass, and exploring the free museum is still worth the visit, especially with kids.
Here are some fun and easy things to do while you’re there:
- Take a family photo with the Arch as your backdrop
- Play or picnic on the grassy lawn surrounding the Arch
- Walk, bike, or scooter along the paved paths
- Visit the Gateway Arch Museum (free + kid-friendly)
- Browse the gift shop for a small souvenir
- Ride the tram to the top of the Arch (tickets required and best reserved in advance)
- Snap a picture in front of the Gateway Arch National Park sign
- Add a Mississippi Riverboat cruise for a fun add-on with city views
Where to Find the Gateway Arch National Park Sign
The sign is on the riverfront side of the Arch, not by the museum entrance. Walk down the steps facing the river to find it. It’s a great spot for family photos!
Want more details on timing, tram tickets, museum highlights, and stroller-friendly info? Check out my Family Guide to Gateway Arch National Park for everything you need to know.
Union Station St. Louis (Best Family-Friendly Entertainment Area)
Union Station is a one-stop entertainment area with activities for toddlers through teens.
Here are a few things that were really fun for our family:
- St. Louis Wheel
- Aquarium at Union Station
- Train-themed playground
- Ropes Course + Zipline
- Mirror Maze
- Mini Golf
- Carousel
- Fire & Light Show
- The Soda Fountain
- Koi Pond
Grant’s Farm (Best Animal Encounter Experience)
Grant’s Farm is a fun, family-friendly animal experience on the historic Busch family estate.
Kids can see buffalo, camels, goats, horses, and more, and the tram ride through the wildlife area is always memorable.
What Kids Love
- Feeding the goats
- Riding camels
- Riding the carousel
- Seeing the Clydesdales up close
- The tram ride through the animal preserve
Grant’s Farm is free to visit, but there is a parking fee, and some of the extras like camel rides, the carousel, and food to feed the animals cost extra.
If you’re building a budget-friendly rotation of activities, here are our top free things to do in St. Louis with kids.
Where to Eat in Downtown St. Louis with Kids
Salt + Smoke
BBQ across from Busch Stadium. Great for dine-in or carryout (we did both!). The kids’ paper hat menu is always a fun touch.
The Old Spaghetti Factory
Located in historic Laclede’s Landing, this restaurant serves classic pasta dishes, and every meal includes ice cream, which is always a win with kids.
Final Thoughts on Visiting St. Louis with Kids
St. Louis is a city full of doable, memorable family experiences and so many of them are budget-friendly, which is one of the reasons we keep going back.
Whether you’re climbing through tunnels at the City Museum, exploring the Gateway Arch grounds, or watching penguins at the zoo, there’s something here for every age and stage.
If you’re ready to start planning, my free Family Travel Itinerary Planner can help you map out your days in a way that feels simple and stress-free.
May you love your adventure. KW
