Best time to visit · St. Louis · United States
The best time to visit St. Louis
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
The best time to visit St. Louis is April to May and September to October, when days are about 19–27°C and comfortable for Forest Park, the Arch and the Botanical Garden. Summer is hot and humid but busy with baseball, outdoor theatre and festivals, and winter is cold and quiet with low prices.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March, June and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 4°C (39°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Seasons
St. Louis has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers often above 30°C, cold winters with occasional snow and ice, and pleasant but changeable springs and autumns. Spring brings strong thunderstorms.
March–May
Spring
Blooms in Forest Park and the Botanical Garden, baseball's return and changeable weather with strong storms.
June–August
Summer
Hot and humid days, free outdoor Shakespeare, the Muny, Cardinals games and Fourth of July fireworks at the Arch.
September–November
Autumn
Pleasant September and October weather, festivals, autumn colour and the start of hockey season.
December–February
Winter
Cold with occasional snow or ice, Garden Glow lights, Soulard Mardi Gras and the year's lowest hotel rates.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C | -5°C | 9 | 9.7 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 7°C | -3°C | 9 | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 13°C | 2°C | 11 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 19°C | 8°C | 11 | 13.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 25°C | 14°C | 12 | 14.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 30°C | 19°C | 10 | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 32°C | 22°C | 9 | 14.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 31°C | 21°C | 8 | 13.7 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 27°C | 16°C | 8 | 12.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 20°C | 9°C | 8 | 11.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 13°C | 3°C | 9 | 10 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 6°C | -3°C | 9 | 9.5 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Soulard Mardi Gras season begins (usually January) |
| February | Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade (usually the Saturday before Fat Tuesday) |
| March | St. Patrick's Day parades downtown and in Dogtown (around 17 March) |
| April | Cardinals opening day at Busch Stadium (usually early April) |
| June | Shakespeare Festival St. Louis — free outdoor performances in Forest Park (usually June); The Muny outdoor musical theatre season (usually mid-June to August) |
| July | Fair Saint Louis — Fourth of July festival and fireworks at the Arch |
| September | Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden (usually Labor Day weekend); Great Forest Park Balloon Race (usually September); St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton (usually September) |
| October | Blues hockey season begins (usually October) |
| November | Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (usually mid-November to early January) |
| December | Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden (December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January, and the sights are quietest in January.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit St. Louis?
The best time to visit St. Louis is April to May and September to October, when days are about 19–27°C and comfortable for Forest Park, the Arch and the Botanical Garden. Summer is hot and humid but busy with baseball, outdoor theatre and festivals, and winter is cold and quiet with low prices.
+When are hotel prices lowest in St. Louis?
Usually in January. Cold with occasional snow or ice; a good time for the free indoor museums.
+What is the rainiest month in St. Louis?
May, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does St. Louis get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).