Free things to do · St. Louis · United States
12 free things to do in St. Louis
St. Louis without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kitz000 - Matt Kitces, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in St. Louis without paying an entry fee: Forest Park, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum and Missouri History Museum are all free. The zoo, art museum, history museum and science centre in Forest Park are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 12
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Free sights and experiences
Park · Forest Park
1.Forest Park
Rent a bike or walk the paved loop of about 10 km to link the museums, and stop at the Grand Basin below the art museum.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Zoo · Forest Park
2.Saint Louis Zoo
Arrive at opening to find parking and see the animals before the heat, especially in July and August.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
Museum · Forest Park
3.Saint Louis Art Museum
Visit the German Expressionist galleries for the Beckmanns, then walk down Art Hill to the Grand Basin.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Forest Park
4.Missouri History Museum
Start with the 1904 World's Fair gallery to understand Forest Park before exploring the rest of the park.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Museum · Forest Park
5.Saint Louis Science Center
Head to the bridge over Interstate 64 for the radar guns, then catch a planetarium show.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Central West End
6.Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Visit on a bright day, and look up at the central dome before exploring the side chapels; check the Mass schedule first.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Market · Soulard
7.Soulard Farmers Market
Go on a Saturday morning and combine it with a walk around Soulard's historic streets and a brewery tour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- History
Street · The Loop and University City
8.Delmar Loop
Walk the Walk of Fame stars, then have dinner and a show at Blueberry Hill or The Pageant.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Shopping
- History
Park · Sunset Hills
9.Laumeier Sculpture Park
Pick up a map at the entrance and follow the woodland trail for the more surprising works.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Outdoors
- Kids
Park · Downtown
10.Citygarden
In summer, bring swimwear for children to play in the splash fountains.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Kids
- Outdoors
Gallery · Grand Center
11.Pulitzer Arts Foundation
Combine it with the Contemporary Art Museum next door and lunch in the Grand Center arts district.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Landmark · North St. Louis
12.Chain of Rocks Bridge
Walk or cycle to the bend in the middle of the bridge for photos; go in daylight and with others, as the area is isolated.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Park | Forest Park, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and Saint Louis Science Center | Full day + 3–4 hours + 2–3 hours + 1.5–2 hours + 2–3 hours |
| Central West End | Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis | 45 minutes |
| Soulard | Soulard Farmers Market | 1 hour |
| The Loop and University City | Delmar Loop | 2–3 hours |
| Sunset Hills | Laumeier Sculpture Park | 1.5–2 hours |
| Downtown | Citygarden | 30–45 minutes |
| Grand Center | Pulitzer Arts Foundation | 1 hour |
| North St. Louis | Chain of Rocks Bridge | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Landmark · Downtown
Gateway Arch
Book the tram for early morning or late afternoon, and arrive early for the airport-style security screening.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Garden · Shaw
Missouri Botanical Garden
Walk the Japanese garden in the morning light, and visit in late spring for the azaleas and irises or in winter for the Garden Glow lights.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Historic site · Soulard
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Take a tour that includes the Clydesdale stables and Brew House; families are welcome, with soft drinks for children.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Food
Museum · Downtown
National Blues Museum
Check the calendar for live performances, which bring the exhibits to life.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- The zoo, art museum, history museum and science centre in Forest Park are free.
- Citygarden, the Cathedral Basilica, the Pulitzer, Laumeier Sculpture Park and the Chain of Rocks Bridge cost nothing.
- Take MetroLink from the airport instead of a taxi.
- Hotels downtown rise on Cardinals home games and big conventions; check the calendar.
- The Muny keeps a block of free seats at the back for every performance, first come, first served.
Questions travellers ask
+Is St. Louis expensive to visit?
St. Louis is affordable for most visitors, but 12 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in St. Louis?
Forest Park: Rent a bike or walk the paved loop of about 10 km to link the museums, and stop at the Grand Basin below the art museum.