For couples · St. Louis · United States
Romantic things to do in St. Louis
Ideas for a couples' trip, from small moments to a special day out.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Garfield226, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Romantic St. Louis means Forest Park strolls, the Botanical Garden's Japanese garden, Italian dinners on The Hill and sunset views from the riverfront. Couples tend to stay in Central West End.
Key facts
- Romantic ideas
- 5
- Couple-friendly sights
- 1
- Area for couples
- Central West End
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
Romantic ideas
1.Japanese garden walk
Stroll through Seiwa-en at the Missouri Botanical Garden, especially beautiful at sunset or during Garden Glow.
2.Dinner on The Hill
Have a long Italian dinner at a family-run restaurant on The Hill.
3.Forest Park paddleboat
Rent a boat on Post-Dispatch Lake, then walk up Art Hill.
4.Riverboat cruise
Take a sightseeing cruise from the Arch riverfront on the Mississippi.
5.Muny night
See a musical under the stars at the outdoor theatre in Forest Park.
Sights couples love
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
Where couples should stay
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, first-timers and culture
Central West End
The Central West End's Euclid Avenue and Maryland Plaza are lined with cafés, bars and boutiques, and its private streets hold grand early-20th-century mansions. The Cathedral Basilica is here, Forest Park is on its western edge, and a MetroLink station links it to downtown and the airport.
- Good
- Walk to Forest Park's museums; Good restaurants and bars; MetroLink connection
- Watch out
- Busy around the hospital complex; Hotel prices are higher than elsewhere
- Nearby
- Forest Park, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, Euclid Avenue
Romantic day trips
- St. Charles (About 30 minutes) — Missouri's first state capital has a cobblestone Main Street of 19th-century buildings with shops and restaurants on the Missouri River.
- Augusta wine country (About 1 hour) — Augusta, in the Missouri River valley, became the first federally recognised American Viticultural Area in 1980.
- Hermann (About 1.5 hours) — A German-heritage river town with brick buildings, wineries and breweries, Hermann is especially busy during autumn wine festivals.
- Grafton and the Great River Road (About 1 hour) — North of St.
For dinner
Share local specialities such as St. Louis-style pizza, St. Paul sandwich and Pork steaks. Ted Drewes and other summer favourites can have long queues on warm evenings.
Questions travellers ask
+Is St. Louis romantic?
Romantic St. Louis means Forest Park strolls, the Botanical Garden's Japanese garden, Italian dinners on The Hill and sunset views from the riverfront.
+What is the most romantic thing to do in St. Louis?
Japanese garden walk: Stroll through Seiwa-en at the Missouri Botanical Garden, especially beautiful at sunset or during Garden Glow.
+Where should couples stay in St. Louis?
Central West End: Sidewalk cafés, boutiques and mansions beside Forest Park.