Sight guide · St. Louis · United States
Visiting St. Louis Union Station
Opened in 1894, this Romanesque railway station was once one of the busiest in the world.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
St. Louis Union Station is an architectural landmark in Downtown West, St. Louis. Allow 1–3 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Architecture
- Area
- Downtown West
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, architecture, history and rainy day
- Best months
- March–May
About St. Louis Union Station
Opened in 1894, this Romanesque railway station was once one of the busiest in the world. Its Grand Hall has a restored barrel-vaulted ceiling with light shows projected on it, and the complex now includes the St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Wheel and a hotel.
Tip: Stop in the Grand Hall in the evening for the light show, then visit the aquarium with children.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–3 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown West.
Best time to visit St. Louis Union Station
St. Louis Union Station is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- May: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit St. Louis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
St. Louis Union Station is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Gateway Arch and Forest Park.
- No. 16 of the 19 sights in our St. Louis things-to-do list.
- One of the picks in st. Louis on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in St. Louis.
- A family favourite in St. Louis with kids.
If you like St. Louis Union Station
- Gateway Arch — Downtown, 2–3 hours
- City Museum — Downtown, 3–4 hours
- Saint Louis Art Museum — Forest Park, 2–3 hours
- Missouri History Museum — Forest Park, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near St. Louis Union Station
Where to stay in St. Louis compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at St. Louis Union Station?
Plan 1–3 hours.
+Is St. Louis Union Station free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit St. Louis Union Station?
March–May, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Stop in the Grand Hall in the evening for the light show, then visit the aquarium with children.
+Do I need to book St. Louis Union Station in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is St. Louis Union Station good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in St. Louis. St.