No matter your age, interests or budget, you’ll find something fun to do in St. Louis this weekend.
Once one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world, St. Louis Union Station is now a wellspring of family-friendly activity. Anchored by the St. Louis Aquarium, it also boasts a ropes course, a mirror maze, a miniature golf course, a selfie experience, a classic carousel and the St. Louis Wheel, which will be joined by three new amusement rides in 2025. While you’re here, catch a light show in the Grand Hall, share a Freak Shake at The Soda Fountain and make a new friend at Build-A-Bear Workshop!
Hey, there’s a shark on track 36! The St. Louis Aquarium was retrofitted in a 19th-century train station, and visitors of all ages will love discovering which creatures now live along the tracks. The interactive aquarium holds approximately 250,000 gallons of water and more than 13,000 animals. Keep an eye out for green sea turtles, paddlefish, sea dragons, cownose rays and Lord Stanley, the blue lobster. Love aquatic animals? Consider taking a behind-the-scenes tour, which includes personalized animal encounters that your family won’t soon forget.
Reaching a height of 200 feet, the St. Louis Wheel is the tallest observation wheel in St. Louis. It boasts enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas and sweeping views of the St. Louis skyline. Want to splurge? The VIP gondolas offer opportunities for kids to learn concepts in math, engineering and geography; plus, they have leather captain’s chairs and a glass floor!
Although the golden era of U.S. train travel has faded, you can relive parts of the past in the Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station. Carefully restored details of the 19th-century train station include the 65-foot-high barrel-vaulted ceiling, green-glazed terracotta bricks, intricate woodwork and the handcrafted Tiffany stained glass of the Allegorical Window, which depicts three women representing New York City, St. Louis and San Francisco. Every day on the hour from 5 to 10pm, a 3D light show adds another dimension to the space. Watch whales swim, flowers dance and fireworks burst in the stunning experience created by Technomedia Solutions, an award-winning collaborator with Cirque du Soleil.
Do you BEARlieve in magic? It’s not difficult after visiting Build-A-Bear Workshop. Founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, the St. Louis-based toy company has become a global brand beloved by people of all ages. Its mission? To add a little more heart to life. Far from a fad, Build-A-Bear Workshop has remained relevant through swiftly changing times, and fans attribute its staying power to the experience, which isn’t only about building a bear. So, while you explore St. Louis Union Station, stop by the World Bearquarters to make memories, create connections and let your imagination run wild. As they say at Build-A-Bear Workshop, “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood,” and this is one place where you certainly have permission to be a kid again.
A refreshing blast from the past, The Soda Fountain at St. Louis Union Station serves sweets, treats and eats for everyone. Situated between the St. Louis Wheel and the St. Louis Aquarium, the dressed-up diner offers unique spins on ice cream sundaes, boozy drinks, phosphate sodas, old-time candy and Instagram-worthy Freak Shakes – massive ice cream concoctions that offer a fun, unexpected take on traditional milkshakes, with garnishes such as Funfetti cupcakes, cotton candy, snickerdoodle cookies and potato chips.
Want to know the best part of St. Louis Union Station? You can stay in the middle of the action! Through the elegant archways of the Grand Hall, you’ll find the clock tower suites. Some of them are part of the train station’s original three-story vault, but don’t let that fool you – they’re the newest rooms in St. Louis Union Station Hotel, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Every suite is named after a railroad line that operated here – think Missouri Pacific Railroad, St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad – and every front door names the last president of the respective railroad line. The historic vibe continues in the rooms with throwback photos and clock tower blueprints lining the walls. This is one of your only chances to sleep in a National Historic Landmark – with all the modern amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.
