Kidding Around Town: 48 Hours in St. Louis with Kids

Accessible, affordable and entertaining, St. Louis is a one-of-a-kind wonderland where youngsters – and the young at heart – can explore our Great Rivers, climb to new heights and encounter adorable animals.

If you only have 48 hours in St. Louis – and you’re traveling with kids – these are the highlights to hit.

Looking for more inspiration? Peruse our Cool Kids and Traveling Teens guides.

Day 1

After a restful night in a comfortable hotel, pop into Chris’ Pancake & Dining for brunch with your brood. Once you get your fill of flapjacks, drive the short distance to Forest Park where adventure awaits at free attractions such as the Saint Louis Science Center and the Saint Louis Zoo.

The former specializes in “aha!” moments, encouraging inquisitive visitors to test the laws of physics, inspect an animatronic Tyrannosaurus rex and escape to outer space via the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. It’s also a great option for rainy travel days.

At the latter, kids can roam, run and revel alongside swinging monkeys, squawking penguins, strutting giraffes and splashing bears. For an experience unlike any other, book a behind-the-scenes tour – just imagine wading with rays, feeding black rhinoceros and snapping selfies with giant tortoises, among other extraordinary experiences.

Across the street, Turtle Playground is a magnet for little kids with a lot of energy, as they get to clamber on the backs of giant reptiles. Represented in concrete are a common snapping turtle, softshell turtle, red-eared slider, Mississippi map turtle, stinkpot turtle and three box turtles, plus seven oversized turtle eggs and a long, sinuous snake that appears to be taking a bite out of the nearby overpass.

If you’re looking for a lunch spot before your next stop, consider the Delmar Loop. Blueberry Hill, a memorabilia-filled landmark, has everything kids crave – mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, grilled cheese and entertainment – while Fitz’s boasts the best ice cream floats in town.

Revitalized, choose between hands-on activities. Make a move to the World Chess Hall of Fame in the Central West End – the world’s largest chess piece marks the spot! Take your preschoolers and young children to The Magic House in Kirkwood where they can stand inside a bubble, discover a new culture and explore a child-size village. Or unleash your independent offspring at City Museum, a mosaic jungle of underground tunnels, enchanted caves and multistory slides.

Older kids can also get crafty at MADE for Kids, which invites them to experiment with 3D printing, laser cutting and more. If they’re good with a golf club, though, let them take a swing at Puttshack, a tech-infused miniature golf experience at City Foundry STL. While you’re there, stop by Museum of Illusions St. Louis, which mesmerizes visitors of all ages with perspective-changing rooms, enthralling installations and spellbinding images.

End the day on the Mississippi River with a 45-minute paddle aboard a Big Muddy Adventures canoe, followed by St. Louis-style barbecue at Salt + Smoke or Sugarfire Smoke House, or a two-hour dinner cruise aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch. Both excursions offer unparalleled views of the working riverfront and gleaming skyline.

Day 2

Now that you have a feel for the region – and what your family wants to do – you can go in a few different directions. If it’s a nice day, start at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Beloved by locals for its beauty and vibrancy, it also has one of the best playgrounds in St. Louis, which introduces kids to the significance of plants and nature in fun and innovative ways. One block from the Garden, Baileys’ Range serves smothered fries, specialty burgers and housemade milkshakes for lunch.

Animal-lovers will then want to head to Grant’s Farm. The local treasure boasts more than 900 animals, including free-roaming antelope, deer and bovines that you can spot during a short tram ride through the lush grounds. When the tram stops, you’ll have to decide what to do first: feed the goats, pet the Clydesdales, ride a camel or enter the birdcage. At the Bauernhof, guests 21 and older can also enjoy two free beers from Anheuser-Busch. Yes, you read that right. Welcome to St. Louis!

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, we’ve got you covered. RYZE Adventure Park in Maryland Heights offers more than 100 obstacles – plus, a heart-stopping zipline and a death-defying free fall – on its four-story Adventure Tower. The tower isn’t linear, so you can make your own course, picking and choosing the activities and obstacles that you want to do. Are you up for the challenge?

If rollercoasters are more your speed, make Six Flags St. Louis your next stop. The amusement park in Eureka continues to add attractions, appealing to thrill-seekers of all ages. Little ones will especially love Bugs Bunny National Park where they can ride, fly, spin and climb to their hearts’ content.

St. Louis averages 201 sunny days a year, but when the weather isn’t cooperating, you can still have a blast. In Chesterfield, check out the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, Topgolf and Main Event. On any given day, more than 60 species of tropical butterflies dance through the conservatory at the Butterfly House, while climate-controlled hitting bays allow you to perfect your swing at Topgolf, which has a location in Midtown, too.

For unlimited fun under one roof, hunker down at Main Event. From bowling to laser tag and billiards to mini golf, every activity and game is designed to bring families together. You can also play arcade games, immerse yourself in a virtual reality experience, test your skills on the indoor ropes course and show off your smarts in one of the miniature escape rooms.

To test your puzzle-solving skills, embark on a story-driven quest at Adventures of Intrigue. An attraction unlike any other in the Midwest, the open-concept escape room offers otherworldly entertainment without a time limit!

After a fun-filled day, you’re going to be hungry. Kid-friendly restaurants abound in the region, and local favorites include Grace Meat + Three, Pastaria, Steve’s Hot Dogs, The Frisco Barroom and The Soda Fountain. Savor a scrumptious meal and then get a good night’s sleep.