The best things in life are free – laughing with friends, reuniting with family, dancing to your favorite song, sleeping late on the weekend and visiting these St. Louis attractions!
We know that travel can get expensive, but a trip to the Gateway City won’t cost a fortune. From world-renowned museums to all-ages activities, St. Louis has endless options for free summer fun.
Here are our top picks. Where will you go first?
Saint Louis Zoo
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See bears splashing in plunge pools, monkeys swinging through the trees, penguins squawking for more fish and giraffes strutting their stuff – all at the world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo.
Saint Louis Art Museum
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Are you drawn to art? The Saint Louis Art Museum has one of the country’s leading comprehensive collections, in which exalted artists illustrate times, places and cultures that differ from our own.
Missouri History Museum
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At the Missouri History Museum, you can explore the storied history of St. Louis, from its founding in 1764 to the 1904 World’s Fair to the present-day metropolis.
Museum at the Gateway Arch
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The Gateway Arch offers sights above – and below! With six interactive and accessible museum galleries, you’ll hear untold stories of the city’s founding, examine westward expansion from multiple perspectives and see artifacts commemorating America’s pioneering spirit.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
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Across the 105 acres of this open-air museum, you can get a close-up view of some 60 sculptures – think a pile of massive, crumpled cylinders, a full-scale cement mixer that functions as a sundial and a mosaic cat that doubles as a seat.
Saint Louis Science Center
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Fantastic, fun and free, the Saint Louis Science Center specializes in “aha!” moments. With scientific wonders around every corner, your kids will be able to ask and answer questions about our world and beyond.
Grand Hall Light Show
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Admired for its exquisite design, the Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station transforms on the hour from 5 to 10 p.m. thanks to a stunning 3D light show. The show differs depending on the hour, but you can expect to see flowers bloom, whales breach and fireworks burst on the 65-foot-high ceiling.
Rawlings Experience
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Batter up! The Rawlings Experience at Westport Plaza features everything from commemorative baseballs to batting cages and player memorabilia to Gold Glove Awards.
Pulitzer Arts Foundation
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Without a permanent collection, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation is constantly evolving, providing dynamic art experiences in a unique environment designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando.
Grant’s Farm
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Families with kids flock to Grant’s Farm – and for good reason. The St. Louis treasure boasts more than 900 animals, and those 21 and older can snag two free beers from Anheuser-Busch at the Bauernhof.
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
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Immersed in the natural setting of Forest Park, you can experience productions from the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. The performances are “free forever to everyone always,” and no reservations are required.
Armory STL
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With six acres of flexible indoor space, everyone will find an activity that they enjoy at Armory STL. We dare you not to laugh as you climb aboard the adult seesaws, rocket down the bright-green slide and play table tennis with a kickball and pizza boards.
Central Library
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Occupying an entire city block, the Central Library is a beloved monument to the past and a cultural beacon for the future. The historic structure contains some of the finest examples of Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical architecture in the U.S., and we recommend making time for a tour.
Citygarden Sculpture Park
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An artsy stretch of the Gateway Mall, Citygarden encompasses conversation-starting sculptures, lush plant life, rain gardens, dancing fountains and a 180-foot-long shallow pool with a six-foot-tall waterfall where you can cool off in the summer.
Soldiers Memorial
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Framed by four iconic Walker Hancock sculptures, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum honors local military service members, veterans and their families. With every exhibition, curator Mikall Venso aims to put artifacts into context, illuminating their deeper meanings for visitors.
The Muny
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The Muny has filled Forest Park with the sounds of Broadway for more than 100 years. The best part? There are approximately 1,500 free seats at the back of the outdoor theater, so everyone can experience the magic on stage.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
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More than a church, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is a distinguished work of art known for its radiant mosaics. In fact, it has the largest collection of mosaics in the world outside of Russia. The first time you see it, the sheer scale of the building’s beauty will take your breath away.
The Honky Tonk
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Calling all country music fans! The Honky Tonk is powered by guitars, fiddles and drums, keeping the good times rolling in downtown St. Louis all weekend long.
The Walls Off Washington
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An inspirational backdrop for the Grand Center Arts District, The Walls Off Washington is a collection of murals that shine a positive light on St. Louis. Enter The Walls through Sophie’s Artist Lounge – and make sure that you have your camera ready!
Contemporary Art Museum
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The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis aims to create meaningful engagement with today’s most relevant and innovative art, and it should be at the top of any art lover’s bucket list. Not having a permanent collection allows the museum to adapt and respond to the global art world.
World Chess Hall of Fame
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Hey there, we’re just checking on you, mate. It’s time to make a move and visit the World Chess Hall of Fame. The world’s largest chess piece marks the spot!
Purina Farms
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You don’t have to choose between dogs and cats at the Purina Farms Visitor Center. From mid-April through October, you can see the Purina Incredible Dog Team demonstrate its skills, hang with adoptable cats and meet domestic farm animals.
Old Courthouse
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One of the most important historic sites in the U.S., the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis will reopen in 2025 with an exhibition dedicated to Dred Scott whose freedom suit was first heard here in 1847.
Economy Museum
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Show me the money! At the Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, hands-on, technology-driven activities, such as buying stocks on the International Stock Exchange, teach visitors about the economy.
Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum
Flip For MoreBellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, this beloved local landmark is one of St. Louis’ greatest hidden gems. As you wander among thousands of trees, take note of familiar names on headstones, monuments and mausoleums.
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
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Surrounded by the Florence Steinberg Weil Sculpture Garden, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University in St. Louis has a permanent collection ranging from the late 19th century to global contemporary art.
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
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Take a guided tour of White Haven, where Ulysses S. Grant lived for five years. The park museum – which is housed in a historic horse stable designed by Grant – also features six permanent exhibits that dig deeper into the rich and varied history and culture of the historic site.
Saint Louis University Museum of Art
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Let the Saint Louis University Museum of Art surprise you with its diverse collections and evocative exhibitions housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts building, which dates to the turn of the 20th century.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
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The remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric indigenous civilization north of Mexico are preserved at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site less than 10 miles from downtown St. Louis. So, when are you going?
National Great Rivers Museum
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The mighty Mississippi River has many stories to tell, and the National Great Rivers Museum wants to share them with you at its 12,000-square-foot facility adjacent to Melvin Price Locks and Dam.
St. Louis boasts an abundance of green spaces that offer additional opportunities for free summer fun. Check out our roundup of the region’s best parks, where you can hike, bike, birdwatch and more in between other activities.
