St. Louis may not be the first place that comes to mind when brainstorming a weekend getaway in the United States, but this city is a hidden gem filled with fantastic food, tons of free attractions, and several charming neighborhoods. This guide will help you plan the most adventurous 3-day St. Louis Itinerary and help to make the most out of your St. Louis Weekend Trip. Start planning your trip to “The Lou” today!
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Table of Contents
How do I get to St. Louis?
The best way to get to St. Louis is to fly into Lambert International Airport, about 15-20 minutes from downtown.
Public transportation is not the best in St. Louis, so you will want to rent a car while you are here. The city metro and buses are not accessible everywhere in the area, so the best way to get around is by car.
If you choose not to rent a car, you’ll want to get rides via Uber and Lyft. Taxis are not very accessible in St. Louis like in other cities.
Tip! Use the Discover Cars Search Engine to find the BEST DEAL on rental cars in St. Louis!
What is the best time to visit St. Louis?
St. Louis is lovely in the spring and fall. In April and May, you will see plenty of flowers in bloom, along with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. In the fall, particularly October and November, you will get cooler temperatures, usually in the 50s and 60s, along with gorgeous red, yellow, and orange foliage.
Another great time to visit St. Louis is in December. While the weather will be cold, there are plenty of holiday lights and fun activities to enjoy this time of year.
Where should I stay in St. Louis?
Booking.comSt. Louis has so many unique neighborhoods, with many excellent options for accommodations. The Angad Arts Hotel is one of the most eclectic hotels in the city and is located within walking distance of the Grand Center Arts District, near the Fox Theater, Powell Hall, and Jazz at the Bistro.
One of my personal favorites is the Seven Gables Inn, located in upscale Clayton, also known as St. Louis’s “second downtown.” At the Seven Gables Inn, you’ll be within walking distance of several outstanding restaurants. From Clayton, most attractions are only a 10-minute drive.
Another great option is Hotel Ignacio, a boutique hotel located in midtown. Midtown is a very central area, where you’ll be just a few minutes from several attractions, a few blocks of the bustling Central West End, and within walking distance to St. Louis University.
If you want a more local feel, look for AirBnbs in central neighborhoods such as The Hill, The Loop, University City, Lafayette Square, or Tower Grove Park.
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Sample 3-Day St. Louis Weekend Trip Itinerary
Day 1 in St. Louis:
Morning: Brunch at City Coffeehouse and Creperie/St. Louis Zoo
Located in Clayton, City Coffeehouse and Creperie is one of the best brunch spots in St. Louis. This Parisian-style creperie offers sweet and savory crepes along with fantastic coffee, quiche, and Belgium waffles. This place doesn’t accept reservations, and it gets busy around 10:00 am, so you’ll want to get here early.
After eating, head to the St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park. Even though this is one of the only free zoos in the country, you will still need to make a reservation in advance, which you can do online. You could easily turn this into a full-day activity; from feeding the stingrays to visiting the penguin house, there is so much to do!
Afternoon: Lunch at the Boathouse/Other Forest Park activities
While you’re in Forest Park, lunch at the Boathouse is a must! They offer a daily rotating menu that usually involves barbecue. Enjoy your lunch on the patio with a waterside view.
Right next to the Boathouse, you’ll find kayak, canoe, and paddle-boat rentals, but the kayaks are my favorite. Between the serene canals and lovely fountains, there’s quite a lot to explore by boat! Tickets range from $15 to $22.
After your boating adventure, walk up Art Hill and enjoy the Art Museum in Forest Park. This museum is extensive, which makes it hard to believe it is an entirely free attraction. You might also enjoy sitting at the top of Art Hill and admiring the view of the fountain and park below.
Evening: Twisted Ranch and McGuirk’s in Soulard
Head to Soulard, a vibrant and historical neighborhood just 15 minutes from the park. While in the Midwest, you must experience the ranch dressing obsession held by most locals. Twisted Ranch makes 31 different flavors of ranch dressing, and their food is fantastic. My favorite thing on the menu is “Ranch This Country Flight,” which includes a basket of fries with 13 different ranch flavors.
After dinner, experience one of the many lively bars in the neighborhood: McGuirk’s. On warm evenings, their patio is the perfect setting for your cocktail of choice. With great drinks, lots of twinkly lights, and live music, you won’t want to leave.
TIP!!! Wanting to explore the whole state of Missouri? Grab this ULTIMATE Missouri Adventure book to track your travels and find the best stops!
Day 2 in St. Louis:
Morning: Brunch at SqWires/The Gateway Arch
With bottomless mimosas, loaded bloody marys, french toast, biscuits and gravy, salmon eggs benedict, and breakfast burritos, SqWires has the ultimate weekend brunch. This place is always busy, so you’ll definitely want to make a reservation. If you have time, take a little stroll around the surrounding area, Lafayette Square. You’ll see Victorian homes, boutique shops, and fantastic coffee shops.
Head downtown to St. Louis’s most iconic landmark: The Arch. 630 feet above the ground, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city. The tram ride to the top starts at $12 for adults and $8 for kids.
Afternoon: City Museum
You might hear the word “museum” and think “boring.” Not the case with St. Louis’s City Museum! Originally an old warehouse, this building is now filled with surprises and exploration. With secret tunnels, slides, indoor caves, and a Ferris wheel, this is a playground for adults (but it’s great for kids, too!). General admission to the City Museum ranges from $18 to $30 plus tax.
Evening: Go to a show
The Grand Center Arts District is home to all kinds of entertainment. Check out Powell Hall, where you can see the world-renowned St. Louis Symphony. The Fabulous Fox Theater is down the street, where you can watch musical productions and shows of all genres. If you’re a jazz lover, check out Jazz at the Bistro, an intimate space that exclusively promotes jazz musicians.
Day 3 in St. Louis:
Morning: Missouri Botanical Garden
Located in the charming Shaw neighborhood, the Missouri Botanical Garden is the perfect place for a morning stroll. It depends on the time of year you visit, but you will see displays like The Japanese Garden, Victorian District, and English Woodland Garden. During the holidays, check out the Botanical Garden’s light event, Garden Glow. This light display is easily one of the most extensive displays in the area.
Tickets to the Botanical Garden start at $14 for ages 13 and up.
Afternoon: St. Louis Science Center
Another fantastic free attraction, the Science Center, has rotating exhibits, where you can learn more about ancient Egypt, the dinosaurs, or outer space. Grab tickets to their Omnimax movie theater, a five-story, an 80-foot dome that will leave you speechless. Whatever movie you decide to see, the panoramic screen will make you feel like you are witnessing the film in real life. While you’re here, you can also see a planetarium show, one of my favorite parts of the Science Center.
While the Science Center is free, you’ll have to buy tickets for special attractions, including the Omnimax and the planetarium. These ticketed attractions usually range from $5 to $15.
Evening: Bailey’s Range/Go to a Sports Game
Drive downtown and go to dinner at Bailey’s Range, an upscale burger joint that serves 100% grass-fed beef, homemade buns, and fantastic ice cream. If you’re not in the mood for burgers, you can check out one of Bailey’s sister restaurants, including Rooster, POP, and Small Batch.
If you’re here during baseball season, head to Busch Stadium to enjoy a Cardinal’s game (but make sure you’re wearing red!). In the winter, head to the Enterprise Center for a Blue’s game.
Other adventurous things to do in St. Louis:
Looking to extend your St. Louis Weekend Trip? Check out these other adventurous things to do in St. Louis or feel free to switch things around in the above 3-day St. Louis Itinerary!
- The Hill: St. Louis’s premier Italian neighborhood, home to several amazing Italian restaurants.
- The Delmar Loop: A significant entertainment and dining hub with music venues like The Pageant and Delmar Hall.
- Union Station: A renovated train station with attractions like the St. Louis Wheel and the St. Louis Aquarium.
- The Grove: An eclectic neighborhood that boasts a vibrant nightlife, great restaurants, and many murals.
- Cathedral Basilica: This historic Catholic cathedral is open for tours. The museum attached is only $2 per ticket.
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour: Starting at $15, you can tour this famous brewery and taste some samples, too!
- Trolley Tour: A 75-minute tour highlighting St. Louis’s best sites and interesting historical facts.
Other Tips to know before visiting St. Louis:
Parking can be a pain in some regions of the city, but luckily most meters are free on Sundays or city holidays. However, don’t skip out on paying your parking meter unless you want a hefty fine.
Try to avoid St. Louis from January-March; the weather can be yucky during this time. This city is much more fun when you can enjoy the outdoors!
St. Louis Weekend Trip Packing List:
Even though you are only in St. Louis for one weekend, it is best to arrive prepared to avoid having to waste time by running to the store for forgotten items. Below you will find everything (okay…maybe not everything) you will need for 3 days in St. Louis!
- Comfy walking shoes (for your walking tours, museums, parks). I wear my keens EVERYWHERE.
- Travel sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, deoderant…you know all your daily essentials). This is a perfect travel case that meets TSA regulations!
- All the clothes (this one is going to be a personal choice as to how much to bring). I am typically good with three nice dinner outfits, my favorite joggers, a comfy shirt, some atheltic shorts, and a swim suit cover up.
- Makeup and hair supplies
- ID and any other travel documents or itineraries needed.
- Phone charger
- Kindle or current reading book
- Any needed medications
- Airplane snacks and water bottle (bring an empty bottle along to save plastic and money at the airport and on your daily adventures)
- Sunglasses! (I always forget this one)
- Andddd of course your camera! A gopro would be fun for these adventures!
3-day St. Louis Weekend Trip Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: St. Louis Zoo, Forest Park, Kayaking, and Art Museum
- Day 2: Gateway Arch, City Museum, and a show!
- Day 3: Botanical Gardens, Science Center, and a sports game!
One Weekend In St. Louis Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in St. Louis that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day St. Louis itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in St. Louis!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in St. Louis” Itinerary?
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Looking for more USA Weekend Getaways?
Check out the following USA weekend itineraries for easy planning!
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What else would you add to this St. Louis Weekend Trip Itinerary? If you had more than 3-days, what would you add?
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