When to visit
Spring through fall is your wide-open window for when to visit St. Louis. Not only will you get great weather—blooming trees in spring, warm summer temperatures, and colorful foliage in fall—you’ll get one more important thing: baseball. The St. Louis Cardinals, the oldest MLB team west of the Mississippi, have the second-highest number of World Series titles, after the New York Yankees. Even if you’re not in town for a game, you can still take a guided tour of Busch Stadium where they play. You’ll get to go behind the scenes and each tour includes a coupon for a discount in the Official Cardinals Team Store.
That being said, come winter, you could find yourself chowing down on barbecue, hitting up speakeasies and museums, and taking a tram to the top of Gateway Arch for a birds eye view of the Mississippi River. You can also partake in wintry activities like ice skating and holiday light seeing. St. Louis has seasonal rinks at Forest Park, Kiener Plaza, and The Boatworks. Brewery Lights is also a popular event that’s been a tradition here since 1985. The million-bulb light show, typically held between late November and March, is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. They even include their world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales in the parades.
Getting around
While many visitors to St. Louis will arrive here with a car, it’s pretty easy to do a car-free stay. In 2023, it was even nominated to be in the running for America’s “most walkable city.” If you book a hotel in the downtown area, you’ll definitely be within walking distance of many great restaurants, shops, and attractions including the National Blues Museum, Gateway Arch National Park, and Busch Stadium.
The city’s MetroLink light rail system runs 46 miles and connects to the airport, Gateway Arch National Park, Busch Stadium, and more. Download the MetroLink app, and you’ll have access to the maps, routes, and time tables. You can purchase your fare via the app. You can also ride the MetroBus, which is included in the MetroLink’s weekly pass (US$27). Rideshares are also always an option, and may be your best bet after a night out on the town.
Traveler tips
St. Louis’ Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States—at more than 1,300 acres, it's some 500 acres larger than Central Park. Here you’ll find the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum Public Tour, the Art Deco Jewel Box greenhouse, miles and miles of forested trails, and more. The MetroLink can get you here, so don’t miss it.
Unfortunately, St. Louis doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to crime. According to the tourism board, the perception is the result of misinterpreted data. That said, if you have a rental car you should always park at a designated parking facility. They’re located throughout the downtown area and have on-site security. Most crimes are property crimes, not violent crimes.
Welcoming more than 2.4 million visitors in 2023, Gateway Arch National Park is the most visited site in the city. While visiting is free, if you want to ride to the top of the Arch to see the panoramic views from the observation deck, you’ll have to take the tram. It’s rare to find tickets day-of during the summer, so purchase them online in advance. If you forget, no worries. Just go online at 9 am on the day you want to visit as that’s when they release any available tickets.
