My Top Picks for Families (or adults!)
1. The City Museum. Part art museum, part playground. Where else in the world can you crawl through airplanes suspended above the city then slide down three stories, grab a beer and hit the ball pit? The City Museum isn’t just for kids, but they will love it. You will, too. This truly is a one-of-a-kind St. Louis attraction and it’s always adding something new. (On a recent visit there a worker told me that each night when they close the continue to work on it.) Well worth the modest cost of entry.
2. The St. Louis Zoo. There’s a reason this zoo is consistently ranked one of the top zoos in the country. Animal viewing is excellent, clean and modern. Best of all it’s FREE! (There is a nominal fee to enter special attractions.) And it’s located in beautiful Forest Park, former home of the 1904 World’s Fair. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.
3. The Gateway Arch. You really can’t visit St. Louis without seeing the arch. Really. It’s a requirement. And it’s worth it. A ride to the top won’t cost you much. But if you are on a tight budget, the recently remodeled visitor’s center is free and walks you through the history of St. Louis, from its founding. I highly recommend forking out the extra cash to see the movie, though. You’ll feel as if you’re working right alongside the steelworkers who built this modern masterpiece. (Not for those afraid of heights, though!)
4. The St. Louis Science Center.
St. Louis has always been a city of “firsts.” The Science Center documents some of those – namely our contribution to the space race. As a child, I remember going to the Science Center often to experience the planetarium show and the amazing exhibits. Today, the Science Center offers even more to visitors with special First Friday events for kids and Science on Tap events for adults. If you’re into science, it’s a no-brainer, but even if you aren’t, you’ll walk away having learned something new.
5. Grant’s Farm.
Our 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, spent a great deal of time in St. Louis, at Jefferson Barracks, at White Haven, Julia Dent’s (his wife’s) home – now a national historic site. It was said he once sold firewood in the city streets. He even built a log cabin for his family, located in what is now Grant’s Farm. Growing up, Grant’s Farm to me was a place you went to feed baby goats and play on stage coaches while your parents drank free beer. It’s still that and so much more. It’s really geared toward kids, but parents won’t be bored.(Did I mention the two free beers!?)
6. The Missouri Botanical Garden.
View of the garden maze from the observation tower. 
Henry Shaw’s former home. 
Waterfall in the Japanese garden 
The Japanese Garden lake.
7. The Economy Museum at the Federal Reserve.
Me next to a pile a cash. 
How the economy is like Jenga. Educational and scary! 
Cool sculpture out in front.
9. The Magic House.
10. The Transportation Museum.
