Things to See and Do in St. Louis, Missouri

When people think of visiting St. Louis, Missouri they often think of the arch that symbolizes the "Gateway to the West". But after you have done that, then what? If you are thinking of visiting St. Louis here's what you can see and do and a couple of tips that will help.

Expect traffic congestion when you visit St. Louis. Like many large cities it has its share of traffic problems. Large readerboards over the highway will let you know of accidents. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination and take it slow. Avoiding peak travel times will also help.

When you get to your motel ask the desk clerk for directions to the attraction that you want to see. The desk clerk may have ideas that may make getting around easier. They can often let you know about construction delays and advise you on the best way to get into and out of attraction sites.

For attractions, here is a list of what to see and do in St. Louis. Click on the links below for more information.

What to see and do in St. Louis #1- Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch is the Number 1 attraction in St. Louis, MO. It is right downtown on the Mississippi River. Board the enclosed tram cars to ride to the top of the arch.

The view at the top is not for everyone. Claustrophobics need to be aware that these cars are cramped and seat only 5 people. Large parties will be divided. Cars move at about 4 mph. The ride is smooth but tight.

Tickets are $10 for adults age 16 and up and $5 for kids. A discount is given for National Parks Passholders.

Under the arch is a small museum on westward expansion. Admission is free. We found the exhibits to be interesting. It didn't take long to go through the museum and was a good way to kill time while waiting to board the tram.

What to see and do in St. Louis #2 - Do the Zoo!
An exciting and fun place for animal lovers is the St. Louis Zoo. Open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily. There is no admission fee to visit the zoo but there are fees for activities. Expect to pay at the Children's Petting Zoo, train ride and other special activities. A family could easily spend the afternoon or all day at the zoo.

What to see and do in St. Louis #3 Daniel Boone's Home
Visit the home of the famous pioneer Daniel Boone. It is on the Lindenwood University Campus in Defiance, Missouri. The museum is open daily from 9:00 am - 6: 00 pm in the summer and 5:00 pm in the fall and winter. Admission prices are based on the length of the tour that you choose. Click on the link above for more information.

The home and surrounding buildings are about 200 years old. Not all parts of the tour is accessible. The staff will gladly answer any questions about accessibility that you may have before you begin the tour. There is also a short video before the start of each tour.

For more information on visiting St. Louis, Missouri please see the resources section of this article.

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