St. Louis Fun Spots for First-Time Visitors

St. Louis offers a variety of interesting things to do.  At Washington University, you are in the heart of our city.  Positioned between St. Louis hot spots like Forest Park, the Central West End, and the Loop, you have access to a multitude of interesting and fun things to do.  Minutes away is downtown St. Louis, the home of the Arch and our major league football, baseball, and hockey teams.

Below are a few places you may be interested in visiting, some brief information, as well as the web homepage for each one (if available).  Feel free to look around in St. Louis.

*Special Tip: Many places like museums, movie theaters, and even restaurants have lower prices for students--be sure to ask and save!

Anheuser-Busch Brewery-Downtown/Soulard District
General info line: (314) 577-2000
Open June through August daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; September through May on Monday through Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.
A staple in the St. Louis business and cultural scene for generations, the Busch family exports its beer worldwide.  Tour the plant and see how the beer is made and get a free taste as well.  Consider heading out to Grant's Farm (also part of the Busch dynasty) to see a fun collection of farm animals and the legendary Clydesdale horse farm.
80 minute tours.
Admission is free.
Visit the Brewery online at http://www.budweisertours.com

Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis-Central West End
General info line: (314) 373-8240
Open daily from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with tours from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm.
This celebrated church is famous for the largest collection of mosaic art in the world and warrants a visit by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike.  Visitors will be awed by the size and beauty of this European-style cathedral.  Mass is also held there regularly.
Admission is free.

Gateway Arch Monument-Downtown Riverfront
General info line: (314) 621-4040
Open April through November daily from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm.
Ride to the top of the Arch in a tram car and get a panoramic view of St. Louis, or keep your feet on the ground as you tour the Jefferson Expansion museum located beneath the Arch which explains all about westward expansion in the United States.  Take time to see the movie on the building of the Arch or the current giant screen IMAX feature.
Tram ride $7.50; tickets to movies various prices; Museum admission free.
Visit the Gateway Arch online at www.nps.gov/jeff/home.htm

Missouri Botanical Gardens-South St. Louis
General info line: (314) 577-5100
Open daily from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, and until 8:00 pm in the summer.
Consistently one of the top three botanical gardens in the world, the Missouri Botanical Garden is home to the only indoor rainforest in its fully climate controlled Climatron.  Take time to stroll through the Japanese, English, and Chinese gardens as well as those dedicated to specific flower types, and visit the Shaw mansion on whose grounds the garden was constructed.
Admission is $3.00 for St. Louis City and County Residents and free on Wed. and Sat. before 12:00 noon, as well as every night from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the summer.  Bring a piece of mail with your local address on it to prove residency.
Visit the Garden online at www.mobot.org

Mississippi Riverboat Cruises-Riverfront
General info line (314) 621-4040
Open April through November daily from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm.
Take a day or night cruise on the mighty Mississippi and see the St. Louis skyline from the water.  This is especially interesting as it gives one a feel for old-time riverboat transport (once an enormously important method of transportation for St. Louis commerce).
Admission is $9.00.

Old Courthouse-Downtown
General info line: (314) 655-1700
Open daily from 8:00am-4:30pm (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day).
The Old Courthouse dates back to before the Civil War and is one of the best ways to learn about the importance of Missouri in the struggle to end slavery. Once a year the courthouse puts on a reenactment of the landmark Dred Scott case, a case about a black slave who argued that having spent time with his owner in a non-slave state entitled him the right to be set free.
Admission is free.
Visit the Old Courthouse online at www.nps.gov/jeff/home.htm

St. Louis Zoo-Forest Park
General info line:  (314) 781-0900
Open all year from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (except on Christmas and New Year's Day).
The Zoo is home to many interesting animals and enjoys a fantastic reputation nationwide.  Be sure to visit the bird cage where birds fly free around visitors in a structure built for the 1904 World's Fair.
Admission is free.
Visit the St. Louis Zoo online at www.stlzoo.org

St. Louis Science Center-Forest Park
General info line: (314) 289-4444
Open Saturday through Thursday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm.
Visit a state-of-the-art science center and see the giant IMAX movies, the planetarium and laser light shows, as well as many hands-on exhibits.
Admission is $5.75.
Visit the Science Center online at www.slsc.org

St. Louis Art Museum-Forest Park
General info line: (314) 731-5325
Open Tuesdays from 1:30 pm - 8:30 pm, and Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; tours at 1:30 pm.
An entire gallery of Max Beckmann art, as well as a good collection of art spanning a range of centuries, cultures and various movements in art to the present era.
Admission is free with the exception of the current special exhibit (which is free on Tuesdays).
Visit the St. Louis Art Museum online at www.slam.org

Soulard Historic District-Downtown
Take a walk around the Soulard district to see old brownstones and rowhouses, visit the farmer's market full of fresh produce,  meat, and pastries, or visit the area's many bars at night for a taste of old St. Louis and its French roots.  In February, head to Soulard for Mardi Gras celebrations St. Louis-style. While there, wander over to the Eugene Field House, home of one of St. Louis' legendary poets, and learn about his life and poetry while touring his beautiful historic brownstone from the inside.

Steinberg Rink-Forest Park
General info line: (314) 361-5103
Open daily, weather permitting; call for session times.
The closest outdoor rink for ice skating in the winter and roller skating or blading in the summer.  Take some friends and enjoy the music as you whirl around the rink.
Admission is $6.00 and skate rental is $1.00.

Union Station-Downtown
A converted historic train station, this famous space now houses a mall, a movie theater, a comedy club, several restaurants and bars, the Hyatt hotel, and a lake in the back. You will find St. Louis souvenirs in abundance here, and you can visit the Fudge Factory for a chocolate treat and a show of song and dance by the workers.  Walk over to the grand stairway of the Hyatt and test out the whispering arch, where you can whisper into one side of the wall and a friend can hear you on the other side as sound is carried by the perfect curve!  In the summer, enjoy free outdoor concerts in the lake area or rent a paddle boat.

**These are only a few of the places St. Louis has to offer.  To find out more information on St. Louis attractions and activities, you can visit many tour guide websites online or find out about specific events by visiting the STL Direct website, www.stldirect.com, which can direct you to many other websites about happenings and organizations in and around the St. Louis area.