Free things to do in St. Louis

Free things to do in St. Louis

1. See

   Citygarden

   Citygarden gives kids fountains to play in and sculptures they can related to (Pinocchio, big heads, etc.); art lovers the chance to experience 24 sculptures by some of modern art's great masters (Leger, Herring, etc.); and everyone an award-winning garden in the midst of the city where you can relax and beat the heat. If you'd like to eat in the gardens, there is a cafe that is open for lunch or you can pick up something from the many takeout places nearby.

   Sunrise to 10PM·Free

2. See

   Contemporary Art Museum

   Shares a courtyard with the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts.

   Wed Sat Sun 10AM-5PM, Thu Fri 10AM-8PM, Mon Tue closed·Free

3. See

   Forest Park

   One of the nation's largest city parks, with 1,293 acres, is open to the public for golf, tennis, baseball, bicycling, boating, fishing, handball, ice skating, in-line skating, jogging, cricket, rugby and more. The park is also home to the St. Louis Science Center, the art museum, the zoo, and a history museum, all with free admission. Forest Park is really at the heart of St. Louis. It was also the site of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase World's Fair, which lays claim to serving the first hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream cones. You cannot visit St. Louis without hearing about, driving by, or exploring Forest Park.

4. See

   Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

   It has been voted the best museum in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times. One of the world's finest university art collections, it is also the oldest art museum west of the Mississippi River—it was founded in 1881. It is now housed in a new facility designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect, Fumihiko Maki. Among the permanent collection are pieces by Pablo Piccasso, Rembrandt, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, Juan Gris, Alexander Calder, and a separate department dedicated to currency called the Newman Money Museum.

   Mon, Wed-Sun 11AM-5PM, Tue closed·Free

5. See

   Missouri History Museum

   Features a life size replica of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. Permanent exhibits include the 1904 Worlds Fair which celebrates the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition held in St. Louis; Collected, an ever evolving exhibit showcasing the holdings of the Missouri Historical Society; and St. Louis Sound Reprise which shares St. Louis' history in the evolution of music.

   Tue-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM; Closed Mondays·Free

6. See

   Old Courthouse

   The site of the historic Dred Scott slavery case which was one of the seeds of the Civil War. While the Park is under construction, you can buy tickets to the arch here. The Courthouse also holds exhibits from the now-closed Museum of Westward Expansion, which used to be underneath the Arch.

   Free

7. See

   Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts

   Experience modern art in a stunning avant-garde structure. A permanent installation titled Joe by Richard Serra is large enough for visitors to walk through and experience first-hand. The uber-modern concrete building was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando.

   Wed Sat 10AM-5PM, Thu Fri 10AM-8PM·Free

8. See

   Saint Louis Art Museum

   SLAM

   It's one of the leading comprehensive art museums in the nation. It hosts visiting displays which in the past have included such exhibits as the Angels of the Vatican and the Royal Tombs of Ur. Admission to main ticketed exhibits are free on Fridays.

   Tue–Thu, Sat-Sun 10AM–5PM, Fri 10AM-9PM; Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas·Free

9. See

   Saint Louis Science Center

   SLSC

   A fun, hands-on science museum. Equipped with an IMAX Dome theater, a planetarium, floors of interactive activities, and several traveling exhibits, the Science Center has something for everyone (though the majority is geared solidly toward the under-12 set; older teens and adults will find the exhibits somewhat elementary). The museum is actually just south of Forest Park; the planetarium, however, is within the park itself, and an enclosed walkway above I-64 connects the two.

   Mon-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun 11AM-4:30PM·Base admission is free; parking $10; extra fee for planetarium, IMAX shows, and special exhibits

10. See

    Saint Louis Zoo

    Recognized as one of the top five zoos in the nation. The zoo has both indoor and outdoor exhibits. There are several centers for in depth exploration and learning.

    9AM-5PM daily·Free; fees charged for certain attractions

11. Do Not mapped

    Whitaker Music Festival

    Wednesday evenings in summer enjoy music in the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden. Admission is free (after 5PM), and you can pack your own picnic basket and cooler. Genre ranges from jazz to folk-rock to world music. Bring folding chairs or a blanket to spread on the lawn.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to St. Louis (CC BY-SA 4.0).