Once you're settled, there's far more to explore than a weekend can hold — and a surprising amount of it is free. Here's a fuller map by type. (Addresses, websites, and hours will come with the structured listings; for now, search any place by name for current details.)
Forest Park & the free museums.
- Saint Louis Zoo — one of the few major free zoos in the country.
- Saint Louis Art Museum and the Saint Louis Science Center (planetarium; OMNIMAX and some special exhibits cost extra).
- Missouri History Museum — local history, including the 1904 World's Fair.
- Around the park: the Boathouse (paddle boats), the Muny outdoor theater, the Jewel Box greenhouse, the World's Fair Pavilion, miles of trails, and the Steinberg ice rink in winter.
More free museums & galleries.
- The Contemporary Art Museum and Pulitzer Arts Foundation in the Grand Center arts district, the Kemper Art Museum at WashU, and Laumeier Sculpture Park (100+ acres of outdoor sculpture).
- The Gateway Arch riverfront museum and the historic Old Courthouse (site of the Dred Scott case).
Iconic landmarks.
- Gateway Arch — the city's symbol; the tram to the top is ticketed.
- Old Chain of Rocks Bridge — a former Route 66 bridge over the Mississippi, now for walking and biking.
- Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis — one of the largest mosaic collections in the world.
- Union Station — a restored grand depot with the St. Louis Aquarium, a giant Ferris wheel, mini-golf, a ropes course, and a nightly fire-and-light fountain show.
For kids & families.
- The Magic House (Kirkwood, for younger kids) and MADE for Kids (Delmar, for older kids and teens) — magichouse.org.
- City Museum — a wildly inventive playground built from salvaged materials.
- National Museum of Transportation (Kirkwood) — trains, planes, and automobiles.
- The Butterfly House at Faust Park (Chesterfield) and the park's restored 1920s carousel — right in West County.
- Animal encounters: Grant's Farm (free; paid parking), the Endangered Wolf Center and World Bird Sanctuary near Eureka, and Purina Farms.
Parks & the outdoors.
- Missouri Botanical Garden — 79 acres with the Climatron and Japanese Garden (free for city/county residents Wednesday and Saturday mornings).
- Tower Grove Park, Creve Coeur Lake Park, and big West County green spaces — Queeny Park, Castlewood and Babler state parks, Rockwoods Reservation, and Lone Elk Park (drive-through elk and bison).
- The Katy Trail for biking and walking, plus the Shaw Nature Reserve.
Seasonal.
- Winter: Hidden Valley in Wildwood for skiing, snowboarding, and snow-tubing (hiddenvalleyski.com), plus ice skating at Steinberg and Shaw Park.
- Warmer months: Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka (coasters and a water park), apple and peach picking at farms like Eckert's, and outdoor festivals.
Day trips.
- Historic Main Street, St. Charles — cobblestone shops and restaurants in Missouri's first state capital, with big seasonal festivals.
- Missouri wine country — the Augusta and Hermann areas, an easy drive west.
- Cahokia Mounds across the river in Illinois — a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving an ancient Native American city.
- Caves like Meramec Caverns, and the historic French colonial town of Ste. Genevieve.
Arts, theater & music.
- The Fabulous Fox Theatre and Stifel Theatre (touring Broadway and concerts), Powell Hall (the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra), the Repertory Theatre, and the Sheldon.
- Grand Center is the arts district; the Delmar Loop (Blueberry Hill, the Tivoli, the St. Louis Walk of Fame) is the liveliest entertainment strip.
Food & neighborhoods.
- St. Louis has its own food traditions — toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, and the local thin-crust pizza.
- Explore distinct neighborhoods: South Grand (international dining, including Persian and Middle Eastern spots), The Hill (historic Italian), Soulard (with its historic public market and Mardi Gras), Cherokee Street, and the Central West End.
Sports.
- The Cardinals (baseball, Busch Stadium), the Blues (NHL hockey), St. Louis CITY SC (soccer), and the Battlehawks (spring football) — the city turns out for all of them.