3 Day St. Louis Itinerary
The Perfect Weekend In St. Louis
3 Days in St. Louis
Looking for the perfect weekend trip that’s not going to break the bank? St. Louis is a great weekend destination for any family or couple looking for a quick getaway. There are lots of free things to do here whether you’re looking for family activities, a girls weekend, or romantic things to do in St. Louis.
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Is St. Louis good for tourists?
St. Louis is a great destination for all tourists. We have so many fun things to do in and around the city, and many of them are free! There are lots of fun family activities in St. Louis as well as romantic activities and solo excursions too.
Is St. Louis expensive to vacation?
No, St. Louis is not expensive to vacation. One of the best things about living near St. Louis is having all the fun and FREE things to do around the city right at our fingertips. My kids love visiting the St. Louis Zoo, exploring the Science Center, and checking out all the great parks in the area.
Things to Do in St. Louis
There are so many things to do in St. Louis that it’s actually difficult for a local like myself to limit it to one weekend. I have a full list of fun things to do in St. Louis but I will try to pick my favorites for this 3 day St. Louis itinerary.
Gateway Arch and Museum
The Old Courthouse in front of the Gateway Arch Downtown St. Louis
Best Time to Visit St. Louis
I think the best time to visit St. Louis is in the late spring or early fall because the temperature is the best for walking around and being outside. During the spring and fall in St. Louis we usually enjoy temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees.
What is the best month to visit St. Louis?
As a local my advice for the best month to visit St. Louis would be May or September. The weather is warm enough to be outside and do all the fun outdoor activities around St. Louis but not too hot.
Where to Stay in St. Louis
If you are only spending a weekend in St. Louis I’d recommend staying downtown. If you stay between the Gateway Arch and Union Station you’ll be able to walk to some of the attractions on this itinerary.
3 Days in St. Louis - Downtown Central Library
Best Hotels Downtown St. Louis
Here are a few of the best hotels downtown St. Louis:
St. Louis Union Station Hotel - where the Aquarium, ferris wheel, and multiple restaurants are located
Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch - cost effective option with free food and drinks for happy hour
Live! By Loews - next to Busch Stadium and adjacent to Ballpark Village
Hotel Saint Louis - upscale vintage hotel downtown St. Louis with 24/7 room service
The Last Hotel STL - right next to the City Museum with a rooftop pool
Can you walk around downtown St. Louis?
Yes you can definitely walk around downtown St. Louis. If you stay near the Gateway Arch you can walk to many restaurants, the downtown sculpture park, the gorgeous Central Library, and more!
Gateway Arch St. Louis from Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park
Weekend in St. Louis Itinerary
Museum of Illusions St. Louis Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 - The Gateway Arch, Missouri Botanical Garden and City Foundry
Head down to the Gateway Arch and take a tram ride to the top! Make sure to stop at the Museum at the Gateway Arch to learn all about its history. Book your tram ride in the St. Louis arch in advance because they can sell out. After seeing the Arch, walk around downtown and explore. There is a sculpture park and some great downtown restaurants in St. Louis for lunch.
Next head over to the Missouri Botanical Garden. If you’re on a romantic getaway to St. Louis, taking a stroll through the gardens is perfect. If you are on a family trip to St. Louis, they have a fantastic children’s garden with tons of activities for little ones.
When you’re ready for dinner (and some fun) head to City Foundry to check out the Food Hall and Museum of Illusions. The Food Hall at City Foundry has some of the best restaurants in the city and so many choices! The Museum of Illusions is so much fun and you can take photos to help you remember your trip to St. Louis forever! This one of a kind museum has optical illusions for all ages whether you’re taking a romantic weekend trip or a family vacation to St. Louis.
3 Days in St. Louis Missouri Botanical Garden
Day 2 - St. Louis Zoo or Aquarium and The City Museum
Depending on the weather you could visit the St. Louis Zoo or the Aquarium. The zoo is mostly outdoors with a few indoor exhibits while the aquarium is fully indoors.
After seeing all the animals head over to the famous St. Louis City Museum. I promise you’ve never been to a museum like the City Museum in St. Louis. They have the most interesting exhibits and play areas. There’s even a 10 story slide that leads down to caves below the City Museum.
For dinner head to the City Foundry and check out all the local restaurant options in the Food Hall.
Zebra at the St. Louis Zoo - 3 Days in St. Louis
Day 3 - St. Louis Science Center and Busch Stadium
The Science Center is a great place to visit, especially if you have kids. There are so many free educational exhibits, my family could spend hours there. After learning some science head to a Cardinals Game at Busch Stadium!
St. Louis fans are next level so the energy at Busch Stadium is always so much fun. There are also classic St. Louis food options at the Stadium like toasted ravioli and St. Louis BBQ. If you’re looking for more food options check out my list of the best St. Louis restaurants.
Weekend in St. Louis
I hope this 3 Day Weekend in St. Louis Itinerary inspired you to add St. Louis to your destinations list. As a local I feel lucky to get to experience all this great city has to offer all the time. There are so many great restaurants and things to do in St. Louis for families, couples, or anyone who wants to visit.