As moms raising children of all ages in St. Louis, one of the things we have come to treasure the most about living here is the overwhelming number of FREE activities to enjoy! It’s not something we realized until we traveled around a bit with our children and realized so many other cities don’t offer half the free activities that St. Louis does. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of free activities to enjoy with your family and out of town guests!
Missouri Botanical Garden
One of the crown jewels of St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a must-visit for residents and out of town visitors alike! Every Wednesday and Saturday from the 7am-noon, St. Louis City and St. Louis County residents are granted free admission. BONUS: Free admission is extended to their incredible Children’s Garden on Saturdays as well!
St. Louis Zoo
The St. Louis Zoo is a local trademark! We are gifted with one of the greatest zoos in the nation, not to mention its FREE! Parking and other amenities/attractions are not free (but many are included with a zoo membership, which we HIGHLY recommend!).
Missouri History Museum
Moms, if you haven’t checked out the Clubhouse at the History Museum, what are you waiting for? It’s the perfect outing for those HOT SUMMER St. Louis days and it’s FREE! Your kids will enjoy fun, interactive and imaginative play all while learning important Missouri history! We love their clean family-friendly bathrooms, including a feeding/ changing station, too!
Jewel Box
The Jewel Box is another Forest Park treasure you just can’t miss. This glass display greenhouse is nestled in the heart of the park. Admission is typically $1 per person, but it is free on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until noon. There are special floral shows at Christmas, early spring, Easter, Mother’s Day, summer and fall. It has tropical trees, foliage plants, flowers, a new water feature and fountain year round. It feels nice and warm here on a cold winter day in St. Louis!
St. Louis Science Center
This is a staple for St. Louis families and a MUST for your out of town visitors! There are hands-on exhibits for all ages to learn up close and personal about all things science. Note that attractions such as the IMAX theatre, Planetarium and Discovery Room incur an additional fee, but we think they’re worth it!
St. Louis Art Museum
Another St. Louis jewel nestled in Forest Park atop the majestic Art Hill, the Art Museum is always worth a visit. It never gets old going to visit their permanent collection and they always have an incredible special exhibition at any given point in time. We LOVE their Family Sunday programming they host weekly for families.
Grant’s Farm
A visit to Grant’s Farm begins with a tram ride through our Deer Park, where you can see a variety of our bovine and other four-legged friends. Then, you’ll be dropped off at the Tier Garten where you can enjoy the petting zoo area – featuring our famous baby goat bottle-feeding – carousel rides, food and vending in the Bauernhof Courtyard, and of course, free beer tasting.
Citygarden Sculpture Park
Looking to shake up your typical splash pad experience? Cool off in the wading pools and splash fountains surrounded by shady trees and unique works of art at Citygarden!
Tips from a mom:
- Metered parking is available on Market St. and also 8th street (and surrounding areas)
- Portable restrooms are available inside City Garden
- Water shoes are necessary as the ground gets very hot!
- There are park monitors who oversee the water features and can help answer any questions you may have.
- Bring water. We didn’t notice any drinking fountains!
- There is a darling playground in Kiener Plaza that has a great swing and climbing structure. (and it’s gated!).
Lone Elk Park
Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area consisting of 546 acres with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. There are great oppuntities to view elk, bison, and deer year-round from the comfort of your car! You can also get out and enjoy one of the hikes.
Cathedral Basilica
The Cathedral Basilica boasts one of the largest mosaic collections in the western hemisphere. Open daily for mass and tours. Lower-level Mosaic museum, $2 admission.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Free and open daily, Laumeier presents 70+ works of large-scale outdoor sculpture in a 105-acre park. Laumeier serves 300,000 visitors of all ages each year through sculpture conservation, education programs, temporary exhibitions and public events.
Jefferson Barracks
Park with historic museums, trails, wedding sites, cross country course, disc golf course, the Pavilion at Lemay Recreation Center, shelters, and more!
Museum at the Gateway Arch
Immerse yourself in St. Louis history at the Museum at the Gateway Arch! Admission to the museum is free, however tickets to the top of the Arch are an additional charge. Make a day out of it and take a Riverboat Cruise or grab a bite to eat at the Paddlewheel Cafe on the Riverboat Dock! Bring your swimsuit on a hot day and you can enjoy a splash pad on the Arch grounds!
Economy Museum at Federal Reserve Bank
This one-of-a-kind museum explains the economy through nearly 100 exhibits, games and videos. A historic building transforms into a modern, interactive experience. Be sure to check out the Vault! This museum is best suited to an older child.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
This educational nature oasis in Kirkwood is such a hidden gem! There are three paved trails you can enjoy all seasons of the year. The nature center, gift shop, and innovative educational exhibits, including an aquarium and bee hive, offer something year round. MDC naturalists conduct regular programs to help those of every age discover the wonders of nature. Your littles will love exploring all of the hands-on exhibits!
The Muny – Free Seats
The Muny, one of Forest Park’s not-so-hidden gems, kicked off its 105th season this month. As the largest outdoor theater in the country, summers are a bit more magical when you spend an evening or two soaking in the sights and sounds of Broadway right here in St. Louis. The theater itself seats over 11,000 guests, and each and every night, over 1400 tickets are set aside as “free seats” in the last nine rows of the theater.
To claim free seats, just get there early! Gates open at the back of the theater in Lichtenstein Plaza at 7 pm, and tickets are given on a first-come, first-served basis. I recommend coming around 6 pm or earlier to get a spot in line!
World Chess Hall of Fame
The World Chess Hall of Fame presents world-class exhibitions that explore the connection of chess to art, culture, and history. Family activities at the WCHOF connect guests of all ages to chess with a variety of fun, exhibition-related projects and an opportunity to learn something new.
National Blues Museum
At the National Blues Museum, they dive into the Blues, the foundation of all modern American music. They’re about learning with a beat, mixing fun with interactive features and exhibits full of unforgettable artifacts. Their public events give this place its rhythm. They’re more than a museum – Blues Lives Here!
Magic House Family Nights
The Magic House hosts Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. These special nights enable a family (up to two adults and four children) to visit the Museum at no cost.
MADE for Kids
MADE for Kids hosts Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month from 5:00 – 8:00pm. These special nights enable a family (up to two adults and four children) to visit at no cost.
Cahokia Mounds
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
Join for public tours and special Slow Looking programs featuring artworks in the Museum’s collection and special exhibitions. Student educators design and lead the programs twice a month, inviting ideas and questions and encouraging conversation.
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
Whether you have just a few minutes or half a day’s worth of free time, there are many activities offered on a daily basis at Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. Most visitors who participate in the three main activities (Film, Tour, and Museum) should expect to spend between 60 and 120 minutes at the park. Visitors with less time have the option of taking a self-guided walk around the park grounds.
Grand Hall Light Show
Experience the color and wonder of a stunning 3D light show when you stay at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. Each night, watch as flowers sway, fireworks burst and other images dance around the 65 foot ceiling of the Grand Hall lobby in a state of the art show designed specifically for this St. Louis hotel. Enjoy a drink or a tasty small plate as you take in the show, which runs on the hour from 5pm-10pm daily.
Anheuser-Busch St Louis Brewery
To know St. Louis history is to know the Busch family played a big role in its history! Pack up the family and your out of town guests and enjoy a compliementary tour of the Anheuser Busch Brewery! You’ll learn the story of this famed family, how they navigated Prohibition, and how they became a staple in St. Louis history. You’ll catch a glimpse of the brewing process, the majestic clydesdales, and those 21 and over will enjoy a complimentary sample at the end of the tour!
Daniel Boone Home
The Historic Daniel Boone Home site, located at 1868 Hwy. F, Defiance, features historic, reconstructed 19th century village and gift shop. Visitors are welcome to walk the grounds of the park for free. Guided tours incur an additional fee.
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Currently closed for installation, the Contemporary Art Museum will reopen on September 8, 2023.
The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis works to enrich lives and inspire curiosity, creativity, and learning through experiences with contemporary art. Our mission is to create meaningful engagement with the most relevant and innovative art being made today. We are a welcome space, free to all.
Moto Museum
The MOTO Museum, located in the Midtown Moto Complex, houses a private collection of unique motorcycles obtained from over 20 countries from around the globe covering almost 100 years of motorcycle history. The museum is a celebration of the form, function, evolution, and elegance of the motorcycle. How cool is that?
Factory tours are BACK and FREE of charge, 4 days a week. Your tour guide will take you down to the factory floor where you can watch the chocolate being made right in front of your eyes! Kind of like Willy Wonka but less crazy! The highlight of the adventure? Getting a free truffle at the end! Beat the end of summer blues and schedule a tour! 314-338-3501
Purina Farms
Why this mom loves Purina Farms!🐷🐓🐖🐮
- There’s typically a small crowd, so you’re actually able to see and do activities.
- VERY clean! Almost zero foul animal smell 😂
- All animals look well taken care of / cared for and you can pet the majority of them
- There’s plenty to do with kids of all ages!
- There’s plenty of hassle free parking and the space is stroller friendly!👏
Suson Park Farm
Suson Park is fun all year round!! Enjoy this free, darling working farm in South County. Say hello to chickens, goats, cows, horses and more!! Bring quarters and you can feed the animals. Restrooms should be open and available year round. Don’t miss the nearby playground as well!
Frisco Train Store
The Frisco Train Store is a free indoor play area with wooden trains and accessories that will keep your train-loving, imaginative child entertained for hours! There are multiple levels in the store with elaborate train tables, vendor demos, a kitchen play area, and even a birthday party room for celebrations. Play for a while, see what your child falls in love with, then shop for the perfect gift (trains, puzzles, crafts, games, wooden playsets, engineer hats, etc.) on your way out! All aboard!!
Library Storytime
We love visiting our local librairies! They are a wealth of knowledge and always host the best fun FREE events for families!
