St. Louis Attractions

While you are attending the National Family Conference, we thought you and your family may enjoy seeing some of the fantastic attractions available to you in the St. Louis area.  With both free and paid entertainment options, there is sure to be something for everyone!

Forest Park, which covers an area of 1,293 acres and is one of the largest urban parks in the nation, is home to many of St. Louis’s most popular free attractions:

• St. Louis Zoo
• The Muny, the largest and oldest outdoor musical theater in the US (If you’re interested in seeing a show, Singin’ in the Rain is scheduled during the conference.)
• St Louis Science Center (with its architecturally distinctive McDonnell Planetarium)
• St. Louis Art Museum
• Missouri History Museum
• Jewel Box, horticultural conservatory

More free attractions outside Forest Park: Grant’s Farm, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour, the Basilica of St. Louis (1834) (commonly known as the “Old Cathedral”; the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral west of the Mississippi River), and the Citygarden.

St. Louis possesses several distinct examples of 18th and 19th century architecture that are also free to wander through, such as the Soulard Market District (1779–1842), the Chatillon-de-Menil House (1848), the Bellefontaine Cemetery (1850), the Robert G. Campbell House (1852), the Old Courthouse (1845–62), the original Anheuser-Busch Brewery (1860), and two of Louis Sullivan’s early skyscrapers, the Wainwright Building (1890–91) and the Union Trust Building.  Laclède’s Landing, located on the Mississippi River front directly north of the historic Eads Bridge, is popular for its restaurants and nightclubs.  How about visiting the Hill, a historically Italian neighborhood where many of the area’s best Italian restaurants can be found.

Other things to see/do (paid attractions):

• Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, towering 630-feet over the Mississippi River.
• The privately owned City Museum offers a variety of exhibits, including several large faux caves and a huge outdoor playground. It also serves as a meeting point for St. Louis’s arts scene.
• Or go to the Magic House -The St. Louis Children’s Museum, another kid friendly place with hands-on educational exhibits.
• Get your motor running at the Museum of Transportation.
• The Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.
• Get an adrenaline rush on the world-class roller coasters and thrill rides at Six Flags St. Louis.

Flirt with Lady Luck (if you’re of age) at one of the area’s six casinos including: the Lumiere Place, River City Casino, Harrah’s, Ameristar Casino, Alton Belle, and the Casino Queen.