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24 Things to Do in St. Louis Other Than the Arch

By on Tue, Nov 1, 2016 at 11:06 pm

There is more to St. Louis than the Gateway Arch. Yes, we said it! Don't get us wrong, the Arch is breathtaking -- and a major feat of architecture at that. But St. Louis has so much more to offer out-of-town visitors and tourists than just a trip up in its cramped little containers. We've said it before, and we'll keep saying that until outsiders finally grasp that, yes, St. Louis isn't just fly-over country. So whether you're about to host out-of-towners or you're a visitor yourself, here's a go-to guide for the many must-see places that help make St. Louis so great. From museums to motorsports, old standbys to not-so-typical attractions, there's truly something for everyone.

There is more to St. Louis than the Gateway Arch. Yes, we said it! Don't get us wrong, the Arch is breathtaking -- and a major feat of architecture at that. But St. Louis has so much more to offer out-of-town visitors and tourists than just a trip up in its cramped little containers. We've said it before, and we'll keep saying that until outsiders finally grasp that, yes, St. Louis isn't just fly-over country.

So whether you're about to host out-of-towners or you're a visitor yourself, here's a go-to guide for the many must-see places that help make St. Louis so great. From museums to motorsports, old standbys to not-so-typical attractions, there's truly something for everyone.

November 1, 2016
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The Jewel Box McKinley Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 531-0080 Located in Forest Park, the Jewel Box is a greenhouse that dates back to 1936. Hundreds of flowers are on display, and there are even special floral shows during holidays like Christmas and Mother's Day. The best part? You can see it all for just a dollar. Photo courtesy of Flickr / CWMc.
The Jewel Box
McKinley Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 531-0080

Located in Forest Park, the Jewel Box is a greenhouse that dates back to 1936. Hundreds of flowers are on display, and there are even special floral shows during holidays like Christmas and Mother's Day. The best part? You can see it all for just a dollar. Photo courtesy of Flickr / CWMc.
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Antique Row 1900-2300 Cherokee St. St. Louis, MO 63118 This historic collection of storefronts has seen all kinds of businesses since the 19th century, and you're still guaranteed to find something unique here today. Vintage seekers will over the numerous, unique antique shops. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby to enjoy along with your treasure hunt. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.
Antique Row
1900-2300 Cherokee St.
St. Louis, MO 63118

This historic collection of storefronts has seen all kinds of businesses since the 19th century, and you're still guaranteed to find something unique here today. Vintage seekers will over the numerous, unique antique shops. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby to enjoy along with your treasure hunt. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.
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The Green Shag Market 5733 Manchester Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 Just can't get enough of the antique options in St. Louis? Go to The Green Shag Market. This antique mall and consignment is like a walk-in time capsule from the 1960s and '70s. Think of it as the grooviest garage sale of your dreams. Photo courtesy of Instagram / thegreenshagmarket.
The Green Shag Market
5733 Manchester Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110

Just can't get enough of the antique options in St. Louis? Go to The Green Shag Market. This antique mall and consignment is like a walk-in time capsule from the 1960s and '70s. Think of it as the grooviest garage sale of your dreams. Photo courtesy of Instagram / thegreenshagmarket.
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Anheuser-Busch Brewery 12th and Lynch Street St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 577-2626 It's not a trip to St. Louis without a visit at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. For one thing, it's free; for another, it usually involves a free sample of beer. Oh yeah, and you get to learn all about the brewing process and see the Budweiser Clydesdales -- you know, the ones that bring you to tears during their yearly Superbowl commercial. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Knittel.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
12th and Lynch Street
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 577-2626

It's not a trip to St. Louis without a visit at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. For one thing, it's free; for another, it usually involves a free sample of beer. Oh yeah, and you get to learn all about the brewing process and see the Budweiser Clydesdales -- you know, the ones that bring you to tears during their yearly Superbowl commercial. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Knittel.
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Pole Position 8800 Watson Rd. St. Louis, MO 63119 (314) 925-7545 If you or your guest has a need for speed, look no further than Pole Position. This go-kart raceway has various racing formats, and it's all inside -- meaning you can get your adrenaline kick no matter the weather or time of year. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Yelp Inc.
Pole Position
8800 Watson Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 925-7545

If you or your guest has a need for speed, look no further than Pole Position. This go-kart raceway has various racing formats, and it's all inside -- meaning you can get your adrenaline kick no matter the weather or time of year. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Yelp Inc.
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Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 577-5100 This is one of the most frequently visited tourist spots in St. Louis, for good reason. Dating back to 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden stands as the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation -- and it's absolutely stunning. You'll see 79 acres of horticultural display, founder Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home and more. Photo by Dilip Vishwanat, courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 577-5100

This is one of the most frequently visited tourist spots in St. Louis, for good reason. Dating back to 1859, the Missouri Botanical Garden stands as the nation's oldest botanical garden in continuous operation -- and it's absolutely stunning. You'll see 79 acres of horticultural display, founder Henry Shaw's original 1850 estate home and more. Photo by Dilip Vishwanat, courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
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Shaw Nature Reserve 307 Pinetum Loop Rd. Gray Summit, MO 63039 (636) 451-3512 An extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden, this nature reserve is the perfect place to escape the city for a dose of tranquility. Turn off your phone, hike the various trails, explore the wetlands and take in the wildlife. Photo Credit: Flannery Allison. Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
Shaw Nature Reserve
307 Pinetum Loop Rd.
Gray Summit, MO 63039
(636) 451-3512

An extension of the Missouri Botanical Garden, this nature reserve is the perfect place to escape the city for a dose of tranquility. Turn off your phone, hike the various trails, explore the wetlands and take in the wildlife. Photo Credit: Flannery Allison. Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
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Museum of Transportation 3015 Barrett Station Rd. St. Louis, MO 63122 (314) 965-6212 For the wannabe steam train conductors out there, we recommend the Museum of Transportation. You'll see some of history's modes of transportation up close, from carriages to planes to cars to trains. Photo courtesy of Flickr / miknx
Museum of Transportation
3015 Barrett Station Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314) 965-6212

For the wannabe steam train conductors out there, we recommend the Museum of Transportation. You'll see some of history's modes of transportation up close, from carriages to planes to cars to trains. Photo courtesy of Flickr / miknx
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National Blues Museum 615 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63101 (314) 925-0016 Every music fanatic out there needs to stop at the new National Blues Museum -- it's only right. St. Louis has strong historical ties to the blues, and this downtown museum pays tribute to the genre with traveling exhibits, interactive technology, a state-of-the-art theater and more. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
National Blues Museum
615 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 925-0016

Every music fanatic out there needs to stop at the new National Blues Museum -- it's only right. St. Louis has strong historical ties to the blues, and this downtown museum pays tribute to the genre with traveling exhibits, interactive technology, a state-of-the-art theater and more. Photo by Kelly Glueck.
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Saint Louis Zoo 1 Government Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110 Two words: It's. Free. So basically, there's no reason not to go. Located in our beautiful Forest Park (which is larger than New York's Central Park -- not to brag or anything), Saint Louis Zoo spans 89 acres and is home to animals from all around the world. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Amy.
Saint Louis Zoo
1 Government Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110

Two words: It's. Free. So basically, there's no reason not to go. Located in our beautiful Forest Park (which is larger than New York's Central Park -- not to brag or anything), Saint Louis Zoo spans 89 acres and is home to animals from all around the world. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Amy.
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SLAM Underground 1 Fine Arts Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 721-0072 The St. Louis Art Museum is another free and fabulous Forest Park destination that you need to visit -- it's not every day that you can see work by famous artists without paying a cent. We particularly recommend that you visit on the last Friday of the month for SLAM Underground, an evening of music, art and cocktails. Photo courtesy of Instagram / seaberry23.
SLAM Underground
1 Fine Arts Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 721-0072

The St. Louis Art Museum is another free and fabulous Forest Park destination that you need to visit -- it's not every day that you can see work by famous artists without paying a cent. We particularly recommend that you visit on the last Friday of the month for SLAM Underground, an evening of music, art and cocktails. Photo courtesy of Instagram / seaberry23.
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Tower Grove Park 4256 Magnolia Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 771-2679 Obviously, we love Forest Park. But make sure to show Tower Grove Park some love when you're showing off our city or visiting for the first time. This gorgeous park dates back to 1868 and has carriage rides, a bird garden, a wading pool, ball fields and more. During warmer months, the Tower Grove Farmers Market is also a must-see. Photo courtesy of Flickr / dustinphillips.
Tower Grove Park
4256 Magnolia Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 771-2679

Obviously, we love Forest Park. But make sure to show Tower Grove Park some love when you're showing off our city or visiting for the first time. This gorgeous park dates back to 1868 and has carriage rides, a bird garden, a wading pool, ball fields and more. During warmer months, the Tower Grove Farmers Market is also a must-see. Photo courtesy of Flickr / dustinphillips.
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Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery and Bierhall 4465 Manchester Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 If you're a German missing home (or just really like beer), spend some time at Urban Chestnut. At 70,000 square feet, the Grove location is Urban Chestnut's take on the traditional German bierhall, which is housed right in the brewery. With excellent food offerings in addition to craft beer, it's a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. Photo by Robert Rohe.
Urban Chestnut Grove Brewery and Bierhall
4465 Manchester Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110

If you're a German missing home (or just really like beer), spend some time at Urban Chestnut. At 70,000 square feet, the Grove location is Urban Chestnut's take on the traditional German bierhall, which is housed right in the brewery. With excellent food offerings in addition to craft beer, it's a great place to spend an afternoon or evening. Photo by Robert Rohe.
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Lone Elk Park Meramec Township, MO (314) 615-4386 This wildlife management area is home to bison, elk, deer, waterfowl and wild turkey. Here you can get up close and personal with nature, all from the comfort of your car. Just throw a couple bucks in the donation box, and you're good to go. Photo courtesy of Instagram / alyssahunziker.
Lone Elk Park
Meramec Township, MO
(314) 615-4386

This wildlife management area is home to bison, elk, deer, waterfowl and wild turkey. Here you can get up close and personal with nature, all from the comfort of your car. Just throw a couple bucks in the donation box, and you're good to go. Photo courtesy of Instagram / alyssahunziker.
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The Village of Elsah You know those mini village displays you see in department stores and under people's Christmas trees during the holidays? Yeah, Elsah looks like that -- except life size. This little Illinois town is beautiful and is only 40 minutes from the city. Park the car and experience it all on foot -- you'll feel like you've taken a step back in time. Photo courtesy of Instagram / hannahzapf.
The Village of Elsah

You know those mini village displays you see in department stores and under people's Christmas trees during the holidays? Yeah, Elsah looks like that -- except life size. This little Illinois town is beautiful and is only 40 minutes from the city. Park the car and experience it all on foot -- you'll feel like you've taken a step back in time. Photo courtesy of Instagram / hannahzapf.
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St. Louis Symphony 718 N Grand Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 533-2500 St. Louis Symphony isn't just any symphony. It's a Grammy-winning symphony, thankyouverymuch -- and you'd be a fool to miss a concert while you're in town. St. Louis Symphony offers more traditional shows with music by artists such as Mozart and Beethoven, but it also presents themed shows such as Disney in Concert and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- in Concert . Photo courtesy of Flickr / Tom Bastin.
St. Louis Symphony
718 N Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 533-2500

St. Louis Symphony isn't just any symphony. It's a Grammy-winning symphony, thankyouverymuch -- and you'd be a fool to miss a concert while you're in town. St. Louis Symphony offers more traditional shows with music by artists such as Mozart and Beethoven, but it also presents themed shows such as Disney in Concert and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- in Concert . Photo courtesy of Flickr / Tom Bastin.
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St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame 700 Clark Ave. St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 345-9600 We're known for having the best fans in baseball, so it's only right to get a glimpse of Cardinal baseball history while you're here. The museum has one of the biggest team-specific collections of memorabilia in the world, featuring players, championship moments and stadiums that have shaped the team's history. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Francisco Diez.
St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame
700 Clark Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 345-9600

We're known for having the best fans in baseball, so it's only right to get a glimpse of Cardinal baseball history while you're here. The museum has one of the biggest team-specific collections of memorabilia in the world, featuring players, championship moments and stadiums that have shaped the team's history. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Francisco Diez.
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Laumeier Sculpture Park 12580 Rott Rd. St. Louis, MO 63127 (314) 615-5278 Who wouldn't want to go to a park to stare at a giant eyeball? Seriously though, this sculpture garden is a great place to go, whether you just want to enjoy the outdoors or get your fill of contemporary art. With exhibitions coming and going, it's always an interesting experience. Photo courtesy of Instagram / fuchsjeff.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63127
(314) 615-5278

Who wouldn't want to go to a park to stare at a giant eyeball? Seriously though, this sculpture garden is a great place to go, whether you just want to enjoy the outdoors or get your fill of contemporary art. With exhibitions coming and going, it's always an interesting experience. Photo courtesy of Instagram / fuchsjeff.
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Contemporary Art Museum 3750 Washington Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 535-4660 While you're on an art kick, be sure to visit the Contemporary Art Museum, where you'll see some of the great art being made today. Check back every time you visit, because the exhibitions are always changing. Photo courtesy of Instagram / pradikat.
Contemporary Art Museum
3750 Washington Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 535-4660

While you're on an art kick, be sure to visit the Contemporary Art Museum, where you'll see some of the great art being made today. Check back every time you visit, because the exhibitions are always changing. Photo courtesy of Instagram / pradikat.
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The Butterfly House 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017 (636) 530-0076 Also owned by the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Butterfly House is exactly what it sounds like: an oasis for butterflies. Located in Faust Park, the conservatory is home to over 150 tropical plants and over 60 tropical butterfly species. Walking through it is an experience unlike any other. Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
The Butterfly House
15193 Olive Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 530-0076

Also owned by the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Butterfly House is exactly what it sounds like: an oasis for butterflies. Located in Faust Park, the conservatory is home to over 150 tropical plants and over 60 tropical butterfly species. Walking through it is an experience unlike any other. Photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
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