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34 Super-Cheap Things to Do in St. Louis This Summer

By on Wed, Jul 13, 2016 at 3:11 pm

Summer is far from over, but you'd be a fool to spend the remaining two months cooped up inside. You have all winter for that! Instead check out this list of fun, nearly free things to do. From concerts to kids' activities, these St. Louis attractions won't cost you more than $10 per person. Some are offered all year, and some are just for the summer; some you've heard of, some you haven't -- but with price tags like these, you have no excuse not to get out there and experience it all this season. When winter comes, you'll be glad you did.

Summer is far from over, but you'd be a fool to spend the remaining two months cooped up inside. You have all winter for that! Instead check out this list of fun, nearly free things to do. From concerts to kids' activities, these St. Louis attractions won't cost you more than $10 per person. Some are offered all year, and some are just for the summer; some you've heard of, some you haven't -- but with price tags like these, you have no excuse not to get out there and experience it all this season. When winter comes, you'll be glad you did.

07/13/2016
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Sensational Summer Nights Missouri Botanical Gardens 4344 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 577-5100 Bask in the beauty that is Missouri Botanical Gardens during extended hours each Thursday for Sensational Summer Nights. You’ll experience the gardens on a new level with flora-inspired cocktails, food from the Botany Bar, gardening tips from experts and hands-on “sensational stations.” It’s $8 for adults (13 years and older) to purchase admission to the gardens for this event. For more admission information, click here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mad_far via pikore.com.
Sensational Summer Nights
Missouri Botanical Gardens
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 577-5100


Bask in the beauty that is Missouri Botanical Gardens during extended hours each Thursday for Sensational Summer Nights. You’ll experience the gardens on a new level with flora-inspired cocktails, food from the Botany Bar, gardening tips from experts and hands-on “sensational stations.” It’s $8 for adults (13 years and older) to purchase admission to the gardens for this event. For more admission information, click here. Photo courtesy of Instagram / mad_far via pikore.com.
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Art Hill Film Series 1 Fine Arts Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 721-0072 Who wants to pay $11 to see a film at a movie theater when you can catch one for free in the best park in the U.S.? Saint Louis Art Museum is once again hosting outdoor movies every Friday night in July, complete with food trucks, a pre-show DJ and art lab activities. This year’s theme is “Our American Spirit,” with classics such as Rocky and Forrest Gump. Photo by Elizabeth Semko.
Art Hill Film Series
1 Fine Arts Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 721-0072

Who wants to pay $11 to see a film at a movie theater when you can catch one for free in the best park in the U.S.? Saint Louis Art Museum is once again hosting outdoor movies every Friday night in July, complete with food trucks, a pre-show DJ and art lab activities. This year’s theme is “Our American Spirit,” with classics such as Rocky and Forrest Gump. Photo by Elizabeth Semko.
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City Museum 750 North 16th Street St. Louis, MO. 63103 (314) 231-2489 Can’t stand all the field trips swarming the City Museum in the summer? Real City Museum aficionados know that the best time to go is on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m. when it’s only $10. We can’t promise there still won’t be plenty of kids, but you’ll have saved a couple bucks. If you feel like splurging, use that saved cash toward the $5 fee for the roof. It has a pretty spectacular view of the St. Louis skyline at night. Photo courtesy of Instagram / jenn.newm
City Museum
750 North 16th Street
St. Louis, MO. 63103
(314) 231-2489

Can’t stand all the field trips swarming the City Museum in the summer? Real City Museum aficionados know that the best time to go is on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 p.m. when it’s only $10. We can’t promise there still won’t be plenty of kids, but you’ll have saved a couple bucks. If you feel like splurging, use that saved cash toward the $5 fee for the roof. It has a pretty spectacular view of the St. Louis skyline at night. Photo courtesy of Instagram / jenn.newm
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Parties in the Park 16 N. Central Ave. Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 726-3033 Downtown Clayton is the home of this "classy block party" the second Wednesday of every month May through September. Expect music, food and drink tents, vendors, and Clayton socialites. If it's been going on for 33 years, it has to be good. Photo courtesy of Instagram / partiesinthepark via pikore.com.
Parties in the Park
16 N. Central Ave.
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 726-3033

Downtown Clayton is the home of this "classy block party" the second Wednesday of every month May through September. Expect music, food and drink tents, vendors, and Clayton socialites. If it's been going on for 33 years, it has to be good. Photo courtesy of Instagram / partiesinthepark via pikore.com.
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River City Rascals 900 T.R. Hughes Blvd. O'Fallon, MO 63366 (636) 240-2287 St. Louisans love baseball -- but we’d love it even more if it were more affordable. Fortunately, our local minor league team fulfills that dream. Just $8 will score you a spot on the lawn to watch the game. Talk about a home run. Photo courtesy of Instagram / rivercityrascalsbaseball
River City Rascals
900 T.R. Hughes Blvd.
O'Fallon, MO 63366
(636) 240-2287

St. Louisans love baseball -- but we’d love it even more if it were more affordable. Fortunately, our local minor league team fulfills that dream. Just $8 will score you a spot on the lawn to watch the game. Talk about a home run. Photo courtesy of Instagram / rivercityrascalsbaseball
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Wine, Dine and Jazz 23 Public Square Belleville, IL 62220 This festival is exactly what it sounds like: wine tasting, food trucks and performances by local jazz musicians. It's all set around the fountain in Belleville's public square (a.k.a. the one you saw when you went to Art on the Square). General admission is free. Photo via the Belleville Illinois Wine Dine Jazz Festival Facebook page.
Wine, Dine and Jazz
23 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220

This festival is exactly what it sounds like: wine tasting, food trucks and performances by local jazz musicians. It's all set around the fountain in Belleville's public square (a.k.a. the one you saw when you went to Art on the Square). General admission is free. Photo via the Belleville Illinois Wine Dine Jazz Festival Facebook page.
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Skyview Drive In 5700 N. Belt W. Belleville, IL (618) 233-4400 Prepare for nostalgia overload. This Belleville gem has no frills -- just the way a drive-in should be. A 10 spot will get you a double feature, so go dutch with your friends and enjoy some movies under the stars. Photo courtesy of Instagram / muzikfan79 via pikore.com.
Skyview Drive In
5700 N. Belt W.
Belleville, IL
(618) 233-4400

Prepare for nostalgia overload. This Belleville gem has no frills -- just the way a drive-in should be. A 10 spot will get you a double feature, so go dutch with your friends and enjoy some movies under the stars. Photo courtesy of Instagram / muzikfan79 via pikore.com.
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First Fridays in Grand Center Art aficionados will love First Fridays in Grand Center, where the art district's museums and galleries offer free admission until 9 p.m. Bonus: you can enjoy this perk all year round! From the Dark Room to the Sheldon Art Galleries, there is something for everyone. Photo courtesy of Instagram / Sheldonstl via pikore.com.
First Fridays in Grand Center

Art aficionados will love First Fridays in Grand Center, where the art district's museums and galleries offer free admission until 9 p.m. Bonus: you can enjoy this perk all year round! From the Dark Room to the Sheldon Art Galleries, there is something for everyone. Photo courtesy of Instagram / Sheldonstl via pikore.com.
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Music and Movie Night on South Grand You already love South Grand for all its fantastic cuisine -- and you’ll love it even more now that you know that you can catch an outdoor flick for free there during the summer. Leave the ridiculous prices to the theatres and enjoy live music before favorites like Top Gun and Finding Nemo. Photo courtesy of Instagram / moenvironment via pikore.com.
Music and Movie Night on South Grand

You already love South Grand for all its fantastic cuisine -- and you’ll love it even more now that you know that you can catch an outdoor flick for free there during the summer. Leave the ridiculous prices to the theatres and enjoy live music before favorites like Top Gun and Finding Nemo. Photo courtesy of Instagram / moenvironment via pikore.com.
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Free Summer Yoga Series at Ballpark Village 601 Clark Ave. St Louis, MO (314) 345-9481 Yoga isn't just for people with money. You can get all the benefits of the practice without any of the price with free yoga at Ballpark Village’s Busch II throughout the summer. Namaste. Photo courtesy of Instagram / bpvstl via pikore.com.
Free Summer Yoga Series at Ballpark Village
601 Clark Ave.
St Louis, MO
(314) 345-9481

Yoga isn't just for people with money. You can get all the benefits of the practice without any of the price with free yoga at Ballpark Village’s Busch II throughout the summer. Namaste. Photo courtesy of Instagram / bpvstl via pikore.com.
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St. Louis Swap Meet Cherokee Street and Lemp Avenue It doesn’t cost a dime to browse at the outdoor flea market on Cherokee Street. Between people-watching and digging through all the delightfully weird merchandise, you’re sure to stay entertained. Photo via Instagram / stlswapmeet.
St. Louis Swap Meet
Cherokee Street and Lemp Avenue

It doesn’t cost a dime to browse at the outdoor flea market on Cherokee Street. Between people-watching and digging through all the delightfully weird merchandise, you’re sure to stay entertained. Photo via Instagram / stlswapmeet.
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Riverfront Marketplace Lenore K. Sullivan Drive This two-day shopping and dining experience is set to take place at the newly-renovated riverfront every third weekend through October. This new flea market will have food and drink vendors, music and plenty of treasure hunting for you to enjoy -- no admission fee required. Photo by Kavahn Mansouri.
Riverfront Marketplace
Lenore K. Sullivan Drive

This two-day shopping and dining experience is set to take place at the newly-renovated riverfront every third weekend through October. This new flea market will have food and drink vendors, music and plenty of treasure hunting for you to enjoy -- no admission fee required. Photo by Kavahn Mansouri.
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The Muny 200 Forest Park St Louis, MO (314) 361-1900 Meet some friends at the Muny to get your hands on one of the 1500 free seats in the last nine rows of St. Louis’ beloved outdoor theater. It’s first come, first serve, so arrive early -- you’ll have preshow entertainment in the Lichtenstein Plaza (located behind the free seats) in the meantime. Photo courtesy of Instagram / gatewaytothewest via pikore.com.
The Muny
200 Forest Park
St Louis, MO
(314) 361-1900

Meet some friends at the Muny to get your hands on one of the 1500 free seats in the last nine rows of St. Louis’ beloved outdoor theater. It’s first come, first serve, so arrive early -- you’ll have preshow entertainment in the Lichtenstein Plaza (located behind the free seats) in the meantime. Photo courtesy of Instagram / gatewaytothewest via pikore.com.
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The Great Forest Park Balloon Race Forest Park Central Field Jefferson Dr. St Louis, MO info@greatforestparkballoonrace.com This Forest Park tradition awes crowds every September -- and admission is free. Don't miss the balloon glow, complete with food trucks and a fireworks display. Photo courtesy of Instagram / slick_fisher.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
Forest Park Central Field
Jefferson Dr.
St Louis, MO
[email protected]

This Forest Park tradition awes crowds every September -- and admission is free. Don't miss the balloon glow, complete with food trucks and a fireworks display. Photo courtesy of Instagram / slick_fisher.
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Free Family Nights at the Magic House 516 S. Kirkwood Rd. St. Louis, MO (314) 822-8900 If the kids are always asking to go to the Magic House (and whose kid isn’t?), schedule some family bonding for Magic House Free Family Nights. Every third Friday of the month, you can take the crew to experience more than 100 hands-on exhibits for no cost. Photo courtesy of Instagram / themagichouse.
Free Family Nights at the Magic House
516 S. Kirkwood Rd.
St. Louis, MO
(314) 822-8900

If the kids are always asking to go to the Magic House (and whose kid isn’t?), schedule some family bonding for Magic House Free Family Nights. Every third Friday of the month, you can take the crew to experience more than 100 hands-on exhibits for no cost. Photo courtesy of Instagram / themagichouse.
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Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Creve Coeur Lake Creve Coeur Lake Rentals Marine Ave. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 (314) 330-4692 Let your inner adventurer come out this summer -- try kayaking or paddleboarding at Creve Coeur Lake. Rent one out for an hour (c’mon, it’s only ten bucks) and give it a shot. If you don’t like it when time is up, well, at least you can say you tried. Photo courtesy of Instagram / stlboofterrior via pikore.com.
Rent a kayak or paddleboard at Creve Coeur Lake
Creve Coeur Lake Rentals
Marine Ave.
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(314) 330-4692

Let your inner adventurer come out this summer -- try kayaking or paddleboarding at Creve Coeur Lake. Rent one out for an hour (c’mon, it’s only ten bucks) and give it a shot. If you don’t like it when time is up, well, at least you can say you tried. Photo courtesy of Instagram / stlboofterrior via pikore.com.
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Twilight Tuesdays at Saint Louis Art Museum 1 Fine Arts Dr. St Louis, MO (314) 721-0072 If a concert series is free and in Forest Park, you have no reason not to go. Consider your Tuesday evenings booked and head to this weekly event, where you can bring picnic food and take in live music as the sun sets over Forest Park. Or come early with the kids for some family-friendly activities. No matter what you decide to do, it’ll be good (cheap!) fun. Photo by RFT Street Team.
Twilight Tuesdays at Saint Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Dr.
St Louis, MO
(314) 721-0072

If a concert series is free and in Forest Park, you have no reason not to go. Consider your Tuesday evenings booked and head to this weekly event, where you can bring picnic food and take in live music as the sun sets over Forest Park. Or come early with the kids for some family-friendly activities. No matter what you decide to do, it’ll be good (cheap!) fun. Photo by RFT Street Team.
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World Bird Sanctuary 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road Valley Park, MO 63088 (636) 225-4390 Already knocked the History Museum, Art Museum and Science Museum off your list in June? Go to the World Bird Sanctuary next. The World Bird Sanctuary has more than 200 animals in its care, providing “a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience.” Expect nature trails, tours, seasonal shows and other events. Entry and parking are both free. Photo courtesy of Instagram / worldbirdsanctuary via pikore.com.
World Bird Sanctuary
125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road
Valley Park, MO 63088
(636) 225-4390

Already knocked the History Museum, Art Museum and Science Museum off your list in June? Go to the World Bird Sanctuary next. The World Bird Sanctuary has more than 200 animals in its care, providing “a one-of-a-kind wildlife experience.” Expect nature trails, tours, seasonal shows and other events. Entry and parking are both free. Photo courtesy of Instagram / worldbirdsanctuary via pikore.com.
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Whitaker Music Festival Missouri Botanical Garden 4344 Shaw Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 577-5100 Who says no to a free concert under the stars? Grab your picnic blanket and head to Missouri Botanical Garden each Wednesday for the Whitaker Music Festival, where you you’ll enjoy a free concert in one of St. Louis’ most beautiful settings. Picnic food, soda, beer, wine and snow cones are available for purchase. You're welcome to bring your own as well. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Matt Ridings.
Whitaker Music Festival
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 577-5100


Who says no to a free concert under the stars? Grab your picnic blanket and head to Missouri Botanical Garden each Wednesday for the Whitaker Music Festival, where you you’ll enjoy a free concert in one of St. Louis’ most beautiful settings. Picnic food, soda, beer, wine and snow cones are available for purchase. You're welcome to bring your own as well. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Matt Ridings.
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The Jewel Box McKinley Dr. St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 531-0080 With places like the Muny and the Zoo grabbing all the attention in the summer, this impressive greenhouse isn’t typically the go-to spot in Forest Park. Why not show it some love this summer? Admission is only $1 (seriously), and you’ll see hundreds of flowers while you’re there. That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask us. Photo courtesy of Instagram / CWMc.
The Jewel Box
McKinley Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 531-0080

With places like the Muny and the Zoo grabbing all the attention in the summer, this impressive greenhouse isn’t typically the go-to spot in Forest Park. Why not show it some love this summer? Admission is only $1 (seriously), and you’ll see hundreds of flowers while you’re there. That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask us. Photo courtesy of Instagram / CWMc.
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