St. Louis

Gateway to the West's Soul

St. Louis stands out as a city shaped by rivers and railroads. The Mississippi River runs through its heart, influencing trade and culture since the 19th century. Gateway Arch marks the westward expansion era while historic neighborhoods preserve stories of immigrants who built communities along the waterfront. Local museums display artifacts from early settlers and native peoples. Modern attractions include science centers and music venues showcasing jazz roots. Public parks provide green spaces for walking or biking, reflecting a city balancing heritage with everyday life.

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City in United States

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.3

General Safety:	5
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

As an American city, English is the primary language spoken by virtually everyone in St. Louis. Visitors will have no trouble communicating with locals, service staff, and at tourist attractions.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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St. Louis Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Strong in city landmarks and cultural attractions. Visit major museums, explore large urban parks, enjoy riverfront views of the Gateway Arch and discover local food and music.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Museums

Large cities

Walkable

Local cuisine

Beer

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for St. Louis, United States

❄️

Jan

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Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

🌦️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	May - July, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April, Aug., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk is highest March to June

Cardinals home games run April to September, with hotels busiest at weekends

Don't miss

🌆 Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch for city views
🖼️ Visit the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park
🏗️ Explore the quirky City Museum built from reclaimed materials
⚾ Watch a Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium
🌸 Walk through the Missouri Botanical Garden’s serene landscapes
🍖 Sample St. Louis-style barbecue and toasted ravioli

You've been here?

Why travel to St. Louis?

St. Louis is a city that genuinely surprises first-time visitors with its wealth of experiences. The iconic Gateway Arch dominates the skyline, offering breathtaking views from its 630-foot summit where you can spot Busch Stadium and the mighty Mississippi River stretching into the distance. But the city's appeal goes far beyond its famous monument. What makes St. Louis special is its accessibility and diversity of attractions. The city boasts numerous free world-class sites like the award-winning St. Louis Zoo and fascinating museums. As the hometown of rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry and jazz pioneer Miles Davis, the music scene thrives in areas like Laclede's Landing and the Delmar Loop. Whether you're a history buff exploring the Museum of Westward Expansion, an art lover wandering through the Pulitzer Arts Foundation or a family seeking adventure at the quirky City Museum, St. Louis delivers experiences that resonate with visitors of all interests.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 City Museum
2 Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
3 Old Courthouse
4 St. Louis Union Station
5 Gateway Arch
6 Missouri History Museum
7 Pulitzer Arts Foundation
8 The Fabulous Fox
9 Saint Louis University

🎡Places for activities

1 Delmar Loop
2 Museum of Transportation
3 Laumeier Sculpture Park
4 Anheuser-Busch Brewery
5 Laclede's Landing
6 Busch Stadium
7 Botanical Gardens Park & Ride
8 Mississippi Underground Hall
9 The Magic House

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Lone Elk County Park
2 Castlewood State Park
3 Gateway Arch National Park
4 Forest Park
5 Mississippi River
6 Mississippi & Missouri River Confluence Point
7 Tower Grove Park
8 Creve Coeur Lake

🛍️Shopping

1 Plaza Frontenac
2 Saint Louis Galleria
3 The Boulevard
4 The Link in the Loop
5 South Grand Boulevard
6 Central West End

🎈Events

St. Louis Blues Festival
Fair St. Louis
Taste of St. Louis
St. Louis Mardi Gras
Festival of Nations
Shakespeare Festival
St. Louis Art Fair
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race
St. Louis International Film Festival
Brewers Heritage Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Use rideshares at night; neighborhoods change quickly block-to-block.
Reserve Gateway Arch tram tickets in advance; popular time slots sell out on weekends.
Explore Forest Park’s major museums and zoo; many attractions are free or low-cost.
Catch sunset views from the Arch grounds or riverfront; then eat in The Hill for Italian-American classics.

How to travel to St. Louis

St. Louis is easily accessible by various modes of transportation. St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) serves as the main gateway for air travelers, offering flights from major cities across the United States. The airport is connected to downtown via the MetroLink light rail system. For those traveling by car, St. Louis sits at the intersection of several major highways including I-70, I-55 and I-44. Amtrak provides rail service to St. Louis Gateway Station, connecting the city to Chicago, Kansas City and other regional destinations.

Access summary

From St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL): MetroLink light rail or taxi, about 25–35 minutes.
From Chicago: Amtrak Lincoln Service trains, roughly 4.5–5 hours.
From Kansas City: Drive east on I-70, usually about 3.5–4 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in St. Louis

St. Louis offers accommodations for every budget and preference, from luxury hotels in the downtown area near the Gateway Arch to mid-range options in the Central West End and boutique hotels in historic neighborhoods. The city has experienced significant hotel growth in recent years, though occupancy rates have been recovering from pandemic lows. For longer stays, consider vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods which offer a more local experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Drury Plaza St Louis at the Arch

9.5

Hyatt Regency St Louis At The Arch

8.9

Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Union Station

8.8

The Last Hotel

8.3

Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis Brentwood

9.6

River City Casino and Hotel

8.4

Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis Union Station

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around St. Louis

Getting around St. Louis is relatively straightforward with several transportation options. The MetroLink light rail system connects many major attractions including the airport, downtown and Forest Park. The city also has an extensive bus network. For more flexibility, rideshare services and taxis are readily available throughout the metropolitan area. Many of the downtown attractions are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore on foot. Rental cars are recommended if you plan to venture beyond the main tourist areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-11 %

Daily expenses in St. Louis are around 11% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£80	£162	£396
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£41	£90	£188
🍝 Food per day	£32	£65	£184
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£7	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£8.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£14
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£7
💇 Basic haircut	£17

Safety information overview

General safety

St. Louis has safe tourist areas but experiences higher crime rates in certain neighborhoods. Stick to well-traveled tourist districts, particularly after dark. Downtown, Central West End and Forest Park are generally secure for visitors. Exercise normal urban precautions with valuables and be aware of your surroundings.

Health & Medical

St. Louis offers excellent medical facilities with several top-rated hospitals including Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Pharmacies are widely available. Summer visitors should stay hydrated during hot, humid days and watch for heat exhaustion symptoms. Winter travelers should prepare for occasional severe cold weather.

Accessibility

Major attractions like the Gateway Arch, museums and Forest Park are generally wheelchair accessible. Public transportation includes accessible options, though some historic areas have cobblestone streets that may present challenges. Most hotels and restaurants accommodate mobility needs, but calling ahead is recommended for specific requirements.

Tap water

St. Louis tap water is safe to drink and meets all federal standards. The city is known for good water quality from the Mississippi River after treatment. Public drinking fountains are available in most parks and public buildings. Bottled water is easily found in stores and vending machines.