St. Louis offers a range of ways to explore history, architecture, science, and creative pursuits. When planning your stay, it helps to mix things up: you can choose from historical exhibits, buildings, and hands-on activities.
History at the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse
The Gateway Arch recalls Thomas Jefferson’s vision and St. Louis’s role in the westward expansion of the United States. The free museum beneath the Arch explores the city’s important role in the history of the United States. The visitor experience also includes a tram ride to the top; check current operating details before your trip.
At the Old Courthouse, you can visit the four museum galleries that opened in May 2025, as well as the restored historic courtrooms. National Park Service rangers offer tours there every day at 2:15 p.m. Check the latest information before your visit. St. Louis thus offers different ways to experience history side by side: a museum and a ride at the Gateway Arch, and galleries, courtrooms, and a tour at the Old Courthouse.
Park history, a glasshouse, and a view
Forest Park officially opened to the public on June 24, 1876. The Jewel Box, an exhibition glasshouse, is located in the park at the intersection of Wells Drive and McKinley Drive in St. Louis. The Art Deco building is an outstanding example of greenhouse architecture. For architecture enthusiasts, the Jewel Box is therefore not only an exhibition venue but also a distinctive example of this building type.
The World's Fair Pavilion tells a different architectural story: the open-air shelter was built in 1909 with proceeds from the 1904 World's Fair. It sits high on Government Hill and offers an impressive view of Forest Park. The glasshouse and the shelter serve different purposes; at the Pavilion, the view over the park adds another dimension to the visit.
Science and hands-on creativity
Admission to the Saint Louis Science Center is free; check the latest visitor information before your visit. The Life Science Lab offers hands-on explorations of genetics, anatomy, ecology, and health. The topics thus range from life processes to questions of health, and the activities are explicitly designed for participation.
Art City at the City Museum also invites visitors to create their own work. In this creative, hands-on area, guests of all ages can make their own creations. Workshop availability may vary. In contrast to exploring scientific topics, the focus here is on creative work and making your own pieces. Together, these options offer different priorities for planning your trip: historical context, architecture, science, or creative pursuits. You can then decide which of these experiences matters most for your stay in St. Louis.
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