Updated May 2026 — STL Gateway Living
St. Louis is one of the best family-destination cities in America, and the case starts with a simple fact: the city's greatest attractions — the zoo, the science center, Forest Park — are free. A family can spend three full days in St. Louis without paying for a single major attraction if they choose wisely. The paid options are exceptional too, but the free baseline is extraordinary.
The Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park is consistently rated among the finest zoos in the world, and it has charged no admission since 1916. With more than 14,000 animals across 505 species, the zoo can occupy a full day. The big cats, gorillas, and penguins are always crowd favorites; the Sea Lion Sound exhibit offers underwater viewing windows. The Children's Zoo (small admission fee) has a petting area and is especially appealing for children under 7. Parking in Forest Park is free; a paid lot is available closer to the entrance.
Age sweet spot: 2 through 14. Time needed: 3–5 hours for the full zoo.
The Saint Louis Science Center spans two buildings connected by a sky bridge over I-64, with more than 700 exhibits covering space, the human body, geology, physics, and technology. The Exploradome is a children's hands-on science area. The OMNIMAX Theater is ticketed (and worth it); the science center itself is free. Special exhibitions may carry additional fees. The connected Planetarium shows are ticketed separately.
Age sweet spot: 5 through adult. Time needed: 2–4 hours.
The permanent galleries at the Missouri History Museum are free, covering the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the 1904 World's Fair, the Civil War in Missouri, and St. Louis's urban history. The 1904 World's Fair section — with original artifacts, photographs, and reconstructed environments — is genuinely fascinating for adults and older children. Younger children engage more with the interactive stations. The museum also has a research library and runs excellent family programming on weekends.
The permanent collection at SLAM is free and includes works that engage children alongside adults: Egyptian mummies, suits of armor, Pre-Columbian gold, and large-format paintings with dramatic subjects. The Art Hill lawn outside is perfect for a post-museum picnic. The museum offers family art-making programs on weekends (small supply fee).
City Museum is unlike anything else in the world. Built by artist Bob Cassilly in a former shoe factory in downtown St. Louis, it is an immersive art installation, a playground, a cave network, an aquarium, and an architectural wonderland all at once. Children climb through repurposed industrial equipment, crawl through tunnels embedded in the walls, slide down 10-story slides, and explore caves built from salvaged St. Louis architecture. The rooftop has a ferris wheel and an old school bus teetering over the edge.
Adults love it too — City Museum does not condescend to children by making things small and safe. Everything is at human scale and genuinely adventurous. Admission is approximately $20-25 for adults, slightly less for children. On weekend evenings, City Museum becomes more of an adult venue; daytime hours are better for families with young children.
Age sweet spot: 3 through adult. Time needed: 3–6 hours. Do not plan another activity after City Museum — it exhausts everyone.
Grant's Farm is the former estate of Ulysses S. Grant and is now owned by the Busch family (of Budweiser). Admission is free; parking costs approximately $15. The highlight for children is the baby animal nursery, the free-roaming deer in the tram-accessed pastures, and the Budweiser Clydesdales up close. The beer garden is for adults; the children's area has goat feeding and camel rides (small additional fees). The combination of history, animals, and free entry makes Grant's Farm a perennial family favorite.
Located in Chesterfield (about 30 minutes from downtown), the Butterfly House is a climate-controlled tropical environment housing more than 2,000 live butterflies from around the world. Butterflies land on visitors' hands and shoulders. The experience is genuinely magical for children and adults alike, and the greenhouse environment means it is enjoyable year-round regardless of weather. Admission is approximately $10-15; combination tickets with the Missouri Botanical Garden are sometimes available.
Located inside the historic Union Station (a former railroad terminal now converted to a hotel and entertainment complex), the St. Louis Aquarium opened in 2019 and has become one of the city's most visited paid attractions. The aquarium features more than 13,000 aquatic animals, a shark tank, touch pools, and interactive exhibits. The adjacent Union Station complex has an indoor Ferris wheel, mini golf, and restaurants, making it a full-day family destination on rainy days. Admission is approximately $25-30 for adults.
Located in Kirkwood (about 20 minutes from downtown), the Magic House is one of the highest-rated children's museums in the country. Five floors of hands-on exhibits covering science, art, civics, and creativity. The Little Town area for ages 3-7 is particularly well-designed. Admission is approximately $14-16 for children and adults. The museum is best for ages 2-12; teenagers may find it too young.
Located in Eureka, about 35 minutes southwest of the city, Six Flags St. Louis is the regional theme park option. Best for older children and teenagers (the thrill rides require height minimums), with Hurricane Harbor water park attached for summer visits. Advance online tickets are significantly cheaper than gate prices; season passes pay for themselves in two visits. Best visited on weekdays in late summer when school has resumed.
Age sweet spot: 8 and up for thrill rides; younger children have options but the park skews older.
For more St. Louis planning: free activities, day trips from St. Louis, and family dining.