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St Louis is one of those iconic tourist destinations which every American should visit at least once. Although for many, one visit may not be enough to see and experience all that St Louis has to offer. A common mistake people make when visiting here is thinking that everything worth seeing is within the city limits, but there’s so much more to this historic place.
In other cities, getting to the attractions outside the city limits can be difficult due to a lack of infrastructure such as public transport. Although in St Louis, there are the Metro Bus and Metro Link services which make getting out of town a breeze. This means that you can find and stay at one of the many luxury hotels in St Louis, without worrying about how you’re going to get to the outer reaches.
Here’s a look at some of the attractions that lie beyond the reaches of the city limits of St Louis, and some tips on getting there.
Whether or not you’re traveling with children, theme parks offer a unique experience to enjoy all kinds of thrills in a safe environment and manner. Previously known as Six Flags Over Mid-America, Six Flags St. Louis has characters and rides from various Warner Bros. films and TV shows.
As the Six Flags is located in Eureka, expect to spend a little bit of time and money getting there from St Louis. The 410X Eureka Express from Downtown St Louis will get you close, and if you don’t feel like walking it’s a short taxi ride from the bus stop to the park.
Built as the Old Quarter of St Louis, the St Charles Historic District is a celebration of the unique history of this part of America. Marking the first permanent European settlement on the Missouri River, as well as the Embarkation point for Lewis and Clark’s expedition, expect to see and learn a lot about what makes this great nation.
Be sure to check out the following during your visit to the historic district:
- Little O's Old Time Soda Fountain / SugarBot Creamery, an old-school soda pop joint with modern twists
- St Charles Farmers Market, operated by the Lions Club, runs on Saturdays between May and October
- Frenchtown, a bustling arts district with artisan coffee and antique shopping
- The Historic Main Street Tour is the best way to learn about the history of this area and is self-guided via a website (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ef8dfd89425c46349ead22cd80213320)
There’s plenty more to see and do in this old quarter, so be sure to check out the St Charles Historic District website to see if there’s anything you simply can’t miss.
Jump on the Metro Link at the Civic Center Station and get off at North Hanley Station, then catch the number 34 bus from the North Hanley Transit Center to 4301 Rider Trail North Sb. From there, either catch a short taxi ride or take a stroll across the bridge spanning the Missouri River.
Closer to the action, as well as the luxury hotels in St Louis, Forest Park is one of our country’s greatest national parks and spans more than 1,300 acres. Featuring ecosystems, forests, nature reserves, lakes, and streams, it’s visited by more than 13 million tourists each year and is equipped for activities of all kinds.
Within and around Forest Park are a couple of other great attractions which are great for children as well as inquisitive adults.
Originally started as a planetarium in 1963, the St Louis Science Center has gone on to become one of the most popular and renowned public science centers in the country. With over 700 interactive exhibits across several different fields, there’s plenty for everyone to see, learn, and do within their walls.
Officially known as the Saint Louis Zoological Park, the St Louis Zoo is recognized as a leading zoo in management, research, conservation, and education, and was recognized in 2017 and 2018 as the best zoo nationwide by USA Today. If you’re strapped for time, be sure to check out the Emerson Zooline Railroad which visits the more popular exhibits.
If you’re staying at one of the luxury hotels in St Louis downtown, then the Metro Link will get you to Forest Park promptly, simply head to the Union Station.
If public transport isn’t your thing, there are also rideshare options through the Metro service app, and affordable rental cars are available throughout the downtown area.