Saint Louis In 3 Days
- Brian
- Oct 30, 2025
- 4 min read
If you’re looking for a quick getaway filled with history, adventure, and charm, Saint Louis, Missouri is a fantastic choice. Nestled on the western bank of the Mississippi River, the Gateway City offers a perfect blend of culture, nature, and fun for all ages. Here’s how to make the most of a 3-day mini-vacation in St. Louis! My family and I went here in 2022 and loved every minute of it. It still remains one of the most memorable trips we've ever had.
So I'll admit on this one we "cheated" a little bit and left the day before, so it's almost 4 days for this trip, but let's call it 3 based on the arrival timeframes. :)
We left Cincinnati, OH and stopped in Terre Haute, IN, which is quite literally the half way point. The next day, we got up early and drove the remaining 3 hours to Saint Louis to start off our adventure.
My Recommended Agenda for 1st Time Visitors
Day 1: Travel, Arriving, and Hitting the Sights
When we arrived in Saint Louis, we began our quick escape at the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest (and in my opinion most beautiful) botanical gardens in the U.S.. Here, we wandered through serene Japanese Gardens, tropical Climatron dome, and vibrant displays of every kind. There are a lot of things to do here. My family particularly enjoyed the Memorial Maze and a lot of the exterior gardens.
After the Botanical Garden, depending on your timing, grab a quick bite at the cafe or a nearby restaurant, or head on over to the City Museum.
The City Museum is one of the most unique museums I have ever been to. It is more like a combination playground with a few museum-like elements thrown in. Here you explore caves, the wreckage of an airplane, an artistic wale, weave your way through the (replica) bones of a dinosaur and so much more. You can easily spend half the day (or a full day, if you have it) here.
After the City Museum, head back to your hotel, check in, and then get ready for your next adventure. We went to Union Station for dinner and to explore. Built in a previously abandoned railroad yard, this is one of the coolest mall areas in the country. Since we had our young children with us, we went to the Soda Fountain for a nice meal and fun desserts. If that's not quite your style, you can also eat at Landry's Seafood House or The Train Shed.
Day 2: 630 Feet In The Air
We began our adventure with early tickets to the Gateway Arch. We explored the incredible interactive museum, where the exhibits tell the story of America's westward expansion and the vision behind the Arch. The museum was nothing short of impressive. We had no expectations walking in, and were immediately blown away by the fun and immersive exhibits. After we explored for a while, we took the tram 630 feet up to the top of the arch. Fair warning: if you are claustrophobic, the tram ride is can be a little jarring. But it was worth it for the view and the experience alike. At the top, the views are one-of-a-kind and utterly breathtaking.
After the Arch, we went over the Saint Louis Zoo. The Zoo is free entry, but just a heads up, there are several paid exhibits within and a lot of activities are paid. With all the things we did, the price skyrocketed pretty quickly. This Zoo was beautiful and had a lot of nice exhibits. My kids especially loved the Dinosaur area and petting the Sting Ray's.
After the Zoo, we went over to the Saint Louis Science Center. If you've never been here, it's hard to describe what you're missing. This place has a cool factor from the moment you walk in. The center is divided up into areas that encompass everything from how tornados work to showcasing video games, how to build an arch, and much more. One of the more fun areas was when we built our own arch out of foam blocks and then went across a bridge to the space area. The bridge is unique because it has radar detectors on it so you can see how fast the cars are going.
We ended the day back at our hotel, pretty exhausted.
Day 3: Morning & Travel
If you have the time, use Day 3 to visit Grant's Farm or some of St. Louis's other iconic sights. We unfortunately had to begin our journey back home. But, don't worry, we'll be back!
Our Favorite Sights
Here are all the sights we saw in Saint Louis during our trip:
Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch
Saint Lous Zoo
Missouri Botanical Garden
Saint Louis Science Center
City Museum of Saint Louis
Union Station
Some things we missed (and will visit next time):
Grant's Farm
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re gazing from the top of the Arch, wandering through world-class museums, or dining in cozy local spots, Saint Louis offers the perfect blend of history, fun, and Midwestern hospitality. With its walkable downtown, variety of attractions, and welcoming atmosphere, a 3-day visit to this vibrant city will leave you eager to return.
