In general, St. Louis is a driving town. Renting a car for your visit might not be a bad idea. Car share (Lyft and Uber) is available but many of the tours and attractions are wide spread and can be an expensive ride if you're not careful. St. Louis' light rail system is called the MetroLink. It does not go far outside of downtown and Illinois, but many of the places of interest are located on a MetroLink stop. There are buses too but they don't run often so pay attention to the schedule before you decide to use one.
With all that being said, we've purposely chosen a wedding venue in the center of it all, walking distance to the hotel and major attractions. The airport and the hotel are stops on the MetroLink as long as you're not getting in or leaving at odd times of the day.
The Gateway Arch is the iconic symbol that represents St. Louis as "the gateway to the west". You can visit the grounds for free or you can pay a fee to take the old elevators to the top and take in the breathtaking view from the top. You are eligible for a discount if you have a National Park Pass. The Gateway Arch is walking distance from the wedding venue and hotel and is accessible from the MetroLink.
The City Museum is not really a museum. A more accurate description is that its an outdoor and indoor jungle gym made out of junk for the enjoyment of children and those who are children at heart. This place is a must visit location for old and young alike. Our advice is bring only the essentials in. Phones, wallets, and keys easily fall out of pockets while you're climbing around and can be lost in ball pits and caves forever. Admission is $15 and worth every penny. The City Museum is located within walking distance of Washington Ave which has a nightlife with lots of bars and restaurants. The City Museum is a 20 minute walk from the hotel and wedding venue.
Forest Park is a huge public park with museums and attractions that are mostly free to visit. The Science Center, the St. Louis Art Museum, and the St. Louis Zoo are all completely free to visit. Depending on the time of year, you might run into an outdoor show or festival. If you would like to pay for a show, The Muny is a popular venue for performances. Forest Park is accessible via the MetroLink.
Hundreds of years ago, before the Native people of the Mississippi River Valley formed into the tribes and nations that are known today, and long before European settlers came to colonize what we now know as the United States of America, Native people gathered at these mounds to perform religious ceremonies. Little is known about the people of the Mississippi that gathered at these mounds. The Cahokia Mounds is often shrowded in mystery. Deciding to visit Cahokia Mounds is not a mystery because it's free!
Laclede's Landing (or just "the Landing") is a historical district known for it's nightlife and it's location right along the Mississippi River and The Gateway Arch. The Landing is walking distance from the wedding venue and hotel and is accessible from the MetroLink. Try the free mobile walking tour!
If the weather is good, a stroll through Laumeier Sculpture Park is a wonderful idea. This park is known for its landscapes and large sculptures.
Cherokee Street is known for it's authentic Mexican restaurants and eclectic vibe. If you want to visit a part of St. Louis that's off the beaten path, visit Cherokee Street!
Ted Drewes is famous locally for it's custard. If you have a sweet tooth, this spot is a must! There are two locations. The location on Chippewa Street is open much of the year while the other one is only open during the summer.
Located in University City (or "U-City"), The Delmar Loop is the business district associated with Washington University. This is where Daniella got her curly cuts for many years. This is a great place for shopping and eating. Kids always love going to Fitz's where they make their own soda. Adults who are kids at heart love perusing the records at Vintage Vinyl. Driving through the loop is not recommended because parking is historically difficult and they recently restored the historic trolley which can hold up traffic. Instead of sitting in traffic, take a ride on the trolley! The Delmar Loop is accessible via the MetroLink.
Missouri is known for having huge lime deposits. Lime deposits are ideal for cave formation because they easily dissolve in acidic water vs other types of stone. Don't worry if you forgot your spelunking gear! Meremac Caverns is very developed and is a safe and enjoyable visit for the whole family. Visiting the Cave is $22 for adults.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a beautiful landscape of natural wonder. The best feature is the Climatron, a huge indoor greenhouse, where they frequently host special displays. The entry fee is $14 but historically, the protocol for checking admission has been extremely lax.