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Free Attractions in St. Louis

Free Attractions in St. Louis

Things To Do in St. Louis for Free

Welcome to St. Louis: Whether you’re new to the city or looking for a place to vacation on a budget, there’s plenty to see and do—for free! Saint Louis is one of the best places for cheap attractions, and with two InTown Suites locations, you can easily and affordably stay near it all. From educational to adventurous, check out these free activities in St. Louis that are worth extending your stay to see.

Free Things To Do in St. Louis for Families

St. Louis is a great family destination whether you’re traveling or relocating for work or another reason. You’ll find many options for things to do that are conveniently located near your InTown Suites hotel to easily get kids out exploring and burning up all their youthful energy. Plus, these activities don’t have admission fees so you can add them to your itinerary without worry.

Explore St. Louis’ Forest Park for Free

St. Louis’ version of Central Park is Forest Park, a must-see place that’s free and fun for all ages. It’s truly the heart and soul of the city, where both locals and visitors come to play. Forest Park is 1,300 acres and has a free, GPS-enabled map to explore the beautiful gardens, walking trails, biking trails, lake and stream areas, and so much more. The park is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and when you stay at InTown Suites, it’s easy to prepare a picnic lunch in your in-room kitchen to enjoy during your day in the park.

Visit Free Attractions at the St. Louis Zoo

There are not too many places in the world where you can get up close to Viper Snakes, Red Pandas, Gorillas, and Kangaroos, all in one place, for free. The St. Louis Zoo attracts animal lovers from all over the world. Admission and street parking are free, but some of the specialty attractions have additional fees. The zoo’s attractions and hours vary by season, so check the website for details.

Snag Free Seats at The Muny of St. Louis

Visit the Muny, an outdoor amphitheater with live musical performances, for free family-friendly shows. Arrive early for the preshow festival, featuring local musical acts and theatre troupes, and then snag any of the 1,400 first-come, first-served free seats to enjoy the main show. Outside food and drink are permitted in the preshow area, so you can skip on eating out, pack a picnic in your suite, and give the entire family an affordable night out. Gates open at 7:00 p.m.

Low-Cost Meals at Soulard Market

The Soulard Market is a historic destination and home of the Farmers Market. Open from Wednesdays to Saturdays each week, this market hosts vendors, festivals, and other yearly events. Luckily for you, your suite at InTown has a full in-room kitchen so you can stock your fridge with fresh foods or find baked goods, meats, and veggies to put together a low-cost lunch on the spot. This historic market is a centrally located gathering place for people of all kinds from hipsters, to local families, to tourists.

Free Self-Guided Citygarden Sculpture Park Tours

Visit this free attraction in downtown St. Louis to be captivated and inspired by art. The Citygarden park features 24 sculptures situated along winding paths and on wide lawns, with six rain gardens, a waterfall, and a children’s spray plaza. This site is completely open for the public to wander in and out or download a complimentary tour map to take in the sights on your own schedule.

Free Museums in St. Louis

When you’re looking for free indoor things to do in St. Louis, museums are a fantastic way to spend the day. Most do not charge admission and they’re entertaining for any traveler. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just looking for something new to do, the museums of St. Louis are worth a visit. Kids in tow? Most museums offer free kid-friendly activities so the entire family can get in on the fun.

View the Free General Exhibits at the St. Louis Art Museum

The St. Louis Art Museum is free and dedicated to art education, with no-cost general admission and free main exhibit entry on Fridays. Since its opening in 1879, it has become one of the leading art institutions in the nation, with a collection of work that spans five millennia, from six continents. The St. Louis Art Museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fridays, and is closed on Mondays.

Historical & Hands-On Free Exhibits at the Missouri History Museum

The rotating exhibit schedule at the Missouri History Museum makes this one of the top free things to do in St. Louis. There’s always something new to see! Explore local architecture, learn the history of Creole artists, or take the kids to the award-winning History Clubhouse that features family-friendly, hands-on learning experiences. If you love what you see here, take advantage of the high-speed internet in your suite to view even more virtual exhibits.

Free Indoor Family Fun at the St. Louis Science Center

If you’re looking for free indoor things to do in St. Louis, the Science Center is a hit for kids and adults. Most attractions are not ticketed and the museum accepts walk-in guests during business hours. Explore on your own to see exhibits about electrical energy, ancient artifacts, and specimens, and see real spacecraft built right in St. Louis. Visit the Makerspace in the afternoons from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to create something cool together!

Other Cheap, Fun Things To Do in St. Louis

Even when you think you’ve exhausted all of the options for cheap things to do in St. Louis, more pop up. While these well-known St. Louis destinations may be considered more fun for adults to visit solo than with small children in tow, they are cheap and celebrated places to see.

Gateway Arch Selfies: A Free Reason to Smile

The Gateway Arch is one of the world’s tallest monuments and is visible from tons of vantage points around the city. Skip the admission charge and the long wait and have fun exploring St. Louis taking Gateway selfies along the way—for free! Get creative to find the best views and camera angles for your selfies.

View Architecture & Art at Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

This is a must-see free attraction in St. Louis. Not only is the Cathedral Basilica of St.Louis a significant piece of architecture, but it is also home to the world’s largest collection of mosaic art. Self-guided tours are free, but we suggest calling ahead to ensure the building is open to the public and not hosting Mass or a private event.

premium suites at intown

Whatever brings you to St. Louis, we want you to enjoy your stay at InTown Suites. Not only are our accommodations comfortable, but preparing your meals in-room and having convenient access to many cheap or free activities will make your time here budget-friendly, with less stress and more fun.

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