Explore St. Louis
The official home for all things St. Louis! #ExploreStLouis Explore St. Louis welcomes 28 million guests to the Gateway City every year.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a family reunion, a special event or an annual convention, we strive to make your experience seamless, enjoyable and one that you’ll want to repeat.
06/07/2026
Why is so much in Forest Park free? 🌳✨
Forest Park was created in 1876 and hosted the 1904 World's Fair. Since then, St. Louis philanthropists and civic leaders have worked to make many of its cultural institutions accessible to everyone. Forest Park's biggest attractions remain free year-round, something that's incredibly rare for a major city. It's one of the reasons Forest Park is the greatest city park in America.
FREE Things to Do in Forest Park This Summer:
🎨 Saint Louis Art Museum – Explore thousands of years of art from around the world for free. Bonus: special ticketed exhibitions are free on Fridays.
🎭 Shakespeare in the Park – Every summer, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival brings free live performances to Forest Park, turning warm nights into one of St. Louis’ most beloved summer traditions under the stars.
🦁 Saint Louis Zoo – One of the top-ranked zoos in the country with more than 12,000 animals and free admission every day.
🔬 Saint Louis Science Center – Walk through hands-on exhibits, watch giant airplanes overhead from the skybridge and spark your curiosity at one of the nation's largest free science centers.
🏛️ Missouri History Museum – Discover the stories, people and events that shaped St. Louis and the region through engaging exhibits and artifacts.
🐢 Turtle Playground – A favorite for families featuring giant turtles, climbing structures and plenty of space for kids to burn off energy.
🎶 The Muny – America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre offers 1,500 free seats for every performance under the stars.
🌺 The Jewel Box – Step inside this stunning Art Deco greenhouse filled with seasonal floral displays. Admission is free Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m.–noon.
As Forest Park celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026, it's the perfect time to appreciate one of St. Louis' greatest gifts. A summer day in Forest Park can include a world-class zoo, museums, a science center, a playground and even a Broadway-style show — all without spending a dime. That's something you won't find in many destinations. ☀️🌳💙
Check out our Forest Park guide here: https://explstl.us/4dN9MSj
06/06/2026
☀️Here’s the St. Louis summer bucket list for kids before school is back in session 🎒✨ Parents, don’t worry, you’re going to love these adventures too. From rooftop playgrounds and roller coasters to mermaids, circus acts and frozen summer treats, this is the kind of family trip everyone talks about all year long.
🏖️ Build sandcastles and cool off at Sandcastle Beach at The Magic House, St. Louis Children's Museum
🧜♀️ Meet real-life mermaids swimming through St. Louis Union Station
💦 Splash and play through the Children’s Garden at Missouri Botanical Garden
🌅 Spend Summer Nights feeding goats, sipping frozen drinks and seeing the drone show at Grant's Farm
🐋 Explore the giant Big Blue Whale exhibit at Saint Louis Science Center
🎪 Step under the Big Top for jaw-dropping performances at Circus Flora
🦭 Watch sea lions dive, splash and show off at the Saint Louis Zoo
🎡 Climb, slide and explore the rooftop playground at City Museum, St Louis, MO
🍓 Pick fresh strawberries, peaches and seasonal produce at Eckert's Country Store & Farms
🎢 Scream your way through roller coasters at Six Flags St. Louis
Before summer slips away… make the memories, take the road trip and let the kids have one more unforgettable adventure in St. Louis. ❤️ Here's your summer bucket list: https://explstl.us/4uxDlfX
06/06/2026
Juneteenth weekend across the St. Louis region is filled with celebrations honoring freedom, culture, history, music, food and community. From festivals and live entertainment to educational programs and family-friendly events, it’s one of the most vibrant weekends of the summer.
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or looking to add something special to your St. Louis itinerary, these Juneteenth events offer an opportunity to celebrate, learn and connect with the rich history and culture that help shape our region.
Which event are you adding to your plans? 👇
Welcome to Maryland Heights👋, a spot that somehow packs outdoor adventure, live music, nightlife, great food and summer energy all into one place. And the best part? It’s only about 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis. 🎶🍻
Start the day outside at Creve Coeur Park where you can kayak, paddleboard, hit the trails, relax on the beach or just enjoy one of the best nature spots in the area. 🚣♂️☀️
Then when the sun starts going down? Maryland Heights completely shifts gears.
Between the massive shows at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre and the electric atmosphere at Saint Louis Music Park, this area turns into one of the best live music destinations around. 🎤🔥
Need a reset after all the excitement? Grab a drink at Six Mile Bridge Beer before heading into the heart of the evening at Westport Plaza.
From rooftop cocktails and live music to batting cages, games, patios, dessert spots and packed summer events like Party on the Plaza, there’s always something happening here. 🍹⚾🎉
Want to turn it into a full weekend? Stay and play at Hollywood Casino & Hotel, putting you just minutes from the concerts, nightlife and outdoor adventures that make Maryland Heights such a fun summer escape. 🎰🏨✨
This is the kind of place where your plans turn into an all-day adventure without even trying.
So if you’re looking for a St. Louis area that mixes concerts, outdoor fun, food and nightlife all in one easy weekend spot, Maryland Heights deserves a spot on your list. 📍
Neighborhood Series: Maryland Heights
Where should we go next? 👇
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🏨 Stay & Play
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06/05/2026
Donut miss this sweet STL lineup 🍩 Today's National Donut Day, and these delicious donut shops are the perfect way to start your day, any day! Whether you’re into classic glaze or wild flavors, this is your excuse to taste them all.
PLACES TO TRY AMAZING DONUTS IN STL:
Old Town Donuts
Donut Drive-In
KNEAD Bakehouse + Provisions
Pharaohs Donuts
Strange Donuts
Donut Delight
Donut Palace STL
Tony's Donuts & Cafe
🎆🇺🇸There are fireworks... and then there are fireworks above the Gateway Arch. ✨
If you’re spending Fourth of July weekend in St. Louis, don’t miss Celebrate St. Louis in the heart of downtown. Not only will you get one of the most iconic fireworks backdrops in the country, you’ll also get FREE concerts from a lineup that includes Miranda Lambert, Zedd, Ludacris, Big Wild, Kenny Loggins, Stephen Marley and Rebirth Brass Band. 🎶🔥
And that’s just one of the many ways to celebrate.
🎡 Ride the carnival and catch free concerts at Heritage & Freedom Fest
⚾ Watch the Gateway Grizzlies and stay for postgame fireworks
🚁 Experience a drone show during Summer Nights at Grant’s Farm
🎶 Enjoy riverfront views, live music and fireworks at St. Charles Riverfest
🎢 Spend the day at Six Flags before Star-Spangled Nights lights up the sky
With America celebrating its 250th birthday, communities all across the St. Louis region are going all out with festivals, parades, live entertainment and spectacular fireworks displays.
Who’s adding fireworks over the Arch to their summer bucket list? ❤️🤍💙
What a day for St. Louis. 🇺🇸🏅
Did you know St. Louis hosted the first Olympic Games ever held on U.S. soil in 1904?
Today, our Olympic story got even bigger.
It was announced today that St. Louis will host the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials – Marathon in March 2028, helping determine which athletes will represent Team USA on the world’s biggest stage. This is in addition to Energizer Park being selected to host Olympic Football (Soccer) matches during the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games!
More than 120 years after welcoming the Olympic Games to America for the very first time, St. Louis is once again stepping into the spotlight.
In a full circle moment, today’s announcement took place at , home of the 1904 Olympics. The marathon trials course will start at the university, allowing athletes chasing their Olympic dreams to compete on the ground that helped shape Olympic history in the United States.
This is more than a win for sports. It’s a chance for the world to experience our city, our hospitality and the energy that makes St. Louis unlike anywhere else.
The countdown to 2028 starts now. 🔥
🚨 Tarps off for the Cards! ⚾️
The crack of the bat, the views of downtown, a packed ballpark and thousands of fans all cheering together – it’s the kind of experience that turns a baseball game into a full-day adventure.
And the best part? The fun doesn’t stop after the final out.
Grab BBQ before first pitch, celebrate a win at Ballpark Village, explore downtown attractions, sip rooftop cocktails with Arch views or turn game day into a weekend getaway in St. Louis. 🍻🌆
Want our guide to making a whole day out of your next Cardinals game?
👉Here’s the ultimate Busch Stadium game day guide with places to eat, drink, stay and explore before and after the game: https://explstl.us/4dUQl8R
FILL THE BATTLEDOME 🦅🔥 St. Louis officially has home field advantage and now it’s time to prove why this is the loudest crowd in the UFL.
The St. Louis Battlehawks are headed to the playoffs!!!
This isn’t just another game- this is playoff football in the Dome. Rally before kickoff at Fan Fest and the Battle March in Baer Plaza, then pack the Battledome in your best Battlehawks gear ready to KA-KAW louder than ever. ⚔️🔥
📍The Dome
🗓️ Sunday, June 7
⏰ 5 PM
Tickets are going FAST. Don’t wait to secure your seat in the Battledome 👉 https://explstl.us/4dVW2mS
Counting down the days until Circus Flora is back! 🎪❤️
Every June, under the Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District brings together breathtaking circus acts, live music, storytelling and theatricality you truly can’t experience anywhere else.
This year is extra special as Circus Flora celebrates its milestone 40th season with *Flying High* running June 4–21 right next to some of St. Louis’ most iconic arts destinations like The Fabulous Fox, Powell Hall and Angad Arts Hotel. 🎭🌟
Opening Night on June 6 also brings the return of the beloved Circus Flora Parade rolling through Grand Center before the magic begins.
Whether you’re planning a unique date night or a family outing, Circus Flora has a way of making you feel like a kid again while keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire show. ✨
For so many in St. Louis, this is one of those can’t-miss summer traditions people look forward to every single year.
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