Things to do in St. Louis for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appAll self-guided activities
Visit the City Museum in St. Louis, offering unique spaces to explore. With a rooftop and four floors of installations, attractions, collections, and more, there's plenty to see and do. In addition, there's a bus hanging off the rooftop! Check out some of the favorites and plan your visit to experience them yourself. City Museum is truly one-of-a-kind.
Unlock the treasures of St. Louis with a self-guided audio tour designed for those who love to explore at their own pace. This engaging format allows you to soak in the city's rich history and stunning architecture, perfect for anyone intrigued by the stories that shape a city. The journey begins at the iconic Laclède Landing where every brick hums with stories of yore and lands to the Gateway park. Your route winds through the heart of St. Louis, from the athlete's spirit at Busch Stadium to the serene beauty of the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France. Marvel at modern sculpture at the City Park and learn some stories about Old Courthouse and the most high-profile cases taking place within its walls. These experiences make up the tapestry of St. Louis, stitched together by this audio tour, creating a memorable adventure through one of America's most storied cities.
About St. Louis
The must-see attractions in St. Louis for a first visit are:
The best tours in St. Louis are:
The best indoor tours in St. Louis for rainy days are:
The best tours to do in St. Louis with kids are:
The best walking tours to do in St. Louis are:
Insider tips for visiting St. Louis
WeGoTrip Inc is a local guide who has been publishing tours since for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of St. Louis on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to St. Louis.
When I visit St. Louis, I usually recommend staying in the Central West End or Soulard, depending on your style. In my travel guide St. Louis, the Central West End stands out for leafy streets, late-night cafés, and easy walks to Forest Park—one of my favorite places for some of the best things to do in St. Louis without spending much. If you want more nightlife and local character, Soulard feels distinctly St. Louis, especially around its red-brick blocks and old-market atmosphere. Locals know Lafayette Square is another smart pick if you want quieter evenings but still want to visit St. Louis with great food and quick downtown access.
When I visit St. Louis, I always tell people to try the foods locals actually debate about. St. Louis is famous for toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, and the thin, cracker-crust pizza with Provel that people either love immediately or learn to love later. I also recommend grabbing a slinger at a classic diner if you’re out late. In any good travel guide St. Louis, you’ll also see smoked pork steaks, which feel especially St. Louis at summer cookouts. If you visit St. Louis hungry, tasting these neighborhood staples is honestly one of the most fun things to do in St. Louis.
When I’m showing friends around St. Louis, I usually start with the Central West End for its old mansions, sidewalk patios, and easy walk into Forest Park. For a completely different side of St. Louis, I love Soulard—brick row houses, corner pubs, and the market area feel lived-in, not staged. Cherokee Street is where I go for murals, vintage shops, and some of the most interesting independent spots if you want lesser-known attractions in St. Louis. Locals know Lafayette Square is perfect for quiet strolls past restored Victorian homes. If you’re deciding what to see in St. Louis, these neighborhoods reveal more character than many standard tours in St. Louis.
When I’m alone in St. Louis, my favorite choice is spending a long, unhurried day in Forest Park. It’s one of the best things to do in St. Louis because you can move at your own pace—walk the paths around the Grand Basin, pop into the Saint Louis Art Museum, then sit with coffee near Art Hill and just watch the city drift by. For solo travelers, it feels easy and comfortable without being boring. Many big attractions in St. Louis are close together here, so you’re never overcommitted. If you’re deciding what to see in St. Louis, I’d skip rushed tours in St. Louis and do this instead.
In my travel guide St. Louis, I usually tell travelers to mix rideshares with walking rather than rely on one method. St. Louis spreads out more than first-time visitors expect, so a car can be handy, but I don’t think you need one every hour of the day. When I visit St. Louis, I like staying somewhere walkable like the Central West End or Downtown West, then using rideshares to hop to Soulard, Cherokee Street, or The Hill. The MetroLink works well for a few key areas, especially airport, downtown, and Forest Park. For many of the best things to do in St. Louis, that combo feels easiest.
If I were planning when to visit St. Louis, I’d look at the calendar before booking because the city feels completely different during its big local events. St. Louis shines during Mardi Gras in Soulard, when the neighborhood turns into a massive street party, but I also love the Whitaker Music Festival in the Missouri Botanical Garden for a more relaxed summer evening. In my travel guide St. Louis, I always mention the Festival of Nations in Tower Grove Park because it feels genuinely local and diverse. Around the holidays, Garden Glow is one of the most atmospheric things to do in St. Louis, especially on cold December nights.
When I want to show a quieter side of St. Louis, I take people to Bellefontaine Cemetery, where the landscape is surprisingly peaceful and the old mausoleums feel like open-air sculpture. Another of my favorite lesser-known attractions in St. Louis is the graffiti wall south of downtown—best seen in daylight, when the colors really stand out along the riverfront. Locals know the Jewel Box in Forest Park is a lovely stop too, especially when you want a calm break from busier sights. If you’re deciding what to see in St. Louis beyond the obvious, these spots feel more memorable than standard tours in St. Louis.