I can only assume that if you’re on this page that you must be planning a visit to St. Louis, and let me tell you… You are in for a treat! St. Louis is a wonderful city! The food is delicious, the activities are exciting and unique and fun for the whole family, and the city is the perfect size… not so big that it’s difficult to get around, but not so small that you’ll struggle to find something to do. We had the privilege of visiting St. Louis back in May of 2021 and had a blast! If you’re a time-crunched traveler like us, don’t let that steer you away from this city. We only had 24 hours to explore and felt like we were able to get a good feel for St. Louis. We put together this itinerary that is perfect for anyone trying to maximize every second that they have in The Gateway to the West!
*Also, check out our “Missouri: 24 Hours in St. Louis” travel vlog for a closer look at our time in St. Louis*
Now, let's get started...
8:00am: Coffee/Breakfast
Park Avenue Coffee (1919 Park Ave)
Other Options:
Sump Coffee (3700 S Jefferson Ave)
Blueprint Coffee (6225 Delmar Blvd)
Anytime we’re in a new city, we love to find a great local coffee shop to get our day started right… with caffeine… and sugar! For this trip, we visited Park Avenue Coffee and definitely recommend it! Their Brown Sugar Lavender Latte was SO good and if you’ve never had Gooey Butter Cake, this is the perfect opportunity to try this St. Louis classic! If you like butter and sugar, you won’t be disappointed. It’s pretty rich though, so you might want to share!
9:15am: Explore Gateway Arch National Park & Museum (11 N 4th St #1810)
After getting a taste of St. Louis history, now it’s time to get a closeup look at it! The Gateway Arch is undoubtedly one of the most iconic US landmarks and since getting a $380 million overhaul back in 2018 (when it became the 60th US National Park), it’s a site worth seeing! If you’re ok with small spaces and heights, the tram ride to the top is a must, but even if that’s not your thing, the museum below the arch is totally worth a visit. By the time you leave, you’ll feel like a St. Louis historian!
*Pro-Tip: Book your tram tickets in advance as they sell out most days.
