Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Saint Louis?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Saint Louis?
Most visitors spend one to three days in Saint Louis when visiting. The fascinating city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, shopping, the food, and the nightlife.
St. Louis is a larger city in Missouri. It sits on the Mississippi River and is filled with museums and unexpected sites. There are parks and gardens as well as the iconic Gateway Arch. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining. The city also has a long running passion for sports.
Do you have one or two days to visit Saint Louis? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Saint Louis?
One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Saint Louis even though it's not huge. A shorter schedule may leave you feeling like you didn't fully get to browse through museums, find the best deals at the shops, taste delicious cuisine, and enjoy the evening activities. To genuinely appreciate the best areas of the fascinating city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for one to three days here. After all, Saint Louis, a small city offering numerous sights and attractions, is fairy popular with visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Saint Louis
Saint Louis is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour ($15)
- Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour ($15)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.
Public transit in Saint Louis is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Saint Louis?
A weekend offers a good amount of time to enjoy much of what Saint Louis has for visitors. In addition to the museums and landmarks and shopping, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, local culture, and scenery. By staying a night or two, you'll be able to take advantage of the most interesting activities found here.
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri
How to spend 2 days in Saint Louis
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Saint Louis, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Don't miss the Gateway Arch during your trip to Saint Louis, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Saint Louis, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.