Missouri Attractions Guide 2026

Top attractions

The most popular and significant attractions in Missouri.

1. 1

   Gateway Arch National Park

   Monument / National ParkAdult $15 (tram ride) · Child $11 (ages 3–15) · Museum $10 adult / $7 child2–4 hours

   Tip: Book tram tickets online at recreation.gov well in advance for summer visits — on-site same-day tickets often sell out by mid-morning · Tram capsules are very small (5 people, no standing room); passengers with claustrophobia should know this before purchasing · The Museum at the Gateway Arch is included in park entry and is worth visiting even without a tram ticket · America the Beautiful annual pass covers park entry but the tram ride requires a separate ticket · Arrive before 9am on summer weekdays to board the tram before peak queues build — waits can reach 90 minutes by noon · Parking garages on Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd fill fast on summer weekends; MetroLink is the most reliable option

2. 2

   Silver Dollar City

   Theme ParkAdult $97 (single day, age 12+) · Child $87 (ages 4–11) · Note Multi-day passes availableFull day (6–10 hours)

   Tip: Purchase tickets online at silverdollarcity.com to avoid gate surcharges and long box-office lines on peak days · Head to Outlaw Run and Time Traveler immediately at the 9:30am opening — queues double within 90 minutes on busy days · Marvel Cave tours depart throughout the day but fill quickly in summer; book a tour slot at the cave entrance early · The park is very hilly — wear comfortable walking shoes and note that several areas require significant stair climbing · Bring a lightweight layer: Marvel Cave maintains a constant 60°F regardless of surface temperature · Season passes pay for themselves in two visits and include parking; check silverdollarcity.com for bundled deals

3. 3

   City Museum

   Unique Experience / Art InstallationAdult $20 · Child $20 (same price for all ages 3+) · Roof $5 additional3–6 hours

   Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty — the tunnels and rebar structures leave marks on light fabric · The rooftop ($5 extra) is worth the addition: the ferris wheel and edge views are a separate experience from the interior · Friday and Saturday nights after 5pm are 21+ only — families should plan daytime visits on those days · Children under 3 are free but the tight tunnel network is not suitable for children who are not yet confident crawlers · The venue has no guided tour — pick up a map at the entrance and explore non-linearly; re-entering areas is encouraged · Parking in the on-site lot costs around $10; arrival before 11am on weekends avoids the worst vehicle queues

4. 4

   Missouri Botanical Garden

   Garden / NatureAdult $14 · Child Free (ages 12 and under) · Note Free to Missouri residents on Wednesdays2–4 hours

   Tip: Missouri residents get free admission on Wednesdays — bring a Missouri ID to the ticket desk · Book timed-entry tickets online at missouribotanicalgarden.org during peak spring weekends to avoid sellouts · The tram tour ($5 extra) covers the full 79 acres and is a good overview before self-guided exploration · Spring peak (late April to early May) is the most photographed season — arrive before 10am to find paths clear · The Climatron maintains tropical temperatures year-round; a light layer is useful when moving between the dome and outdoor winter gardens · Paid on-site parking is available; arrive early on spring weekends as the lot fills quickly

5. 5

   Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

   Art MuseumAdult Free (permanent collection) · Special $15–20 for special exhibitions2–4 hours

   Tip: Permanent collection admission is always free — budget for special exhibitions ($15–20) if those are planned · Friday evenings (open until 9pm) are the least crowded time for leisurely gallery exploration · The Bloch Building is architecturally stunning at dusk — the frosted glass lenses illuminate from within after dark · Free parking is available in the south lot on Oak St; arrive before 11am on weekends to secure a space · Pick up a free gallery map at the welcome desk — the building's two sections connect internally but the layout can be disorienting on a first visit · The Rozelle Court Restaurant serves lunch Wednesday through Sunday and is an atmospheric midday stop inside the historic courtyard

6. 6

   National WWI Museum & Memorial

   Museum / MemorialAdult $18 · Child $12 (ages 6–17) · Senior $142–3 hours

   Tip: The observation tower deck ($8 extra or included in some packages) is worth adding — views extend to the Missouri River on clear days · Weekday mornings are significantly quieter; school groups arrive most frequently on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons · The glass floor entry gallery over the poppy field is a memorable moment — pause here before descending to the main galleries · Audio guides ($5) provide context that enhances the artifact displays significantly; the permanent exhibitions assume some baseline knowledge · The KC Streetcar stops at Union Station, a 6-minute walk up the hill — a convenient option for visitors staying downtown · Allow at least 2.5 hours for the full museum; rushing through in under 90 minutes means missing a significant portion of the exhibitions

7. 7

   Saint Louis Zoo

   Zoo / WildlifeAdult Free (general admission) · Rides $5–8 per ride · Parking $15–20 (on-site)3–5 hours

   Tip: General admission is free — budget only for paid rides (carousel, train), parking ($15–20), and food · Arrive at opening (8am in summer, 9am otherwise) to catch animals most active before the day warms · Weekday visits in spring and fall are far less crowded than summer weekend afternoons · Free park-and-ride shuttle service operates on weekends from remote Forest Park lots — check stlzoo.org for current shuttle stops · The zoo is large; download the map from stlzoo.org before visiting to plan an efficient route by area of interest · ZooLights in November and January transforms the grounds with millions of lights — a separate ticketed evening event

8. 8

   Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum

   Museum / Presidential LibraryAdult $13 · Child $5 (ages 6–15) · Senior $92–3 hours

   Tip: Buy a combination ticket with the NPS Truman Home tour at 219 N Delaware St to cover both major Truman sites in a single day · NPS home tours sell out on summer weekends — reserve in advance at recreation.gov or call the NPS visitor center · The courtyard burial site is accessible even before the museum opens, as it is within the gated but publicly accessible grounds · Weekday mornings are consistently quiet; school group visits peak on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in spring · The 2020 renovation made this one of the best-presented presidential libraries in the US — the atomic bomb gallery alone is worth the admission · Free parking is available in the on-site lot directly off US-24

9. 9

   Meramec Caverns

   Cave / Natural AttractionAdult $23 · Child $11.50 (ages 5–11)1.5–2 hours

   Tip: Wear a light layer even in summer — the cave stays at 60°F with near-100% humidity and feels cold after outdoor heat · Tours depart approximately every 30 minutes; arriving early on summer weekends avoids peak crowds when multiple tour groups overlap · The cave involves some low ceiling sections — visitors over 6 feet tall should be aware of the need to duck in several passages · Children under 5 are admitted free; the tour is generally suitable for children ages 4 and up who can walk independently · Combine a morning cave tour with an afternoon canoe rental on the Meramec River for a complete Ozark day trip from St. Louis · Confirm seasonal hours by phone at (573) 468-2283 before visiting, as opening times shift significantly from winter to summer

10. 10

    Table Rock Lake

    Lake / RecreationAdult Free (public access areas) · Boat rental $250–600/day for pontoon boats from local marinasHalf day to multiple days

    Tip: Book pontoon boat rentals at least two weeks in advance for summer weekends — marinas fill quickly from Memorial Day through Labor Day · Table Rock State Park (5272 MO-165) provides free public lake access with beaches, picnic areas, and a boat ramp · Bass fishing is best in early morning and late afternoon; pick up a Missouri fishing license at local outfitters before heading out · The lake's depth drops quickly near dam structures — check current lake pool elevation on the Army Corps of Engineers website before diving · Early May and September offer water temperatures of 65–72°F with dramatically fewer boats and no holiday congestion · Life jackets are required by law for children under 7 on all watercraft in Missouri

Tips for visiting attractions

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