St. Louis is an affordable city to live in and have a great time while doing so. But there are so many free things to do in town that even locals may be surprised at how much STL has to offer. As a simple example, you can tour 10 great art galleries and museums, catch a few evening concerts at the Missouri Botanical Garden, or even take a trip to the Saint Louis Science Center. These are just three suggestions out of a ridiculous number of promising free activities on offer nearby that won’t cost you a dime. It’s all here in St. Louis, and it’s all yours to enjoy at the bargain price of zero dollars and cents.
Forest Park Schlafly Bottleworks CAM St. Louis Science Museum
| Name | Location | Description |
| Visit Forest Park’s Top Attractions | Forest Park | Surprise! You can check out the renowned Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, or the Saint Louis Zoo – each a first-rate attraction unto itself – all without paying a dime. Alternately, you can come see the annual Shakespeare Festival. The last few rows of the Muny are even free for every show. Sometimes, though, the best free thing to do in Forest Park is just walking, running or biking through one of America’s best green spaces – a fact you’ll notice hundreds of individuals and families taking advantage of on any given day. |
| Tour St. Louis’s Best Breweries | 1200 Lynch St. and 7260 Southwest Ave | St. Louis is one of the nation’s top cities for beer, so why not check out some great brewery tours? The itinerary includes a taste (both metaphorical and literal) of a classic St. Louis product with a complimentary Budweiser Tour as well as a trip to Schlafy Bottleworks, producer of some of the city’s best brews. You’ll learn about the brewing process, but the free beer samples you can enjoy will naturally be the best part of any trip. |
| Enjoy Free Movie Screenings | Various | In summer, the time is right to enjoy free nighttime movies, and St. Louis delivers on multiple fronts. For example: You can try screening films at a number of different venues, including Ballpark Village, Chesterfield Amphitheater, and University City. For the ultimate free movie experience though, be sure to stop by Art Hill, where you can enjoy music, food trucks (sadly, these aren’t free), and selections of both classic and contemporary films. |
| First Fridays in Grand Center | Grand Center | Grand Center is home to 10 different museums and galleries, from the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis to the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art to the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. All 10 are worth your time. The first Friday of every month until 9PM is your chance to get in free. |
| Whitaker Music Festival | Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd. | Although technically not free most days of the year, the $12 adult general admission fee to check out the lovely Missouri Botanical Garden is worth it anytime. However, it’s also worth noting: On Wednesday evenings during summertime though, you can enjoy free entry to the Whitaker Music Festival in the Garden. Families will want to bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the music and the festive atmosphere to be had here, a local tradition. |
| Laumeier Sculpture Park | 12580 Rott Rd. | Among the more unique free cultural and artistic options in St. Louis, Laumeier Sculpture Park invites you to experience 105 acres of fresh air and unique sculptures. And provides the perfect atmosphere to walk and talk or just stop and think while taking a strong. |
| Citygarden | 801 Market St. | It wouldn’t be fair to leave out downtown St. Louis’s very own Citygarden. Anyone walking in the area will appreciate the park’s sculptures and scenery, but you won’t regret making a point to specifically visit the destination, especially in the company of kids, who can enjoy the chance for some adventurous sculpture climbing. |
| Saint Louis Science Center | 5050 Oakland Ave. | One of the Midwest’s premier science museums, The Saint Louis Science Center hosts a wide range of exhibits and one very large Energizer Ball Machine. The venue’s signature calling card is its planetarium, where families will enjoy a variety of entertaining and educational shows. |
| Cahokia Mounds | Collinsville, IL | OK, so it’s a little bit of a drive to reach. But it’s a small price to pay to visit one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in North America. Here, you’ll learn all about how Cahokia was once home to a thriving Native American city – and experience the magic of history right in your own backyard. |
| World Bird Sanctuary | Castlewood State Park, 125 Bald Eagle Ridge Rd., Valley Park, MO | Located 30 minutes outside the city, Castlewood State Park also has horseback riding, fishing and great mountain biking. Its World Bird Sanctuary is housed in a natural setting, and plays home to numerous species of birds you won’t want to miss. Go on a hike here, and you can marvel not only at the scenery, but also as hawks soar overhead. |
CHEAT SHEET
National Geographic — Free Things to Do in St. Louis
United Way — 93 FREE Things to do in St. Louis This Summer
Stlouis.about.com — The 15 Best Free Attractions in St. Louis
A Boston native, contributing editor Ben Szanton has embraced St. Louis but is still learning more about his new city by the day. A young entrepreneur and exercise enthusiast, he's always happy to share the new song he can't stop listening to or taco place he just discovered. He covers a wide range of St. Louis topics for SELECT.
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