We had to start this guide off with one of the metro area’s most boast-able free attractions. Although nonmembers will still drop some money on parking and select attractions, the Saint Louis Zoo is one of the few remaining free zoos in the U.S. Visitors have the chance to view more than 16,000 animals and 500 species. It’s practically a St. Louis summer rite of passage.
Discover fun things to do with the family
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The zoo recently made a blockbuster trade, which saw the departure of beloved polar bear Kali but the arrival of a pair of playful 2-year-old polar bear twins, Kallu and Kallik. Another new attraction: The (ticketed) puppet show Romeo & Zooliet, an adaptation staged in partnership with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, July 8–August 17.
Previously named by USA Today readers as the third best free museum and the fifth best science museum in the states, this local landmark is home to enough hands-on activities to keep kids of all ages entertained. Note: Entrance to certain attractions, such as the Planetarium, IMAX theatre, and Discovery Room, require a paid ticket. (Pro tip: There’s free parking in the north lot, next to the planetarium, plus a jet and dino sculptures nearby.)
As one of St. Louis’ prettiest attractions, MoBot is a must. Even better? Every Wednesday and Saturday, 7 a.m.—noon, St. Louis City and County residents are granted free admission, and free admission is even extended to the Children’s Garden on Saturdays.
Start with a tram ride to view a variety of animals, and spend most of your day at the petting zoo. The baby goat bottle-feeding alone is worth the trip, but the farm also includes a carousel, food, and drinks. Bypass the parking fee by riding your bike along Grant’s Trail, and end your trip by unwinding with complimentary beers in the Bauernhof Courtyard.
This free museum has several exhibits worth checking out for those interested in their local history, but the History Clubhouse specifically is the big draw for kids here. Little learners will explore recreations of iconic buildings, pilot a steamboat on the Mississippi River, take a trolley ride back in time to serve food at a café during the 1904 World’s Fair, play house in the ancient city of Cahokia, dress up in period costumes, put on a puppet show, and fish over the edge of a canoe. Don’t miss this summer’s The Life of Kids’ Clothes exhibit—it’s located toward the back of the museum’s newest exhibit, Collected.
Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
With three paved trails, an educational nature center, an aquarium, and a bee hive, this year-round hidden gem is a perfect destinations for nature lovers of all ages.
Did you know The Muny is the oldest and largest outdoor theater in the country and that it sets aside about 1,500 tickets each night as free seats? To nab a few, line up at the back of the theater in Lichtenstein Plaza around 6 p.m. or earlier. Voila, world-class entertainment for free! (Our pick for families this summer is July’s performance of Disney’s Frozen.)
This Art Deco marvel in the heart of Forest Park normally charges $1 per person for admission, but those in the know go for free on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m.—noon. The glass greenhouse is home to tropical trees, flowers, water features, and special floral shows throughout the year.
Every week, this free, nationally recognized art museum hosts themed Family Sunday programming. Kids will experience hands-on art activities and special interactive components for kids within the galleries. Check the website in advance for the week’s theme. After you’re done, enjoy a picnic on Art Hill for another free family tradition.
This stroller-friendly, cleanly kept gem has a chill environment, plenty of parking, and no admission cost. Kids will love free attractions such as cow-milking, dog shows, adoptable pets, and more.
St. Louis city and county both have so many parks to peruse. To form your bucket list, start with our best-of guide. Whether you’re looking for top playgrounds, the most strollable trails, or just the prettiest views, we have you covered. Don’t miss the handcarved fairy forest in Faust Park, the long-awaited expansion to Kinetic Park, and updates to the playground at Vlasis Park, including a new toddler zone and inclusive features. Looking for a bit of a hike? Visit our kid-friendly trail guide.
No St. Louis childhood is complete without a trip to the Arch. Admission to the museum is free, and the accessible experience showcases more than 200 years of our city’s history. To extend the experience, ride to the top of the Arch for an additional charge or book paid tickets on the Riverboat Cruise. Nearby, the Old Courthouse is slated to reopen May 3, with family-friendly exhibitions on such topics as Dred and Harriet Scott, African-American life in St. Louis, and the history of local courts.
Don’t sleep on St. Louis’ libraries for free fun. From story times to play areas to family-friendly events, your youngest readers will be endlessly entertained.
Have a choo-choo fanatic on your hands? Frisco Train & Toy Store should be your new home away from home. The free indoor play area has tables upon tables full of wooden trains, accessories, and over-the-top displays, as well as a birthday party room and a kitchen play area. It’s also the perfect place to figure out the perfect gift for your future conductor.
The Magic House and MADE for Kids
Everyone’s favorite children’s museum and its ever-popular makerspace both host Free Family Nights every third Friday of the month from 5–8 p.m, during which up to two adults and four children can visit at no cost. Free Family Nights are first come, first served and require no reservations. Visit The Magic House’s newest exhibit, ¡Viva México!, for a kid-style trip across the border.
Economy Museum at Federal Reserve Bank
Trying to teach fiscal responsibility at a young age? Although best suited for older children, this museum shares invaluable lessons about money through 100 exhibits, games, videos, and interactive experiences.
The world-class exhibitions at this St. Louis gem engage guests of all ages with the art, culture, and history of the classic game of chess. Explore a wide range of interactive exhibitions and educational displays. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $3 per person or $5 per family to support the exhibitions and education programs. For an artful take on one of St. Louis’ favorite sports, visit Paws and Pawns: Exploring Animal Chess Sets for displays a collection of animal-themed chess sets from around the world through August 31.
The center of prehistoric Mississippian culture, Cahokia Mounds is home to four trails, more than 100 mounds, and so much history. The most popular challenge here is the 154-step climb to the top of Monks Mound—the largest earthen mound in North America. Hot tip: Try out the augmented reality app to tour the historic community as it once was.
Although guided tours are ticketed, visitors are welcome to walk the grounds of the park in Defiance, Missouri, for free. Explore the village, a simulated town comprised of more than a dozen 19th-century buildings, and gain insight into life on the Missouri frontier.
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
Public tours and special programs and exhibitions make this free WashU museum worth the trip. Hoping to inspire your budding artist? Student educators design lead the programs twice per month and invite conversation about the pieces.
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Factory Tour
This one hardly needs an explanation, but just in case you need further convincing, you and the family can play Willy Wonka and tour the the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company factory, candy kitchen, and world headquarters for free five days per week. The factory tours allow you to hear, smell, and taste the chocolate-making up close, and it’s just as delicious as it sounds. Pre-registration is required.
If your crew is more interested in modern art, check out CAM St. Louis’ selection of work “made for today’s audiences.” Admission is free, and if you have a creative mind in your brood, look into one of the museum’s art education programs. Courses include New Art in the Neighborhood, a nationally acclaimed studio art program for teens; LEAP Middle School Initiative, in which students work with artists to become immersed in contemporary art practices; or Teen Museum Studies, a career-based training program in which participants help organize an exhibition from start to finish.
Those obsessed with all things on wheels, both young and old, will be amazed by this collection of specialty motorcycles obtained from more than 20 countries. The museum covers almost 100 years of motorcycle history, and admission is free, but make sure to call ahead to ensure the venue isn’t closed for a private event.
