About the Area
Family Friendly Things to do Around St. Louis
St. Louis Zoo
1 Government Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
The St. Louis Zoo is a top free attraction located in Forest Park. The Zoo is home to more than 500 species of animals and is located on 90 acres of land. For an additional price the Zoo offers a sea lion show, Children’s Zoo, Carousel, Stingray exhibit and Train.
Saint Louis Art Museum
1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
The art museum is another free attraction in Forest Park. The art museum is one of the nation’s leading comprehensive art museums with collections from virtually every culture and time period. For an additional cost there are seasonal exhibitions.
Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112
The Missouri History Museum is located in Forest Park. Admission to the museum is free, with special exhibits for an additional cost. Major exhibits at the museum include the 19041 World’s Fair and Charles Lindbergh.
The Gateway Arch
11 N 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
The arch is an iconic 630 ft tall monument celebrating US western expansion. The arch grounds were recently renovated and is home to a museum, riverboat cruises, the old courthouse and much more.
Anheuser-Busch St. Louis Brewery
1200 Lynch St, St. Louis, MO 63118
The Anheuser-Busch brewery is the largest and oldest of the brewery site. The brewery offers general free tours daily from 10am-5:00pm. As a part of the experience you will visit the Clydesdale stables and can enjoy complimentary drinks. The Biergarten is attached to the brewery and offers a variety of foods.
Grant’s Farm
10501 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123
Grant’s Farm is a historic farm and landmark built by Ulysses S. Grant and is now owned by the Busch family. The farm offers free safari land tours and is home to over 100 different species of animals including buffalo and longhorn cattle. For an additional price you can feed baby goats and parakeets, ride a camel, and go to an educational animal show. Grant’s farm also has a biergarten and offers two complimentary beverages.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63108
The cathedral basilica is a cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church. The cathedral building began in 1912 and is covered in 83,000 square feet of mosaics, making in the largest mosaic collection in the world outside of Russia. You can tour the cathedral for free (not during mass times).
City Museum
750 N. 16th Street, St. Louis, MO 63103
The city museum is in a one hundred-year-old warehouse. Artists have repurposed pieces of old cities to build miles of tunnels, slides, climbers, bridges and castles. The city museum has secret passages, large slides, playgrounds, ball pits, a rooftop circus and Ferris wheel.
The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum
516 S. Kirkwood Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122
The Magic House is a children’s museum with many hands-on exhibits and learning experiences.
Historic Soulard Farmers Market
730 Carroll Street, St. Louis, MO 63104
The Soulard market began in 1779 and is one of the largest and oldest farmers market’s west of the Mississippi. The market is open Wednesday through Saturday. The market sells locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, spices, kettle corn, flowers, baked goods and a variety of other items. The market also offers a variety of food options.
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
The Missouri Botanical Garden is a 79-acre garden and is the nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation. The garden has been open for 153 years and is considered a National Historical Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural display.
Places to Eat Around St. Louis
The Hill
Marconi Avenue, Shaw and Wilson Avenue St. Louis, 63110
The Hill is a long-established Italian-American neighborhood with family owned delis, sandwich shops, bakeries, trattorias, pizzerias and upscale Italian eateries. St. Louis is home to the famous toasted ravioli. Some notable restaurants on the Hill include; Charlie Gitto’s, Gioia’s Deli, Anthonino’s Taverna, Zia’s Restaurant, Missouri Baking Company, and Adriana’s.
The Shaved Duck
2900 Virginia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118
St. Louis style barbeque and Southern specialties
Broadway Oyster Bar
736 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
New Orleans style restaurant, bar and live music.
Pappy’s Smokehouse
3106 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103
Wood-smoked Memphis style barbeque.
Salt & Smoke
6525 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130
Classic St. Louis style BBQ, famous for burnt ends. Large bourbon selection.
Lona’s Lil Eats
2199 California Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104
Vegan-friendly eatery serving Asian fusion-including make your own rice-paper wraps.
BLK MKT Eats
9 S Vandeventer Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Casual counter-service restaurant serving massive sushi rolls, poke bowls and nachos.
Wonton King
8116 Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63130
Authentic Chinese food serving Dim-Sum on Saturday’s and Sunday’s.
Southwest Diner
6803 Southwest Ave, St. Louis, MO 63143
Southwest diner is St. Louis meets New Mexico flair. Recommended for breakfast and brunch.
Mac’s Local Eats
1821 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118
Located inside Tamm Avenue Grill. Thin and crispy diner style dry-aged burgers.
Mai Lee
8396 Musick Memorial Dr. Brentwood, MO 63144
Iconic Vietnamese restaurant, open for more than 30 years.
Union Loafers Café and Bread Bakery
1629 Tower Grove Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Contemporary café serving traditional baked breads, sandwiches, and New York style pizzas.
Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.
1831 Sidney St, St. Louis, MO 63104
Seafood in the Midwest. Peacemaker serves up coastal classics including lobster rolls, crab boils, and New Orleans-style po’ boys.
Grace Meat & Three
4270 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Modern meat and three menu that serves Southern American fare and hospitality.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109
Famous for its frozen custard, Ted Drewes has become a St. Louis tradition.
Local Places to Eat Near Edwardsville
Wang Gang
1035 Century Drive, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Casual, contemporary pan-Asian spot serving noodles, stir-fry, banh mi sandwiches & global burgers.
Wasabi Sushi Bar
100 S Buchanan St, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Japanese chain serving sushi, bento boxes, tempura, and noodles. Voted best sushi by Sauce Magazine.
Peel Wood Fired Pizza
921 S Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Wood-fired pizzas, wings, pastas and sandwiches plus an in-house brewery.
Doc’s Smokehouse
6108 Shoger Dr Suite D, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Down-to-earth, family owned counter serve supplying BBQ plates and sandwiches, plus burger.
Cleveland Heath
106 North Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Gourmet comfort food classics prepared with an upscale attention to detail.
Chava’s Mexican Restaurant
217 E Vandalia St, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Casual, contemporary Mexican eatery serving burritos, tortas, fried tacos and other Mexican favorites.
Mike Shannon’s
871 S Arbor Vitae, Edwardsville, IL 62025
Upscale comfort food serving seafood and steaks in a vintage athletic club setting with big TV’s.
1818 Chophouse
210 S Buchanan St, Edwardsville, IL 62025
House butchered steaks, chops and fresh seafood.