Things to Do in Downtown St. Louis: Washington Avenue Guide
Things to Do in Downtown St. Louis: Washington Avenue Guide
Discover things to do in downtown St. Louis with Washington Avenue as a starting point: City Museum, the Gateway Arch, public art, architecture, nightlife and sports. Compare activities by the kind of day you want, then plan tickets, meals and transport around the actual locations. Use it for the wider downtown trip. Operating hours belong on each listing’s current Google Business Profile, while ticket and access requirements should be checked with the attraction.
Choose your downtown day
Pick one main attraction, then add a meal, public art or a show. City Museum and the Gateway Arch make very different days: one invites climbing and exploration, while the other combines national-park history with an optional ticketed tram ride. An architecture tour, a game or a convention can be the anchor instead. Plan around your chosen entrance, tickets and transport rather than trying to cover every downtown stop at once.
| If you want… | Start here | Plan ahead |
|---|---|---|
| Climbing, slides and imaginative play | City Museum | Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing suited to climbing. Check the specific admission and rooftop arrangements. |
| The Arch and St. Louis history | Gateway Arch National Park | The museum is free; the tram is a separate ticketed experience. Allow for the entrance security process. |
| Art without an admission fee | Citygarden | Outdoor sculpture and landscape at 801 Market Street; plan for the weather and current water-feature conditions. |
| Downtown buildings and their stories | Landmarks walking tours | Choose an east- or west-downtown tour and check the organizer’s calendar, meeting point and accessibility arrangements. |
| Sports, a concert or a convention | Sports and the What’s Happening schedule | Use the current venue name, your actual ticket and the selected entrance. Add a meal before or afterward. |
City Museum: build a day around play
City Museum’s tunnels, slides, climbing spaces and repurposed objects reward a little preparation. The museum’s own visitor tips recommend sneakers or other closed-toe shoes, clothing suitable for crawling and sliding, and traveling light. Families can plan a meeting strategy before exploring; the museum suggests putting a contact number on a child’s wristband.
Food is available inside, with different cafés and concessions around the building. Service and rooftop access can vary, so check the current museum information rather than assuming every area is included or operating throughout a visit. The museum identifies its Serpent Lot at 16th and Delmar; other nearby lots using the museum’s name are independent. Confirm the parking choice before paying.
For a meal in the neighborhood, use the downtown dining guide—or open the guide and choose its Gateway Arch & City Museum section. Brunch, a casual lunch and a food hall each suit a different pace.
Gateway Arch, the museum & the riverfront
Gateway Arch National Park includes the Arch, the museum beneath it, landscaped grounds and the Old Courthouse. The National Park Service identifies both the museum under the Arch and the Old Courthouse museum as free. Riding the tram to the top is a separate ticketed activity; check the park partner’s current booking information for your chosen experience.
Plan time for the required security checkpoint before an Arch tram reservation. Check accessibility and the specific attraction’s requirements before buying tickets. For a lower-commitment outing, focus on the museum and the park setting rather than assuming a tram ride is essential to enjoy a visit.
Gateway Arch National Park
National-park history, museum exhibits and the Arch itself. Separate free museum admission from ticketed tram and other paid experiences.
Historic Laclede’s Landing
Cobblestone streets, brick and cast-iron warehouses, restaurants and nightlife on the riverfront just north of the Arch.
Just north of the Arch grounds and Eads Bridge, Laclede’s Landing is where St. Louis started. Its nine blocks of cobblestone streets hold 17 historic buildings, from the 1873 Cast Iron Building on Second Street to the 1901 Christian Peper tobacco warehouse, now Raeder Place. Restaurants, bars and live music fill the old warehouses, the Landing hosts events such as the Big Muddy Blues Festival, and narrow Clamorgan Alley frames one of the city’s favorite views of the Arch.
The Arch side of downtown is a different part of a trip from City Museum or west-downtown venues. Compare the actual route with your hotel and meal plans. Our hotel guide helps compare a Wash Ave base with other downtown locations.
Free things to do in downtown St. Louis
Two admission-free choices are supported by the attractions’ own information: Citygarden and the museum at the Gateway Arch. Citygarden combines contemporary sculpture, landscape and reflecting pools at 801 Market Street. Treat water features as something to check for the season and conditions, not a year-round promise of play access.
The Arch museum offers a history-focused alternative to a paid tram ride, and the Old Courthouse museum is another free option identified by the National Park Service. Admission-free does not mean the entire day is cost-free: transport, parking, food and any ticketed add-on are separate.
For another architecture-focused stop, browse the Central Library profile. Check any tour, exhibition or event requirements through the library before visiting.
Downtown walking tours & architecture
Washington Avenue’s building façades are part of the neighborhood experience. For a guided introduction to the wider downtown, Landmarks Association offers distinct East and West tours. The East Tour highlights places such as the Old Courthouse, Gateway Arch, Eads Bridge and Wainwright Building; the West Tour highlights Union Station, Central Library, City Hall and other civic buildings.
Choose the tour for the places you want to understand, then use the organizer’s current calendar and meeting instructions. Public sidewalks and entry into historic buildings can present different accessibility conditions; ask about the specific tour rather than assuming every interior is included or accessible. The Missouri Historical Society’s See STL program is another place to check current walking-tour offerings.
Old Post Office Plaza architecture walk
This self-guided downtown St. Louis architecture walking tour circles Old Post Office Plaza, a few blocks south of Washington Avenue. In a compact loop you’ll pass a Second Empire federal landmark, early Chicago School skyscrapers, a Gothic Revival shopping arcade and a Beaux-Arts vaudeville theater. Start at Ninth and St. Charles, walk south to the plaza and the Old Post Office, head east on Olive to the Railway Exchange, then return west along Olive.
- Orpheum Theater, 416 N. 9th Street: G. Albert Lansburgh’s Beaux-Arts vaudeville house opened in 1917. Look for the gray terra-cotta front, tall arched windows between coupled Corinthian columns, and the straining sculpted figures beside the marquee. It later ran as the American Theater.
- Old Post Office Plaza, 801–815 Locust Street: The civic square that faces the Old Post Office opened in 2009, with terraced steps, a shallow water basin and a zinc-clad “cloud wall” as its backdrop.
- Old Post Office, 815 Olive Street: Built from 1873 to 1884 as the U.S. Custom House and Post Office, Alfred B. Mullett’s Second Empire landmark is a National Historic Landmark. It was built like a fortress, with sliding iron shutters and a deep moat that brings light to the lower levels.
- Chemical Building, 721 Olive Street: Henry Ives Cobb’s 16-story Chicago School skyscraper of 1896, at Eighth and Olive, is wrapped in red brick and terra cotta. Its bay windows zigzag up the full height of the facade. Mauran, Russell & Garden added the matching north wing in 1902.
- Railway Exchange Building, 611 Olive Street: Filling the block from Sixth to Seventh, this 21-story Mauran, Russell & Crowell tower opened in 1913 with Famous-Barr on its lower floors and railroad offices above. It was the city’s tallest building when it opened.
- Arcade Building, 812 Olive Street: Tom P. Barnett’s Gothic Revival tower opened in 1919 and wraps the 1906 Wright Building by Eames & Young. Pointed-arch entrances lead to a two-story rib-vaulted arcade that runs through the block to Pine Street. Today the upper floors are the Arcade Apartments.
- Paul Brown Building, 818 Olive Street: Preston J. Bradshaw’s 1926 office building fills the west end of the Arcade block. Its original street-level storefronts survive on three sides, and a barrel-vaulted, coffered lobby links the entrances.
- Frisco Building, 906 Olive Street: Eames & Young’s 13-story tower for the Frisco railroad (1902–1905) has strong vertical piers and a cornice lined with terra-cotta brackets and lion heads. Look for the railroad’s initials on the shield emblems.
- Syndicate Trust Building, 915 Olive Street: Harry F. Roach’s 1907 Chicago School tower is covered in lavish terra-cotta ornament from its storefronts to its cornice. It is one of the most richly detailed buildings downtown.
- Laclede Gas Building, 1017 Olive Street: Mauran, Russell & Crowell designed this stately 1911 headquarters for the Laclede Gas Light Company, and its ornate exterior remains remarkably intact.
These are working buildings: apartments, offices and classrooms. Enjoy the facades and street-level details from the sidewalk unless a building is open to the public or part of a guided tour.
Things to do at night: dinner, nightlife & a show
Make the evening about the kind of outing you want: a restaurant meal, cocktails, bowling or a ticketed performance. The dining guide separates date-night rooms, hotel bars, pubs and other choices so you can plan beyond a generic “nightlife” search. Use individual listings for current Google Business Profile hours and the venue’s own information for admission, age restrictions or reservations.
For live events, check the homepage What’s Happening schedule and the actual presenter’s details. Confirm rooftop, patio and seasonal-bar service for the visit date. If a concert or game is the main event, choose dinner around the ticketed entrance and return trip.
Cardinals, Blues, CITY SC & Battlehawks
Use the team and the current venue together when planning. Downtown’s major sports destinations are spread across different streets.
| Team | Current downtown venue | Build the outing |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | Busch Stadium | Compare a Wash Ave meal with Ballpark Village dining, then plan the trip to the stadium. |
| St. Louis Blues | Enterprise Center | Pair hockey with dinner or a concert-night hotel plan around the actual entrance. |
| St. Louis CITY SC | Energizer Park | Use the current stadium name; older references may say CITYPARK. Compare west-downtown and Wash Ave stops. |
| St. Louis Battlehawks | The Dome at America’s Center | Check the game’s ticket details; the convention complex also hosts other events. |
Check current dates through the team or venue, not a generic stadium search. For a convention, use the organizer’s named building and entrance at America’s Center. The hotel guide and restaurant guide provide separate choices for the stay and the meal.
Three flexible ways to put it together
- City Museum day: choose admission and any rooftop option, make clothing and parking plans, then add a meal that fits your group. Keep an indoor alternative in mind when weather affects outdoor areas.
- Art and history outing: combine the free Arch museum or Old Courthouse museum with Citygarden. Choose the order by weather, access requirements and the rest of your itinerary.
- Architecture or game-day visit: reserve the tour or event first, then choose a meal and hotel around it. Do not assume a specific walking time or same-block location.
Use Play for the existing attraction directory and the neighborhood map. Other downtown destinations can be part of the same trip.
Nearby: things to do at Union Station & live music on South Broadway
St. Louis Union Station, the restored 1894 rail terminal at 18th and Market, packs a full day of things to do under one roof: the St. Louis Aquarium, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a mirror maze, an indoor ropes course, mini golf, a carousel and seasonal rides, plus holiday events such as THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Stay for dinner at the Train Shed or Station Grille, then catch the Grand Hall light show. Check Union Station’s site for current hours and tickets, since some rides are seasonal.
St. Louis Union Station
The restored 1894 rail terminal, once one of the busiest in the world, with attractions, dining and a hotel under one roof.
Nearby
St. Louis Aquarium
Follow a freshwater river and salt marsh out to the open ocean and its sharks. One of the city’s top indoor attractions.
Nearby
The St. Louis Wheel
A 200-foot observation wheel with 42 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas and skyline views, open every day of the year.
Nearby
Grand Hall light show
3D animations play across the Grand Hall’s 65-foot ceiling on the hour each evening, unless the hall is booked for a private event.
Nearby
Mirror maze, ropes course & mini golf
Get lost in a mirror maze inspired by the 1904 World’s Fair, climb a three-story indoor ropes course, or play 18 holes of mini golf under the historic train shed.
Nearby
Soda Fountain at Union Station
A retro soda fountain known for its over-the-top Freak Shakes, plus sundaes, diner burgers and fountain drinks.
Nearby
For live music, head to South Broadway, southeast of Busch Stadium, where two neighboring clubs keep the St. Louis blues tradition going. Broadway Oyster Bar books live music every night, and BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups reopened in fall 2026 with shows Thursday through Sunday. Check each venue’s calendar for the lineup and any cover.
Broadway Oyster Bar
Live rock, reggae, blues, funk and New Orleans bands every night, with Cajun and Creole cooking and a patio.
Nearby
BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups
The legendary blues club is back, with local and touring blues, jazz, soul and gospel acts Thursday through Sunday and a Southern-inspired menu.
Nearby
Downtown activities FAQ
What are some things to do in downtown St. Louis?
Start with City Museum, Gateway Arch National Park, Citygarden, an architecture tour or a game. Choose a main activity, then add food and other stops around the actual route and admission requirements.
What can I do downtown for free?
Citygarden has no admission fee. The National Park Service identifies the museum under the Gateway Arch and the Old Courthouse museum as free. Arch tram rides, parking, transport and other paid experiences are separate.
How should I plan a City Museum visit?
Check current admission and rooftop arrangements. The museum recommends closed-toe shoes, clothing suited to crawling and sliding, and packing light. Plan for the needs of your group; no fixed visit length works for everyone.
Is going inside the Gateway Arch museum the same as taking the tram?
No. The museum is free; the tram to the top is separately ticketed. Check the attraction’s current booking information, accessibility requirements and security instructions.
Are there walking tours of downtown St. Louis?
Landmarks Association offers East and West downtown architecture tours. Missouri Historical Society also has a See STL walking-tour program. Check the organizer’s current route, meeting point, calendar and accessibility details.
What can adults do downtown at night?
Choose dinner, cocktails, bowling or a ticketed performance around the kind of evening you want. Use the dining guide and current event schedule, then verify the venue’s hours, admission and age rules.
Which venues do the St. Louis teams use?
The Cardinals play at Busch Stadium, the Blues at Enterprise Center, CITY SC at Energizer Park and the Battlehawks at The Dome at America’s Center. These are separate destinations across downtown.
Can I fit every downtown attraction into one day?
Choose an anchor attraction or event and a small number of complementary stops. Check reservations, weather, entrance requirements and transport instead of relying on an unverified all-day walking itinerary.
What is there to do at St. Louis Union Station?
Union Station combines the St. Louis Aquarium, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a mirror maze, an indoor ropes course, 18-hole mini golf, a carousel and seasonal rides. The Grand Hall light show plays inside the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, and the Soda Fountain serves its Freak Shakes. Check Union Station’s own site for current hours and tickets.
What is Laclede’s Landing?
Laclede’s Landing is the riverfront district where St. Louis started, just north of the Gateway Arch grounds and Eads Bridge. Its nine blocks of cobblestone streets hold 17 historic buildings, restaurants, nightlife and events such as the Big Muddy Blues Festival.
Is there a self-guided downtown St. Louis architecture walking tour?
Yes. Our Old Post Office Plaza architecture walk links the Orpheum Theater, Old Post Office Plaza, the Old Post Office, the Chemical Building, the Railway Exchange Building, the Arcade, the Paul Brown Building, the Frisco Building, the Syndicate Trust Building and the Laclede Gas Building. Plan to view the buildings from the sidewalk; most interiors are private.
Where can I hear live blues and jazz near downtown St. Louis?
Two clubs sit side by side on South Broadway, southeast of Busch Stadium. Broadway Oyster Bar at 736 S. Broadway has live music every night, and BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups at 700 S. Broadway presents blues, jazz, soul and gospel Thursday through Sunday. Check each venue’s music calendar for acts and covers.