United States

St. Louis

Missouri city on the Mississippi, home of the Gateway Arch and a large free zoo.

MetroLink rail costs $2.50 a ride, and a One-Day Pass for bus and rail is $5. The Red Line runs from the airport through the Central West End, Union Station and Stadium. The Terminal 1 airport station closed on 12 October 2026 for construction, with work expected to finish in mid-December. Metro says the Terminal 2 station closes on 2 November and that it will share how riders can connect closer to that date. Check Metro's rider alerts before you fly.

Several big sights are free. The museum under the Gateway Arch is free, and a tram ride to the top costs $15 to $19 for an adult, depending on the date. The Zoo, the Art Museum and the Science Center are free to enter, but parking is not. The Zoo charges $20 a car, and the Science Center charges $15. The Art Museum has free public lots across Fine Arts Drive.

City Museum tickets start at $20, and the Missouri Botanical Garden is $16 for ages 13 and up. Downtown or the Union Station area is the easiest base if you want to use the train. Metro gives no transit route to the Zoo, the Botanical Garden, City Museum or the brewery, so a car or rideshare may be easier for those.