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Missouri, United States

Downtown St. Louis & the Arch

Two nights downtown for early fireworks by the Arch, old soda fountains and the Union Station light show. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 2 activities and 1 place to eat from our curated routes.

Plan Downtown St. Louis & the Arch with friendsBrowse 6 places
Downtown St. Louis & the Arch, Missouri, United States
Places
6

1 See · 2 Do · 1 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

St. Louis New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

31°C / 88°F avg high

Coolest month
January

4°C / 39°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 130 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch in Riverfront.

  • Gateway Arch National Park in Downtown St. Louis & the ArchPhoto: Philip Leara · CC0
    See

    Gateway Arch National Park

    The 630-foot steel arch on the riverfront, with a tram to an observation room at the top and a museum below.

    Tip Book tram tickets ahead and check holiday hours before you go.

    • Riverfront
    • $$
    • 2 hr
    • Morning Dec 30

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch across Downtown and Washington Avenue.

  • Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis & the ArchPhoto: Lightmetro · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Do

    Kiener Plaza

    Downtown plaza facing the Old Courthouse and the Arch, home of the free Winterfest Neon Nights party on Dec 31.

    Tip Arrive by 7:30 p.m. to get a clear view of the 8 p.m. fireworks.

    • Downtown
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec 31
  • City Museum in Downtown St. Louis & the ArchPhoto: Chris857 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Do

    City Museum

    Old shoe warehouse turned into a playground of caves, slides, tunnels and rooftop climbs built from salvaged parts.

    Tip Wear long pants and knee pads if you plan to crawl through the tunnels.

    • Washington Avenue
    • $$
    • 3 hr
    • Afternoon Dec 30

Eat

1 place to eat in Old North St. Louis, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Crown Candy Kitchen in Downtown St. Louis & the ArchPhoto: Marcus Qwertyus · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Eat

    Crown Candy Kitchen

    Soda fountain open since 1913 in Old North St. Louis, known for BLTs, malts and house-made chocolates.

    Tip Expect a line at lunch; it moves quickly.

    • Old North St. Louis
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Lunch Dec 30

Drink

1 bar or café in Downtown West for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Grand Hall at Union Station in Downtown St. Louis & the ArchPhoto: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Drink

    Grand Hall at Union Station

    Barrel-vaulted 1894 lobby of the old train station, now a bar with a light show projected on the ceiling.

    Tip The light show runs on the hour in the evening; get a seat near the center.

    • Downtown West
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • After the fireworks

Stay

Places to stay in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch in Downtown West.

  • St. Louis Union Station Hotel in Downtown St. Louis & the ArchPhoto: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Stay

    St. Louis Union Station Hotel

    Hotel inside the restored 1894 Romanesque train station, on the MetroLink line to the airport and Forest Park.

    Tip Ask for a room in the original headhouse building.

    • Downtown West
    • $$$
    • Dec 30 – Jan 2

How to fit Downtown St. Louis & the Arch into a trip

Downtown St. Louis & the Arch is stop 1 of 2 on our St. Louis New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift Downtown St. Louis & the Arch into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Downtown St. Louis & the Arch month by month

Average daily highs run from 4°C / 39°F in January to 31°C / 88°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 130 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Downtown St. Louis & the Arch weather and the best time to visit →

Near Downtown St. Louis & the Arch

8 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Downtown St. Louis & the Arch questions, answered

How many days do you need in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch. On our St. Louis New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 9 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Downtown St. Louis & the Arch best known for?

Two nights downtown for early fireworks by the Arch, old soda fountains and the Union Station light show. Standouts on our list: Gateway Arch National Park (The 630-foot steel arch on the riverfront, with a tram to an observation room at the top and a museum below); Kiener Plaza (Downtown plaza facing the Old Courthouse and the Arch, home of the free Winterfest Neon Nights party on Dec 31); City Museum (Old shoe warehouse turned into a playground of caves, slides, tunnels and rooftop climbs built from salvaged parts).

When is the best time to visit Downtown St. Louis & the Arch?

Our St. Louis New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (31°C / 88°F), the coolest in January (4°C / 39°F) and the most rain in May (about 130 mm).

What are the best things to do in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch?

Start with Kiener Plaza, Gateway Arch National Park and City Museum. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 1 place to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 place to stay.

What is near Downtown St. Louis & the Arch?

The closest destinations in our guides are Forest Park & the Central West End (about 8 km / 5 mi), Springfield (about 314 km / 195 mi) and Branson (about 346 km / 215 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Downtown St. Louis & the Arch with your crew

Open the St. Louis New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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