St. Louis New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Downtown St. Louis & the Arch

6 places

Two nights downtown for early fireworks by the Arch, old soda fountains and the Union Station light show.

• Photo: Lightmetro · CC BY-SA 4.0

  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.

  DoDowntownFree2 hr6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec 31
• Photo: Philip Leara · CC0

  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.

  SeeRiverfront$$2 hrMorning Dec 30
• Photo: Chris857 · CC BY-SA 3.0

  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.

  DoWashington Avenue$$3 hrAfternoon Dec 30
• Photo: Marcus Qwertyus · CC BY-SA 3.0

  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.

  EatOld North St. Louis$60 minLunch Dec 30
• Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0

  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.

  DrinkDowntown West$$60 minAfter the fireworks
• Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0

  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.

  StayDowntown West$$$Dec 30 – Jan 2

Destination 02

Forest Park & the Central West End

6 places

A slow Jan 1 of park walks, cathedral mosaics and burgers on the Delmar Loop.

• Photo: AmyBautz · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Forest Park

  1,300-acre park from the 1904 World's Fair, with Art Hill sloping down to the Grand Basin's fountains.

  Tip Start at the top of Art Hill and walk the loop around the Grand Basin.

  OutdoorsForest ParkFree1.5 hrLate morning Jan 1
• Photo: Laraquelx · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Saint Louis Art Museum

  Free museum in the 1904 World's Fair Palace of Fine Art at the top of Art Hill.

  Tip Check holiday hours; if it is closed on Jan 1, visit on Dec 30 instead.

  SeeForest ParkFree2 hrMorning
• Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

  Early 1900s cathedral whose domes and chapels are covered in one of the world's largest mosaic collections.

  Tip Go between Masses and look up at the main dome.

  SeeCentral West EndFree45 minAfternoon Jan 1

• Central West End

  Neighborhood of brick mansions and private streets, with cafes and bars along Euclid Avenue.

  Tip Walk the gated private places off Lindell Boulevard for the grandest houses.

  SeeCentral West End$60 minAfternoon Jan 1

• Blueberry Hill

  Delmar Loop restaurant and bar from 1972, full of pop memorabilia, where Chuck Berry played for years.

  Tip Check holiday hours and look at the jukebox and memorabilia cases.

  EatDelmar Loop$75 minDinner Jan 1

• Pappy's Smokehouse

  Memphis-style barbecue counter in Midtown, known for dry-rubbed ribs that often sell out.

  Tip Go early; it closes when the meat runs out.

  EatMidtown$60 minLunch