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Sight Forest Park & the Central West End

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

A sight in Forest Park & the Central West End, free to visit and worth about 45 minutes. Best time to go: Afternoon Jan 1.

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Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis in Forest Park & the Central West End
Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0 · license

Why go

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

It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Forest Park & the Central West End, alongside 2 places to eat, 2 sights and 1 outdoor spot. The closest of our other picks is Central West End, 0.2 mi away as the crow flies. At about 45 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight · Culture
Neighborhood
Central West End
Price
Free
Time needed
45 min
Best time
Afternoon Jan 1

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Forest Park & the Central West End. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Central West End

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

    Sight · 0.2 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Forest Park

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

    Outdoors · 1.6 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Pappy's Smokehouse

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

    Food · 1.7 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Saint Louis Art Museum

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

    Sight · 2.2 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    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.

    Drinks · Downtown St. Louis & the Arch · 2.7 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    St. Louis Union Station Hotel

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

    Stay · Downtown St. Louis & the Arch · 2.7 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is a stop on our St. Louis New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Forest Park & the Central West End

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is our only sight pick in Forest Park & the Central West End; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Forest Park & the Central West End guide.

When to go: weather by month, based on Downtown St. Louis & the Arch

Our climate figures for Forest Park & the Central West End come from nearby Downtown St. Louis & the Arch. Average daily highs in Downtown St. Louis & the Arch run from 39°F in January to 88°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis itself, we suggest: Afternoon Jan 1.

Modelled monthly averages for Downtown St. Louis & the Arch from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Downtown St. Louis & the Arch weather by month (covers Forest Park & the Central West End).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
38.64250, -90.25472
Destination
Forest Park & the Central West End, Missouri

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis: quick answers

How much time do you need at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis?

Plan on about 45 minutes at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis?

Our pick: Afternoon Jan 1. Insider tip: Go between Masses and look up at the main dome.

Is Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis free?

Yes, we list Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis?

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis appears on St. Louis New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Forest Park & the Central West End.

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Lists & regions

Also in Forest Park & the Central West End

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.