St. Louis travel blog — How to spend one day in St. Louis?
St. Louis (Missouri, USA) has a huge number of visitors from all over the globe since it has numerous amazing attractions with free admission and activities that people sometimes refer to as “Fab N’ Free” (Fabulously Free Stuff) for every guest. Many fascinating Fab N’ Free sites are around a half-hour drive from the city center. If you don’t have much time, you may see St. Louis in a few days like a native. What to do in St. Louis in a single day. Let’s have a look at it through my St. Louis travel blog.
![Panoramic View of St. Louis, Missouri](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/St-Louis-Missouri-1.jpg)
It is stated that St. Louis is available for “Feb N’ Free” activities since its residents must pay a high level of taxation in order to receive additional advantages. It’s only reasonable that those who offer you something for free be compensated in some other way. For example, you may be able to enter the zoo for free but must pay $15-$20 for parking. Or, in the same zoo, water may cost $3 a bottle, but you can get it for one-sixth the price at your local grocery. If you don’t want to spend extra money, you may carry snacks and drink with you and ride the bus to free attractions. You may have the same experience as other guests, without discrimination, and on a shoestring budget.
![The Gateway Arch In St. Louis](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/gateway-of-arch-1024px-st_louis_night.jpg)
Free enormous zoo in the city
The St. Louis Zoo, located on Government Drive, includes an area of roughly 37ha in Forest Park, which was named the most beautiful city park in the United States by the USA Today newspaper. St. Louis is also regarded as one of the most appealing free attractions in America, owing to the zoo’s collection of over 15.000 unique animal species.
![st-louis-zoo-animals missouri (1) Photo by: a day in st. louis blog.](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/st-louis-zoo-animals-missouri-5.jpg)
It will take you about a day to go across the six regions that have been emphasized with six distinct colors and themes. Some even suggested that this is a wonderful time for you to get some free exercise under the cool trees while still relishing in the sound of singing birds and other lovely animals that you may have only seen in your school textbooks or on TV shows.
![st-louis-zoo-animals missouri (3) Image by: one day in St. Louis blog.](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/st-louis-zoo-animals-missouri-3.jpg)
With 4.7/5 ratings from over 62.000 votes on Google, TripAdvisor, and Facebook, it’s clear to see why so many travelers make this their first stop. I’m no exception. I arrived at the zoo at 8 a.m. and sought for free parking near the entrance because some events are free from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. If you come here, you should carry a large bottle of water because a little bottle of water in the zoo costs $3.5.
![st-louis-zoo-animals missouri (2)](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/st-louis-zoo-animals-missouri-2-2.jpg)
![Sea lion plays with visitors at St. Louis Zoo](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/st-louis-zoo-animals-missouri.jpg)
Free entrance at museums!
![Saint Louis Art Museum](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/200089-St-Louis-Art-Museum.jpg)
Most of museums around the city offer a free entrance for every guest. While the Saint Louis Art Museum is a favorite destination for those who love paintings, the Missouri History Museum, home to many ancient objects, is fantastic for sculpture lovers. If you are interested in different models of motorbikes, you can enjoy your time at the Motor Museum at Olive street.
![Saint Louis Art Museum](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/199636-Saint-Louis.jpg)
![Missouri History Museum](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Missouri-History-Museum-1.jpg)
![Missouri History Museum which includes aircraft and interior views](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/28892-Missouri-History-Museum.jpg)
![The Motor Museum](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/moto-museum-stlouis-DKW-motorcycle.jpg)
Located in a park, Saint Louis Science Center provides over 700 scientific experiences free for every age, especially teenagers. Do not forget to drop by the one-of-a-kind Grow exhibition detailing the journey of our food from farm to fork. Once again, if you visit these attractions by car, you will have to pay an extra $10-$15/day for parking. In order to save money, you can buy a bus or trolley ticket to travel among the sights.
![Saint Louis Science Center (1)](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Saint-Louis-Science-Center-1.jpg)
![A camel made out of toys at Saint Louis Science Center.](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Saint-Louis-Science-Center-3.jpg)
City of green parks
![Washington Park, St. Louis](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Washington_Park_St._Louis.jpg)
Walking in green parks around St. Louis would be a fabulous choice for you to start your day or at late afternoon. At Laumeier Sculpture Park, spreading over 1.4 miles, visitors are be able to breathe fresh air while enjoying over 80 contemporary sculptures shown outdoor.
![Laumeier Sculpture Park featuring a park, fall colors and landscape views](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/28861-Laumeier-Sculpture-Park.jpg)
Lone Elk park with its World Bird Sanctuary is also a must-visit place to see hawks, eagles, falcons, owls and other bird species. If you go with your children, you can bring them to City Garden Park to play with water sprayed up from the ground and colorful sparkling lights. While your children are having fun, you can relax on a chair by the lake to watch water music and fire breathing performances every evening from 7:00p.m to 11:00p.m at Union Station, the largest station of America at Market street.
![lone-elk-park-8](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/lone-elk-park-8.jpg)
![Lone Elk park (1)](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Lone-Elk-park-1.jpg)
![Not who I want to see digging through my trash, but so cute!](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Lone-Elk-park-2.jpg)
Farming in the modern city
![Grant's Farm](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Grants-Farm-st-louis-2.jpg)
After a day in the zoo, if you still desire to see animals, visit Grant’s Farm built in 1955 with hundreds of wild animals and Clydesdale horses, the biggest and strongest horse species in the world that are used to market Budweiser beer in the USA. A free tram will take you to the middle of the 88ha park to start your journey of discovery. You can choose to enjoy a free elephant show at 11:15a.m, 12:45p.m or 2:15p.m. There are also 5 different performances of tamers and other animals during the day. If you would like to have more fun, you can pay from 50 cents to $2 to buy foods for camel, zebras and parakeets or a bottle of milk for goats.
![Grants-Farm st louis (1)](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Grants-Farm-st-louis-1.jpg)
![Clydsdale stallion running in early morning on Grant's Farm, St. Louis, Missouri](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Grants-Farm-st-louis-5.jpg)
About 30 minutes from the city center by car, Purina farm is ideal for children. Here, your kids can learn about the life of animals, milk the cow, ride a wagon and feed animals. At the arena of dogs, you will be amazed at professional skills of these animals.
![Hang out with farm animals at Purina Farms.](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/purina-farm.jpg)
Spectacular ancient architectural structures
![Cupples House](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Cupples-House.jpg)
St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, a Roman holy site built over a century ago, allures international guests with its original and skillful sculptures on every wall and ceiling. Located conveniently on Lindell boulevard, not far from Saint Louis site and Forest Park, this destination has been attracting numerous visitors to St. Louis for a long time indeed. You should be next visitor!
![St. Louis Cathedral Basilica](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/st-louis-mo-engagement-pictures.jpg)
![Jewel Box in Forest Park in St. Louis](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Jewel-Box-in-Forest-Park-in-St.-Louis.jpg)
![Forest Park in St. Louis](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Forest-Park-in-St.-Louis.jpg)
The Old Courthouse is a huge arch building constructed in the middle of 1800s and is an expanse of the Jefferson Memorial Park. The building showcases historical objects of the city and is where visitors can begin their trip up Gateway Arch, which is overlooking to the city. If you would like to climb up to the top to view the city, you will have to pay $13 for adults and $10 for children. Standing under the site of the world’s highest stainless steel structure (200m high), you can view the romantic Mississippi river separating Illinois and Missouri into two different regions.
![Runner Fountain and Old Courthouse and Arch](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/old-court-house.jpg)
![Gateway-Arch-St-Louis](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/Gateway-Arch-St-Louis.jpg)
![Workers prepare to take stain samples on Gateway Arch](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/gateway-arch-2.jpg)
![Picture: st. louis travel blog.](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/stl-arch-st-louis-gateway-arch.jpg)
![Gateway of Arch](https://livingnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/15/gateway-arch-at-night.jpg)
An experience-rich journey at this free city drew me out of the pressure of daily life and brought me new energy when I got back to work. Of course, I will save more money to return to this destination to enjoy “charged” activities! For this time, thanks St. Louis!