St. Louis simply oozes classic Americana. Legend has it hot dogs, hamburgers and the ice cream cone were introduced here during the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The city is the "Gateway to the West." It's home to Anheuser-Busch, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Gateway Arch. The world's first skyscraper, the Wainwright Building, was built in St. Louis.
A city so steeped in American history and culture is, naturally, an excellent vacation destination for families. Kids and adults alike will love sipping root beer floats at a vintage drive-in, getting their photo snapped with a real Clydesdale and peering at artifacts from Lewis and Clark's famous 19th-century expedition. A visit to the Gateway Arch is essential -- pictures do the astonishingly colossal monument no justice.
Best of all, seeing the city on a budget is as easy as apple pie, even with the whole family in tow. St. Louis has the most free attractions of any American city besides Washington D.C. The St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Science Center and more -- they're all free!
St. Louis Family Vacations
St. Louis Family Vacations

Families will love:
- The birthplace of hot dogs, hamburgers and the ice cream cone
- A city seeped in history, monuments and museums
- The most free attractions outside of Washington, D.C.
Written by Caroline Costello
Read more about St. Louis Attractions
Latest St. Louis Trip Report
wonderdog45 - 2011-04-07
Last summer our family stayed in the St. Louis area. We chose a Holiday Inn as we are club members. We stayed just outside of downtown in a ...
Read more St. Louis Trip Reports
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