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St Louis is lucky enough to have two National Parks within their boundaries, along with many other great places to visit close by. Because the St Louis National Parks are within a metropolitan area, you’re never far away from places to explore.
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Gateway Arch National Park
Perhaps the most notable St Louis National Park is the Gateway Arch National Park. Up until 2017, this park was known as Jefferson Expansion National Monument, but was renamed to Gateway Arch National Park after earning it’s National Park status.
The Arch grounds underwent huge renovations over the past five years that leave locals in awe of what it has become. If you have been to the Arch before but haven’t visited in a while, it’s time to return to this magnificent structure and see how far it has come.
The Old Courthouse
The Gateway Arch National Park has beautiful park grounds that connect it to the Old Court House, which is also a part of this National Park. It is best to start your visit at the Old Courthouse, which is where the Park Rangers are most prominently stationed to answer questions about the park. It is also home to a museum of the history of the building, most notably of the Dred Scott case that originated at the Old Courthouse, where a slave sued his owner for his freedom.
The building itself is worth the stop. It is beautifully constructed and pieced together over multiple expansions. And, if you stand directly under the rotunda, you can whisper into the dome and hear yourself loud and clear. Take some time to explore this part of the park before continuing on to the Arch Grounds.
The inside of the Old Courthouse is currently closed, please check their website for the most up to date information on their reopening plan.
The National Park Grounds
At one point, the Old Court House and the Arch were divided by an Interstate! It will be hard to believe after you see what it looks like today. But, at one point, all that connected the two was a small pedestrian bridge over top eight lanes of traffic. Today, the entire interstate passes under green grass, walking paths, and tall trees. Hints of the traffic below are nowhere to be found.
You can walk the grounds as far North as Laclede’s Landing (although I wouldn’t recommend doing so after dark) and as far east as the Mississippi River. There are plenty of carriage rides and bike tours around this park. My favorite tour that you can take is the Riverboat Tours! Hop aboard a steam boat that will chug up and down the Mississippi for some great skyline views. Check their schedule and find a ride that interests you. They offer sunset tours, dinner tours, and are more than happy to host private events.
The Gateway Arch Museum
Once you enter the doors under the Arch, you are greeted by our completely renovated Arch Museum. Pass through security on the right, and descend into the belly of the museum. Each section of the museum is organized by era, telling a full story of the region’s history, from the first settlers all the way to today.
At the very back of the museum is where you’ll find the entrance into the elevator pods that will take you up to the top of the Arch. There is no time limit on how long you can stay inside the Arch, but please be considerate of other visitors and share the windows so everyone can see the view!
Learn more about Gateway Arch National Park
If you want to know even more about visiting Gateway Arch National Park, I’ve created a whole guide full of more information about everything you need to know before visiting! You can jump over to that guide below!
Things to do Near the Gateway Arch
Fortunately, the Arch is in the middle of all things downtown St Louis, and there is plenty to visit nearby.
Places to Eat Near the Gateway Arch
- Sugarfire Smokehouse (St Louis Style Barbecue)
- Sauce on the Side (Calzones)
- Sliced Pint (Pizza, and a great place to try Toasted Raviolis)
Where to Grab a Drink Near the Gateway Arch
Things to do Near the Gateway Arch
- Explore the City Museum
- Catch a game at Busch Stadium
- Visit the National Blues Museum
Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
On the opposite side of town, you’ll find the second of the National Parks in St Louis, the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. This small historic site shares information about our 18th President and his connections to St Louis. You can take the completely free tour of the home or visit the museum while you’re here. The museum is housed in a barn that Grant himself wrote the plans for while he was serving as President.
One thing this park does very well is that it gives a lot of focus to Grant’s wife, Julia Dent. The home originally belonged to the Dent family and it was where Grant and Julia first met. They had lived there with the in-laws for a short period of time, and Grant eventually went on to buy this home just before becoming President in hopes of returning to it after his presidency.
The tour is different every time you visit because each Park Ranger writes their own narratives of the house themselves. So one Ranger could give a tour that focuses on Grant’s time at Jefferson Barracks, about ten miles south of this home. Another Ranger could focus on the views on slavery during this time. This is a divide that was strongly felt between Grant and his father-in-law, Fred Dent. A third Ranger could focus on the love story between Grant and Julia.
Learn more about Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site
To learn more about visiting the Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site, head over to my more in-depth post that will be your complete guide to visiting the park and its surrounding area. Click the photo below to check it out!
Things to do Near the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
The Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site is further on the outskirts of the city, so you will need to drive to nearby places. Here are some things to see and do nearby.
Places to Eat Near the U.S. Grant National Historic Site
- Dewey’s Pizza (Webster Groves or Kirkwood)
- Billy G’s (Kirkwood)
- Balkan Treat Box (Webster Groves)
Where to Grab a Drink Near the U.S. Grant National Historic Site
- Helen Fitzgerald’s Irish Grill & Pub (Crestwood)
- Frisco Barroom (Webster Groves)
- Olive & Oak (Webster Groves)
Things to do Near the U.S. Grant National Historic Site
Cahokia Mounds
This Historic Site is currently petitioning Congress to be designated a National Park. These large Mounds were built by the Mississippian people that once called this area home. Their Mounds used to be all over St Louis, but many of them had been destroyed. This park is found just over the Mississippi River into Illinois.
Once you arrive, stop by the gift shop and borrow one of their Audio Tours devices. (With new restrictions, they are not offering Audio Tours. Instead, they now have a text version of this tour. You can grab a printed copy at the gift shop.) It is hard to know what you’re looking at while you’re out, but the audio tour makes it much more clear. This is a great place to get out for a hike. Once you make it to the top of the largest mound, you’ve got a great view of St Louis.
Things to do Nearby
While the Cahokia Mounds Park is beautiful and safe, some areas immediately surrounding it are not the best place for visitors. I would recommend exploring a few of these favorite stops on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River a bit further away.
Places to Eat Near Cahokia Mounds
- Old Bakery Beer Co (Alton, IL)
- Recess Brewing Co (Edwardsville, IL)
Where to Grab a Drink Near Cahokia Mounds
- Aerie’s Winery (Grafton, IL)
- Old Herald Brewery (Collinsville, IL)
- Goshen Coffee Co (Edwardsville, IL)
Other Missouri National Parks
While the Gateway Arch National Park is the only park that is a part of the “big 61” in Missouri, there are four other parks in Missouri that are a part of the National Park System.
- George Washington Carver National Monument (Southwest Missouri)
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Southeast Missouri)
- Harry S. Truman National Historic Site (Near Kansas City)
- Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (Southwest Missouri)
Visiting National Parks doesn’t have to be limited to a far-off vacation. There are tons of National parks hiding right in your back yard. Take a moment to play tourist in your home town (or mine!) and explore the National Parks in St Louis.
More Places to Visit in St Louis
If you’re looking for even more places to explore, check out my other St Louis guides.
- Your Ultimate Guide to Gateway Arch National Park
- 60+ Unforgettably Fun St Louis Date Ideas
- A Beer Lover’s Guide to a Weekend in St Louis
- How to Have the Best 48 Hours in St Louis
- 21 Free things for Adults to do in St Louis
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