The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station is the city's big indoor wildlife attraction, and it sits in one of its most photogenic buildings: the old Union Station railway terminal at 201 South 18th Street, a short walk west of City Museum. Instead of a purpose-built box, the aquarium has been fitted into the historic station, so a visit mixes the drama of the restored architecture with the glow of tanks and the hush of galleries. The attraction is organised as a series of galleries, six in all, and the centerpiece is a shark tank of roughly 250,000 gallons that holds sharks you can watch swimming overhead as well as alongside you. Elsewhere you will meet animals such as zebra sharks, jellyfish, river otters and alligator snapping turtles, and the whole place leans toward hands-on moments: the guiding idea at the aquarium is that you are encouraged to touch and interact where it is safe to do so, rather than just look through glass. Daily programming includes diver talks at the shark tank and otter feeding times, which give a structure to a morning and are worth planning around. It is an all-ages attraction, so it suits toddlers as well as older children and curious adults, and because it is indoors it is one of the best rainy-day or hot-afternoon answers in the city. Tickets are timed, which keeps the galleries from feeling packed, and mornings and early-week days are usually the calmest. For a family trip it pairs naturally with the rest of the Union Station complex, which also holds the St. Louis Wheel and a handful of other activities.
How to visit
The aquarium is in Union Station on Market Street in Downtown West, about a fifteen-minute walk from the Gateway Arch grounds and a short walk from City Museum, so it fits easily into a downtown day on foot. The venue's own site sells timed tickets and shows current hours, which can change with the season, so check it before you go and book ahead for weekends, school holidays and wet-weather days when everyone has the same idea. A visit typically takes one and a half to three hours depending on how long you linger at the touch areas and the shark tank, and an optional behind-the-scenes tour is available for those who want a closer look at how the animals are cared for.
What to expect
You enter through the grand station and move gallery by gallery, with the shark tank as the anchor. Watch the schedule for the daily diver question-and-answer session at the shark tank and the otter feeding times, because those are the moments when a crowd gathers and a child can ask a real question. Expect low light, a lot of glass, some noise from school groups on weekday mornings and a fair amount of walking and standing.
The attraction is built to be interactive, so allow time for the touch experiences rather than rushing to the exit. Strollers are practical but the galleries can be tight at busy times, so a carrier is handy for babies.
Making the most of it
Go as early as the timed slots allow, or on a Monday to Wednesday, and treat the aquarium as the first half of a Union Station day. Afterwards you can ride the St. Louis Wheel for views over the rooftops, let children loose on the carousel or mini golf, or simply walk the Grand Hall.
Eat before or after rather than during, since there are many places to eat in the complex and outside it. If you are comparing paid attractions, this is the best fit for families with younger children, while older teenagers and adults often prefer City Museum or the Museum of Illusions. Prices change, so rely on the booking page for the current figure.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided, timed-ticket aquarium in six galleries inside the historic Union Station, centered on a 250,000-gallon shark tank.
Best time
Mornings and Monday to Wednesday are usually quieter; it is indoors, so it works well on rainy or very hot days.
How long
One and a half to three hours, longer with a behind-the-scenes tour.
Tips
Book a timed ticket ahead for weekends and holidays, plan around the diver talk and otter feeding, and check the venue's site for current hours and prices.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with young children, animal lovers and anyone who wants a wet-weather plan.
- Families
- All ages are welcome and there are touch experiences; a carrier is easier than a stroller in busy galleries.
- Couples
- Fine as a light-hearted afternoon, best paired with a ride on the St. Louis Wheel.
- Pair with
- The St. Louis Wheel and the rest of Union Station, or City Museum a short walk away.
- Time needed
- Allow one and a half to three hours.
Good questions
Where is the St. Louis Aquarium?+
It is inside Union Station at 201 South 18th Street in Downtown West, a short walk from City Museum.
What is the main exhibit?+
A shark tank of about 250,000 gallons is the centerpiece of the six galleries, alongside animals such as zebra sharks, otters, jellyfish and alligator snapping turtles.
Do I need to book ahead?+
Tickets are timed, so booking ahead is sensible, especially for weekends and school holidays. Check the aquarium's own site for current hours and prices.
Is it good for toddlers?+
Yes. It is an all-ages attraction with hands-on moments, though the galleries are dim and can be busy at peak times.
How long does a visit take?+
Most visitors spend between one and a half and three hours, depending on how long they stay at the touch areas and the shark tank.
