St. Louis can be enjoyed in any season, but what you can do changes with the calendar, and a few of the most popular attractions open only for part of the year. This guide sets out the seasons plainly, says what is open when, and lists the weekly closing days that catch visitors out, so you can choose your dates with confidence.
Spring (March to May): the easiest time
Spring is mild and green, and it is when the city's outdoor attractions come back. Grant's Farm begins general admission in mid-March, the Missouri Botanical Garden and Laumeier Sculpture Park are at their best, and Forest Park is lively. The Arch riverboats run from March. Showers are common, so keep a rainy-day plan such as the Art Museum, the Science Center or City Museum. Spring is also a good time for the Butterfly House, Faust Park and a walk along the riverfront, and the Chain of Rocks Bridge is pleasant before the summer heat arrives.
Summer (June to August): outdoor fun, indoor refuge
Summers are hot and humid, so plan outdoor sights for the morning or evening and use the afternoon for air-conditioned museums. Citygarden's spray plaza runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the St. Louis Wheel and Union Station's outdoor activities are busy, and the Cardinals play at Busch Stadium, which makes the ballpark district lively. The miniature train at the National Museum of Transportation runs from roughly April to October. Hotel prices are higher on Cardinals weekends and during conventions.
Autumn (September to early November): often the best
Autumn brings comfortable temperatures and good light, which makes it ideal for walking Forest Park, climbing Monks Mound at Cahokia Mounds and crossing the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Grant's Farm closes general admission after the first weekend of November, and seasonal events run on select dates. The Arch riverboats run through November. Halloween brings ghost tours, including the Lemp haunted neighborhood walking tour,. Pack layers, since temperatures can swing.
Winter (December to February): quiet and cheap
Winter is cold, with occasional snow, but it is the best time for indoor attractions, shorter queues and lower hotel rates. The Saint Louis Zoo keeps shorter hours, with some seasonal exhibits closed. The Butterfly House is a warm escape, though it closes for a few weeks in January for maintenance. Forest Park's Steinberg Rink runs in winter, and the Missouri Botanical Garden's Climatron is warm. The National Blues Museum has a thinner schedule in January and February, with Friday to Sunday opening only. Check the Arch's holiday closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Weekly closing days to remember
Many St. Louis attractions close on Mondays or Tuesdays, and visitors often arrive on the wrong day. The Saint Louis Art Museum is closed Mondays. The Saint Louis Science Center is closed Tuesdays. City Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The Magic House is closed Mondays. The Pulitzer Arts Foundation is open Thursday to Sunday only. The Contemporary Art Museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. The National Blues Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from March to December. Soulard Farmers Market is closed Monday and Tuesday, with Saturday the main day. Build your itinerary so that Monday and Tuesday are spent on the Arch, Forest Park's outdoor spaces, Citygarden and other sights that stay open.
Our recommendation
If you can choose, visit in late April to May or in September and October. These months combine comfortable temperatures with everything open, including Grant's Farm, the Arch riverboats and the Botanical Garden. If you want the lowest prices and the quietest museums, visit in winter, accept the cold and plan around the closures. If you love baseball, plan a summer weekend, and book early. Wherever you stay, check each attraction's hours on the day you plan to go, since seasonal schedules can change. Whatever the season, pack for swings in weather: a light rain jacket in spring, sun protection and water in summer, layers in autumn and a proper coat, hat and gloves in winter. Remember also that holiday weekends and big events such as home games and conventions raise hotel prices and fill the most popular timed tickets, so book the Arch tram and any tours early for those dates.
