First stop on our 16-day Road trip adventure: St. Louis, Missouri.

This city did not disappoint. From epic playgrounds and river views to a ballgame under the lights, it was the perfect kickoff to our trip.

Here’s how we packed in a ton of fun in 48 hours.

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Day 1: Arriving in St. Louis

After a long drive up from south Louisiana (about 10 hours with stops), we finally checked into the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch. I can’t recommend this place enough. From our room, we had a perfect view of Busch Stadium—like a little reward for surviving an entire day of “Are we there yet?” on repeat. We unloaded the car, grabbed an easy dinner downstairs at the Brewhouse, and called it an early night.

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Day 2: Let’s explore!

First up the next morning was the Gateway Arch. The kids were so excited to see it in person. We booked our tram tickets online ahead of time (highly recommend doing this), and the little pod you ride up in is basically a cross between a spaceship and an enclosed Ferris wheel. It’s tiny, a little creaky, and the kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Don’t forget to get your National Park Passport book stamped!

What We Loved:

The museum downstairs is free and has tons of interactive exhibits.

The views from the top are incredible—totally worth it!

The grassy park around the Arch is the perfect place for kids to run wild after enjoying the museum and ride to the top.

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City Museum: A Playground Like No Other

Next, we drove about 7 minutes to the City Museum—and it’s safe to say this is one of the coolest, most chaotic places we’ve ever visited.

Imagine a 10-story warehouse filled with slides, tunnels, climbing structures, and repurposed art installations.

What to Know:

• Admission starts at $20 per person (worth every penny).
• Bring knee pads if you have littles who like crawling. The metal structures can be rough on skin.
• Adults should be prepared to climb and crawl, too!

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A Night at Busch Stadium

We capped off our day with a St. Louis Cardinals game—another bucket list moment. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, the atmosphere at Busch Stadium is electric, and there are plenty of kid-friendly concessions.

Highlights:

• Watching the sunset over the Arch in the distance.
• Letting the kids pick out souvenirs in the team shop.
• Enjoying classic stadium treats (and yes, everything tastes better at a ballgame).

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Where We Stayed

Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch

• Clean, spacious rooms
• Walkable to the Arch and riverfront
• Valet and self-parking available
• On-site restaurants for convenience

This hotel made our stay so much easier, especially after a long day of sightseeing.

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Final Tips for Visiting St. Louis With Kids

• Book tickets online for major attractions to save time.
• Plan downtime. After the City Museum, everyone needed a snack and a breather.

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Why St. Louis Won Us Over

Two days in St. Louis flew by, but they were packed with laughter, discovery, and those little moments you look back on and smile. If your family loves hands-on museums, iconic landmarks, and a bit of sports excitement, this city delivers.

Have you been to St. Louis with your kids? Share your favorite spots in the comments below—I’m always collecting ideas for our next visit!

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Ready for more road trip inspiration? Stay tuned for our next post: 48 hours in Chicago with Kids: Big City Fun