A big thanks to Bi-State Development and Explore St. Louis for sponsoring this trip. All suggestions and opinions are 100% my own.
Ready for another adventurous day in St. Louis?
Hopefully, you’ve planned your trip to the Arch and a fun day of Blues and BBQ in St. Louis. Don’t let your adventures end there, spend another day in the city exploring St. Louis’s newest attraction along with one of the most unusual.
Personally I love a beautiful old train station, but unfortunately in many cities, as train travel has dramatically decreased, the old stations start to deteriorate from lack of interest and use. Instead of letting this happen to Union Station in St. Louis, the city has decided to completely revitalize the entire area with a new 100,00+ square foot aquarium and several other fun activities. Once completed, visitors will easily be able to spend a day enjoying it all.
The aquarium is set to open later this year (2019) and I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the construction. With multiple touch tanks (stingrays!), and 43 other exhibits including otters and a super cool shark tank, this aquarium will be entertaining for visitors of all ages. After talking to the folks immersed in creating this new experience, I learned a few things that will set the St. Louis aquarium apart from aquariums of similar size.
First, the aquarium is housed inside a historic building – tell me that wasn’t a challenge? So it’s automatically going to have a very different vibe than a standard aquarium. Secondly, the focus is on customer experience – there will be plenty of interactive displays, and twice as many as normal very knowledgeable staff members and unique creatures. In fact, the plan is to have a wider variety of unique sea life than you would see at a typical aquarium. Finally, in addition to a fantastic time at the aquarium, you’ll have the opportunity to check out a variety of other fun things to do.
Outside the aquarium underneath the old train shed (the largest one in the US), will be a mini-golf course, mirror maze, carousel, and a few train cars converted into food and drink carts (think a next level food truck). There are also plans to build a 200-foot Observation Wheel which will offer amazing views of St. Louis.
Looking for a great place to eat? You won’t have to go far. There will be two restaurants located right on site. Soda Fountain will be a casual but creative hamburger joint (with ice cream sundaes and boozy shakes) and The Train Shed for innovative dining and cocktails. Cap off your Union Station adventure with the Fire and Light Show – a light and water show set to music on the outside lake.
From the proposed designs and pictures I saw this is going to be a super cool experience. I can’t wait to get back and check it out myself once it opens!
Insider tip: While waiting for the updates to be completed, you can still walk into the Grand Hall and enjoy the amazingly beautiful design. It is really over the top and something unique that you can experience now is the nightly free Grand Hall light show. There are 18 different light shows available inside the station every night starting at 5:00. I checked out the Queen show and if you love music by Queen, then you’ll love this. Grab a drink at the lovely bar in the lobby and sit down on a comfy couch to enjoy it.
The other place you absolutely can’t miss when visiting St. Louis is the City Museum. Talk about an adventure. I have been a few times and can confidently state I have never experienced anything like it anywhere else.
The City Museum is housed in an old shoe factory and instead of demolishing it and creating your typical exhibits, the museum built itself around what remained. Imagine an indoor playground gone wild. There are multiple floors of unusual, interesting areas found in this museum. Both inside and out. You really have to explore it for yourself to understand it, but a few examples …
A bus on the roof. An airplane connected to the building outside with a variety of tunnels and slides. A 10-story slide from the top of the building to the bottom. Crazy chairs to “rock” in, indoor ramps to run up and slide down. Rope swings. An indoor cave. I could go on and on, but from these few examples, I’m sure you can see why this place is so unique.
The creation of Bob and Gail Cassilly, local artists, the museum appears to be a junk yard turned into a child’s fantasy. Everywhere you look you’ll find unusual details and objects created out of junk or everyday items. Crazy is really the only way to describe it.
Insider tip: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing when you visit and be willing to really play with your kids at City Museum. You’ll enjoy it so much more and create a truly memorable experience for your family. If your children are small, be prepared – there are many entrances and exits and it can be very hard and stressful to keep track of them.
Thanks for coming along on my recent St. Louis trip – I hope you’ve found some inspiration to plan a trip of your own to this fantastic city. What I love about St. Louis is that there is so much to do – these posts haven’t even begun to highlight all the interesting ways to spend your vacation. However, it’s a good place to start!
Additional St. Louis posts:
Union Station, 1820 Market Street, (314) 621-5262
St. Louis Aquarium, 201 S. 18th Street, (314) 923-3900
The City Museum, 750 N. 16th Street, (314) 231-2489
Pin for help planning your next St. Louis trip: 
I’ve driven by the arch but have never actually stopped. Your article makes me want to go back and stay awhile!
Shirley, you definitely should – you’d love it!
There are so many great places to visit and it’s only 1 1/2 hours from me! I need to get up there. Thank you for sharing
Oh my yes, if you are only an hour and a half away you need to plan a trip NOW! Such a fun city.
Looks like there was a lot to do in St. Louis. How fun!
Yes, it is amazing how much there is to do there! You could easily spend a week.
Love that they revitalized Union Station…such a beautiful place. Will have to return to check out all the new experiences
I really loved that too – these old historic buildings are so beautiful and I hate to see them disappearing.
My daughter visited the City Museum and LOVED it! She wants to go back again, and this time I will go with her!
You definitely should – and the more you play there with her, the more you will love it!
Love it! All of these amazing things could be enjoyed by my kids. Can’t wait to check out the Aquarium. Looks like it will be a good one!
Yes, St. Louis is a great family trip. It’s fun for adults too, but I think the many museums and sites really shine for families.
I think the Union Station renovation is just fascinating! Will you do a follow up post when it’s finished?
If I can get back there, absolutely!
The aquarium looks like it’ll be an exciting attraction for St Louis! Great tips to know that to expect
Thanks! I’m looking forward to going back to check it out with the family once it’s open.
You definitely have turned me on to St. Louis! I had no idea what a great place it is!
Yes, it’s one of our favorites to visit – easy driving distance and so much to do for any age.
Who knew there was so much to do here. This is why I love all the blogs. I find out so much about the world around me. I am thinking of traveling to places I have never thought of before. Great post.
Thanks! I hope you get the chance to visit sometime – St. Louis is a fantastic city.
How cool is it that you got into the aquarium construction site?! My son would have LOVED that. Looks like you had an amazing time, thanks for sharing.
Yes, it was very cool. I always love the behind the scenes tours and this one was very interesting.
There are so many great things to do there! I would love to visit someday.
Definitely, a city to add to your list.
Looks like a fun city!! Can’t wait to see how the aquarium turns out!!
I can’t wait to see it either!
We would enjoy the museum. I appreciate the insider tips! Thanks.
Good! Glad they are helpful.
I haven’t yet visited the Arch. I need to.
Yes, it is definitely something to check out.
I want to go back with my husband to experience the City Museum with him (= I’ll have to remember these other places to check out, as well!
Definitely! The City Museum is such an interesting place! And there is so much in St. Louis to keep you busy there for a fun long weekend.
Just got back from a 3 day work trip! Got to see the Arch but now I want to go back to see the other places you mention!
The Arch is super cool, isn’t it? There is just so much to do in St. Louis, I’m ready to go back myself!