A Toddler-Friendly St. Louis Adventure in One Day

Welcome to a tailored adventure in St. Louis, Missouri, designed to make every moment memorable for both you and your toddler. This one-day itinerary will highlight all of the places we love to visit in St. Louis and is perfect for your first trip to the city. While these locations were perfect for our trip, please keep your little one in mind when finalizing your itinerary. We always enjoy going from one activity to another, and Poppy is terrific at naps on-the-go, so we don’t have to set aside a dedicated nap time (although we do generally try to). Here’s our guide to a toddler-friendly St. Louis adventure in one day.

Morning: The Gateway Arch

Kick off your day with a visit to the iconic Gateway Arch, a symbol of American history and westward expansion. Opening daily at 9:00am, try your best to arrive at open in order to avoid the crowds. Spend some time above ground taking pictures, head into the underground Visitor Center, and then spend some time exploring the exhibits at the Museum. They are super informative and are large and interactive enough to keep your little one entertained as well. You can opt to take a tram ride up to the top or to watch a movie in one of the theaters. Due to Poppy’s age, we chose not to do either one of these add-ons. We did choose to bundle our tickets with a Riverboat Cruise, which we hurried off to next. If you’d like to get a cheaper rate by bundling your tickets as well, click here.

Late Morning: Setting Sail on a Riverboat Cruise

Next, head down the grand staircase and towards the riverfront for a riverboat cruise. We chose to snag the earliest departure, which was 10:30am; however, you can choose from various departure times. The riverboat we boarded has several levels, including inside seating options. We chose to sit outside where we could catch a breeze as we sailed. This hour long, round trip voyage presented us with a unique way to see the city while listening to various facts. Your little one is sure to be as obsessed with the boat and the water as Poppy was.

Afternoon: Historic Exploration at the Old Courthouse

The riverboat cruise lets you back off where you embarked, at the bottom of the grand staircase. Once here, you’ll walk up the stairs, under the Gateway Arch, and through Luther Ely Smith Square to the Old Courthouse. This captivating landmark holds stories of trials, struggles, and history-making moments, like the famous Dred Scott case. While the historical significance may be lost on your toddler, the grand architecture and spacious courtyard will give them the perfect chance to let some of their energy out and explore.

Mid-Afternoon: Unveiling Artistic Wonders at Citygarden

After you head out of the Old Courthouse, continue into downtown and you’ll walk directly in to Citygarden. This urban oasis offers a playful blend of contemporary art and greenery, engaging your toddler’s curiosity and imagination. Let your little one touch, observe, and interact with the sculptures, creating a sensory experience that sparks joy. They’ll get to walk across a pond with a waterfall and are even able to climb on some of the sculptures. The interactive nature of the park provides ample opportunities for play and exploration. It’s also the perfect place to visit to wear your kiddo out for an afternoon nap.

Late Afternoon: Discovering Tranquility at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

As the day winds down, head to The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a spiritual masterpiece boasting breathtaking mosaics that captivate young and old alike. Make sure you grab a brochure when you enter so you can read more about the breathtaking mosaics. The basilica is so peaceful and creates the perfect location for your little one to nap while you further explore the art and architecture (and try to figure out how the amazing artists managed to create such masterpieces using 41,500,000 mosaic pieces).

Evening: Take the time to head to your next location or further explore the city

Evening is the perfect time to spend a few hours on the road heading to your next destination. If you’d like to see a bit more of the city, I’d recommend exploring locations like Turtle Park and City Museum. These are both fun locations for your little one to play out some energy before bedtime.

In Conclusion

Exploring St. Louis, Missouri with your toddler is an enriching experience that blends history, art, and play. By crafting an itinerary that highlights iconic landmarks like the Gateway Arch, Riverboat cruises, historic treasures, interactive art, and spiritual beauty, you’re sure to have a day filled with wonder.

If you’d like a pdf copy of our itinerary, complete with location addresses for easy navigation, please let us know in the comments.

Want to find out more about our trip to St. Louis, Missouri? Check out this post for specifics.