Itinerary Help

Question

I am planning a trip to St. Louis and need help deciding how many days to stay. We will be arriving early on a Monday morning and leaving either Thursday or Friday evening. We are driving in from Indianapolis and staying at the Drury inn Fairview Heights. These are the places we are hoping to visit if time allows.

-The Arch

-City Garden

-Aquariun (and other Union Station Activities)

-City Museum

-Zoo

-Science Center

-Botanical Gardens

-Butterfly House

Can anyone help with an itinerary?

Answer

With your arrival on Monday morning and departure Thursday or Friday evening, you have between 3.5 to 4.5 days to explore St. Louis. Staying at the Drury Inn in Fairview Heights gives you easy highway access while being close enough to downtown attractions. Here’s a suggested itinerary that balances your list of sights with realistic pacing.

Day 1 – Monday: Arrival and Downtown Exploration

Arrive in the morning and check in (or drop off luggage) at your hotel.
Head to the Gateway Arch and take the tram to the top for iconic city views.
Walk around Citygarden, a short distance from the Arch, to enjoy outdoor sculptures and interactive spaces.
Lunch or early dinner in downtown or Laclede’s Landing.
If energy allows, explore Union Station with its aquarium and any other attractions of interest.

Day 2 – Tuesday: City Museum and Science Center

Spend the morning at the City Museum, which is very hands-on and can take several hours to explore.
Lunch nearby or in Forest Park.
Afternoon at the St. Louis Science Center in Forest Park. Some exhibits are kid-friendly, but adults also enjoy the space and technology displays.
Dinner in the Central West End or nearby neighborhoods for convenience.

Day 3 – Wednesday: Zoo, Botanical Gardens, and Butterfly House

Morning at the St. Louis Zoo (free entry, though some attractions may have a fee). Spend 2–3 hours exploring the exhibits.
Lunch nearby, then visit the Missouri Botanical Garden, which is a relaxing experience and enjoyable for adults.
Next, walk or drive to the Butterfly House (part of the Botanical Garden complex) to see the butterflies up close.
Evening at leisure—perhaps dinner in a nearby suburb or in downtown St. Louis if you want to revisit that area.

Day 4 – Thursday (Optional): Extra time or departure

If your flight or drive leaves in the evening, you could use the morning for any missed attractions or a relaxed walk in Forest Park.
Alternatively, revisit favorite spots or explore local shops and neighborhoods like the Delmar Loop.

Tips for pacing:

Grouping attractions geographically reduces travel time—Forest Park has the Zoo, Science Center, and Botanical Gardens relatively close together.
City Museum deserves at least half a day due to its large, interactive layout.
The Arch and downtown sites can be done in half a day if you start early.
Butterfly House is best paired with the Botanical Gardens for convenience.

With this itinerary, 4 days is ideal to see everything without feeling rushed. If you only have 3 days, you might need to skip or shorten one of the attractions, such as the Science Center or Union Station, depending on your priorities.

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