3 night itinerary advice

Hi,

Coming into town end of the month to see the TX Rangers play, will most likely go to all three games of the series. Staying at the Magnolia Hotel downtown, no rental car. Husband and wife, 30s.

Here’s the plans I have so far;

Sun: land 1pm. Public hotel from airport to hotel. Arch, Live music for the evening

Mon: cathedral ? - not sure if visiting the cathedral is easily obtainable using public transport or would be easier just to skip and head straight to art museum - museum and zoo, Baseball 6:45

Tues: botanic gardens, Busch brewery, baseball 6:45 - this would be a rideshare day.

Wed: arch? , baseball 1:15, airport 7:30pm. depart 9pm - maybe do the arch this day, rather than try to rush it on first day as not sure what best time to book it in for, also a little cheaper weekday over weekend. Public transport back to airport.

What do you think? Not having a car does limit us a little bit but I don’t want to pay for the cost of parking or the rental itself - we can easily walk to and from the stadium which is the main purpose of the trip. We like to hit breweries - seems most aren’t downtown.

Thoughts ?

Many thanks

Your 3-night itinerary for St. Louis sounds quite manageable, especially since your main goal is attending the baseball games at Busch Stadium. Staying downtown at the Magnolia Hotel is a great choice for walking access to the ballpark and downtown attractions without needing a car.

Day 1 – Sunday:

Landing around 1pm gives you enough time to get settled at the hotel. Using public transportation from the airport (MetroLink) is straightforward and cost-effective.

  • After checking in, heading to the Arch in the afternoon is a good option. Weekends may be busier, so booking your tram tickets in advance can save time.
  • For live music in the evening, check out Ballpark Village, which is within walking distance and often has evening performances, or nearby downtown bars with live music.

Day 2 – Monday:

Considering public transport, the Cathedral Basilica is a bit further from downtown, but reachable via Metro or rideshare. If convenience is a priority, you might skip the cathedral and focus on downtown attractions.

  • The St. Louis Art Museum is in Forest Park and accessible via MetroLink to the Central West End followed by a short walk. The museum is free, which is a bonus.
  • The Saint Louis Zoo is also in Forest Park and free. A morning or early afternoon visit here works well before returning downtown for the 6:45pm game.
  • Since you like breweries, note that most are outside downtown. For Monday, you could plan a pre-game drink at a downtown spot like Urban Chestnut’s Grove Brewery if you want to stay close.

Day 3 – Tuesday:

Using rideshare today is smart for visiting places a bit further out.

  • The Missouri Botanical Garden is south of downtown and easy with rideshare. Allocate a couple of hours for a relaxed visit.
  • For the Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour, also accessible via rideshare, you can combine this with lunch or early afternoon drinks.
  • Return to downtown in time for the evening game at Busch Stadium.

Day 4 – Wednesday:

With a 1:15pm game, you have the morning to see anything missed earlier. Visiting the Arch in the morning is ideal—weekdays are generally less crowded, and you can enjoy the views without the weekend rush.

  • After the game, take public transport back to the airport for your 9pm departure. The MetroLink Red Line goes directly from downtown to the airport and runs frequently.

Additional Tips:

  • Booking any timed attractions in advance (Arch tram, brewery tours) will help maximize your schedule.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes—downtown and Forest Park are both very walkable.
  • If you want to visit more breweries, consider Uber/Lyft for a couple of off-downtown stops, like 4 Hands Brewing or Perennial Artisan Ales.

Overall, your plan balances baseball, sightseeing, and brewery visits well without needing a car. Using MetroLink and rideshare strategically makes it easy to hit the main attractions and enjoy the city.


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