St. Louis is genuinely one of the most affordable major cities in the U.S. for families. The park system is world-class and mostly free. The two paid activities most worth your money cost under $170 combined. If you've been putting off a St. Louis trip over cost concerns, this breakdown should change your thinking.
Free Activities in St. Louis
Eleven of the thirteen activities in this guide cost $0 to enter. That's not a typo.
Francis Park (4.8 stars) — $0 St. Louis Hills spray ground, playground, and open lawns. Pack a picnic or budget $20–$40 for lunch at a nearby Dogtown restaurant. The spray ground is seasonal — confirm it's operating before you go.
Stieren Park (4.8 stars) — $0 Inclusive playground in Sunset Hills that's less crowded than the larger county parks. Bring your own picnic. One of the quieter, more pleasant parks in the area.
Zachary's Playground (4.8 stars) — $0 One of the best inclusive playgrounds in the entire St. Louis metro, built so kids of all abilities play together. Bring snacks and sunscreen. No water fountain on site.
Turtle Playground (4.7 stars) — $0 Climbable giant concrete turtles in South St. Louis. Bring your own snacks; budget $10–$20 if you grab food nearby afterward.
Tilles Park (4.7 stars) — $0 (park only) Free splash pad and playground year-round. Winter Wonderland light show from November–December runs $40–$60 for the drive-through experience. Buy Winter Wonderland tickets online in advance — cheaper than at the gate.
Lafayette Park (4.7 stars) — $0 One of St. Louis's oldest parks. Playground, duck pond, Victorian surroundings. Budget $20–$40 if you lunch at a Lafayette Square restaurant nearby.
Tower Grove Park (4.7 stars) — $0 285-acre park with splash pad, farmers market (Saturdays May–October), and free summer concerts. Budget $20–$40 if you buy food at the Saturday market.
Bee Tree County Park (4.7 stars) — $0 Wild creek-and-woods park with Mississippi River access. Pack a full picnic for a true zero-cost family day. Trail shoes required; natural surface paths.
Willmore Park (4.5 stars) — $0 Neighborhood gem in South St. Louis. Good playground, community atmosphere. Bring your own snacks.
Forest Park Forever (4.4 stars) — $0 for walking and biking 1,300 acres with free museums (Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center — all free for Missouri residents), duck-feeding at Post-Dispatch Lake, and bike trails. Budget $30–$60 if you rent paddle boats or eat at the Boathouse restaurant.
Rayburn Park (4.3 stars) — $0 Quiet neighborhood park in Crestwood. Good for a quick outing without the crowds of larger parks.
Budget Picks (Under $50 for a Family of Four)
There are no paid St. Louis activities in the $1–$50 range in this guide. This is genuinely a city where the great stuff is free and the paid stuff starts around $80.
Mid-Range Activities ($50–$100 for a Family of Four)
City Museum (4.7 stars) — $80–$120 Admission runs ~$18/adult and ~$14/child. Add $20–$40 for food inside and $10–$15 for parking, and a family of four lands between $80 and $120 total. Kids under 3 are free. Buy online to save a few dollars per ticket. Visit on a weekday to maximize time without crowds. Plan 3–5 hours — rushing this experience is the most common mistake families make.
Splurge-Worthy Experiences (Over $100)
Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park (4.7 stars) — $120–$160 Two adults and two kids runs ~$35–$40 per person. No food on site, so budget nothing extra for food there. Participants must be 10 years old and between 70–286 lbs — check before booking. Book online in advance for small discounts; check Groupon in shoulder season. The tree-top experience in Forest Park earns every dollar.
Money-Saving Tips in St. Louis
- Pack a picnic every day. With eleven free outdoor activities in this guide, packing lunch is the biggest lever you have. You can realistically spend $30–$60/day on food instead of $80–$120 at restaurants near tourist areas.
- City Museum on a weekday. Weekends are packed and you get less out of the experience. A weekday visit at the same price means shorter lines for the slides and more space in the cave tunnels.
- Forest Park museums are free for Missouri residents. If you live in Missouri, the Art Museum, Science Center, and History Museum inside Forest Park cost nothing. Non-residents should check individual admission prices.
- Turtle Playground + Ted Drewes Frozen Custard is the quintessential budget South St. Louis afternoon: $0 for the turtles, under $20 for custard for four people.
- Tilles Park Winter Wonderland walk-through nights cost less than drive-through nights. If budget matters, choose the walk-through option.
- Bee Tree County Park requires nothing but old shoes and a packed cooler. It's one of the genuinely wild natural experiences in the metro and it costs $0.
- Bring bikes to Forest Park. The main park loop is excellent for families. Renting from a nearby shop saves vs. on-site rentals.
What a Typical Family Spends
Free Day (family of four): - Tower Grove Park (splash pad + farmers market browsing): $0 - Packed picnic lunch: $15 (home supplies) - Turtle Playground: $0 - Ted Drewes Frozen Custard: $20 - Total: ~$35
Mid-Range Day: - City Museum admission (2 adults + 2 kids): $64 - City Museum food: $30 - City Museum parking: $12 - Bee Tree County Park: $0 - Packed dinner at home: $20 - Total: ~$126
Splurge Day: - Go Ape Zipline (2 adults + 2 kids): $150 - Lunch out near Forest Park: $50 - Forest Park evening walk: $0 - Dinner out: $70 - Total: ~$270
A two-day St. Louis trip mixing free days with one paid activity realistically costs $150–$250 for activities for a family of four — not counting lodging or travel. That's genuinely hard to beat in any major U.S. city.