With kids home for the summer and teens prepping for college, you might be looking for some all-ages activities for the entire family to enjoy. Look no further – indoors or outdoors, low-cost or free, your families’ calendars are going to be booked solid for your summer in St. Louis.
INDOORS
The Magic House
Complete with climbable sculptures, a mini village, and a ball that makes your hair stand on end, this interactive children’s museum is a local favorite. While most of the exhibits are geared towards children ages 12 and under, everyone will find themselves enjoying the museum. Admission starts at $15, and the museum holds special discount days, including free family days every third Friday of the month from 5-8 p.m. and $3 admission after 3 p.m. for families local to the region.
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Central Library Architecture Tour
This air-conditioned architecture tour is perfect for teens and older children, but the library offers a children’s section that is worth a visit with your little ones as well. The library is an architectural wonder featuring some of the best examples of Beaux-Arts and Neo-Classical architecture in the country. Free tours explaining the unique features of the building are every Monday beginning at 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.
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Missouri History Museum
The Missouri History Museum is a fun and free way to beat the summer heat. With assorted exhibits such as fashion and the World’s Fair, the museum features stories worth discovering. Younger visitors will enjoy the interactive history clubhouse, where you can play your way through Missouri’s history.
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Museum of Illusions
One of The City Foundry’s newest tenants, this museum is the perfect place to explore and take some family selfies. Featuring mind-bending illusions and installations, this is a perfect stop for all ages. Tickets start at $25.
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The St. Louis Art Museum
SLAM is the perfect way to introduce your kids and teens to the world of fine art and art history (and it’s a nice break from the heat of Forest Park). The galleries feature everything from sculptures and pottery to textiles, paintings, artifacts, and even Egyptian mummies. Admission to the museum is always free, and its paid exhibit (which changes and rotates frequently) is free on Fridays.
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OUTDOORS
Mural Mile
Take a stroll along the mile-long stretch of murals and artwork painted along the floodwalls of the Mississippi. Located steps away from the Gateway Arch, you can’t miss this completely free art showcase with new murals added annually.
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The Muny
The Muny is a beloved St. Louis summer tradition for locals and is the oldest outdoor musical theater in North America. It is featuring a variety of family-friendly performances this year, including:
– July 6-14 | Frozen the Musical (PG)
The Broadway adaptation of Disney’s Frozen will premiere at The Muny on July 6 and performances will be held nightly at 8:15 p.m. until July 14. Tickets and more information can be found here.
– July 28-August 3 | Dear Evan Hansen (PG13)
The Muny’s performance of Dear Evan Hansen will bring back the Tony and Olivier winning musical and its teen-angst just in-time for the end of summer and for some, a return to high school. Tickets and more information can be found here.
– August 18-24 | Jersey Boys
To end its 2025 summer season, The Muny will perform Jersey Boys, which it describes as “the inspiring story of four blue-collar kids who became pop-music legends.” Tickets and more information can be found here.
Photo courtesy of Laumeier Sculpture Park
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Blending nature and art, this outdoor museum promises a mini adventure for all ages. Admission is free, and the park frequently hosts family-friendly classes and events.
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City Garden
This sculpture wonderland is located in downtown St. Louis and is home to gorgeous sculpture and metalwork featured on stroller-friendly walking paths. In the summer, the splash pad in the center of the park makes for the perfect way to beat the heat.
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The St. Louis Zoo – Romeo and Zooliet
What happens when the zoo gates close and the keepers go home for the night? Romeo and Zooliet, a playful puppet-powered twist on Romeo and Juliet from the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, sets that scene right inside the St. Louis Zoo. Running July 8 through August 17, this imaginative production is made for younger audiences and brings a wild new perspective to the classic tale. Before or after the show, stick around to explore one of the country’s top free zoos — home to over 12,000 animals and 450 species.
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St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
Speaking of the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, their summer performance of Hamlet would be better suited for families with teens. Held in Forest Park, the festival is one of the largest free performances of Shakespeare productions in the world.
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Photo courtesy of City Museum
The City Museum
Home to a Ferris wheel, giant praying mantis, and school bus hanging off its roof, this museum boasts a unique way to spend a day. Built in an old shoe factory, this giant jungle gym features mosaics, metalwork, and sculptures with an endless number of things to crawl through, climb on, and slide down. Admission starts at $20 for those 3 years old and older.
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Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden isn’t just a place to admire stunning plants and landscapes — it’s also a hub for arts and culture. While it’s home to beautiful blooms, serene fountains, and one of the largest Japanese gardens in the nation, it’s the Garden’s year-round lineup of concerts, classes, and cultural festivals that truly bring the space to life:
– May 28-July 30 | Whitaker Music Festival
This beloved annual free music series begins on hosted weekly on Wednesdays through the end of July. In addition to featuring some of the region’s finest musical talents, the garden offers free admission (to select areas) and encourages picnicking.
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– August 30-September 1 | Japanese Festival
Rain or shine, this festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden brings Japan to St. Louis with cultural experiences you’d normally have to fly 15+ hours for. Expect music, art, and live performances like Taiko drumming and sumo demonstrations, all in partnership with the Japanese Activities Committee.
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This list is just the beginning — St. Louis is packed with creative events the entire family can enjoy all year long. Whether you’re planning a road trip or just looking for a reason to visit, St. Louis promises music, food, art, and unforgettable memories. Want more ideas? Explore your vibe and start planning.
How do we fill this list? Great question! The short answer—it’s not easy. StLouisArts.org is powered by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, and we aim to lift up all the artists, arts programs, and arts organizations that make this city shine. If you think something is missing, we may have simply overlooked it—feel free to reach out.
