St. Louis Self-Guided Driving Tour, Missouri - Iconic Landmarks & Must-See Attractions
Places: 29 POIs
Distance: 27.4 mi
Duration: 1h:51m
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Tour #2562
About this English self-guided 1h:51m driving tour in St. Louis
Welcome to St. Louis, Missouri — the Gateway to the West! Over the course of this driving tour, we’ll take you through the city’s most iconic landmarks, historic neighborhoods, and cultural treasures. From world-famous attractions like the Gateway Arch and Busch Stadium, to hidden gems like The Hill and Soulard Market, you’ll get a true taste of the spirit and character that make St. Louis unique.
St. Louis has always been a city defined by the river. Founded in 1764 as a French trading post, it grew into a crossroads of cultures and commerce along the mighty Mississippi. By the 19th century, it had become a launching point for pioneers heading west — which is why the Arch later rose as a symbol of that adventurous spirit.
But St. Louis isn’t just history. It’s a city of music, food, and innovation. This is the hometown of Chuck Berry, Josephine Baker, and Miles Davis — artists who changed the sound of American culture. It’s also the birthplace of classics like the ice cream cone, toasted ravioli, and gooey butter cake. Whether you’re a baseball fan, a foodie, or a history buff, there’s something here for you.
As we drive, we’ll point out parks, museums, architectural marvels, and neighborhoods where stories of immigrants, artists, athletes, and everyday St. Louisans come alive. By the end of this tour, you’ll not only see the sights but also understand why locals are so proud to call this city home.
So buckle up, get comfortable, and let’s hit the road. Our first stop is one of the most recognizable monuments in the world — the Gateway Arch.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
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Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
, Attraction : National Park, Landmark (Recommended selfie spot).
209 Walnut St, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA
The magnificent Gateway Arch
On your right, rising 630 feet into the sky, is St. Louis’ most iconic landmark — the Gateway Arch. Completed in 1965, this gleaming stainless-steel monument was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen to symbolize the city’s role as the “Gateway to the West.”
The Arch isn’t just tall — it’s the tallest monument in the United States, even taller than the Washington Monument or the Statue of Liberty. Its unique inverted catenary curve makes it both an engineering marvel and a striking work of art.
Beneath the Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion, which explores the story of pioneers, Native Americans, and explorers who shaped this region. Visitors can also ride a tram all the way to the top, where tiny windows reveal breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, Illinois to the east, and the St. Louis skyline to the west.
It’s hard to imagine St. Louis without this shimmering landmark — a symbol of ambition, innovation, and the American spirit.
The Arch isn’t just tall — it’s the tallest monument in the United States, even taller than the Washington Monument or the Statue of Liberty. Its unique inverted catenary curve makes it both an engineering marvel and a striking work of art.
Beneath the Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion, which explores the story of pioneers, Native Americans, and explorers who shaped this region. Visitors can also ride a tram all the way to the top, where tiny windows reveal breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, Illinois to the east, and the St. Louis skyline to the west.
It’s hard to imagine St. Louis without this shimmering landmark — a symbol of ambition, innovation, and the American spirit.
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.62mi
600 N 6th St, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA
National Blues Museum
On your right is the National Blues Museum, dedicated to America’s original music — the blues. Opened in 2016, it celebrates how this powerful art form shaped jazz, rock ’n’ roll, country, and even hip-hop.
Inside, interactive exhibits let you trace the roots of the blues from the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to the clubs of St. Louis, Memphis, and Chicago. You can hear legendary voices, try your hand at mixing your own track, and learn how artists like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and St. Louis’ own Chuck Berry carried the blues into the mainstream.
More than a museum, it’s a live music venue too — hosting performances that keep the blues alive and evolving for new generations. For a city with such a rich musical heritage, this place is both a tribute and a living stage.
Inside, interactive exhibits let you trace the roots of the blues from the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta to the clubs of St. Louis, Memphis, and Chicago. You can hear legendary voices, try your hand at mixing your own track, and learn how artists like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and St. Louis’ own Chuck Berry carried the blues into the mainstream.
More than a museum, it’s a live music venue too — hosting performances that keep the blues alive and evolving for new generations. For a city with such a rich musical heritage, this place is both a tribute and a living stage.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
The magnificent Gateway Arch
Place 2
National Blues Museum
Place 3
Kiener Plaza, Old Courthouse & the Arch
Place 4
Ballpark Village Entertainment
Place 5
Busch Stadium Home of Cardinals
Place 6
St. Louis City Hall
Place 7
Poelker Park & Merchant Marine Memorial
Place 8
Stifel Theatre
Place 9
Memorial Plaza – Honoring St. Louis Veterans
Place 10
Eternal Flame Park & Soldiers’ Memorial
Place 11
St. Louis Public Library
Place 12
Christ Church Cathedral & Mariposas Sculpture
Place 13
City Museum
Place 14
Saint Louis University
Place 15
Grand Cathedral Basilica
Place 16
Forest Park
Place 17
Missouri History Museum
Place 18
Saint Louis Art Museum
Place 19
Saint Louis Zoo
Place 20
Saint Louis Science Center
Place 21
The Hill Neighborhood
Place 22
Homes of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola
Place 23
Missouri Botanical Garden
Place 24
Tower Grove Park
Place 25
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Place 26
Historic Soulard Farmers Market
Place 27
Lafayette Square Park
Place 28
Poplar Street Bridge – Crossing the Mississippi
Place 29
Mississippi River Overlook – Grand Finale
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Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 29 stops, covering top attractions such as The magnificent Gateway Arch, National Blues Museum, Kiener Plaza, Old Courthouse & the Arch, Ballpark Village Entertainment, Busch Stadium Home of Cardinals.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at The magnificent Gateway Arch (Address: 209 Walnut St, St. Louis, MO 63102, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!