Missouri · Illinois · the United States

St. Louis and Cahokia

The Gateway Arch on the bank of the Mississippi River, the museums and the Forest Park zoo, and the pre-Columbian city of Cahokia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, across the river.

Great Lakes and Midwest (Chicago)

In the photo: Forest Park, St. Louis

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

St. Louis is in the state of Missouri on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just downstream from the confluence with the Missouri River. Founded by French traders in 1764, the city was the departure point for the Lewis and Clark expedition and for thousands of pioneers who headed west in the 19th century, a history commemorated by the Gateway Arch, the 192-meter steel arch on the riverfront.

West of downtown, Forest Park—larger than New York’s Central Park—hosted the 1904 World’s Fair and is home to the art museum, the zoo, the history museum, and the science center. Nearby are the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in the country, and the Cathedral Basilica, covered in mosaics.

On the other side of the river, already in the state of Illinois, the Cahokia Mounds historic site preserves the earthen mounds of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, which peaked around the year 1100 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

St. Louis is also known for the blues, jazz, and its local-style rib barbecue.

This destination brings together 2 cities: St. Louis, Missouri, Collinsville.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where St. Louis and Cahokia is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: St. Louis and Cahokia

✈ St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) · 23 km to St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is about 23 km from downtown and is connected by the MetroLink light rail, which also crosses the river into Illinois. Gateway Station serves long-distance trains.

Suggested arrival point: St. Louis, Missouri

Missouri · St. Louis and Cahokia Suggested arrival point

St. Louis, Missouri

City in Missouri on the banks of the Mississippi River, founded by the French in 1764 and known as the Gateway to the West. It has the Gateway Arch, with an observation deck at the top, Forest Park with the art museum and zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, a cathedral basilica covered in mosaics, and the City Museum, made from repurposed materials. In Eureka, about 50 km away, there is an amusement park.

Illinois · St. Louis and Cahokia

Collinsville

City in Illinois east of St. Louis, across the Mississippi River, beside the Cahokia Mounds historic site, where the earthen mounds of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico are located, inscribed by UNESCO. Along the river, a park in East St. Louis offers views of the Gateway Arch and the city.

The local experience

Things to do in St. Louis and Cahokia

Collinsville · Illinois · Archaeological site

Cahokia Mounds

Archaeological site of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico, with more than 70 earthen mounds and the great Monks Mound, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Monument

Gateway Arch

A 192-meter stainless steel arch on the banks of the Mississippi River, with a tram up to the observation deck and a museum about westward expansion.

Collinsville · Illinois · Viewpoint

Gateway Arch Overlook in East St. Louis

Riverside park on the Mississippi in East St. Louis, Illinois, with a frontal view of the Gateway Arch and the city on the other side of the river.

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Museum

Saint Louis Art Museum

Art museum atop Forest Park, in the Palace of the 1904 Exposition, with collections from various periods and the world’s largest collection of Max Beckmann.

See 5 more places in St. Louis and Cahokia

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Zoo

Saint Louis Zoo

Zoo in Forest Park, with thousands of animals, the 1904 Exposition flight cage and areas for penguins, big cats and elephants.

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Botanical garden

Missouri Botanical Garden

Botanical garden founded in 1859, one of the oldest in the United States, featuring a large Japanese garden and the Climatron dome greenhouse.

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Museum

City Museum

Former shoe factory transformed into a huge play space, with tunnels, slides and structures made from repurposed materials.

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Church

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Catholic cathedral from 1914 in the Central West End, with one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world, covering domes and walls.

St. Louis, Missouri · Missouri · Amusement park

Six Flags St. Louis

An amusement park in Eureka, about 50 km from St. Louis, opened in 1971 as Six Flags, featuring roller coasters and a water park next door.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From April to June and from September to October, with pleasant temperatures. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold with occasional snow.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two to three days: one for the Gateway Arch and downtown, one for Forest Park and the botanical garden, and half a day for Cahokia Mounds.

Which city to stay in

Downtown, near the Gateway Arch and MetroLink stations, is convenient if you don’t have a car. Central West End, next to Forest Park, has restaurants and tree-lined streets. For Cahokia, your base can be St. Louis or Collinsville, on the Illinois side.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about St. Louis and Cahokia

How many days should you allocate for St. Louis?

Two to three days, covering the Gateway Arch, Forest Park, and half a day for Cahokia Mounds.

What is the best time to visit St. Louis?

Spring and fall, from April to June and from September to October. Summer is hot and humid.

Do you need a car in St. Louis?

Downtown and Forest Park are served by the MetroLink light rail and buses. For Cahokia Mounds and the amusement park in Eureka, a car makes things easier. In the United States you drive on the right.

Are St. Louis and Cahokia in the same state?

No. St. Louis is in Missouri, and Cahokia Mounds, across the Mississippi River, is in Illinois, about 20 km from downtown.

Do you need a visa to visit the United States?

Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel document: some countries participate in the visa waiver program, with prior electronic authorization, while others require a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before traveling.

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St. Louis and Cahokia

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.