Things to Do at St. Louis Union Station: The Complete 2026 Guide
Revised July 14, 2026
What are the top things to do at St. Louis Union Station?
St. Louis Union Station is a family entertainment destination at 1820 Market Street, home to the St. Louis Aquarium, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a ropes course, mini golf, a carousel, and a mirror maze, plus restaurants and a historic hotel. Two highlights — the nightly Fire & Light Show and the Grand Hall light show — are free.
Keep reading ↓Ask a St. Louis parent where to take the kids on a hot Saturday or a rainy Sunday, and there’s a good chance the answer is Union Station. What used to be the world’s busiest train terminal — and, for a while, a fading shopping mall — is now one of the metro’s most packed family destinations, with an aquarium, a giant observation wheel, ropes courses, mini golf, and a free fire-and-light show all under and around one gorgeous 1894 roof.
The trouble is there’s so much to do that first-timers don’t always know where to start — or which parts cost money and which are free. So here’s the complete, up-to-date guide to everything there is to do at St. Louis Union Station in 2026, with real prices, hours, parking tips, and a plan to make a full day of it.
Save this guide and share it with whoever you’re bringing — then check the official site for the exact prices and hours on your date, since ticketed attractions use dynamic pricing.
What is there to do at Union Station?
Union Station packs a full lineup of attractions, dining, and free shows into one downtown campus at 1820 Market Street. Here’s the whole menu at a glance:
| Attraction | What it is | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Aquarium | Six galleries, sharks, rays, touch tanks | ~$25–$30 adult |
| The St. Louis Wheel | 200-ft observation wheel, enclosed gondolas | ~$15 |
| Ropes Course | 45+ obstacles, 100-ft SkyRail | ~$15 (Sky Tykes ~$5) |
| Mini Golf | 18-hole indoor course | ~$12 |
| Mirror Maze | 1904 World’s Fair-themed maze | Ticketed |
| Carousel | Classic ride for all ages | ~$5 |
| Fire & Light Show | Fire, water & light show on the lake | FREE |
| Grand Hall Light Show | 3D show on the 65-ft ceiling | FREE |
Prices are approximate and set dynamically — combo “bundle” tickets cover several attractions for less. Check stlouisunionstation.com for current prices and hours on your date.
The St. Louis Aquarium
The anchor of the whole complex, the St. Louis Aquarium fills the space where the old mall used to be with six galleries that follow water from a Missouri creek to the deep ocean. The showstopper is Shark Canyon, a 250,000-gallon habitat of sharks, rays, and sea turtles you walk right up to. Kids gravitate to the hands-on touch tanks — stingrays, jellyfish, doctor-fish — and the whole visit runs about 1.5 to 2.5 hours. It’s the one attraction worth building your day around. For the full details on tickets, hours, and tips, see our guide to visiting the St. Louis Aquarium.
The St. Louis Wheel
Rising 200 feet over the lake, The St. Louis Wheel is the city’s best easy view. Its 42 enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas mean you ride in comfort year-round — heat, cold, or drizzle — on a smooth roughly 15-minute turn with downtown and the Gateway Arch on the horizon. It’s open late (typically to 10 p.m.), which makes a sunset or after-dark ride, with the city lights coming on, especially worth it. Each gondola holds a small group, so it’s an easy, low-key ride for grandparents and toddlers alike — no height requirement and no thrills, just a slow, scenic turn above the city. Pair it with the aquarium on a combo ticket and you’ve got the two marquee experiences in one visit.
Rides, ropes, and mazes for the whole family
Beyond the big two, Union Station is loaded with the kind of attractions that keep mixed-age groups happy:
- Ropes Course — a multi-level indoor course with 45-plus obstacles and a 100-foot SkyRail, plus a Sky Tykes junior version for little ones.
- Mini Golf — an 18-hole indoor course, weatherproof and fun for all ages.
- Mirror Maze — a disorienting, delightful maze themed to the 1904 World’s Fair.
- Carousel — a classic ride the youngest visitors love.
- Selfie Express and seasonal outdoor rides — photo experiences and warm-weather rides that rotate through.
Because most of these are indoors, Union Station is the metro’s go-to when the weather won’t cooperate — a full slate of activity that doesn’t care if it’s 100 degrees or pouring.
Free things to do at Union Station
Here’s the part a lot of visitors miss: some of the best things at Union Station are free. You can spend an evening here without buying a single ticket.
- The Fire & Light Show — a spectacular, multi-million-dollar show of fire, water, and light out on the lake, free to watch nightly from the outdoor plaza. It’s the single best no-cost date-night or family moment at Union Station.
- The Grand Hall 3D Light Show — more than 30 video vignettes projected across the 65-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling of the historic Grand Hall, set to music. Grab a drink, lean back, and look up.
- The Grand Hall itself — just walking through the restored 1894 headhouse, a genuine cathedral of the railroad age, costs nothing and is worth the trip on its own.
Where to eat at Union Station
You never have to leave for a meal. The dining runs from quick treats to a proper sit-down dinner:
- The Soda Fountain — retro diner classics and famously over-the-top “Freak Shakes.”
- The Train Shed — American plates and cocktails under the historic train-shed canopy.
- Landry’s Seafood House — Gulf Coast seafood with lakeside boardwalk seating.
- Station Grille — breakfast and lunch in the restored Fred Harvey restaurant space.
- The Grand Hall — dinner and drinks beneath the 65-foot archways, plus The Pitch Athletic Club & Tavern, Cookies and Cupcakes, and seasonal outdoor stands.
Where to stay: the Union Station Hotel
You can sleep inside the landmark, too. The St. Louis Union Station Hotel, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, occupies the historic headhouse, with the breathtaking Grand Hall as its lobby lounge. It blends railroad-age grandeur with modern rooms, and waking up steps from the aquarium, the Wheel, and the nightly light shows makes it a natural base for a downtown weekend or a special-occasion stay.
Planning your visit
A little planning turns a good Union Station trip into a great one:
- Address: 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, in the heart of downtown.
- Parking: the South Lot offers a $5 flat rate when you validate at a gift shop (credit card only); the West Lot serves the hotel and dining.
- Transit: the Union Station MetroLink stop (Red and Blue lines) is a short walk from the door — an easy car-free option from downtown or the airport.
- Tickets: buy combo “bundle” passes to cover the aquarium, the Wheel, and the rides for less than à la carte, and buy online ahead on busy weekends.
- Hours: they vary by attraction and season — the aquarium closes at 5 (6 on weekends) while the Wheel and rides run later — so check the official site before you go.
- Good to know: after 3 p.m., guests 16 and under need an adult 21+ with them, per Union Station’s code of conduct.
One more money tip: the free experiences do a lot of heavy lifting here. Pair a couple of paid attractions with the free Fire & Light Show, the Grand Hall light show, and a walk through the historic building, and a family can have a full, memorable day without buying a ticket to everything. And if you’ll visit more than a couple of times a year, an aquarium membership pays for itself fast — it throws in free parking and discounts across Union Station’s shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Union Station by the type of trip
However you’re visiting, there’s a version of Union Station built for you:
- With young kids: the aquarium touch tanks, the carousel, Sky Tykes, and the free light shows are the sweet spot.
- With teens and tweens: the ropes course, mini golf, the mirror maze, and a Wheel ride after dark hit different.
- Date night: the free Fire & Light Show, dinner under the Grand Hall archways, and a sunset Wheel ride make a genuinely romantic evening without spending much.
- Out-of-town visitors: it’s the easiest one-stop taste of St. Louis — history, an aquarium, a skyline view, and dinner, all without moving the car.
- A rainy or brutally hot day: nearly everything is indoors and climate-controlled, which is exactly why locals treat Union Station as the all-weather backup plan.
Seasonal events at Union Station
On top of the everyday attractions, Union Station runs a calendar of its own. The holidays bring the beloved Polar Express Train Ride and festive lights; summer adds outdoor rides and lakeside food stands; and the free Fire & Light Show glows nightly whatever the season. It’s always worth a look at the events calendar before you go — there’s often something special layered on top of the regular lineup, and plenty of it is free to enjoy.
A quick history
Part of what makes Union Station special is that it’s not a purpose-built theme park — it’s a saved piece of St. Louis history. Opened in 1894 and designed by architect Theodore Link, it was once the largest and busiest passenger rail terminal in the world, a gateway through which generations of travelers passed beneath that soaring Grand Hall ceiling. After the trains stopped and a later shopping-mall era faded, a major redevelopment reinvented it as today’s entertainment destination — anchored by the aquarium that opened on Christmas Day 2019. Curious what the “shopping” looks like now that the mall is gone? See our guide to shopping and gifts at Union Station.
Planning a full St. Louis day or weekend? Find more attractions, restaurants, and things to do on the St Louis Near Me Directory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do at Union Station in St. Louis?
Union Station offers the St. Louis Aquarium, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a ropes course, mini golf, a carousel, and a mirror maze, plus restaurants and a historic hotel. Two of the best experiences — the nightly Fire & Light Show on the lake and the Grand Hall 3D light show — are completely free.
Is Union Station in St. Louis worth visiting?
Yes, especially for families and visitors. Between the aquarium, the Wheel, the indoor rides, the free light shows, and the beautifully restored 1894 Grand Hall, it’s an easy half- or full-day out, and much of it is weatherproof. Even if you only came for the free shows and a meal, it’s worth the trip downtown.
Is there anything free to do at Union Station?
Yes. The nightly Fire & Light Show on the lake and the 3D light show projected across the Grand Hall’s 65-foot ceiling are both free, and simply walking through the historic Grand Hall costs nothing. The aquarium, the Wheel, and the rides are ticketed, but you can enjoy a full evening at Union Station for free.
How much are tickets for the St. Louis Wheel and attractions?
The St. Louis Wheel runs about $15, mini golf and the ropes course around $12–$15, and the carousel about $5, while aquarium admission is roughly $25–$30 for adults. Prices are dynamic, so buy combo “bundle” passes to save across multiple attractions and check the official site for current rates.
How much is parking at Union Station?
The South Lot at Union Station offers a $5 flat rate when you validate at a gift shop (credit card only), a bargain for downtown. You can also skip parking by taking MetroLink to the Union Station stop on the Red or Blue line, a short walk from the entrance at 1820 Market Street.
How long should I spend at Union Station?
Plan on a half to full day if you want to do it right. The aquarium alone takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours; add the Wheel, a ride or two, a meal, and the free evening light shows and you’ve got a satisfying full day. Combo tickets and the walkable layout make it easy to fit a lot in.
Written by a dedicated team of St. Louis locals who live, work, and play right here in the St. Louis metro. Founder Lane Forman and team are committed to building the region’s most trusted directory by verifying listings and connecting local businesses with loyal customers across Missouri and Illinois.