Union Station has so much to offer. It's a visit full of good times, laugher and memories that you won't want to miss.
The St. Louis Union Station, located among the high-rises in burgeoning downtown St. Louis, has been a place of cultural significance since the first train pulled into its station in 1894. Today however, Union Station visitors come to the venue for something other than cross-country travel.
With a nod to the beautiful relics of the past by way of careful restoration efforts, Union Station is complete with a stunning Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, multiple restaurants, exciting attractions, and a host of events and programs throughout the year.
The six major attractions at Union Station include The Wheel, which boasts stunning views of the city skyline, a rope course, mini golf, a historic carousel ride, a mirror maze inspired by the original attraction at the 1904 World’s Fair, and its most popular attraction, the St. Louis Aquarium.
Head over to the aquarium to be mesmerized by an ocean blue world full of life.
The aquarium, which — like all of the attractions — opened shortly before the pandemic hit, is the biggest driver of attendance at Union Station. “The aquarium is our anchor,” says Cameron Schoeffel, director of sales and entertainment at Union Station. “It’s over 120,000 square feet with over 250 different species and 13,000 total animals.”
You'll be captivated by schools of fish and roaming sharks in Shark Canyon.
Cutting-edge technology and a multitude of interactive experiences, such as cownose ray and bamboo shark touch pools and topographic sand tables, set the aquarium apart from most. An all-new jellyfish touch pool has recently opened adding to the number of “hands-wet” experiences.
The aquarium is also home to one of the most famous crustaceans in the city, Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley is a blue lobster with an incredibly rare color mutation, gifted to the museum by a Massachusetts-based fisherman as a show of good faith and congratulations following the St. Louis Blues' win over the Boston Bruins in 2019.
Not only is Union Station a home to rare sea creatures, but it works hard to be a place for everyone — from young children at summer camp to couples enjoying date night. “We have a Sky Tykes rope course for the little ones, along with the regular course for older kids. There’s a lake on the property where you can feed koi fish, and a fire show, which plays at the top of each hour starting at noon daily,” Schoeffel says. “This summer, we’re celebrating Luau in the Lou — every weekend we have a limbo instructor, hula dancers, and fire performers.”
Adults can also participate in the fun. “Our friends at Anheuser Busch have a stocked bar area in our park that becomes very popular on weekend nights,” Schoeffel explains. “Parents can come out, enjoy some malted beverages and let the kids run around.”
Grab a drink at the train car and watch the wheel.
Couples can purchase a Date Night Package, which includes two Wheel tickets, two drinks and two souvenir photos.
Whether you’re looking for fast-casual fare, a finer-food experience with a nice patio and even better cocktails or to enjoy some old-fashioned classics like chili fries and giant milkshakes — Union Station’s restaurant scene has you covered.
And finally, there’s no shortage of events this summer. A free summer concert series, Market Street with a Beat, and local vendor markets featuring everything from crafts and jewelry to wine and cheese are just a couple examples of things to do. “We love the idea of hosting local small businesses and giving them a venue for their products,” says Schoeffel.
No matter the age or occasion, Union Station in downtown St. Louis is the place to be this summer. We hope to see you there.
Venue hours, general information, and individual and bundled tickets can be found at stlouisunionstation.com.
