Trip Idea

Weekend Trip to St. Louis National Parks

Multiple Parks

Gateway Arch from below illuminated by orange light against a blue, cloudy sky.
Duration Multiple Days
Topic(s) Architecture and Building, Enslavement, Farming and Agriculture, Plantations, Military, Presidents, Reconstruction, Civil Rights, Voting Rights and Suffrage, Civil War, African American Heritage, Bison, Asian American Heritage, Colonization and Settlement, Commerce, Trade, Engineering, Explorers and Expeditions, Forts, Grasslands, Hispanic American Heritage, Immigration, Industry, Latino American Heritage, Migrations, Monuments and Memorials, Mountains, Native American Heritage, Science, Technology and Innovation, Social Movements, Tragic Events, Trains and Railroads, Wars and Conflicts, Colonial/European Contact Conflicts, French and Indian War, Indian and Frontier Wars, Mexican War, Westward Expansion, Homesteading, The Gold Rush, Wilderness, Women's History more »
Activities Guided Tours, Museum Exhibits, Park Film
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Urban, Educational, Inspirational, Indoors, Outdoors, Road Trip, Group Friendly more »
Parks Gateway Arch National Park, Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site, Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
Organizations Healthy Parks Healthy People
Planning a visit to St. Louis? The area is home to three units of the National Park System and one national historic trail. This trip idea contains an overview of the parks, a basic map of the area, and suggested things to do for first-time visitors. Plan on two days to fully enjoy these parks and the surrounding area.

Gateway Arch National Park and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the United States during the nineteenth century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, to the pioneers who helped shape its history, and to Dred Scott, who sued for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. Gateway Arch is also a site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The park tells the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which departed from St. Louis up the Missouri River in May 1804. Plan on at least 3 hours to explore the museum, ride the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch, and watch the park film. Learn more about Gateway Arch National Park.

Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site

Ulysses S. Grant is known as the victorious Civil War general who saved the Union and the 18th President of the United States. He first met Julia Dent, his future wife, at her family home, named White Haven. From 1854 to 1859 the Dents, Grants and an enslaved Black workforce lived on the property. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site te Plan on at least 1½ hours to visit the museum, watch the park film, and take a tour. Learn more about Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site.

Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the Big Field). After the flood of 1785, the town relocated to its present location on higher ground approximately three miles to the northwest of its original site. Plan on at least 2½ hours to explore the site and take a ranger tour of the historic buildings. Learn more about Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park.

Getting Around

You can visit the parks in any order you like. Consider starting at the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis. Next, head to Ulysses S. Grant twenty minutes southwest. Ste. Geneviève is one hour to the south. Find an interactive map of the parks below. Click on each park or trail on the map to visit trip planning pages.
Start at the Arch
  • Gateway Arch National Park

    Explore the Museum under the Gateway Arch
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Under the Arch
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dusk
    two glass cases, one holding a model of the Arch grounds and one a large model of the Arch structure

    The Museum at the Gateway Arch covers 200 years of history about the westward expansion of the United States with an emphasis on St. Louis’ important role during that era.

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  • Gateway Arch National Park

    A View From the Top
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: No
    • Location: inside the Gateway Arch leg and at the top in the Gateway Arch observation deck
    • Duration: 45–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dusk
    a young African-American girl looks out of the window of the Arch onto the city below

    Tram Ride to the Top: Getting there is part of the adventure. Enjoy stunning views from the top of America's tallest monument.

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  • Gateway Arch National Park

    See Monument to the Dream
    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Park Film
    • Pets: No
    • Location: in the Arch Visitor Center under the Arch
    • Duration: 35–35 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dusk
    looking into one of the triangle shaped pieces of the Arch from high up, cars and river below

    Learn more about the construction of the Gateway Arch through this award winning film!

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Visit Ulysses S. Grant's Home
  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Check Out the Park Museum
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Park Museum
    • Duration: 20–30 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Museum with computer to the left and textual exhibits on all sides.

    The park museum is housed in a historic horse stable designed by Ulysses S. Grant and completed in 1872. This space is self-guided and there's no wrong way to explore the fascinating content with the museum's six permanent exhibits.

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  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Watch the Orientation Film
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Park Film
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Orientation Film
    • Duration: 22 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    man with a beard wearing a suit circa 1870.

    A 22-minute orientation film provides insights into Ulysses S. Grant's military service during the American Civil War and his two terms as President of the United States.

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  • Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

    Take a Guided Tour of White Haven
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: No
    • Location: White Haven
    • Duration: 30–45 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Park Ranger standing in front of a group of people with a green house in the background.

    The historic White Haven estate is more than 200 years old and the home where Ulysses and Julia Grant fell in love. Guided tours are offered on a daily basis and the only way visitors can access the interior of this remarkable home.

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End at Ste. Geneviève
  • Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

    Visit the Jean Baptiste Vallé House
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: No
    • Duration: 20–40 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Park ranger talking un a covered porch of a cream house to several people.

    Built in 1794, the Jean Baptiste Vallé House was home to the last Commandant of Ste. Genevieve. Jean Baptiste Vallé oversaw the transition from colonial town to a part of the United States after the Louisiana Purchase.

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  • Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

    Visit Green Tree Tavern
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Green Tree Tavern
    • Duration: 20–40 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A large vertical log home with a wraparound porch.

    As the oldest building still standing in Ste. Genevieve, Green Tree Tavern has had a rich history. It has served as a home, a business, and a Masonic Lodge over the years. Grounds are open dawn to dusk. Attend a ranger-led tour to visit the inside of this historic structure.

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  • Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park

    Visit the Bauvais-Amoureux House
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Guided Tours
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bauvais-Amoureux House
    • Duration: 20–40 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Park Ranger giving a tour in front of a old home with a front porch.

    Built in 1792, the Bauvais-Amoureux House stands as an architectural gem with a rich past. Here, Pélagie Amoureux, a woman who was formerly enslaved, and her husband Benjamin, a Frenchman, raised their family. Attend a ranger-led tour to learn more about the remarkable lives of those who called this place home.

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Last updated: March 30, 2023