Nestled against the Illinois state line, St. Louis is an ideal weekend getaway spot. Follow this guide to discover the best way to spend two days in St. Louis.
Wake up refreshed in the morning by renting an RV. They are perfect for fixing your meals and offer many of the comforts of home. Many come loaded with all the amenities you have at home, like a washer and dryer and climate control. Some have room to haul your favorite toys, like jet skis to play on the Mississippi River and bikes for exploring this urban environment.
Search RV rentals in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
Preparing for Your St. Louis RV Trip
There are many RVs available near St. Louis on RVshare. Some are drivable, while others are towable. You will also find different size options available to rent. Browse through the listings to find RVs that are perfect for couples, or choose an RV that can sleep up to 10 people.
Learn more about the process of renting an RV:
• A Step by Step Guide to Renting an RV with RVshare
• Convenient RV Rental Delivery: Bringing the Adventure to You
• What Happens After I Book my RV?
St. Louis is home to numerous campgrounds, so you can easily find the perfect campgrounds to meet your needs. Top-rated choices include 370 Lakeside Park, Cherokee Lakes Campground and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in St. Louis.
Day 1: Exploring Downtown St. Louis
Morning: Ride the Tram to the top of the Gateway Arch
Ride the tram to the top of the arch at Gateway Arch National Park, where you can see miles on a clear day. Once you are back on the ground, explore the museum under the arch dedicated to westward expansion. Watch the workers renovating the Old Courthouse, where the infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford occurred. As of 2024, it is the largest collaboration between the National Park Service and private entities to date, and it is scheduled to be completed in the spring or summer of 2025.
Lunch: Dine at Cardinal Nation
Located right across from Busch Stadium, Cardinal Nation is an ideal place to stop for lunch. In addition to the restaurant, where you will find fabulous sandwiches and salads, they also have a rooftop bar, Cardinal baseball museum and a gear shop.
Afternoon: See the Attractions in the Union Square Complex
In addition to being the global headquarters for Build a Bear, the Union Station Complex has many attractions to explore, making it the perfect addition to your St. Louis itinerary. Start your visit at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Square, where you can paint with a stingray. Then, test your bravery on the ropes course, ride the Saint Louis Wheel and challenge your traveling companions to a round of miniature golf. See if you can find your way out of the Mirror Maze and take photos at the 10 stations along the Selfie Express.
Setting Up Camp
Late afternoon is the perfect time to check into a St. Louis Campground. It will take only a few minutes to level the trailer and hook up the hoses. Since you only have two days in St. Louis, you might want to choose an RV that can be delivered right to your campsite for convenience. It’s easy to filter for these RVs when searching for rentals on RVshare.
Dinner: Enjoy a Sunset Dinner Cruise
Enjoy views of the Gateway Arch, downtown St. Louis and other attractions as you cruise along during a Skyline Dinner Cruise. Listen to a DJ spin tunes or a live band play during this cruise on the Mississippi River. Guests can choose between beef, chicken, seafood or vegetarian fare.
Day 2: View Nature
Morning: See What’s Blooming at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Climb aboard the tram at the Missouri Botanical Garden to see what’s in bloom. The narrated tram tour stops at the William T. Kemper Center for Home Gardening, where guests can see the 23 demonstration vegetable gardens and the Tower Grove House in the garden’s Lichtenstein Victorian District. It also stops at the Japanese Garden, one of the largest in North America.
Lunch: Dine at the Historic Piccadilly at Manhattan
For more than 120 years, hungry diners have been going to Piccadilly at Manhattan. This restaurant, where you can find American fare, has been operated by the same family throughout its lengthy history.
Afternoon: Hear the Lions Roar at the St. Louis Zoo
Over 16,000 animals live at the St. Louis Zoo. The Zooline Railroad is an ideal way to get around this facility whether you want to see the sea lion or bird show. You will also want to ride the Conservation Carousel and see a show in the 4D Theater.
Dinner: Dine on St. Louis Ribs at Adam’s Smokehouse
Enjoy dining on the ribs at Adam’s Smokehouse as they are torched with apple butter. Alternatively, consider their slow-smoked chicken finished with a cranberry cayenne glaze. The walls at this small restaurant near The Hill are filled with Stan Musial displays.
Day 3 and Beyond in St. Louis
St. Louis is a wonderful city to explore for more than two days, so if you have a little more time, locals recommend:
• Forest Park – The Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Museum, John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest, Anne O’C. Albrecht Nature Playscape, Norman K. Probstein Golf Course, and the Dwight Davis Tennis Center are in this park, where the St. Louis Zoo is also located.
• Laumeier Sculpture Park – This park contains over 60 sculptures. This venue is also home to Art Fair each May.
• Lone Elk Park – See bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk, and deer at this park, where you can also picnic and fish.
Summer Activities
Busch Stadium is home to the St. Louis Cardinals, a Major League Baseball team. It also houses the Hi-Chew Family Pavilion, which offers interactive fun for all ages. Giant bobbleheads throughout the stadium are ideal places to take a selfie. Even if the Cardinals are not playing in town, you can still take a stadium tour.
Indoor Activities
The Magic House contains a special Made for Kids space where children between the ages of four and 14 can screen print, laser cut, produce stop-motion animation, build with 3D printing, and make pottery. In addition, the City Museum has four floors filled with treehouses, enchanted caves, slides, and rides.
Start clearing your calendar to make room for an RV camping in St. Louis adventure. With historic sites, active waterfront activities, and plenty of museums to stroll through, there’s lots of fun for people of all ages and interests just waiting to be had in St. Louis!
