We spent half a day in St. Louis while passing through on our way to Table Rock Lake, arriving just in time for lunch. Of course, we couldn’t resist trying some authentic St. Louis BBQ, so we stopped at Salt + Smoke in The Field District — and it did not disappoint! The smoky aroma, tender brisket, and creamy mac and cheese were absolute perfection. 🍖😋
After lunch, we took a short stroll to the Gateway Arch, the city’s most iconic landmark. Booking our tickets online ahead of time made the process super easy — and it’s definitely worth doing, since time slots can sell out fast!
Before heading up to the top, we explored the Arch Museum, which dives into the fascinating history of westward expansion and how the Arch came to be. We also watched the 3D film about St. Louis and the construction of the monument — a quick, engaging 15-minute experience that the kids absolutely loved! 🎬✨
By the end of our visit, we all agreed it was the perfect pit stop — a mix of great food, a little history, and a truly memorable view. 🌆
We spent about four hours in St. Louis, which was just enough time to enjoy lunch, visit the Gateway Arch, and explore a bit of the museum. Looking back, we easily could have spent a little longer at the Arch Museum — there was so much more to see and learn than we expected! If we’d had a full day, we definitely would have added one of the city’s family-friendly museums to our itinerary. There’s always next time!
Click here for full itinerary of our Table Rock Lake Road Trip
