The Best Things to Do in St. Louis During the Winter

Like much of the United States, St. Louis gets cold in the winter. To be sure, it’s not Minneapolis or Buffalo. And in fact STL can have surprisingly mild stretches during the winter months. This isn’t Orlando, though, and for the most part St. Louis temperatures average around the freezing mark from December through February.

Because of those expected cold temperatures, some of the area’s bigger attractions shut down in the winter months. Six Flags St. Louis, which once stayed open for Christmas-themed festivities, now goes into hibernation shortly after Halloween. Grant’s Farm shutters for the winter around the same time. The same goes for some of the local orchards and farms, such as Thies Farm.

Depending on your calendar, you might not mind much … at first. After all, November and December bring enough holidays that gatherings can take up a lot of one’s available time. If you’re anything like us, though, come January you might be itching for something to break the winter doldrums. With no Screamin’ Eagle to ride or goats to feed, what’s one to do?

Fortunately, not all is lost. While some things remain shut down until the spring, other St. Louis attractions remain open and operational.

Outdoor Activities

If you’re willing to brave the elements, STL has a lot to offer during the winter.

Tops on the list is arguably the area’s best attraction, the Saint Louis Zoo. The Zoo is open year-round, closing only on a few select holidays. While some animals may be less visible and active during the coldest (and hottest) days, you can still stroll around the space and see everything it has to offer. Bonus: if you’re freezing, there are a few indoor spaces for you to step in and thaw out.

The larger Forest Park, where the Zoo is located, is itself a wonderland in the winter. The various paths and trails are great fun in the cold months, especially the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest on the western edge. The Steinberg Skating Rink, located on the east side of Forest Park, is a natural fit for the winter, although it is temporarily closed for the 2025-2026 season. Fortunately, there are a number of ice rinks all across the area.

Not far south of Forest Park sits the Missouri Botanical Garden, which, like the Zoo, has a few indoor spaces when you need to thaw out. The same goes for Jefferson Barracks and its museum spaces in South County.

Winter hiking is a favorite of ours, in fact, because several pesky obstacles — ticks, mosquitoes, and poison ivy, to name a few — are dormant. To that end, there are numerous state parks, local parks, and conservation areas in the metro area, more than we care to list here. Notable state parks, for instance, include Babler State Park in West County, Castlewood State Park in West County, Route 66 State Park along I-44, and Horseshoe Lake State Park over in the Metro East. Farther out, you can explore the likes of Don Robinson State Park in Jefferson County and Cuivre River State Park up north near Troy. I won’t try to list all the other outdoor spaces in St. Louis, but suffice to say there are plenty.

Outdoor shopping can be a little bracing, but the area’s biggest outdoor districts, including the Delmar Loop and Old Town Florissant, remain popular destinations even in the cold months. Historic Main Street St. Charles even embraces the winter with its decades-old Christmas Traditions festivities, which run from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. The Gateway Arch runs its own holiday tradition, Winterfest, in Kiener Plaza downtown.

Indoor Activities

If the elements are too much, St. Louis has plenty for you inside. One of our favorite indoor excursions is a trip to a local indoor mall, as it lets us get our walking in while shielded from the cold. West County Center is a personal favorite, but you can also explore South County Center, The Galleria, or Mid Rivers Mall.

We mentioned Forest Park earlier for its outdoor attractions, and the space serves up plenty of indoor fun, too. The Saint Louis Science Center tops the list with its engaging displays, active spaces, and pure fun. The Saint Louis Art Museum also impresses, thanks to a wide variety of exhibits spanning thousands of years. Along the north side of Forest Park, the Missouri History Museum showcases the rich history of the city and state.

Beyond that, there’s plenty to do all across the region. Need a space for little kids to play? The Magic House in Kirkwood is here to help. Looking to explore indoors but don’t mind ducking outside from time to time? The City Museum might be what you’re looking for. Pining for some history? The Gateway Arch and the recently renovated Old Courthouse are right next to each other downtown, and the World Chess Hall of Fame can be found just east of Forest Park.

Closing Thoughts

During the winter months, it’s easy to get down over everything that’s closed. Spots like Six Flags St. Louis, along with many seasonal eateries and farmer’s markets, go dormant with the cold. But that doesn’t mean St. Louis isn’t still alive. There is plenty to do both inside and out, if you’re willing to look for it.

If you’ve got favorites of your own, feel free to tell us about them in the comments.