St. Louis Union Station
Kid-Friendly Fun in a Historical Setting
Once one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world, St. Louis Union Station is now a wellspring of family-friendly activity. Anchored by the St. Louis Aquarium, it also boasts a ropes course, a mirror maze, a miniature golf course, a selfie experience, a classic carousel and the St. Louis Wheel, alongside three new amusement rides. While you’re here, catch a light show in the Grand Hall, share a Freak Shake at The Soda Fountain and make a new friend at Build-A-Bear Workshop!
St. Louis Aquarium
Hey, there’s a shark on track 36! The St. Louis Aquarium was retrofitted in a 19th-century train station, and visitors of all ages will love discovering which creatures now live along the tracks. The interactive aquarium holds approximately 250,000 gallons of water and more than 13,000 animals. Keep an eye out for green sea turtles, paddlefish, sea dragons, cownose rays and Lord Stanley, the blue lobster. Love aquatic animals? Consider taking a behind-the-scenes tour, which includes personalized animal encounters that your family won’t soon forget.
St. Louis Wheel
Reaching a height of 200 feet, the St. Louis Wheel is the tallest observation wheel in St. Louis. It boasts enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas and sweeping views of the St. Louis skyline. Want to splurge? The VIP gondolas offer opportunities for kids to learn concepts in math, engineering and geography; plus, they have leather captain’s chairs and a glass floor!
Carnival Rides
Soar, spin, sail! Introduced in the summer of 2025, three carnival rides elevate the kid-friendly experience at St. Louis Union Station. Perfect for riders of all ages, the Wave Swinger puts the wind in your hair and a smile on your face, while the Spinning Coaster boasts 16 seats that move with every twist and turn of the ride. Completing the heart-pounding excitement, the Flying Louie gives the sensation of riding the waves as the massive ship swings back and forth, reaching impressive heights. Together, the trio delivers nonstop thrills from takeoff to touchdown.
Carousel
Can you imagine soaring with a majestic eagle, gliding atop a vibrant hummingbird or riding with flair on a proud zebra? At Union Station’s classic carousel, those whimsical dreams spin to life every day. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., this timeless attraction invites guests of all ages to laugh, twirl and create new memories with their loved ones.
Ropes Course
Test your agility, strength and nerves on the indoor ropes course overlooking St. Louis Union Station. Thirty obstacles take adventurers three stories up, where the bravest among them can glide 50 feet above onlookers across the 100-foot-long rigid zip line. You’re in control of where you go and what you do throughout the course, making this a guaranteed hit for participants of all ages and skill levels. Traveling with tiny tykes? There’s also a miniature version of the course for those under 42 inches tall.
Mini Golf
Fore! In the shadow of the St. Louis Wheel, families and friends can swing into action on this beautifully landscaped miniature golf course. Featuring a variety of interactive elements across 18 holes, the course is ADA-accessible and fun yet challenging.
Selfie Express
Say cheese – the Selfie Express is no ordinary train trip. Entering the immersive attraction, you’ll be transported to weird and wonderful worlds where things might go a little off the rails. If your luggage gets lost, for example, you might have to search the luggage room – and don’t be alarmed when the suitcases start talking back. As you explore the train, your height might change, and in one compartment, you’ll find all the seats on the ceiling! As you play with light and mirrors to great effect, snap selfies with your travel companions – you’ll be surprised by what you see in each frame.
Mirror Maze
Get lost in the magic of the mirror maze. Here, iconic attractions of the 1904 World’s Fair are reimagined, creating an a-maze-ing experience for the entire family. As you navigate the labyrinth of mirrors, test your knowledge of the St. Louis World’s Fair – and don’t miss the chance to explore the curiosities of the fun house.
Polar Express Train Ride
The Polar Express Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station is an important holiday tradition. Set to The Polar Express motion picture soundtrack, the magical experience takes guests on a journey to the North Pole aboard beautifully decorated trains. Families are encouraged to interact with the train conductor, The Polar Express characters, Santa Claus and his elves – and to wear their favorite seasonal pajamas for the occasion.
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Do you BEARlieve in magic? It’s not difficult after visiting Build-A-Bear Workshop. Founded by Maxine Clark in 1997, the St. Louis-based toy company has become a global brand beloved by people of all ages. Its mission? To add a little more heart to life. Far from a fad, Build-A-Bear Workshop has remained relevant through swiftly changing times, and fans attribute its staying power to the experience, which isn’t only about building a bear. So, while you explore St. Louis Union Station, stop by the World Bearquarters to make memories, create connections and let your imagination run wild. As they say at Build-A-Bear Workshop, “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood,” and this is one place where you certainly have permission to be a kid again.
The Soda Fountain
A refreshing blast from the past, The Soda Fountain at St. Louis Union Station serves sweets, treats and eats for everyone. Situated between the St. Louis Wheel and the St. Louis Aquarium, the dressed-up diner offers unique spins on ice cream sundaes, boozy drinks, phosphate sodas, old-time candy and Instagram-worthy Freak Shakes – massive ice cream concoctions that offer a fun, unexpected take on traditional milkshakes, with garnishes such as Funfetti cupcakes, cotton candy, snickerdoodle cookies and potato chips.
Grand Hall
Although the golden era of U.S. train travel has faded, you can relive parts of the past in the Grand Hall at St. Louis Union Station. Carefully restored details of the 19th-century train station include the 65-foot-high barrel-vaulted ceiling, green-glazed terracotta bricks, intricate woodwork and the handcrafted Tiffany stained glass of the Allegorical Window, which depicts three women representing New York City, St. Louis and San Francisco. Every day on the hour from 5 to 10 p.m., a 3D light show adds another dimension to the space. Watch whales swim, flowers dance and fireworks burst in the stunning experience created by Technomedia Solutions, an award-winning collaborator with Cirque du Soleil.
St. Louis Union Station Hotel
Want to know the best part of St. Louis Union Station? You can stay in the middle of the action! Through the elegant archways of the Grand Hall, you’ll find the clock tower suites. Some of them are part of the train station’s original three-story vault, but don’t let that fool you – they’re the newest rooms in St. Louis Union Station Hotel, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Every suite is named after a railroad line that operated here – think Missouri Pacific Railroad, St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad – and every front door names the last president of the respective railroad line. The historic vibe continues in the rooms with throwback photos and clock tower blueprints lining the walls. This is one of your only chances to sleep in a National Historic Landmark – with all the modern amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center and a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.
