St. Louis is the second largest city in the state of Missouri and a center for culture and tourism due to its size. Families who visit or live in the city can find things to do year-round. During the winter, a small number of free attractions and facilities provide activities for families. Free activities are also located indoors in St. Louis in case the weather is too cold or snowy to venture outside.
The St. Louis Public Library consists of 16 facilities within the city limits, with a central location on Olive Street between North 13th and 14th Streets. The libraries in St. Louis offer a variety of year-round programs that can provide free activity options for families during the winter when the weather is cold or snowy. The library hosts free story-times for children with different sessions for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Children listen to stories read aloud and then participate in musical and other activities that relate to the book. The library also hosts family movie days and game nights for children from kindergarten through 12th grade and their parents. Special events occur throughout the year as well such as Halloween or other holiday parties.
Times and days for the family programs at the St. Louis Public Library locations vary, and a complete schedule is available online. Some activities require advance registration or a reservation, particularly for groups of five or more children.
Sioux Passage Park is on Old Jamestown Road near its intersection with Vallie Avenue. The St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department oversees the park, which officially opened in 1967. The park covers 188 acres and overlooks the Missouri River, extending from north St. Louis into the community of Florissant. The county has designated the park a winter sports area, making it a family destination for a variety of outdoor activities. The park features sloping hills that serve as well-known spots for sledding, and families can also cross country ski and snowmobile at the park.
Sioux Passage Park is open daily until one hour after sunset. St. Louis County allows all visitors to enter and use the park facilities for free, and the park has a free, on-site lot.
The National Park Service operates and oversees the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, which is home to the well-known St. Louis landmark, The Gateway Arch. While the attraction is outdoors, the park is open year-round, and the Park Service recommends visiting during the winter months when lines are shorter or even non-existent; short lines can be especially beneficial to families with small children who may grow impatient waiting in line. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is dedicated to the history of Westward Expansion, when American pioneers traveled west to settle new areas in the midwestern and western United States. At the national park, families can take the tram to the top of the arch and watch a film about the expansion. An indoor Museum of Westward Expansion is also on-site and features exhibits related to this period of history.
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is open daily, year-round, with the exception of some national holidays. The National Park Service does not charge admission. The Arch Parking Garage, a pay facility, is the nearest available parking.
