Welcome to St. Louis, the Gateway to the West! Check into Home2 Suites by Hilton St. Louis Downtown, where you and your crew can enjoy a prime location that’s walking distance from your first stop of the day: the City Museum. Housed in a massive former shoe factory, the City Museum uses recycled, locally sourced architectural and industrial objects to create an oversized playground ideal for both children and adults. Spend the morning climbing up, sliding down and swinging from salvaged bridges, abandoned planes, tunnels and man-made caves.

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After burning all that energy at the City Museum, it’s time for a relaxing tram ride to the top of one of the most iconic monuments in the United States, the Gateway Arch. The globally recognized, 63-story high, stainless-steel arch is the tallest monument in the nation, so enjoying the city views from the very top is a must. Enjoy interactive exhibits and Gateway Arch trivia while you wait to board the tram, which takes between 45 and 60 minutes. Back on the ground, explore the free Museum at the Gateway Arch, which includes six interactive themed galleries. Refuel with American and Mexican comfort food the whole family will enjoy at nearby BLT’s - Breakfast, Lunch and Tacos.

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Spend your first evening in St. Louis by enjoying an all-American pastime — baseball. On game nights, there’s no bad seat in the house at Busch Stadium and you’ll find plenty of interactive games and activities at the family pavilion. Keep an eye out for the team mascot, Fredbird, known for playing games with kids and shooting t-shirts into the crowd. Grab a classic hot dog or cheeseburger for dinner, sample some famous St. Louis barbeque or even Asian stir-fry, all available at various concession stands within the ballpark.

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After snagging a free hot breakfast — don’t sleep on the breakfast sandwich! — at your hotel, you’ll be more than ready for another day of exploring. Start by heading to Soulard Farmers Market, a quick 6-minute drive from the hotel. Founded in 1779, Soulard Farmers Market is the oldest operating farmers market west of the Mississippi River, with vendors offering farm-fresh produce, flowers, handcrafted candy, spices, flowers, baked goods (available only on Fridays and Saturdays) and more. The market also has a convenient playground and park to wander around before or after your shopping is done.

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Spend the afternoon at Forest Park, a beautiful 1,300-acre (526-hectare) urban oasis. Opt for a stroll along the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) boardwalk through the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forest (within Forest Park) or take to the water in a paddleboat across Post-Dispatch Lake. Also within Forest Park is the celebrated (and free) St. Louis Zoo, home to more than 16,000 animals representing every continent. Kids will love exploring the zoo's six zones: River's Edge, The Wild, Historic Hill, Red Rocks, Lakeside Crossing, and Discovery Corner, where they can enjoy a hands-on experience with various creatures.

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The entire family can pretend to be pro racers at Victory Raceway, an indoor electric go-kart racing track. Each go-kart seats one person, so everyone gets a turn behind the wheel — but be aware that kids must be at least six years old and 50 inches (127 centimeters) tall to drive. Junior racers between the ages of six and 14 can zip around a 1/4-mile (0.4-kilometer) track for eight laps at up to 25 mph (40 kph), while older teens and adults can hit speeds up to 45 mph (72 kph) for 12 laps. Afterward, head back downtown for a celebratory barbeque dinner at Sugarfire Smoke House where everyone will feel like a winner.

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There’s no better way to kick off Sunday Funday than combining art and play. Visit Laumeier Sculpture Park, located on the outskirts of St. Louis, to walk around a 105-acre (42.4-hectare) park that features more than 70 large-scale outdoor sculptures, including a gigantic eyeball, a metal creepy crawler reminiscent of an oversized caterpillar, a larger-than-life deer and a huge tire that seems to have sprouted from the ground. As long as they’re careful, kids can even walk, climb or sit on some of the large-scale pieces.

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Science-curious kids (and adults) will find plenty to enjoy on a visit to the St. Louis Science Center. The galleries feature more than 700 hands-on, brain-stimulating exhibits, including building a replica of the Gateway Arch, analyzing materials under a microscope and digging for fossils. Dino-obsessed visitors of all ages will love trying to sneak past a life-sized animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex, and budding astronomers can explore the night sky at one of four shows at the McDonnell Planetarium.

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Although you’ve seen the skyline from above during the day at the Arch, you’ll want to head to The St. Louis Wheel to see the city glitter at night. At 200 feet (60.9 meters), The St. Louis Wheel is the city’s tallest observation wheel and offers climate-controlled gondolas that seat up to eight riders. If you’re in the mood to splurge, the VIP gondolas offer leather captain’s chairs, a glass floor and a professional family photo. Head to the nearby St. Louis Union Station, adjacent to St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, to admire the architecture of the Grand Hall, try out the ropes course, visit the aquarium, navigate a labyrinth of mirrors and grab dinner at one of the many family-friendly restaurants.

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Find your rhythm! St. Louis is the birthplace of blues legend and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry, making the city a great fit for the National Blues Museum. The funky space, which opened its doors in 2016, celebrates the blues as the root of all American music. In addition to exploring the artifact-driven exhibits, visitors can interact with the music by producing a tune of their own or even catching a live performance.

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After a fun, action-packed stay in St. Louis, it’s time to pack up and head home. With so many vibrant, kid-friendly activities to explore — from the great outdoors to world-class museums and attractions — you’ll leave a long weekend in St. Louis filled with fantastic family memories.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of Explore St. Louis