The best way to start your St. Louis summer vacation is to stop by the city's world-known landmark: the Gateway Arch. The 630-foot tall and 630-foot wide arch offers a unique tram ride that lets you have amazing views of the city and the vast expanse of the Mississippi River. The Gateway Arch is located inside the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial where you will find the Museum of Westward Expansion.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is the oldest garden in the United States. It is one of the top-rated botanical gardens around the world, with its showcase of twenty gardens set with different themes such as the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden. You will also find the Children's Garden that features different exhibits, including the Butterfly House. The Children's Garden offers a wilderness wagon trip, a fishing excursion and other adventurous family-oriented summer activites. The garden also teaches children how to care for the environment by planting trees and more.

Note: The Missouri Botanical Garden will be having its annual Japanese Festival on August 30th to September 1st. The festival celebrates the Japanese culture with a tour around the Japanese Garden, art exhibits, traditional Japanese parades, musical and theatrical performances, and kimono and cooking demonstrations. Entrance fee is only $10, with discounts for senior citizens and children under 12 get in for free!

There are other things to do in St. Louis that offer free admissions, making your summer vacation with the family even better. St. Louis Zoo allows visitor to enter the premises free of charge, but various special zoo attractions have entrance fees. To make the most out of your day in St. Louis Zoo, purchase the Safari Pass for only $10 and you get to enjoy all the special zoo attractions. St. Louis Science Center is another freebie attraction where your kids can see full-size animated dinosaurs and hundreds of other interactive exhibits.

The City Museum is a great place for both kids and parents. It has three floors of interesting and educational rooms. The attraction features an indoor play area with imaginative caves, crawling tubes, slides, circus, art workshops and a gallery of oddities. Feel free to go around and marvel over the displays of the enchanted forest, architectural museum and the gigantic aquarium.

St. Louis' Forest Park is more than just a park - it is a community! There are more than just a dozen things to see and do in the park such as the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, the Science Center, the Missouri History Museum and other cultural institutions. The world's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, The Muny, is also located in Forest Park. The Muny currently stages two of the most successful musicals in recent history: The Producers and Disney's High School Musical.

Accommodations and dining options are easy to locate in St. Louis. The Westin St. Louis is conveniently within walking distance to the Forest Park and is overlooking the Busch Stadiums, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Restaurants, on the other hand, are spread all throughout the city. Try the city's best burgers at Blueberry Hill located in The Loop, Charlie Gitto's On The HIll's toasted ravioli, or Ted Drewes Frozen Custard's treats that will definitely complete your list of summer things to do in St. Louis.