WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 83
Missouri · Couples · Two nights

St. Louis

The Arch, Forest Park and dinner on The Hill.

St. Louis has some of the country’s best free attractions. Ride the tram to the top of the Gateway Arch, spend a day in Forest Park at the Art Museum, walk the Missouri Botanical Garden, play at the wild City Museum, eat toasted ravioli on The Hill and finish with frozen custard at Ted Drewes on old Route 66.

Gateway ArchFree museumsItalian on The Hill
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
The Gateway Arch lit up at blue hour
The Gateway Arch, St. Louis
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KCPS
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~618 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~4 hr 22 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car or rideshare

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land across the river.

KCPS, St. Louis Downtown Airport, is a towered field in Cahokia, Illinois, about 15 minutes from the Arch and downtown.

The FBO

Jet Aviation

St. Louis Downtown Airport, Cahokia Heights, IL

618-646-8262

Spirit of St. Louis Airport (KSUS), west of the city, is an alternative with a Signature FBO (636-532-8882) and is closer to Forest Park and the western suburbs. Confirm hours, fees and cars. No live fuel price is shown.

Brief the St. Louis Class B. About 620 nm from Myrtle Beach: plan a fuel stop and three nights.

02 / Where to stay

Near the park or by the river.

Rates and availability need travel dates.

03 / Where to eat

Toasted ravioli, barbecue and custard.

Reserve weekend dinners on The Hill.

04 / Things to do

The Arch and Forest Park.

Many of the city’s best attractions are free.

01

Gateway Arch National Park

Ride the tram 630 feet to the top; reserve tram times.

Tickets
02

Forest Park

A huge park with the free Saint Louis Art Museum, zoo and history museum.

Forest Park
03

Saint Louis Art Museum

A free museum in Forest Park.

Museum
04

Missouri Botanical Garden

One of the oldest botanical gardens in the country, with a Japanese garden.

Garden
05

City Museum

A playground for adults built from salvaged architecture.

City Museum
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Spring & fall

Best seasons

Summers are hot and humid.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse St. Louis events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample long weekend: the Arch, Forest Park and The Hill. Plan three nights for the flight. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive & the Arch

  1. Arrival

    Land at KCPS, subject to weather, your fuel stop and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    The Gateway Arch tram.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Charlie Gitto’s on The Hill.

DAY 2

Forest Park

  1. Morning

    The Art Museum.

  2. Afternoon

    The Botanical Garden.

  3. Evening

    Ted Drewes for dessert.

DAY 3

City Museum & home

  1. Morning

    City Museum or Pappy’s for lunch.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Summer storms build in the afternoon; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging first, then Arch tram times and dinners.

Airports

KCPS is closest to downtown; KSUS is closer to the western suburbs.

Long flight

About 620 nm. Plan a fuel stop and extra nights.

Best seasons

Spring and fall.

Reviewed · Destination 83

Reviewed November 4, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.