Old Courthouse St. Louis

George Washington's 1858 Birthday Ball

Celebrate George Washington's birthday the way St. Louisans did in 1858 at the Old Courthouse with a Birthday Ball. You'll enjoy live music and an interactive dance workshop.

View this event »

Downtown St. Louis History Walking Tour

Meet up with a park ranger and take a free walking tour that explores downtown St. Louis and its most popular landmarks.

View this event »

Reenactment of the Dred and Harriet Scott Case

The enslaved Scott family, including Dred, Harriet and their daughters, sued for their freedom from slavery prior to the Civil War. See a reenactment of the case in one of the restored courtrooms at the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis.

Rangers will facilitate the reenactment and participants will read printed scripts, taking on the roles of the people involved in Mr. and Mrs. Scott's 1850 trial.

Free. 2 p.m. at the Old Courthouse. More information: nps.gov

View this event »

Dred Scott Portrait Painting

Learn about the historic Dred Scott case and how it led to the American Civil War while creating art. Visitors will work with a park ranger who is also a professional artist to paint an oil portrait of Dred Scott.

The image is based on one of the few surviving images of Mr. Scott from the period. Supplies are provided.

Free. 1 p.m. at the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis. More information: nps.gov

View this event »

Things to Do

Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo

See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.

View this event »

Preschool Science Series at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.

View this event »

Storytime in Forest Park: Storytime in the Meadow

Monday, August 17, 2026

Meet up in Forest Park for a fun storytime followed by nature adventures! These free story times are open to children of all ages and their caregivers.

View this event »

Baby & Me

Monday, August 17, 2026

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Friday, August 21, 2026

Learn ways to nurture your baby's development and make new friends in a relaxed, supportive environment at Baby & Me, a free class offered at the St. Louis County Library. Baby & Me classes are for parents and caregivers with pre-walking infants ages 0-12 months.

View this event »

Baby Bookworms Storytime with the St. Louis Public Library

Bring your little ones, 0-18 months, to Baby Bookworms Storytime to enjoy songs, stories and more.

View this event »

See All Things to Do

Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.

Popular Stories

Dinoroarus Comes Roaring Back at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Dinoroarus exhibit brings prehistoric fun back to the Saint Louis Zoo this summer with 20 lifelike dinosaur animatronics and sculptures on the Zoo's Historic Hill.

Get Ready to Climb and Explore at These Free Big Truck Days

If your kids love to explore big trucks and vehicles, these upcoming Big Truck Days are a perfect weekend or weeknight outing. They'll get to climb on and explore fire trucks, police vehicles, bulldozers, bucket trucks, ambulances and lots more.

Travel Back in Time Every Friday at the Missouri History Museum’s Free Summer Family Fun Series

There comes a point every summer when all that “free time” isn’t so fun anymore. Your kids are bouncing off the walls, it’s too hot to hit the playground, and every activity seems to come with a big price tag. That’s when the screens come out, and parents find themselves counting down the minutes to bedtime. Thankfully, when Friday rolls around each week, your family can experience a mini summer getaway through history – no travel required.

City Museum's Stuff the Bus Campaign Provides School Supplies for 160 St. Louis Schools

Visit City Museum August 3-31, bring school supplies to donate, and get discounted admission! That's the idea behind City Museum's Stuff the Bus campaign.

Your Guide to Free Outdoor Family Movies this Summer

Seeing a movie at the theater is a magical experience, but when summer rolls around, it’s time to get outside and enjoy free movies under the stars! Free family movie nights abound across the St. Louis area, so grab your kids, a blanket or lawn chairs, and get ready for some cinematic fun. Here's where to find them:

You Might Also Like...

Make the most of the rest of summer at Upper Limits Rock Climbing Summer Camp! Our 5-day camps run Monday through Friday and are packed with climbing, games, water days, challenges, and new friendships. Choose the schedule that works best for your family with half-day and full-day camp options available. We're conveniently located in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, making it easy to find an adventure near you! Save $10 on camp registration with promo code CLIMBINGCAMP2026. Come spend the rest of your summer reaching new heights at Upper Limits! LEARN MORE

Great Rivers Greenway has teamed up with the Saint Louis Zoo for the fifth annual free greenway scavenger hunt. Community members are invited to look for the many varieties of native bees that you can see buzzing around greenways and search for special hidden souvenirs you can take home! Starting August 1, BEE on the lookout for hand-painted bee rocks along all 140+ miles of greenways. Saint Louis Zoo ALIVE (Active Leaders in Volunteer Education) teen volunteers hand-painted hundreds of rocks like three different species of bees found along the greenways: American bumblebee, brown-belted bumblebee and two-spotted bumblebee, plus a few of the endangered rusty patched bumblebee. If you find a painted rock, you can take it with you. Be sure to log your rock at www.GreenwayQuest.com for a chance to win prizes from both organizations, including Saint Louis Zoo Adventure Passes! Rocks are along edges of greenways or at trailheads, never far away from the path and never on private property. LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED!

See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Featuring some of the most talented canines in the country, the Purina Incredible Dog Team consists of more than 20 remarkably gifted dogs and two trainers who entertain audiences with extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill. Spectators can watch the team demonstrate a variety of canine sports while dogs of different breeds fly through the air to catch a flying disc, leap over a high jump, and maneuver through a series of obstacles in an agility course. Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel. Learn more at purina.com/purinafarms.

From Our Sponsors