There are several family-friendly hotels near Gateway Arch, and if you’re a parent, that’s a big deal. You want your kids to enjoy their time at the Gateway Arch, and make lifelong memories. You want to be near attractions they love, and it’s a big plus if the hotel itself has amenities that they love.
We hear ya’, and we’ve got ya’! Keep reading for descriptions of the best family-friendly hotels near the Arch.
Published September 4, 2024…Updated January 8, 2025
Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch
The Drury Plaza Hotel has a lot going for it. It literally backs up to Gateway Arch National Park. Many of the rooms overlook the park, as well as the Mississippi River. The terrace on the eighth floor has the same view.
The Drury Plaza Hotel has historical significance. In 1997, Drury Hotels purchased three buildings that had been marked for demolition – the International Fur Exchange Building, the Thomas Jefferson Building, and the American Zinc Building. During renovation, these three buildings were combined into one, creating the Drury Plaza Hotel at the Arch. In addition, all three buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Free hot breakfast is available every morning. The “5:30 Kickback” serves a rotating menu of hot food and cold drinks from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every evening. Free popcorn and soft drinks are also available in the lobby every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Website? druryhotels.com
- How is it rated? 4.6 Stars Google Stars
- What is the address? 2 South 4th St, St. Louis, MO 63102
- How close is it to Gateway Arch? A 3-minute walk from the lobby of Drury Plaza Hotel
- What are the closest restaurants? The Drury Plaza Hotel has a restaurant on site; Chili Mac’s Diner; Burger 809
- Are there other things to do nearby? Ride the Riverboat on the Mississippi River; Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball, is only a 2-minute walk from the Drury Plaza
- What other lodging options are in this area?
Pro Tip
- The Drury Plaza offers several packages aimed at families with kids, including…
- Gateway Arch Experience VIP Package
- St. Louis Zoo Family Package
- St. Louis Science Center Package
- City Museum Package
The Hyatt Regency at the Arch
The Hyatt Regency is right next door to the Drury Plaza Hotel. In some respects, they are quite similar. Both overlook Gateway Arch National Park and the Mississippi River. They are both highly rated and very nice. They are near the same attractions and restaurants.
The Hyatt has more on-site dining options, but the Drury has free popcorn all day. Either of these hotels is a great choice when visiting the Arch.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Website? – hyatt.com
- How is it rated? 4.3 Stars Google Stars
- What is the address? 315 Chestnut St, St. Louis, MO 63102
- How close is it to Gateway Arch? Just a 1-2 minute walk!
- What are the closest restaurants? Pickles Deli; Chili Mac’s Deli; Pharoah’s Donuts; Hyatt Regency has an on-site restaurant, RED Kitchen, as well as a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and a Starbucks
- Family-friendly things to do nearby? Ride the Riverboat on the Mississippi River; Busch Stadium, where the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball, is only a 2-minute walk away
- What other lodging options are in this area?
Pro Tip
- The Hyatt Regency at the Arch offers a special package for baseball fans, which includes 4 tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. Click here for more info.
The St. Louis Union Station Hotel
This hotel is where your kids will want to stay because it’s a part of Union Station in downtown St. Louis, and Union Station is “where the action is” if you’re a kid!
The Wheel Ferris Wheel, carnival-style games, mini-golf, play areas, large indoor koi pond, indoor ropes course, and the St. Louis Aquarium are just some of the attractions you’ll find at Union Station.
Here’s the best part – the St. Louis Union Station Hotel is not just near Union Station – it’s actually in Union Station. In fact, if you really want to make your kids happy, you can book one of the special rooms that actually look out inside the St. Louis Aquarium!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Website? hilton.com
- How is it rated? 4.3 Google Stars
- What is the address? 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103
- How close is it to Gateway Arch? 1.1 miles
- What are the closest restaurants? There are several dining options in Union Station, including the Taco Container, Landry’s Seafood, The Station Grille, and the Soda Fountains
- Family-friendly things to do nearby? St. Louis Aquarium; St. Louis Wheel (ferris wheel); Enterprise Arena, home of the St. Louis Blues hockey team
- What other lodging options are in this area?
Pro Tip
- The St. Louis Union Station Hotel offers an Aquarium Package that will shave 20% off the cost of aquarium tickets.
- The St. Louis Union Station Hotel is a member of the Curio Collection of Hilton Hotels. Use those Hilton Honors points!
The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
If I were taking my family to watch the St. Louis Cardinals play baseball, this is probably where I would stay. It’s just a block or two from Busch Stadium, and several restaurants are conveniently located within easy walking distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Website? hilton.com
- How is it rated? 4.1 Google Stars
- What is the address? 1 South Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
- How close is it to Gateway Arch? 0.2 miles
- What are the closest restaurants? Katie’s Pizza & Pasta at Ballpark Village; Condado Tacos; Salt + Smoke BBQ; the hotel features three onsite restaurants – Ballpark Pizza, Market Street Bistro and Bar, and Starbucks
- Family-friendly things to do nearby? Gateway Arch National Park; Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team
- What other lodging options are in this area?
Pro Tip
- Hilton properties are pet-friendly. Bring Rover with you!
The Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park
The Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park is a 12-minute walk from the Saint Louis Science Center, a mile from the Saint Louis Zoo, and 7 miles from the iconic Gateway Arch.
The understated rooms feature free Wi-Fi and custom-designed beds, plus desks, flat-screen TVs, minifridges and coffeemakers. Suites add microwaves and pull-out sofas.
Parking and hot breakfast (or weekday breakfast bags to go) are complimentary. Other amenities include a gym, an indoor pool, a convenience store, a meeting room, and a business center.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Website? hilton.com
- How is it rated? 4.5 Google Stars
- What is the address? 5650 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
- How close is it to Gateway Arch? 7 miles
- What are the closest restaurants? El Potro (Mexican); Five Guys; Red Robin; Pizza Hut
- Family-friendly things to do nearby? St. Louis Zoo; St. Louis Science Center
- What other lodging options are in this area?
The Marriott St. Louis Grand
While the Marriott St. Louis Grand does not sit immediately next to any attractions, it is fairly close to all of them—Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, Union Square. It is especially close to the City Museum, only 0.5 miles away.
City Museum is difficult to describe, so I’ll just let their website do it for me…
“Housed in an old shoe factory in Downtown St. Louis, City Museum is an ever-evolving, always-thrilling, artist-built playground full of weirdly wonderful spaces to explore. From a passion project to an indoor, outdoor, underground playground that welcomes adventurous visitors from all over, we had no idea what City Museum would become when we first opened our doors.” (Taken from citymuseum.org)
Sounds like fun, doesn’t it!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Website? marriott.com
- How is it rated? 4.2 Google Stars
- What is the address? 800 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63101
- How close is it to Gateway Arch? 0.8 miles
- What are the closest restaurants? Hi-Pointe Drive-In; Snarf’s Sandwiches MX; Cafe de Blaire
- Family-friendly things to do nearby? City Museum; Gateway Arch National Park; Busch Stadium; Mastermind Room Escape
- What other lodging options are in this area?
- Pear Tree Inn St. Louis Near Union Station
- There are four other hotels closer to City Museum, but they are not as highly rated or are decidedly aimed at adults
The Wrap – The Best Family-Friendly Hotels Near Gateway Arch
The truth is, all of the hotels we’ve written about are good choices. They are all within a six-mile radius of each other, and they are all highly rated. They are all near restaurants and attractions.
If convenience to a particular attraction is important to you, make your choice based on that. But if not, it would be impossible to make a bad decision.
Give my best to your family!
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The Author
Jeff Powell is the Creator/CEO of National Park Ventures. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, are on a venture to visit every national park in the United States and share what they experience with their readers. Their goal is to help their readers maximize their own national park ventures.
Jeff and Mary Ellen have two sons, two grandkids, and two dogs. They live in the mountains outside Blue Ridge, GA.