(Mostly) Free Winter Activities In & Around St Louis

Our roommate, Roy, has a couple weeks off and is looking for free stuff to do, and as I was making a list of ideas, I thought I might as well share them with you! Here are some good, affordable activities for your winter breaks:

1. Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour - Of course we all know that the brewery tour is fun and free! They also just announced that the holiday lights tour will return this year, and they have really expanded the dates! I have done this a few times and it's one of my favorite holiday activities. Click here for dates and times.

2. Bellefontaine Cemetery  - I'm a cold weather wuss, but Roy specifically asked about this one. Free public tours are conducted on the second Saturday of the month, and you must make advanced reservations. You can also pick up a map at the office and explore solo. Details on the website.

3. Missouri Botanical Garden - Garden Glow is back this year and starts November 22. Admission for this special event is $16 for adults and $10 for children, but general daytime admission to the garden is only $4 for adults and FREE from 7-9am on Wednesday and Saturday! The Climatron is a little dome of summertime in the winter!

4. St Louis Science Center - Admission is always free! Check out First Friday for a fun and free Friday party with a free movie screening. I can't want to check out the International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes! This is a special exhibit with admission price of $13.50 for adults.

5. The Newman Money Museum - Located in the lower level of the Kemper Art Museum at Washington University, the Newman Money Museum was built with a donation from Eric and Evelyn Newman, and gives scholars access to their world renowned collection of US Currency. It also has St Louis's only Spokes Mannequin! This is one of the best hidden treasures in St Louis and if you haven't been, you really need to check it out. The Kemper Art Museum is pretty awesome, too. Admission is free.

6. Faust Park Carousel - only $2 per ride! The Sophia M Sachs Butterfly House is also at Faust Park, and admission is $6 for adults and $4 for kids.

7. Cathedral Basilica (New Cathedral) - Check out one of the largest collections of mosaics in the world! It's really an incredible place. There's a museum, too.

8. Lincoln's Tomb - Abraham Lincoln is buried only 2 hours away from St Louis, a fact I never fully grasped  until I finally visited a couple years ago. There are a ton of other things to do in Springfield that are cheap or free. Plan your trip here!

9. Vacuum Cleaner Museum - Another  great road trip! The  Vacuum Cleaner Museum is truly one of the best museums in the great state of Missouri. We need some new vacuum cleaner bags for our Riccar Pizzazz (which we bought on our second visit) and I am tempted to drive down there to buy them at the factory outlet just for fun. Admission is free!

10. Jefferson Barracks Park Museums - The link is to the Old Ordnance Room Museum, and you will also find the Powder Room Museum, Visitor's Center, and Laborer's House, which are all free (donations accepted). Click here for hours. Also in the park is the Missouri Civil War Museum, which is top-notch and only $7 for civilians (free to veterans and current members of the military).