There’s a certain magic to summertime in St. Louis — long golden evenings in Forest Park, the hum of outdoor concerts drifting across the Great Lawn, families cycling past fountains, and travelers discovering just how charming this Midwest city can be.
Summer Activities Around St. Louis: Explore and Wander
Beyond Forest Park’s green expanse, St. Louis in summer is all about discovery. In the nearby Central West End, guests can wander through sidewalk cafés, boutique shops, art galleries, and patios glowing with evening string lights. It’s the perfect neighborhood for a leisurely brunch.
Sports lovers can catch a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium (a quintessential summer experience) or explore the newly developed Ballpark Village. Families might spend a day at City Museum, where slides, tunnels, and rooftop attractions turn adults into kids again. And for a quintessential St. Louis treat, no trip is complete without a stop for frozen custard at Ted Drewes, a beloved local tradition on warm evenings, and a Route 66 staple!
For those seeking a little adventure, summer is also prime time for the Gateway Arch grounds, riverboat cruises on the Mississippi, and brewery tours — including the historic Anheuser-Busch campus. No matter the traveler, St. Louis offers a perfect blend of culture, food, fun, and sunshine.
Forest Park: St. Louis’ Summer Playground
Forest Park unfolds like an urban oasis. One of the largest city parks in the U.S. (even bigger than Central Park!), it’s the heartbeat of St. Louis in summertime. Mornings begin with joggers weaving through tree-lined paths, paddleboats gliding across Post-Dispatch Lake, and families heading to the park’s crown jewels: the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, Science Center, and Missouri History Museum — all offering free general admission. Travelers can easily spend an entire day exploring.
Evenings bring a different kind of energy. Music drifts from open-air stages, couples picnic on Art Hill at sunset, and festivals animate the park throughout the season, from food and cultural celebrations to Shakespeare in the Park and outdoor movie nights.
Walking through History, Writing Future stories.
Step through the doors at The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza and it feels as though you’re entering a living story — one written with Old Hollywood glamour, jazz age sparkle, and an ease that still defines the hotel today. The Chase was the place to be long before rooftop bars and boutique hotels became the measure of cool – and it still is. Legends dined here, performed here, and even swam laps in the hotel’s iconic pool. Frank Sinatra crooned from its stages. Sammy Davis Jr. wowed audiences in the Khorassan Ballroom. And the pool? It once played host to synchronized swimmers and glamorous summer parties that still linger in the hotel’s collective memory.
Today, visitors can experience that same sense of timeless summer escape, but with a modern twist. The Mediterranean-style pool, framed by archways and palms, is a sun-splashed haven for guests seeking to swim, sip, and unwind. Outdoor dining brings warm breezes and St. Louis flavors to the table. And for families or friend groups, the onsite cinema — yes, a full movie theatre right inside the hotel — offers the perfect way to cool off after a day exploring St Louis’ and Forest Park’s world-class attractions.
All of it is easily accessible from the hotel’s central location.
It’s Due time you plan a visit.
Whether you’re planning a trip for a weekend getaway, a family vacation, or just to soak up some sunshine, The Chase is the kind of place where your St. Louis summer gets its own story — one that blends history, adventure, and that classic “only-in-St.-Louis” charm.
Go ahead and take a look, we can’t wait to help write your next chapter.
Explore The Royal Sonesta Chase Park
Disclaimer: The suggested itinerary and points of interest are provided for informational and planning purposes only. Guests are encouraged to independently verify opening hours, availability, travel times, and any potential changes prior to visiting. The inclusion of any businesses, attractions, or destinations does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by Sonesta or its affiliates. Sonesta makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided and assumes no responsibility for any inconvenience or loss arising from the use of this information.
