Traveling To See a Muny Show? Here’s Our Guide for St. Louis Visitors.

The Muny has been an essential summertime tradition for generations of St. Louisans, with tens of thousands of guests filling our 11,000-seat theatre each year. But we’re also a destination for out-of-towners who want a unique opportunity to see some of their favorite Broadway stars under the stars.

The 106th Muny season includes Les Misérables (June 17-23), Dreamgirls (June 27-July 3), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (July 8-16), Fiddler on the Roof (July 19-25), Waitress (July 30-Aug. 5), In the Heights (Aug. 9-15) and Anything Goes (Aug. 19-25).

Showtime at The Muny is promptly at 8:15 p.m., but your experience begins as soon as you step onto our 11½-acre campus. Have dinner at Café One or the Culver Pavilion, or unpack your own picnic on our lawn. Enjoy free, family-friendly entertainment at Steward Family Plaza, Purina Plaza, Broadhurst Pavilion or Lichtenstein Plaza. And don’t forget to take home a souvenir from our Muny Merch stand!

We love welcoming theatre fans from near and far! While you’re visiting our vibrant city, there’s a lot to see and do — within our beloved Forest Park home and in the beautiful neighborhoods that surround us. Here’s a guide to creating a magical visit to St. Louis.

Forest Park • The Muny is located in the heart of Forest Park, which at nearly 1,300 acres is one of the largest urban parks in the United States — larger than Central Park in New York City. Forest Park is home to some of St. Louis’ most beloved cultural institutions, plus miles of nature and recreational trails; courts for tennis, racquetball, handball and pickleball; lakes and water features; and even restaurants. Most attractions in Forest Park are free; even The Muny offers nearly 1,400 free seats for each performance. forestparkforever.org

St. Louis Art Museum • Atop Art Hill sits the St. Louis Art Museum, one of only two remaining structures from the 1904 World’s Fair. (The other is the Flight Cage at the St. Louis Zoo.) The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 36,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of history and cultures. It’s free to browse the permanent galleries, but there is a fee for some special exhibitions. Panorama, a full-service restaurant, provides a scenic view overlooking Forest Park. slam.org

Missouri History Museum • Speaking of the 1904 World’s Fair, the free Missouri History Museum recently unveiled an expansive permanent exhibition that offers visitors a vivid glimpse into this pivotal event in St. Louis’ past. Another new exhibition, Gateway to Pride, chronicles our city’s LGBTQIA history. Other museum galleries celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Eads Bridge, St. Louis’ iconic architecture and more. Grab a bite at the museum’s French-inspired Key Bistro. mohistory.org

St. Louis Zoo • More than 16,000 animals representing 600 species live at the St. Louis Zoo, which is frequently recognized as one of the nation’s top zoos, celebrated for its animal care, innovative exhibits and educational programs. Walk among the monkeys and lemurs at Primate Canopy Trails, cool off with a visit to Penguin & Puffin Coast or get nose-to-nose with a swimming polar bear at McDonnell Polar Bear Point. Restaurants, cafes and food kiosks are plentiful. stlzoo.org

St. Louis Science Center • Explore the wonders of the universe at this science museum that features more than 700 interactive exhibits, as well as its five-story OMNIMAX Theater and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, which has an entrance in Forest Park. New this year, visitors can see a special display of Doctor Who props and memorabilia, as well as a new exhibition with full-scale reproductions of a T. rex and Triceratops. Museum admission is free, but there are some paid experiences. slsc.org

The Magic House • A portion of a new permanent exhibition at this immersive children’s museum in Kirkwood was inspired by and designed in collaboration with The Muny. Story Time Magic includes a space that brings childhood stories to life, a green room where kids can dress up and rehearse their own show, and a theatre where they can perform for an audience. Among other attractions at the museum, its backyard is transformed for the summer with 75 tons of sand, where kids can build alongside a world-champion sand sculptor. magichouse.org

Gateway Arch National Park • The Gateway Arch stands 630 feet above downtown and can be seen for miles. But take a closer look at this landmark on the St. Louis riverfront. Beneath the stainless steel structure is an underground museum that offers an engaging exploration of America’s westward expansion. Visitors can delve into exhibits detailing the history of St. Louis, the construction of the Arch, and the broader story of pioneers and Native Americans. Take a tram ride to the top of the Arch for sweeping views to the east and west — more than 30 miles in each direction. The museum is free to visit, but there are fees for tram rides and other attractions. gatewayarch.com

St. Louis Union Station • The downtown train station that opened in 1894 saw its final passengers in 1978. After a few decades as a shopping mall, the historic structure has been reinvented once again as a vibrant entertainment complex. Along with St. Louis Union Station Hotel, it is home to St. Louis Aquarium, the St. Louis Wheel, a minigolf course, an indoor ropes course, a carousel, and an assortment of restaurants and outdoor food vendors. Be sure to stop by the gorgeous Grand Hall for a cocktail and to take in one of the nightly 3-D light shows on the 65-foot vaulted ceiling. stlouisunionstation.com

Anheuser-Busch Brewery • A-B, headquartered in St. Louis, is a landmark of American brewing heritage, renowned for producing Budweiser and other popular beers. Visitors can take guided tours of the facility, learning about the brewing process and the company’s rich history. Brewery tours include a visit to the Clydesdale stables, along with complimentary beer tastings. budweisertours.com/stltours

Missouri Botanical Garden • The nation’s oldest botanical garden in continuous operation offers 79 acres of horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese strolling garden, historic architecture, and one of the world’s largest collections of rare and endangered flora. On Wednesdays through July, the garden hosts the free Whitaker Music Festival. mobot.org

City Museum • Housed in a former shoe factory, this one-of-a-kind attraction features tunnels, slides and climbing structures made from reclaimed materials, offering endless exploration for both children and adults. There’s also an array of eclectic exhibits, making it a destination for creativity and adventure in the heart of downtown. citymuseum.org

Culver Pavilion • Enjoy a casual restaurant dining experience right here at The Muny. Located off Steward Family Plaza, Culver Pavilion offers shaded seating with a view of the live music and entertainment on the East Lawn Stage. Delicious buffet-style selections vary by show, including charcuterie selections, hot appetizers, vegetarian options, salad and dessert. A limited a la carte menu is available at the bar, where you can enjoy a drink or a signature cocktail. Culver Pavilion is open 6:30-8:15 p.m. for all Muny performances. Pre-purchase a meal until 24 hours before showtime; limited walk-ups also are available. muny.org/culver

Ted Drewes Frozen Custard • Ted Drewes has been selling its iconic frozen custard for 95 years — almost as long as The Muny has been producing exceptional musical theatre! When St. Louis heats up, folks get in line at Ted Drewes’ two locations to grab their favorite frozen treats. This summer, we’re excited to collaborate with Ted Drewes Frozen Custard to celebrate the Muny premiere of Waitress! Jenna’s Big Apple Pie Concrete, vanilla frozen custard blended with real chunks of apple pie, is available at Muny concession stands for performances of Waitress, while supplies last. teddrewes.com

Teleo Coffee • Not only does this Kirkwood shop serve great coffee in a friendly, welcoming environment, but it also has a mission we can get behind — giving back to the community. We’re proud to partner with Teleo Coffee to fill your cup with Muny magic this summer. Try one of seven specialty lattes, each inspired by a show in our 2024 season. teleocoffee.com

The Boathouse at Forest Park • For lakeside dining, visit the Boathouse, a short walk from The Muny. The menu offers burgers, sandwiches, salads, cocktails and more, from the restaurant group behind the celebrated Sugarfire Smoke House. After your meal, rent a boat or paddleboard for a scenic voyage around Post-Dispatch Lake. boathousestl.com

City Foundry • Satisfy any craving and get a taste of St. Louis’ diverse restaurant scene at City Foundry in midtown. Inside the Food Hall, 17 kitchens serve up everything from pizza and burgers to Afro-Caribbean and Argentinian fare. You can also catch an intimate concert at City Winery, see a movie in style at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, test your skills at Puttshack or Sandbox VR, explore the new Museum of Illusions, or take home a gift from one of several boutiques. cityfoundrystl.com

The Armory • This historic Missouri National Guard Armory in midtown has been transformed into one of the largest indoor entertainment venues in St. Louis. The nearly 6-acre Armory offers arcade games, table games and yard games — plus a huge slide and seesaw — along with what it says is the biggest bar in town. Take a break to refuel with tacos, pizza, burgers, wings and more. A huge stage with LED screen features concerts, sports viewing parties, movie nights and other events. armorystl.com

St. Louis Symphony Orchestra • The Muny production of Les Misérables will include 20 singers from the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, and members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will perform Sept. 7 in our special concert event starring John Legend. But there’s more on the SLSO schedule in the coming weeks, as the orchestra performs at a variety of venues while a renovation is underway at its Powell Hall home. Of particular note, Beethoven X Beyoncé, June 23 at Stifel Theatre downtown. slso.org

The Black Rep • The Black Rep is committed to producing, reimagining, and commissioning work by Black playwrights and creating opportunities for new voices and young talents. The company’s 47th season comes to a close with King Hedley II (June 19-July 14), directed by Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes. At The Muny, see Himes this summer as Marty in Dreamgirls. theblackrep.org

The Fabulous Fox Theatre • The historic Grand Center venue is known for presenting the best of Broadway on tour — and for its stunning architecture. Comedy and concerts make up the summer schedule, but the Fox Theatre’s Broadway Series kicks off again in August with the return of Hamilton. fabulousfox.com

Shakespeare in the Park • There’s more live theatre happening under the stars just about a mile down Government Drive in Shakespeare Glen. The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s free nightly performances of As You Like It begin at 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, through June 23. Fun fact: The Muny’s roots date to a 1916 production of As You Like It, on a grassy patch between two oak trees at the base of a hill in Forest Park. In 1919, the Municipal Opera was born, and The Muny has continued in that spot for 106 seasons. stlshakes.org

21c Museum Hotel • It really is fun to stay at the YMCA — located inside downtown’s historic former YMCA building, the new 21c Museum Hotel St. Louis is a destination. Along with 173 guest rooms, the boutique hotel includes a curated art collection throughout its public spaces; a fitness center, spa and swim club; an acclaimed restaurant, Idol Wolf; and a coffee shop, Good Press. And you never know where the hotel chain’s iconic oversize penguins will show up on your stay. The museum is free to visit. 21cmuseumhotels.com/stlouis

The Cheshire • This charming boutique hotel offers a delightful blend of British elegance and modern comforts. Each themed room pays homage to classic British literature, providing a cozy and whimsical retreat. Enjoy a meal at the Cheshire’s traditional English pub, Fox and Hounds, or at the cozy, upscale Basso. cheshirestl.com