St Louis Union Station

St. Louis Union Station, a St. Louis Landmark and a National Historic Landmark, was once the largest and busiest passenger rail terminal in the world. Designed by the famous St. Louis architect, Theodore Link, it first opened in 1894 and at the height of train travel, serviced 22 railways. In the 1940's, over 100,000 passengers a day came through the St. Louis Union Station. But, as the nation's transportation needs and methods began to change, less and less trains pulled in to the Station and it closed its doors as an active train terminal in 1978. Fortunately, Union Station was purchased instead of torn down and in August of 1985, it reopened as the largest adaptive re-use project in the United States.

St. Louis Union Station Today

Today, this National Historic Landmark of unmatched beauty and elegance has been dramatically restored and redeveloped and includes a host of new family friendly attractions. On Christmas Day 2019, the much anticipated and talked about new attraction at Union Station, the St. Louis Aquarium, opened to the public for the first time. The St. Louis Wheel, a Ferris wheel with fully enclosed, climate controlled gondolas, is also new and lifts visitors 200 feet in the air for great views of downtown St. Louis. Other new attractions which are all sure to please include: the outdoor 18 hole Mini-Golf course, the Ropes Course which takes visitors three stories high and through 30+ obstacles, the A-MAZE-ING Discoveries Mirror Maze, the nostalgic Carousel, plus the Fire & Light Show - a pyrotechnic and light show that takes place on the lake.

Union Station also has delicious dining options. One of the restaurants, the Station Grille, is located in the restored Fred Harvey Restaurant that was famous for its world renowned waitresses, the "Harvey Girls." Other eateries in Union Station are the 1894 Cafe, Landry's Seafood House, The Train Shed, and for dessert or a classic burger, the St. Louis Union Station Soda Fountain is a must visit!

St. Louis Union Station is home to The St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. Whether you stay for a special night with a special someone or a week with the family, be sure to check out Light Show in the Historic Grand Hall, a one-of-a-kind 3D presentation that occurs every hour projected onto the gorgeous mosaic covered 65-foot ceiling of the Hall.

The St. Louis Union Station "Allegorical Window"

A most impressive feature of the Grand Hall in Union Station is the "Allegorical Window," a hand-made stained glass window with hand-cut Tiffany glass strategically positioned above the Station's main entryway. The window features three women, or goddesses, representing the main U.S. train stations during the 1890s, New York, St. Louis and San Francisco. St. Louis is depicted by the goddess in the middle. She looks forward with a serene look on her face, confident of her important place in the world, as New York and San Francisco look toward her!

Visit the St. Louis Union Station

Union Station is located in downtown St. Louis on Market Street between 18th and 20th streets. The MetroLink light rail system conveniently has a station located there and services both the Red and Blue Lines.

St. Louis Union Station Address and Phone Numbers

St. Louis Union Station
1820 Market Street
St Louis, MO 63103
314-621-5262

St Louis Union Station Related Links:

St. Louis City Landmarks, St. Louis Union Station Website