St. Louis, Missouri, USA cruise port
North AmericaUnited StatesMissouri › St. Louis

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Where the Mississippi River bends beneath a shining 630-foot arch, St. Louis delivers a full day of free world-class museums, legendary BBQ, and big American city energy—all steps from the cobblestone levee.

⚓ Docked (cobblestone levee)🕒 Typical call: 8–10 hrs or home port💵 USD🗣️ English🌡️ Hot humid summers; mild spring/fall
Docking
Riverboat dock at cobblestone levee below Gateway Arch, 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd
Walk to Arch
Steps from the dock — Gateway Arch National Park is immediately adjacent
Best For
History, architecture, free museums, BBQ & blues
Don't Miss
Tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch and a frozen custard at Ted Drewes
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
⬇ PDF (print)⬇ Word (editable)

Getting Ashore

Riverboats tie up directly at the historic cobblestone levee below the Gateway Arch — you step off the gangway and you are already in a national park.

Getting Ashore in St. Louis

  • 1
    Disembark onto the leveeShips dock at the cobblestone riverfront at 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. There is no cruise terminal building — walk straight up to the Arch grounds. Rideshares cannot drive onto the cobblestones; walk up to street level first.
  • 2
    Explore on foot or by MetroLinkThe Arch, Old Courthouse, and Laclede's Landing are all walkable. The MetroLink light rail stops at Laclede's Landing (~5 min walk), giving easy access to Forest Park, the Central West End, and more.
  • 3
    Use Uber/Lyft for neighborhoodsThe Hill (Italian district, ~15 min), Ted Drewes on Route 66, and Sugarfire BBQ downtown are all easy rideshare rides. Both services are active throughout the city.

💡 Pro move: No pier fees or tender required. Parking is available on the levee for a fee but is weather- and river-level-dependent.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

St. Louis riverboats dock on the historic Mississippi cobblestone levee directly beneath the Gateway Arch.

Cruise LineTypical Berth / ArrivalDock or Tender
American Cruise LinesCobblestone levee, 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd📍Docked
Viking River CruisesCobblestone levee, 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd📍Docked

Top Excursions

From a free world-class zoo and art museum to a soaring 630-foot stainless arch, St. Louis punches well above its weight for a single shore day.

Iconic

Gateway Arch Tram Ride

Ride a pod-shaped tram to the observation deck of the world's tallest arch for panoramic views of St. Louis and the Mississippi River. Entry requires a timed ticket; book ahead in summer.

⏱ 2–3 hrs🎟 ~$16 adults📷 Iconic views
Book Gateway Arch tram tickets →
Nature

Forest Park & Free Museums

One of the largest urban parks in the US — home to the free St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Science Center, and History Museum. MetroLink from Laclede's Landing drops you at the park's edge.

⏱ 3–5 hrs🚇 MetroLink access💰 Mostly free
Find Forest Park tours →
History

Old Courthouse & Museum of Westward Expansion

The domed Old Courthouse was the site of early Dred Scott hearings. The underground Museum of Westward Expansion beneath the Arch tells the story of Lewis & Clark and the settlement of the American West.

⏱ 1–2 hrs🚶 Walkable from dock💰 Free
Find St. Louis history tours →
Culture

Laclede's Landing & Blues Bars

The cobblestone district just north of the Arch is St. Louis's oldest commercial neighborhood, packed with live blues and jazz venues, craft breweries, and restaurants in 19th-century warehouses.

⏱ 1–2 hrs🚶 Steps from dock🎵 Live music evenings
Find St. Louis blues tours →
Food

St. Louis Food Tour: Toasted Ravioli, BBQ & Custard

Sample the city's three food obsessions: toasted (deep-fried) ravioli on The Hill, St. Louis-cut ribs from Sugarfire Smoke House, and a 'concrete' frozen custard from Ted Drewes on Route 66.

⏱ 2–4 hrs🚗 Short rideshare for Hill & Ted Drewes🍖 Locals' favourites
Find St. Louis food tours →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

The Gateway Arch levee to Forest Park walk threads through St. Louis's most storied downtown, but most walkers focus on the riverfront and Arch grounds.

Riverfront to Old Courthouse Walk

0.6 miles · 15 min · Flat cobblestones and paved paths

Walk off the gangway onto the cobblestone levee, stroll through Gateway Arch National Park, and continue west to the Old Courthouse — the heart of downtown and visible from the dock.

  1. StartGateway Arch, St. Louis, MO
  2. StopMuseum of Westward Expansion, St. Louis, MO
  3. EndOld Courthouse, St. Louis, MO
🗺️ See full route in Maps →

Arch to Laclede's Landing

0.5 miles · 12 min · Flat riverfront

Head north along the riverfront from the dock to Laclede's Landing, St. Louis's historic cobblestone district with bars, restaurants, and river views.

  1. StartGateway Arch, St. Louis, MO
  2. EndLaclede's Landing, St. Louis, MO
🗺️ See full route in Maps →

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for St. Louis, Missouri, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainy DaysSunriseSunset
Jan41°F / 5°C25°F / -4°C87:17 AM5:03 PM
Feb44°F / 7°C25°F / -4°C96:51 AM5:38 PM
Mar56°F / 13°C37°F / 3°C127:11 AM7:07 PM
Apr66°F / 19°C46°F / 8°C116:24 AM7:37 PM
May76°F / 24°C57°F / 14°C145:48 AM8:05 PM
Jun86°F / 30°C67°F / 19°C125:36 AM8:26 PM
Jul88°F / 31°C70°F / 21°C135:49 AM8:24 PM
Aug85°F / 29°C69°F / 21°C136:15 AM7:54 PM
Sep81°F / 27°C63°F / 17°C86:42 AM7:08 PM
Oct68°F / 20°C51°F / 11°C107:10 AM6:21 PM
Nov54°F / 12°C37°F / 3°C96:43 AM4:47 PM
Dec47°F / 8°C31°F / -1°C77:11 AM4:40 PM

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

  • 🎟
    Book the Arch tram in advance. Summer timed-entry tickets sell out; reserve online at gatewayarch.com before your call day.
  • 🚇
    MetroLink is your best friend. The light rail stops at Laclede's Landing, a short walk from the dock, and runs straight to Forest Park — faster and cheaper than rideshare.
  • 🌡
    St. Louis summers are brutal. July and August bring high heat and humidity. Carry water, wear a hat, and plan indoor museum time during peak afternoon heat.
  • 🍖
    Eat local. Toasted ravioli (Charlie Gitto's on The Hill), St. Louis BBQ (Sugarfire, walkable downtown), and Ted Drewes frozen custard are must-tries — none of them exist outside this city.
  • 💰
    Forest Park is free. The zoo, art museum, science center, and history museum all charge nothing for general admission — a rare find in any major American city.

Getting Around

Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.

🚗 Ride-share: ✅ Uber, Lyft🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus

🚶 Walking

Free

The cruise port at Gateway Arch Riverfront Levee sits right in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch, Old Courthouse, and Laclede's Landing are all within easy walking distance.

📱 Uber / Lyft

$8–$15 to most downtown destinations

Both Uber and Lyft operate throughout St. Louis. Great for reaching Forest Park, the Central West End, or other neighborhoods beyond the immediate riverfront.

🚕 Taxi

$6–$15 for downtown trips

Metered taxis are available near the levee on Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. Base fare ~$3.50–$4.50 plus ~$2–$3 per mile; availability can be inconsistent.

🚃 MetroLink Light Rail

$2.50 per ride

The 8th & Pine station is a short walk from the riverfront. MetroLink connects downtown to Forest Park, the Zoo area, and St. Louis Lambert Airport.

🚌 Narrated Trolley Tour

~$30/adult

A 90-minute narrated trolley tour covers major highlights including the Arch, Busch Stadium, and Soulard — a good way to orient yourself without renting a car.

Cruises Calling Here

Upcoming cruises that call at St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

Viking Mississippi
Viking River Cruises
Minneapolis-Saint Paul → New Orleans
⚓ Calls 12 Sep 202614 nights14 portsDeparts 2026-09-05
View itinerary · 14 ports
14 days, one-way from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to New Orleans
  1. 05 SepMinneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota
  2. 06 SepRed Wing MN, Minnesota
  3. 07 SepLa Crosse WI, Wisconsin
  4. 08 SepDubuque IA, Iowa
  5. 09 SepDavenport IA, Iowa, Quad Cities
  6. 10 SepBurlington IA, Iowa
  7. 11 SepHannibal MO, Missouri
  8. 12 SepSt Louis MO, Missouri
  9. 14 SepMemphis TN, Tennessee
  10. 15 SepGreenville MS, Mississippi
  11. 16 SepVicksburg MS, Mississippi
  12. 17 SepNatchez MS, Mississippi
  13. 18 SepBaton Rouge, Louisiana
  14. 19 SepNew Orleans, Port NOLA Louisiana
Find this cruise to book →
Price on request

Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.