RV Rental St. Louis, MO

St. Louis, Missouri RV Rentals

St. Louis is well-known as the “Gateway to the West,” thanks to its distinctive and highly recognizable Arch, which is one of the city’s top tourist attractions. That’s not all there is to see and do, though. With a metropolitan population of 2.8 million, St. Louis is a proud “little big city” that offers the most free major tourist attractions of any city in the country other than Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1764 as a French fur-trading village due to its ideal location at the confluence of two major river systems — the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, which were perfect for helping to transport goods — St. Louis boasts a colorful and interesting history. It went on to become a bustling riverboat capital, with more than 5,000 steamboats traveling through the city during the 1850s. It also played host to the 1904 World’s Fair, which was the first time people would ever get to see electric lights, the ice cream cone, and an X-ray machine.

With all the fun and educational things to do in this bustling city, renting an RV to tour St. Louis and the surrounding area is a comfortable, practical, and economical way to get to know the area. 

Popular RV Destinations in St. Louis

The Gateway Arch

St. Louis’s Gateway Arch is definitely its most famous tourist attraction. Featuring more than 43,000 tons of concrete and steel, it elegantly arcs 63 stories up into the Midwestern atmosphere. It serves as a celebration and commemoration of the westward expansion of the United States and those brave pioneers who made it all possible. On a clear day, you can take a tram ride to the top and enjoy breathtaking views that stretch up to 30 miles in both directions.

Journey through the story of the explorers, pioneers, and Native Americans who inhabited the region at the Arch’s museum with six themed interactive exhibits that span from 1764 to 1965. Or enjoy the view of the Arch from the famed Mississippi River on a replica 19th-century paddlewheel riverboat cruise. The cruises offer a wide variety of sightseeing, dinner, and specially themed outings to choose from and are one of the most iconic ways to see the downtown. 

Budweiser Brewery Tour

Founded in 1852, Anheuser-Busch is another time-honored and iconic attraction that St. Louis is famous for. It’s one of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most well-known breweries whose history-rich architecture boasts three National Historic Landmarks. It continues to honor historic brewing methods while integrating cutting-edge brewing technology to produce one of America’s top beers.

Schedule a private tour to learn all about the brewery’s history and masterful beer-making processes, head over to the state-of-the-art Warm Springs ranch to get a view of the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, or take part in one of the many fun live music events at the open and inviting Biergarten located right on the brewery’s main grounds. You can even make a whole day of it and tour some of the many other delicious and innovative microbreweries in the area, although we don’t recommend driving your RV from place to place on this tour!

Missouri Botanical Garden

The Missouri Botanical Garden is a huge, 79-acre paradise that was founded in 1859, making it the oldest botanical garden in continuous operation in the country. Located just minutes west of downtown, the garden is easily accessed by driving or taking convenient public transportation. It’s proud to be a National Historic Landmark that’s a national hub for science, conservation, education, and horticultural displays.

There’s so much to do at this garden, from viewing hundreds of exotic butterfly species inside the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly house, to touring the massive Climatron geodesic dome conservatory that’s an architectural marvel. Take an introspective stroll through the elegant Japanese garden or have a rambunctious and fun time learning at the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden. There’s definitely something for everyone here.

Museums

St. Louis is home to some of the most interesting and eclectic museums in the country. Choose from dozens of different themes, including the St. Louis Art Museum, the St. Louis Science Center, the National Blues Museum, the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, the Missouri Civil War Museum, and so much more.

One of the most popular and unique choices, especially for those with kids, is the City Museum. It’s a funky cross between a children’s playground, funhouse, and surrealistic pavilion that’s housed in the 600,000-square-foot building that was once the International Shoe Company. It’s the unconventional brainchild of acclaimed artist, sculptor, and entrepreneur Bob Cassilly, who thoughtfully and playfully constructed the museum from items and themes unique to St. Louis, making it a source of urban pride unlike many other structures in the U.S.

Casinos

St. Louis is also known for its fun and vibrant casino gaming sites that are sprinkled throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. If you don’t have kids and are looking to experience a fun night out reminiscent of the famed Las Vegas casino culture, you should check out one of these impressive spots. 

Downtown offers the iconic and award-winning River City Casino, a state-of-the-art facility located on the scenic banks of the Mississippi River. It features all the quintessential casino games and five unique restaurants. Not far from that, near the Gateway Arch, you’ll find the modern and visually appealing Lumiere Place Casino with its fun sports bar. Slightly farther afield, minutes outside of town, you can explore the large Hollywood Casino or the locally loved Ameristar Casino.

Professional Sporting Events

If you’re even the tiniest bit into sports, a trip to St. Louis needs to be rounded out by taking in that most loved of American pastimes, a Major League baseball game. Few cities adore their baseball team like St. Louis loves its 11-time world champion Cardinals. Busch Stadium is one of the most famous baseball stadiums in the country, and it’s a great place to spend a warm summer afternoon.

Not visiting St. Louis in the summer? No problem. If you experience the city during the colder months, drop into the Enterprise Center to take in a fast-paced and high-energy St. Louis Blues game. They’re the area’s NHL hockey team—you’ll definitely have a great time cheering them on at a home game.

Events and Entertainment in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras

St. Louis honors its French roots every year with the second-largest Mardi Gras festival in the country, behind New Orleans. Every year on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, revelers gather in the streets for a huge party and parade that lasts all day and well into the night with tons of food, drinks, live bands, and Mardi Gras events to keep you entertained.

Of course, there are also numerous events leading up to Mardi Gras. You can participate in the annual 5K race, Cajun Cook-Off, Shoebox Float Parade, Scavenger Hunt, and much more. You can even enter your favorite pet in the fun and lighthearted Pet Parade. The whole event culminates with the biggest party of all on Fat Tuesday with a nighttime parade through the streets of St. Louis.

Fair St. Louis

This event takes place over Independence Day weekend every year and is one of the best free July Fourth celebrations in the country. This multi-day event is held under the famed Gateway Arch and features lots of family-friendly events and activities. There’s the world-renowned air show, plenty of live entertainment, and of course, a huge fireworks display to commemorate America’s independence.

You’ll be able to enjoy some famous, chart-topping bands while you sample local foods, beers, wines, desserts, and international cuisines from the well-stocked food vendor area. Kids can get their faces painted and play tons of games at the Festival Zone. No festival would be complete without a huge parade, so plan to attend that as well.

Big Muddy Blues Festival

The Big Muddy Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in Missouri. It takes place on Labor Day weekend every year and pays homage to the city’s deep and honored blues musical roots. St. Louis is well-known for its rich and historic blues and music scene, boasting famed groundbreaking artists like Chuck Berry, B.B. King, and Eva Taylor.

This much-anticipated event attracts 30,000 to 60,000 blues lovers to the cobblestone streets of Laclede’s Landing each year. With the picturesque backdrop of the Gateway Arch and the Big Muddy (the Mississippi River) in the background, you’ll soak up everything that makes St. Louis a unique and fun party town. Musicians perform at three different stages, three indoor clubs, and two big events at the National Blues Museum.

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race

Yet another free and unique event, this huge balloon race is held in Forest Park in September every year. It kicks off on Friday with the signature “Balloon Glow” in which all the hot air balloons are lit up to create a magical ambiance in which they all glow like huge fireflies. It’s a beautiful sight to behold while walking around chatting with pilots and crew and enjoying lots of the local food and beverage offerings. 

You’ll also get to see a wonderful fireworks display and live entertainment and performances, including dance and theater troupes and a thrilling skydiving display. Compete for fun giveaways and watch to see if your favorite balloon comes in first in the “Hare” and “Hound” balloon race on Saturday. If you like to get fancy, there’s even a VIP Glow in the Park Charity Dinner that allows you to enjoy a delicious sit-down dinner underneath the glowing balloons.

Budweiser Taste of St. Louis

Also in September each year at the Chesterfield Amphitheater, Budweiser sponsors the award-winning Taste of St. Louis — a celebration of the best art, music, culture, food, and beverages that the diverse city has to offer. A huge tasting event, this festival attracts more than 30 restaurants every year.

You can watch and participate in fun events like the Art & Wine Walk, culinary competitions, and the Chef Battle Royale. While this event is free, there are ticketed shows that you can enjoy at the amphitheater. There’s also Kid City to keep your little ones entertained, and much more, making this one of the largest tasting events in the Midwest.

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your own RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q. How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in St. Louis can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in St. Louis?

While most states require you to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, Missouri’s legal age to rent one is 21. This may not be the policy of your RV rental agency, however. Most companies require you to be at least 25 to rent.

Q. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in St. Louis. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in St. Louis will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle. 

Q. Are RVs pet-friendly in St. Louis?

Many RV and camper rentals in St. Louis are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.