St. Louis Union Station, Missouri
Historic rail site
St. Louis Union Station opened in 1894 as the largest train station in the world, with 31 tracks under an enclosed train shed, and today the National Historic Landmark welcomes visitors to explore its history alongside its newer attractions.
- Opened in 1894
- Once the world's largest station
- 31 tracks under one train shed
- National Historic Landmark
St. Louis Union Station at a glance
- Hours
- Varies by attraction; check the station's website before you go
- Admission
- Free to walk in; attractions are ticketed separately
- Best for
- Families and history fans visiting downtown St. Louis
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(314) 923-3900
- Emailinfo@stlouisunionstation.com
- Websitestlouisunionstation.com(opens in a new tab)
Follow St. Louis Union Station
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to St. Louis Union Station? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to St. Louis.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
The gateway terminal of the golden age of rail
When St. Louis Union Station opened in 1894, it was the largest train station in the world, with 31 tracks under a single enclosed train shed. For travelers heading west, it became a monumental gateway, and the station today presents itself as a doorway to the story of the American West and the golden age of rail travel.
Passenger trains no longer use the old terminal, but the building has been reborn as a destination in its own right. It is a National Historic Landmark, and alongside its history it now holds attractions, restaurants and entertainment, including a 120,000 square foot aquarium with exhibits of river and ocean life. Event spaces host gatherings of up to 300 people.
The station's website shares the story of the building's past. Rail fans should check there, or call (314) 923-3900, to learn what historic displays are open during their visit.
A landmark terminal, reimagined
Visitors come to see the scale of a terminal built for the busiest years of American rail travel, then stay for the attractions now inside, which are ticketed separately. The station does not list its historic displays in detail online, so call ahead if railroad history is the main reason for your trip.
Don’t miss
- The train shedThe enclosed shed once covered 31 tracks, making Union Station the largest station in the world when it opened.
- The station's historyThe station tells the story of its 1894 opening and its later rebirth on its website and on site.
History plus attractions for families
Families often pair the station's history with its newer attractions, such as the aquarium. Specific kid-friendly railroad exhibits are not described online, so check the station's events calendar or call ahead.
Plan your visit: tips for St. Louis Union Station
- Buy attraction tickets online ahead of a busy weekend.
- Check the events calendar on the station's website for special programs.
- Groups can book group tickets and event space through the station.
Caring for a National Historic Landmark
Union Station today is run as a historic destination with attractions, dining and event spaces. Visitors help keep the landmark busy and cared for by buying tickets, dining there or booking an event. For questions, email info@stlouisunionstation.com or call (314) 923-3900.
More St. Louis railroad history
The St. Louis Mercantile Library railroad collection is about 8 miles away and holds deep archives on rail history. The National Museum of Transportation, home of Big Boy #4006, is about 14 miles west, and the Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railroad runs small steam trains about 23 miles away. See all train museums in Missouri.
- St. Louis Mercantile Library railroad collectionSt. Louis, MO · about 8 mi
- National Museum of TransportationSt. Louis County, MO · about 14 mi
- Wabash, Frisco & Pacific RailroadGlencoe, MO · about 23 mi
- Historic Illinois Central Depot MuseumCentralia, IL · about 58 mi
- Iron Mountain RailwayJackson, MO · about 91 mi
- Museum of Missouri Military History railroad exhibitsJefferson City, MO · about 106 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
I picture the crowds that once filled the largest train station in the world, every one of them carrying a bag. In our book Rally packs his own little suitcase with a turtle toy, a green bone and a yellow ball before he heads to see his grand-paw-rents. My mom loved that detail. You can read how her idea became a book on our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Missouri: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Missouri
- Halloween train rides in Missouri
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at St. Louis Union Station?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- St. Louis Union Station official website(opens in a new tab)
- St. Louis Union Station on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- St. Louis Union Station on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
St. Louis Union Station: 20 questions about the historic terminal
Where is St. Louis Union Station?
St. Louis Union Station is at 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103, in downtown St. Louis. Call (314) 923-3900 or email info@stlouisunionstation.com if you need directions or help planning which attractions to visit during your trip.
When did St. Louis Union Station open?
St. Louis Union Station opened in 1894. At the time it was the largest train station in the world, with 31 tracks under an enclosed train shed. It served as a grand gateway for rail travelers heading into the American West during the golden age of rail.
Was St. Louis Union Station the largest train station in the world?
Yes. When it opened in 1894, St. Louis Union Station was the largest station in the world, with 31 tracks under a single enclosed train shed. The station describes itself as having been the world's most expansive passenger terminal at its debut.
Is St. Louis Union Station a National Historic Landmark?
Yes. St. Louis Union Station is a National Historic Landmark, recognized for its importance in the history of American rail travel. The building has since been reborn as a destination with attractions, dining and entertainment while keeping its historic character.
Do trains still run at St. Louis Union Station?
No. Union Station is a former train station, and it no longer serves as a passenger terminal. The historic building now houses attractions, restaurants, entertainment and event spaces, and it shares the story of its railroad past with visitors.
What are the St. Louis Union Station hours?
Hours vary by attraction, restaurant and season, and the station does not post a single schedule for the whole building. Check stlouisunionstation.com before you go, or call (314) 923-3900 to confirm when the areas you want to see are open.
Is it free to visit St. Louis Union Station?
The station's attractions are ticketed, and tickets can be bought through its website. The station does not post whether its historic areas have a separate charge, so call (314) 923-3900 to check before your visit if you only plan to see the building's history.
What historic railroad exhibits are at St. Louis Union Station?
The station shares its history, from its 1894 opening as the world's largest train terminal to its modern rebirth, but it does not list specific railroad exhibits online. Call (314) 923-3900 or check the station's website to learn what historic displays are open.
What else is there to do at St. Louis Union Station?
Union Station has attractions, dining and entertainment. Among them is a 120,000 square foot aquarium with tanks holding thousands of aquatic species from rivers and oceans around the world. Check the station's website for the full list of current attractions and tickets.
Is St. Louis Union Station good for kids?
Many families visit for the attractions, such as the aquarium, and enjoy the history of the grand old terminal along the way. The station does not describe kid-specific railroad exhibits online, so check its events calendar for family programs before you go.
Can I buy St. Louis Union Station tickets online?
Yes. The station's website has a Tickets link for its attractions, and buying ahead can save time on busy days. Group tickets are also available through a separate group tickets page. Call (314) 923-3900 with questions about your order.
Does St. Louis Union Station offer group tickets?
Yes. The station has a group tickets page and a groups page on its website for planning visits with schools, clubs and other groups. Call (314) 923-3900 or email info@stlouisunionstation.com to ask about group rates and booking.
Can I hold an event at St. Louis Union Station?
Yes. Union Station hosts events from office happy hours to birthday celebrations, with spaces and menus that can be tailored to the group. Larger celebrations of up to 300 people can include indoor and outdoor cocktail receptions. Contact the station to plan an event.
Does St. Louis Union Station have an events calendar?
Yes. The station keeps an events calendar on its website listing special programs and happenings throughout the year. Check it before your visit to see whether anything special is planned for the day you are going.
Is there parking at St. Louis Union Station?
The station does not post parking details on its history pages. Call (314) 923-3900 or check stlouisunionstation.com to ask about parking options and costs near the Market Street entrance before you drive downtown. Groups arriving by bus should ask about drop-off when they book.
Is St. Louis Union Station wheelchair accessible?
The station does not post accessibility details on its history pages. Call (314) 923-3900 or email info@stlouisunionstation.com before your visit to ask about accessible entrances, elevators and access to the attractions you plan to see.
Why was St. Louis Union Station built so large?
St. Louis was a major gateway for travel to the American West, and the station was built in 1894 to handle that traffic, with 31 tracks under one enclosed train shed. That scale made it the largest train station in the world when it opened.
How long should I spend at St. Louis Union Station?
The station does not suggest a visit length. A quick look at the historic building takes little time, while adding attractions like the aquarium, a meal or an event can fill most of a day. Check the attractions list to plan your time.
How can I contact St. Louis Union Station?
Call (314) 923-3900 or email info@stlouisunionstation.com. The station's website also has pages for tickets, groups, events and the history of the building, which answer many common questions before you visit. Group visitors can also use the group tickets page to start planning.
What train museums are near St. Louis Union Station?
The St. Louis Mercantile Library railroad collection is about 8 miles away, and the National Museum of Transportation, with Big Boy #4006, is about 14 miles. The Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railroad, which runs small steam trains on Sundays, is about 23 miles away.
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