Free-for-All in St. Louis, MO

Charming St. Louis is filled with 19th-century architecture, constantly evolving neighborhoods, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Happily, the city offers culture (St. Louis Art Museum), science (St. Louis Science Center), and brewery tours (Anheuser Busch)—for free. Ten dollars will whisk you to the highest point in town, but a visit to the museum at the base of the Gateway Arch won’t set you back a single penny.

This contemporary 18-story property with a peaceful location in a residential neighborhood delivers terrific value, and is just 10 minutes by car from the city's main cultural activities.

Take a free tour to learn about state-of-the-art brewing—and, of course, to taste beer.

Don’t miss the planetarium and its high-tech Boeing Space Station exhibit at the (free) science center.

Originally designed for the 1904 World’s Fair, this Beaux Arts-style building showcases works by Matisse, Picasso, Degas, Monet, and more modern artists, such as Anselm Kiefer and Jenny Holzer.

The history of the state (1904 World’s Fair) and its native-born (Tennessee Williams) are the focus at this institution.

Head to the stunning Meriwether’s Restaurant housed inside the (free) Missouri History Museum; the Food Network named it one of the “best museum restaurants.” Try a local Fitz’s orange soda or Plainsman’s chili made with Missouri buffalo.