What’s New in St Louis in 2026

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[L-R: Saint Louis Zoo; St Louis Art Museum; Forest Park]

 

St. Louis is surging into 2026 with exciting new attractions, hotels, art exhibitions and immersive experiences. From a new direct flight from London Heathrow to major downtown food developments, here’s what to put on your calendar.

 

Missouri’s Only Direct Flight from London (Starting 19 April 2026, four times weekly)

With Missouri’s only direct flight from London, St. Louis is the state’s most accessible and affordable gateway for overseas travellers. That matters even more in 2026, with the England national football team being based in Kansas City for the duration of the FIFA World Cup. For fans and visitors flying from the UK, St. Louis becomes the natural arrival point into the Midwest, offering a direct transatlantic route, lower travel costs and easy onward journey to Kansas City, all while serving as a destination in its own right with world-class attractions, dining and culture as well as quality accommodations for every budget.

 

Destination Discovery at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Saint Louis Zoo’s newest immersive zone promises to feel more like a global expedition than a traditional exhibit. Destination Discoverywill feature themed environments inspired by wildlife habitats around the world, encouraging visitors to explore ecosystems through interactive play, educational stations and up-close animal encounters. Expect sensory-rich designs, hands-on learning spaces for kids and storytelling elements focused on conservation and environmental responsibility. This expansion aims to deepen emotional connections between guests and wildlife while blending entertainment with education.

Cost: Admission to the Saint Louis Zoo and Destination Discover are free, with some premium experiences inside.

 

AC Hotel St Louis Downtown

A St. Louis icon, the historic Jefferson Arms building is being transformed into a European-inspired AC Hotel, bringing minimalist design and upscale comfort to the heart of downtown. Guests can expect sleek rooms, modern workspaces, curated art and rooftop views of the city skyline. Designed for both business travellers and urban weekenders, the hotel blends old-world architecture with contemporary luxury. It’s poised to become a new social and hospitality anchor for downtown revival.

Cost: Prices start from $180 per night.

 

Food concepts at AC Hotel St. Louis Downtown (Jefferson Arms building)

The Jefferson Arms redevelopment includes multiple new food and beverage concepts, featuring chef-driven menus, stylish cocktail lounges and café-style dining. These spaces are designed to energise downtown evenings with approachable but elevated cuisine. Whether it’s a quick breakfast bite, after-work drinks or a full sit-down dinner, the building aims to be a hub for both locals and visitors.

 

Washington Avenue Food Hall

Downtown dining is getting a communal upgrade with Washington Avenue’s new food hall. The space will house multiple food vendors, offering everything from savoury street food to sweet desserts and craft drinks. Designed as a social gathering spot, it will provide shared seating, grab-and-go options and a rotating mix of local culinary talent.

 

Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO at the Missouri Botanical Garden (10 April - 26 Sept)

For the first time ever, HYBYCOZO’s luminous sculptures will appear in Missouri, and St. Louis gets the exclusive debut for the “Show Me Stay.” These large-scale glowing installations draw inspiration from geometry, biology, and natural patterns found in plants and ecosystems. Scattered throughout the garden’s indoor and outdoor spaces, the exhibit transforms a leisurely stroll into a surreal art walk of light and shadow. Day and evening visits will offer completely different visual experiences.

Cost: Included with garden admission ($16–$18 for adults).

 

New Temporary Exhibitions at the Saint Louis Art Museum

The Saint Louis Art Museum continues its tradition of debuting fresh exhibitions each year, bringing global artistry and rare collections to Forest Park. Expect rotating shows featuring contemporary artists, classical masterpieces and culturally significant works from around the world. For travellers interested in America250 events, Picturing Independence (12 June 2026 to 24 Jan 2027) features more than 50 works created between 1770 and 2018, including silver by Paul Revere, paintings by George Caleb Bingham and Benjamin West and prints by Norman Akers and Jacob Lawrence. The exhibition also coincides with Celebrate St. Louis, the city’s fireworks-filled Fourth of July celebration. These limited-run exhibitions ensure there’s always something new to see, even for repeat visitors. With its mix of innovation and tradition, the museum remains a cultural cornerstone of the city.

Images available HERE

-ENDS-

 

About Explore St Louis

Explore St. Louis is the driving force behind St. Louis’ $5.8 billion convention and tourism industry, the official destination marketing organization of St. Louis City and County, and operator of America’s Center Convention Complex and The Dome. For more information, please visit ExploreStLouis.com.

 

About Black Diamond

A London-based integrated communications agency specialising in travel, Black Diamond helps destinations and travel brands reach new audiences through expert story-telling and combining sound strategic thinking, creativity and a digital-first mindset. With deep sector expertise in travel destination, hotel and airline representation, Black Diamond develops effective, measurable and award-winning PR, marcomms, digital marketing and consumer-facing campaigns for a 50-client strong portfolio. Part of Miles Media, Black Diamond provides integrated solutions and pan-European strategies for global travel brands. BlackDiamond.co.uk

 

For further information, please contact:

• Ilse Henderson, PR Manager: ilse@blackdiamond.co.uk
• Kinza Chaudry, PR Executive: kinza@blackdiamond.co.uk
• Emma Westman, Head of PR: emma@blackdiamond.co.uk