THE WEEKEND EDIT
Fresh family activities and easy getaways from the greater St. Louis are
Labor Day Weekend | September 5–7, 2026
It is going to be extremely hot this weekend. Plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening, bring plenty of water and sunscreen, and take advantage of shade, pools and air-conditioned breaks.
A Quick Weather Note
Mastodon State Historic Site
50th Anniversary Celebration
📍 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive, Imperial, MO 63052
Mastodon State Historic Site is celebrating its 50th anniversary this Saturday, making this an especially fun weekend to visit.
The celebration includes:
Free museum admission from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Free live music and educational programs from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wooded hiking trails
Shady picnic areas
A playground
Access to beautiful Rock Creek
Bring snacks, drinks, sunscreen, water shoes and folding chairs. The shaded creek area is a nice place to slow down and cool off. Creek conditions can change, so supervise children closely and follow all posted park rules.
No registration is required.
Grant’s Farm Summer Nights
Live Entertainment and Drone Show
📍 10501 Gravois Road, St. Louis, MO 63123
Enjoy one of the final Summer Nights of the season at Grant’s Farm!
The evening includes animals, music, food and family entertainment, followed by a drone show at 9 p.m.
Saturday, September 5: 5–10 p.m.
Admission begins at $14 per person. Parking must be purchased separately, and the parking entrance closes at 8:30 p.m.
Because the event begins at 5 p.m., this is one of the better outdoor options for avoiding the worst of the daytime heat.
Japanese Festival
Missouri Botanical Garden
📍 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110
Experience taiko drumming, traditional dancing, martial-arts demonstrations, sumo wrestling, Japanese food, cultural activities and beautiful candlelight walks through the Japanese Garden.
Festival hours:
Saturday, September 5: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday, September 6: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Monday, September 7: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission is $20 for ages 13 and older, $10 for children ages 3–12 and free for children under 3.
Advance tickets are recommended. Because of the heat, consider arriving when the Garden opens or attending later in the evening.
Saint Louis Science Center
Free Solar Sunday
📍 5050 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110
Need an air-conditioned option? Spend part of the day exploring the Saint Louis Science Center and McDonnell Planetarium.
Families can also enjoy free outdoor solar-telescope viewing on Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., weather permitting. This is the final weekly Solar Sunday before the program moves to its less-frequent fall schedule.
General admission to the Science Center is free. Certain attractions, planetarium shows and special exhibits require separate tickets.
Before You Purchase Tickets…
Before booking any attraction, show, museum, tour, excursion, arcade or special event—whether it’s close to home or part of a larger vacation—take a minute to compare your options through Viator and GetYourGuide.
You may find:
Promotional pricing on eligible experiences
Convenient mobile tickets
Flexible cancellation options on select bookings
Reviews from other travelers
Multiple tours and ticket options in one place
Last-minute availability
Experiences you may not discover on the attraction’s main website
These sites aren’t only for major vacations. You can also use them to search for local tours, weekend activities, museums, shows and attractions.
Viator
Save 10% on eligible tours and experiences when booking through the Travel EDIT Viator link.
No promotional code is required for qualifying bookings.
GetYourGuide
Search current tours, attraction tickets, museums, shows and family activities through the Travel EDIT GetYourGuide link.
Prices, promotions, availability and cancellation policies vary by experience and date. Always review the complete booking details before purchasing.
Let Laura Handle the Details
Need a last-minute hotel, weekend escape or complete family vacation?
Travel EDIT can take the research off your plate and help pair your family with accommodations and experiences that are actually a good fit.
Real life. Real plans. Real memories.
Affiliate disclosure: Travel EDIT may earn a commission when you purchase through certain links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my small business!
