Union Station is a balance of nostalgia and renovation. The stylish and sophisticated Grand Hall features elegant historic touches like the original terrazzo floor, green glazed terracotta bricks, stained glass windows and wooden carpentry detailing. Among the carefully restored details, you’ll stare in awe at the Allegorical Window, a hand-crafted design of stained glass. Three women are depicted in Tiffany glass representing the expanse of train travel in the 1890s from New York to San Francisco with St. Louis in the middle, linking it all together. You can almost hear the trains coming into the platform, loved ones waving goodbye as soldiers head off to war and joyous hellos when they were welcomed home again. 

But look up to see modern times—an innovative and breathtaking  3D light show set to music projects across the Grand Hall’s entire 65-foot vaulted ceiling, every day at 5pm, for an exciting mix of old-meets-new (check for blackout dates). Take in the light show from the Grand Hall’s fabulous lobby and full lounge bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail or linger over a delicious meal with friends. Or enjoy a spectacular animated fire and light show, synchronized to music dazzling visitors at Union Station’s small lake.

Stay close to the action and book a room at the in-station St. Louis Union Station Hotel, an AAA Four Diamond hotel that continues to honor the past with modern amenities.

Those original hotel rooms have changed a lot. Today, you will find fully renovated, beautifully modern and historically rich accommodations in 539 spacious guest rooms and suites. Many of the rooms give a nod to Union Station’s history with artwork and decor depicting railroad themes. And several suites offer views of the historic side of the building that looks out over Market Street with a glimpse of the landmark Meeting of the Waters Fountain.

The renovations that have redefined the hotel and surrounding station will continue. Paying homage to the rich history of the city of St. Louis and Union Station, one of the major updates is the restoration of the massive steel train shed, bringing it back to its original glory of more than 120 years ago. 

Visitors get a bird’s-eye view of the train shed and the iconic St. Louis skyline when they board the neighboring 200-foot St. Louis Wheel. Open year-round, the observation wheel features 42 enclosed gondolas, each equipped with seating for eight adults. And if folks are in the mood to splurge, one special “VIP” gondola has leather bucket seats, a stereo system and a glass floor.

Union Station’s train attractions, like the popular St. Louis Polar Express Train Ride that families enjoy during the holidays, echo the building’s original purpose of exploring in a new direction.

Anchoring the entire Union Station development is the stunning St. Louis Aquarium. Located in the former retail space inside the station, the 120,000-square-foot attraction will feature one-of-a-kind exhibits and tanks housing thousands of aquatic species from the rivers and oceans of the world and will be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With so many wonderful things to see and do in St. Louis, the new additions at Union Station capture the essence of history, fun and entertainment that the city offers, with the added bonus of being able to stay in the hotel right on site. Convenient, easily accessible and joining nearby downtown attractions like City Museum, City Park, Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch grounds, the reimagined Union Station remains an inspiring must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.