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 will be 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 and the Gateway Arch grounds, the reimagined Union Station remains an inspiring must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.