St. Louis in 1 Day for Friends - Photo stop at Gateway Arch National Park
In Collaboration with Your Guy in StL. Updated on February 1, 2026.
Private 5-hour guided tour sampling St. Louis barbecue and local breweries. Starts with photos at the Gateway Arch, then a guided visit to Anheuser‑Busch's Biergarten, iconic Pappy's Smokehouse for BBQ, Schlafly Tap Room for craft-beer history, and ends with games + drafts at 4 Hands Brewing. Designed for groups of friends (21+).
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Your Guy in StL, inspired by the tour Private Tour of St. Louis's Iconic BBQ Joints & Breweries. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Photo stop at Gateway Arch National Park
- Anheuser‑Busch Brewery & Biergarten experience
- Lunch/tasting at Pappy's Smokehouse (classic St. Louis BBQ)
- Schlafly Tap Room — birthplace of St. Louis craft beer
- 4 Hands Brewing — taproom + game room ending
Itinerary
Day 1
5-hour private tour (starts 10:30) optimized for groups of friends — photos, brewery tastings, and classic St. Louis BBQ. Comfortable shoes recommended; pace is relaxed with short drives between stops.
Meet & photos — Gateway Arch National Park (meeting point)
Gather at the Gateway Arch Visitor Center / park lawn for introductions, a quick overview of the day, and group photos with the Arch in the background.
Tips from local experts:
- Best photo angle: walk to the west side of the Arch lawn (near Kiener Plaza) for the classic Arch + skyline shot.
- Parking: use the nearby Gateway Arch parking garage or metered street parking — budget extra 10–15 minutes in September weekends.
- Accessibility: the Arch grounds and visitor center are wheelchair-accessible — great spot for any member who prefers to stay level while others explore.
Drive to Anheuser‑Busch Brewery & Biergarten
Short private transfer to the historic Anheuser‑Busch complex for a biergarten experience and photo ops with brewery landmarks.
Tips from local experts:
- Travel time is typically 10–20 minutes from the Arch; in autumn traffic is milder but allow buffer for local events.
- If your group wants a formal tour (Cellar, Brewmaster, Clydesdale VIP), let the guide know in advance so we can add time and coordinate tickets.
- Bring ID — Anheuser‑Busch property checks IDs for on-site consumption areas; everyone in the party should have a valid 21+ ID.
Anheuser‑Busch Brewery & Biergarten — tasting + history
Guided walk around the iconic brewery grounds, photo stops, and time in the Biergarten to sample classic pours and brewery ambiance.
Tips from local experts:
- Biergarten seating is great for groups — share a couple of pitchers and sample the classic Bud classics along with seasonal pours.
- Insider move: ask the staff about the 'Heritage' beers or limited releases — they sometimes have specialty taps in the biergarten.
- Plan for restroom breaks and a quick walk—the grounds are expansive and a good place for candid group photos with historic tanks and architecture in the background.
Drive to Pappy's Smokehouse (Central West End/Olive St area)
Short transfer to one of St. Louis' most celebrated BBQ destinations — Pappy's is a must-try for ribs and smoked specialties.
Tips from local experts:
- Pappy's is famous and often busy — getting here right after the brewery helps avoid peak lines (arriving around 12:25 is ideal).
- If time is tight, order share plates: the ribs and pulled pork are perfect for groups to sample multiple items.
- Cash and card accepted; bring ID for any guests who want to order beer from nearby vendors — Pappy's itself focuses on food.
Pappy's Smokehouse — BBQ tasting & group lunch
Sit-down tasting of Pappy's signature ribs, pulled pork, and 'Adam Bomb' (popular sample platter). Guide will recommend pairings and help the group share dishes.
Tips from local experts:
- Must-try: the dry-rub ribs and 'The Adam Bomb' sandwich — order a few different plates to share family-style.
- Seating note: if the line is long, the guide can recommend nearby quieter tables or quick to-go options so the group can stay on schedule.
- Dietary needs: Pappy's can accommodate simple swaps; let your guide order strategically if anyone has allergies or preferences.
Drive-by / quick photo stop — Busch Stadium (Cardinals)
Pass by and short photo stop outside Busch Stadium — a classic St. Louis landmark and a fun moment for the group.
Tips from local experts:
- If you're Cardinals fans, ask the guide about season schedules — on game days traffic increases, so we’ll avoid stadium congestion.
- Quick photo: the plaza outside the main entrance gives the best skyline + stadium signage shots for group pics.
- Stroller / bag alert: stadium security policies change for events — today’s quick stop is just exterior photos and lore from the guide.
Drive to Schlafly Tap Room (Central West End / Locust St)
Short transfer to Schlafly Tap Room to experience the brewery credited with kickstarting the St. Louis craft-beer movement.
Tips from local experts:
- Travel is brief (10–15 minutes typically) — leave room for a quick restroom break before entering the tap room.
- If your group enjoys tasting flights, Schlafly is great for sampling its core beers plus seasonal brews — order a flight to share.
- Schlafly Tap Room is busy on weekends; the guide will pick a quieter area where your group can chat between tastings.
Schlafly Tap Room — craft-beer tasting & taproom lore
Tasting flight and brief behind-the-scenes stories about Schlafly's role in St. Louis' craft-beer revival.
Tips from local experts:
- Try a flight: pick 4–5 different styles so the group can compare Schlafly's year-round staples to their rotating seasonals.
- Food pairing: Schlafly has a solid taproom menu — split small plates with friends to keep the energy moving between stops.
- Taproom vibe: relaxed but lively — it’s a perfect social stop for groups who like chatting between pours; ask for recommendations from the bartender.
Drive to 4 Hands Brewing Company — taproom + game room
Final stop: 4 Hands' original taproom with drafts and an upstairs game room (Skee-Ball) — a fun way to end the tour.
Tips from local experts:
- Allow ~10–20 minutes driving depending on traffic; September afternoons are usually smooth but allow buffer for local events.
- If your group wants to continue after the tour, 4 Hands is an easy place to linger — the upstairs game room is ideal for groups.
- Tip the bartenders if they arrange a custom flight for your group — local brewers appreciate feedback and sometimes share off-menu tasters.
4 Hands Brewing — drafts, games, and final cheers
Enjoy a last round of drafts, play Skee-Ball or arcade upstairs, and wrap up with group photos and a quick debrief. Tour concludes here (guide will assist with drop-offs or suggestions to continue the night).
Tips from local experts:
- Game room: bring small bills or tokens if you want dedicated plays — Skee-Ball is usually free to play during open hours but check on busy days.
- Group photos: the taproom’s mural wall makes a great end-of-day backdrop for your group's final shot.
- Aftercare: the guide can recommend nearby dinner or nightlife options if your group wants to extend the night — or arrange drop-offs to hotels/airport.
Optional extension — Side Project Brewing (Maplewood) — add-on if group prefers wild/sour ales
Optional extra: a drive to Side Project Brewing for barrel-aged wild ales. This stop is farther out and can be added if the group wants a deep-dive into sour/wild beers (requires extra time).
Tips from local experts:
- Side Project is a destination for sour and barrel-aged lovers — only add this if your group really wants rare sours (it's about 20–30 minutes from 4 Hands).
- Reservation: Side Project can be extremely busy and may require a reservation or pre-order for specialty bottles — check ahead.
- Travel note: because it’s farther, we recommend adding 60–90 minutes to the tour if you choose this stop; coordinate with your guide when booking.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | 4 |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Total Activities | 7 |
| Total Places | 7 |
| Activities Types | Attraction, Transfer, Experience, Restaurant |
