Southwest® flights from Las Vegas to St. Louis from $184

St. Louis is well-known for a number of reasons: it was the birthplace of the ice cream cone, and, most importantly, it’s the American city with the most free tourist attractions outside of Washington, D.C. Start your vacation with one of said free (and kid-friendly!) attractions, such as the iconic St. Louis Zoo, or ride the elevator up the 630-foot Gateway Arch for unbeatable city views. Kids and adults alike will love the City Museum with its playground full of climbing structures, slides, and more.

If you’re looking for something a little more meditative, St. Louis is a great city for art. Spend an afternoon checking out the collections at the St. Louis Art Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum of St. Louis, and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, or catch a concert at the St. Louis Symphony. Rather be outside? Pay a visit to Laumeier Sculpture Park, a green space with more than 70 outdoor sculptures that also hosts events in its music amphitheater.