The Next Chapter of Fun at St. Louis Union Station

Once a bustling hub of rail travel, St. Louis Union Station has continually evolved. Years after the last trains departed, the terminal was reborn as a retail destination, but by the late 1990s, its halls had grown quiet. Then, in 2019, Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM) rekindled that sense of excitement with the debut of the St. Louis Aquarium, reigniting its spirit and transforming it into a place full of energy and discovery.

The aquarium is inside the historic train shed, with a unique shape as it winds through the old space. The interior also features a ropes course and mirror maze. Outside, the St. Louis Wheel created a striking new landmark.

But the historic train shed’s transformation was never meant to stop there. From the start, the vision imagined a multi-attraction destination where stories of history, community, and entertainment unfold together, appealing to both locals and visitors, where families can stop for a quick visit, an entire day, or even a weekend.

The next step was natural: further activate the outdoor space with rides that extend the experience and broaden the appeal. Steve O’Loughlin, President and COO of LHM, explains, “The St. Louis Wheel has quickly become an iconic part of the city’s skyline and a symbol of the transformation of Union Station. Building on that momentum, we saw an opportunity to expand the outdoor experience and create an amusement park atmosphere that complements our indoor attractions. These new rides have transformed the outdoor space into a vibrant, family-friendly environment that invites guests to stay longer and explore more.”

Designing Around a Vision

LHM engaged PGAV to assess the area surrounding the Wheel and develop a plan for new attractions. PGAV began with a master plan, benchmarking against similar destinations like waterfront piers and smaller urban amusement areas. From there, a shortlist of potential attractions emerged, asking:

• Which rides fit the Union Station setting?
• How can they connect to St. Louis’s history?
• What will resonate with the teen and tween demographic the client wanted to engage?

The result is a carefully curated mix of rides—some classic, some with unexpected twists—that together tell stories rooted in the city’s past. O’Loughlin notes, “Our goal was to create a family-friendly experience that resonates across ages. We thoughtfully selected rides that offer just the right amount of thrill to engage older kids and ride enthusiasts, while remaining approachable and fun for younger kids and their families. We wanted to energize our local visitors with something fresh and exciting, while also drawing in tourists from across the Midwest with bold, memorable attractions.”

Storytelling Through Design

Union Station’s rich history was central to the design approach. Each attraction is to a chapter in St. Louis’s story:

• The Wave Swinger recalls Missouri native Thomas Scott Baldwin’s 1910 biplane ride over the Mississippi River—a national first!  

• Loco Motion, the spinning coaster, draws from the site’s train heritage, including the years when Tracks One and Two were closed down because they were covered in luggage.

• Flying Louie, the pirate-ship style ride, takes inspiration from a lesser-known tale: a St. Louis aviator who attempted a transcontinental flight (STL – New York) in a hot air balloon. In case of a water landing, the balloon carried a lifeboat beneath it. Unfortunately, they ended up in a tree. Guests encounter that story in the ride’s queue. 

By threading narrative into each ride, the new attractions are connected to the historic train shed’s history. O’Loughlin says, “These narratives celebrate the past while creating new experiences that resonate with today’s audiences, and ensuring Union Station remains a meaningful destination for generations to come.”

Navigating Challenges

Designing on this historic site came with challenges. Chief among them were the station’s old underground luggage tunnels (built so Tracks One and Two could be cleared), which dictated how the rides could be laid out and anchored. Weight constraints prevent the rides from sitting on top of the tunnel’s lid. The design team considered installing columns through the tunnel to the ground below to provide the ride’s foundations. However, it was deemed impractical due to costs and constructability constraints, with the Metrolink light rail needing to remain operational throughout construction.

PGAV worked through multiple site layouts, balancing engineering constraints with guest flow and storytelling. The final mix offers both variety and connection: familiar rides with nostalgic charm alongside unique twists that set Union Station apart.

The addition of rides also helps address a key concern: broad appeal. Guests can spend the day exploring the interactive aquarium, soaring above the skyline on the Wheel, traversing the ropes course, and enjoying rides that keep the energy high outdoors. There are multiple food and beverage options, from quick-serve to sit-down to food-truck-style. And by offering a blend of indoor and outdoor experiences, Union Station becomes a year-round draw.

Looking Ahead

Union Station is once again evolving into one of St. Louis’s most dynamic and most-visited destinations. O’Loughlin says there’s more potential. “We understand we must continue to update and find new things to keep the public wanting to keep coming back. We have desires to expand the Aquarium, and the original design planned for this expansion. The Wheel Park actually has space for two additional smaller flat rides, which could be in play two or three years down the road.”

With each new layer of attractions, the site strengthens its role as a gathering place for locals and a must-visit stop for travelers. History is being brought to life, one story, one ride, and one unforgettable experience at a time.