15+ Ways to Get Moving in St. Louis

From dancing, pickleball, and inclusive and adaptive playgrounds and programs to hiking, running, and cycling, there are many ways to get moving in St. Louis for both adults and kiddos.

Big Muddy Adventures

From the Boathouse in Forest Park to the Mississippi River, Big Muddy Adventures offers St. Louisans a chance to connect with the region’s waterways. The outdoor adventure company offers experiences for people from all walks of life, whether it’s a full moon float on the Mississippi, a standup paddleboard cruise around Valley Park’s Simpson Lake, or an easy kayak trip through Forest Park’s winding waterways that culminates in the Grand Basin. 

Currently, they offer several different ways to get people out on the water, including a four-hour St. Louis Riverfront Adventure, which begins upstream near the Chain of Rocks Bridge and ends with views of the Gateway Arch only available from the water’s unique vantage point. Other popular trips include the Full Moon Float, which involves a gourmet campfire dinner, and a Downtown St. Louis Microadventure that packs area history, a short float, and refreshments into a one-hour window.

Read our full story on Big Muddy Adventures here.

Story by Cheryl Baehr
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

Big Shark Bicycle Company

Mike Weiss, owner and co-founder of Big Shark Bicycle Company, believes that St. Louis could become one of the hottest cycling destinations in the country — and the world. Cycling as sport, as recreation or as transportation matters to both cities as well as their outlying areas, says Weiss, who owns Big Shark locations in Richmond Heights, Chesterfield, and at City Foundry STL. Weiss cites Great Rivers Greenway, Trailnet, the Katy Trail, the Penrose Park Velodrome, the forthcoming Brickline Greenway, and a never-ending calendar of cycling activities as a few things that help push local bike culture forward in the St. Louis area. If you’re in need of a new bike or a tune up, stop in Big Shark, and then hit the road or a nearby trail.

Read our full story on Big Shark Bicycle Company here.

Story by Allison Babka
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

Center of Creative Arts

The Center of Creative Arts (COCA) offers almost 30 dance classes for children and adults, ranging from Little Happy Feet for 4 to 7 year olds to Ballet Advanced for students 14 to 18 and Hip-Hop Adult Beginner for students over 18. Since 2015, COCA has expanded its dance and education programs under the leadership of its Artistic Director of Dance, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, and Associate Director of Dance, Kirven Douthit-Boyd. The Douthit-Boyds use their work at COCA to grow access to dance, nurture a more expansive understanding of the benefits of the artform, and bring the medium’s generative possibilities to other area art scenes across the St. Louis metro. Find a class for kids, teens, or adults who love or are interested in dance; COCA offers experiences for all ages and skill levels. 

Read our full story on the leaders of COCA, Kirven and Antonio Douthit-Boyd, here.

Story by Jacqui Germain
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg

Climb So iLL and So iLL

With Climb So iLL and So iLL, the Chancellor family has created an aesthetically pleasing, environmentally conscious experience for the modern urban rock climber, all while cultivating the next generation of climbing enthusiasts. Brothers Dan and Dave Chancellor went from making climbing holds in their parents’ basement, to studying entrepreneurship at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to opening their first indoor climbing gym, Climb So iLL, in Lafayette Square. In 2020, Dave opened a second climbing gym in St. Charles, and in late 2021, Dan, along with his wife Hannah, opened the doors to the first shop and showroom for their retail business, So iLL. Buy a pass to the gym to check it out and shop So iLL’s collection of climbing shoes, apparel, gear, and more.

Read our full story on So iLL here.

Story by Ginger O’Donnell
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

Dances of India

Founded by the Premachandra family, Dances of India, one of the oldest classical Indian dance companies in the U.S., combines movement and storytelling to wow St. Louis audiences. Run by Nartana Premachandra and her mother, Asha Prem — and co-founded by Asha Prem and her late husband, Dr. B.N. Premachandra — Dances of India brings joy to St. Louis audiences through its annual performances and offers regular classes to children and adults at all skill levels. And the company engages the community through workshops, talks, storytelling, and performances in schools, museums, libraries, and other public spaces throughout the region. 

Read our full story on Dances of India here.

Story by Amy Burger
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg 

Dream Big Foundation

With the Dream Big Foundation, Jorge Flores is making competitive soccer more accessible for kids in underserved communities across the St. Louis metro. Flores has spent much of the past 10 years working with kids from all backgrounds through his work with the a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth organization, which provides inexpensive soccer programs to kids from low-income families. Dream Big ensures that kids from all backgrounds have a safe place to learn how to play soccer, make friends, and develop foundational life skills such as discipline, patience, and teamwork that will help them realize their potential and follow their dreams.

Read our full story on Dream Big Foundation here.

Story by Heather Riske
Photo by Michael Thomas

The Gateway Region YMCA’s Adaptive Sports Complex

The Gateway Region YMCA’s Adaptive Sports Complex and adaptive programming offer inclusive play for all. Serving 13 counties in Missouri and Illinois from 24 different YMCA facilities, the Gateway Region YMCA is one of the oldest not-for-profit organizations in the St. Louis community. It’s also one of the few Ys in the country with a standalone adaptive sports department for children and adults with disabilities, offering year-round inclusive programming including sports such as baseball, basketball, and bowling as well as fitness, swimming, day camp, and overnight camp. 

In June 2024, the Gateway Region YMCA opened its $5.2 million Adaptive Sports Complex at its South County location, featuring zero-entry dugouts that are accessible to players with disabilities, a state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard to spotlight athletes, a concessions stand, and a spectator pavilion with capacity for 200 people.

Read our full story on the Gateway Region YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex here.

Story by Heather Riske
Photo by Michael Thomas

Great Rivers Greenway

Great Rivers Greenway is working to connect the region, one project and pathway at a time. The greenways connect people to nature, to local transit, to local businesses, to local history and culture. They connect neighborhoods to neighborhoods, people to people. Over the past 25 years, Great Rivers Greenway has built 140 miles of greenways in St. Louis, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. Over those years, the public has grown more familiar with the regional parks and trails district and has learned how they can benefit from the greenways. Some people may bicycle, walk, roll in a wheelchair, or run on the greenways. Some may take their kids for walks in strollers or rides on training bikes. Whatever your preference or need, there is a greenway near you ideal for getting outside and getting moving.

Read our full story on Great Rivers Greenway here.

Story by Valerie Schremp Hahn
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

Local Hiking Groups and Resources

St. Louisans find peace and purpose in parks and on trails throughout the region.

For Debbie Njai, that journey began when she stepped into the world of hiking for the first time in early 2020. With the help of a good friend who had outdoor experience, Njai says she was encouraged to go on her first hike at Castlewood State Park in Ballwin. While the trail was a brief 1.7 miles, Njai remembers feeling like the hike was exactly what she needed. The other thing that she noticed was that her invitations to family and friends to join her were not met with enthusiasm. 

That’s when Njai realized hiking was a need for the community, not just her own network. The group Black People Who Hike was born. She believes having a group of people that represent one another creates a feeling of safety and trust. 

For Mark and Stephanie Hampton, exploring local trails and parks gave them a way to connect with their children in the great outdoors. Stephanie started documenting local parks through the Instagram account she created to help others find trails, exploreSTLparks. Her background as an educator came in handy when writing about the places she visited, including tips on parking, the best times of day to visit, and information on what portions of the trail are paved or unpaved and if there are any creeks or water features — all things helpful to know before starting out on the trail, especially with kids in tow. 

In Missouri, there are more than 700 miles of trails. Some of the Hamptons’ favorites thus far are St. Francois State Park in Bonne Terre, where thousands of bluebells bloom each spring, and Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, where her daughters loved seeing the water lilies in August. 

Read our full story on local hiking groups here.

Story by Ymani Wince
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

Ope Outdoors 

With Ope Outdoors, Juno Musonda is spreading love for the Midwest’s parks and natural attractions through merchandise, park cleanups, and hikes. Hawn State Park and Pickle Springs Natural Area are Musonda’s favorite parks: The neighboring natural beauties are just over an hour’s drive south of St. Louis, boasting especially lush forest greenery and sparkling, boulder-lined rivers, creeks, and waterfalls. And thanks to Musonda’s clothing company, Ope Outdoors, both parks have been turned into one-of-a-kind designs available for purchase as short-sleeve and long-sleeve T-shirts. Shop Ope Outdoors collection and wear its gear on your next hike or park cleanup with Musonda and crew.

Read our full story on Ope Outdoors here.

Story by Jacqui Germain
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

Pedal the Cause

Pedal the Cause has raised more than $51 million for cancer research in the St. Louis area — and it isn’t slowing down. Every year, this cycling event raises money for cancer research that stays at institutions in the metro area. In 2024 alone, Pedal the Cause raised more than $5.2 million for research at Siteman Cancer Center and Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The relatively small St. Louis-based nonprofit has greatly impacted families here and nationwide. Over the years, at its major cycling event in September, 41,000 people have participated as riders and 9,500 as volunteers. Sign up to ride or donate to Pedal the Cause on its website and start training on a bicycle or stationary bike today.

Read our full story on Pedal the Cause here.

Story by Valerie Schremp Hahn
Photo courtesy Pedal the Cause

Skate King

For over 50 years, Mathew and Mattaniah Foggy have built community while circling the roller rink at Skate King. Mattaniah, who goes by Niah, is the manager of Skate King — another step in her increasing leadership role at the business her father launched in 1970. 

Today, Niah operates and manages Skate King’s flagship location in Pine Lawn, putting her MBA to use as she dives into St. Louis’ thriving small business community with a strong entrepreneurial legacy already under her belt. The rink hosts everything from birthday parties and family reunions to themed nights and festive work parties. And their age-specific themed nights include an expansive range, from sessions for 13- to 17-year-olds to sessions for skaters 45 years old and up — something Niah and Mathew both say helps build skate fans for life.

Read our full story on Skate King here.

Story by Jacqui Germain
Photo by R.J. Hartbeck

St. Louis Blues Girls’ Hockey Program

Based out of Maryland Heights, the St. Louis Blues’ Girls Development Program offers an accessible and affordable entry point into hockey for young girls. The low-cost Learn to Play program allows girls between the ages of 4 and 14 to experience hockey for the first time: Specifically designed for girls who have not participated in organized youth hockey before, the six-week program offers an accessible and affordable entry point into a sport that many young girls growing up in the U.S. don’t often have exposure to. 

In the first weeks, participants learn basic skating skills to get them feeling comfortable on the ice during practice, which is held at the Centene Community Ice Center, the official practice facility of the St. Louis Blues. The instructors then slowly add pucks in to get the girls to work on their stick-handling skills before progressing into passing, receiving, and shooting. 

Read our full story on the St. Louis Blues Girls’ Hockey Program here.

Story by Heather Riske
Photo by Michael Thomas

St. Louis Run Crew

Exploring St. Louis by foot, Ricky Hughes helps locals and transplants alike connect with the city in a new way through St. Louis Run Crew. St. Louis Run Crew brings dozens of runners from across the city to Downtown St. Louis to run together each week. The club features runners of different genders, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, and abilities — some people walk, some bring strollers and some bring their dogs. 

Every Sunday morning, the running club — which is free to join and open to anyone who’s interested — meets in front of the Runner Statue in Kiener Plaza for its signature “Sunday Runday.” (The crew meets at 10 a.m. in the winter, and usually 9 a.m. in warmer months.) Hughes sees the group as a way to show off St. Louis: St. Louis Run Crew started its runs at Kiener Plaza and now takes its runners all across the St. Louis metro, from Ferguson, Florissant, and North City to South St. Louis.

Read our full story on St. Louis Run Crew here.

Story by Heather Riske
Photo by Michael Thomas

Team Saint Louis

Team Saint Louis, an inclusive sports league, welcomes all for fitness, friendship, and fun. The LGBTQ+ sports organization includes a volleyball league that plays indoors in spring and an indoor pickleball league at the Missouri Pickleball Club in Fenton. There are also twice-weekly pickleball socials at Willmore Park in south St. Louis. In May 2024, Team Saint Louis formed a cycling group that meets every evening for rides around the area. There’s a fee to play in a league, but pickleball socials and cycling are free. There’s always extra equipment and eager players to help teach and give tips to new players.

Read our full story on Team Saint Louis here.

Story by Valerie Schremp Hahn
Photo by Michael Thomas

True Success Basketball & Fitness Academy

At True Success Basketball & Fitness Academy in St. Charles, Thurlester Robinson, Jr. uses basketball as a vehicle to teach kids lessons in teamwork, self-esteem, and leadership. Robinson grew up in the foster care system and was often getting into trouble in his youth. But when he started playing basketball in high school, it completely changed his path forward. Today, Robinson is combining his longtime love of basketball with over two decades of experience working in education as the owner of True Success Basketball & Fitness Academy, which opened in St. Charles in December 2023. The facility offers skills training for kids ages 8 and up, with a maximum of six players per trainer, as well as youth camps and clinics. Aside from the age requirement, all kids are welcome to sign up. 

Read our full story on the True Success Basketball & Fitness Academy here.

Story by Heather Riske
Photo by Michael Thomas

Unlimited Play

Unlimited Play founder Natalie Mackay designs and builds inclusive playgrounds for children across the St. Louis metro — and in cities across the country. Zachary’s Playground in Lake Saint Louis opened in 2007 and is the first inclusive playground built by Unlimited Play. She was inspired to create inclusive playgrounds for her son, Zachary, who was born with a rare, progressive disease which required him to use a wheelchair. After designing and opening Zachary’s Playground, she was encouraged to design and build other playgrounds across the metro area, including Angie’s Inclusive Playground at Manion Park in Florissant and Kennedy’s Playground in St. Peters, and eventually, in cities across the U.S.

Read our full story on Unlimited Play here.

Story by Emily Irvine
Photo by Michael Thomas

Yes Honey

Jenny Hill’s Yes Honey studio, which she opened in The Grove in 2020, uses the art of dance to help people celebrate moving their bodies. At Yes Honey, Hill aims to offer St. Louisans — regardless of size, age, race, or gender identity — a safe and inviting place to get their bodies moving. A few strength training classes — set to music, naturally — are offered in the mornings, but dance now makes up the bulk of Yes Honey’s offerings. These are broken into “Yes Choreo,” a traditional choreography-driven dance class, and “Yes Move,” a follow-the-leader style class. As the demand for dance has increased, the studio now also offers an advanced dance class once a week. Book a class, group session, or private lessons and join in on the fun.

Read our full story on Yes Honey here.

Story by Heather Riske
Photo by Jennifer Silverberg