The concept of "freebies" in St. Louis, Missouri, encompasses a diverse range of opportunities for consumers, extending from temporary promotional giveaways tied to civic engagement and national holidays to permanent access to world-class cultural institutions. Based on the provided documentation, the landscape of no-cost offerings in the region includes Election Day discounts from local and national businesses, exclusive Veterans Day meals for military personnel, ticketed giveaways at major sporting events, and complimentary access to premier attractions such as the St. Louis Zoo. Furthermore, specific event-based giveaways, such as those associated with the annual Winterfest 5K, provide additional avenues for residents and visitors to access complimentary goods and services.
While the source material does not detail traditional mail-in sample programs for beauty or household goods, it does highlight significant food and beverage freebies, as well as experiential freebies in the form of free admission to museums and parks. The following analysis categorizes these offers based on the specific conditions and events described in the source documentation.
Election Day Incentives and Civic Engagement Offers
In November 2018, St. Louis businesses utilized freebies as a mechanism to encourage voter turnout. These offers were generally conditional upon the customer presenting an "I Voted" sticker, serving as proof of civic participation.
Shake Shack The national chain Shake Shack participated in a nationwide initiative to encourage voting. At the St. Louis location in the Central West End, customers presenting an "I Voted" sticker received free French fries. * Eligibility: Customers with an "I Voted" sticker. * Offer: Free French fries. * Scope: The initiative was described as a national effort by the company to encourage guests to "stand for something good." * Employee Participation: Management encouraged team members to vote and adjusted scheduling to facilitate their access to the polls.
Left Bank Books A local merchant, Left Bank Books, located on Euclid Avenue in the Central West End, offered a percentage-based discount to voters. * Eligibility: Voters with an "I Voted" sticker. * Offer: A 20 percent discount.
Other Local Businesses Additional local establishments, including Clementine’s ice cream shop in the Lafayette Square neighborhood and various bars and restaurants within the Niche and Bailey’s groups, also offered Election Day specials. While specific details for these individual businesses were not provided in the source text, they were cited as part of a broader trend of local merchants offering price cuts to voters.
Legal Context The source documentation notes that some legal experts have raised concerns regarding the legality of Election Day giveaways. Citing federal law, some scholars argue that these freebies could potentially be classified as "expenditures to influence voting," even when distributed after a vote has been cast. Consumers should be aware that these offers are often temporary and tied to specific election cycles.
Veterans Day Freebies for Military Personnel
Source documentation from a 2025 report highlights several national food and beverage chains offering complimentary items to active duty military members, veterans, and their spouses on Veterans Day. These offers typically require proof of service, such as a military ID.
Applebee’s * Eligibility: Service members. * Offer: A free entrée from the Veterans Day menu and a $5 gift card.
Chipotle * Eligibility: Veterans. * Offer: A 2-entrée deal where veterans pay for one entrée and receive a second entrée of equal or lesser value (2 entrées for the price of 1). The offer includes a "double protein" option.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf * Eligibility: Veterans and their spouses. * Offer: A free regular-sized drink.
Red Robin * Eligibility: Individuals with a military ID. * Offer: A complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger with a choice of bottomless side.
Starbucks * Eligibility: Military service members, veterans, and military spouses. * Offer: A free tall hot or iced coffee.
Sporting Event Giveaways: St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals offer promotional giveaways at home games, though these are strictly regulated by team policy. It is important to note that as of the provided documentation, the 2025 promotions schedule is no longer available, and consumers are advised to check for the 2026 schedule.
General Giveaway Policy * Distribution: Items are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis when gates open on the specified game day. * Eligibility: Each ticketed guest within any specified age limit receives one item, while supplies last. * Quantity Limits: Guests holding multiple tickets must exit and re-enter the ballpark to receive additional giveaway items. * Age Requirements: A valid ticket is required for all giveaways, including items designated for children under a specific age. Children under the age of three also require a ticket to receive a promotional item.
Contingencies The Cardinals reserve the right to alter giveaway dates, items, and quantities due to shipping delays, game postponements, or cancellations. If a specific giveaway item is unavailable at the time of gate opening, the team may determine a "make-good" policy, which could include an alternative item or a voucher.
Event-Based Freebies: Winterfest 5K
The Gateway Arch Park Foundation hosts the Winterfest 5K, an annual event that includes various freebies and activities, distinct from the race entry fees.
Ice Skating * Offer: Free ice skating. * Provider: Courtesy of Ameren Missouri. * Timeframe: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on the day of the event (Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025).
Post-Race Celebration * Offer: Yard games, live DJ entertainment, and giveaways. * Timeframe: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Food * Offer: Chris’s Cakes St. Louis will be present, though the source text does not explicitly state if the food is complimentary or for purchase.
Permanent Free Attractions
St. Louis is noted for having a high density of free attractions, particularly within Forest Park. These are permanent freebies available to the public year-round, unlike the temporary promotional offers listed above.
Forest Park Attractions * St. Louis Zoo: Described as one of only three free zoos in the country (alongside Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and the National Zoo in Washington D.C.). * St. Louis Art Museum: General admission is free. * St. Louis Science Center: General admission is free. * Citygarden Sculpture Park: A free public park suitable for picnics and leisure.
Gateway Arch National Park * Museum of Westward Expansion: Admission to the museum located at the base of the Arch is free. * Old Courthouse: Admission is free. The courthouse is noted for its historical exhibits regarding the Dred Scott trial and the history of slavery.
Note on Arch Ascent While the museum and grounds are free, ascending to the top of the Arch requires a paid ticket. The source documentation advises booking tickets online in advance to reserve a spot, as capacity is limited and tickets often sell out by mid-day.
Conclusion
The availability of freebies in St. Louis is event-driven and category-specific. For consumers seeking food and beverage discounts, the most significant opportunities appear to be tied to national holidays such as Veterans Day (offering entrées and drinks from chains like Applebee’s and Starbucks) and local civic events like Election Day (offering discounts and free sides from local and national merchants). Sports fans can utilize ticketed entry to access promotional giveaways at St. Louis Cardinals games, subject to availability and strict team policies. Additionally, St. Louis offers substantial permanent freebies in the form of museum access and one of the country's few free zoos, providing year-round value independent of specific promotional calendars.