If you’re looking for the best places to see the Budweiser Clydesdales, their “home” is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Of course that doesn’t mean you can’t see them traveling around the country for events or parades, or at one of the other Budweiser facilities in the U.S. But, the iconic Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis is one of the best places to see the Budweiser Clydesdales.
The horses first entered into American culture at the end of Prohibition and have been admired by visitors at the brewery’s stables ever since.
Travelers coming to St. Louis can enjoy a free tour of the brewery (and free beer) every day of the week by stopping into the Anheuser-Busch Visitors Center. (Update: there are no longer free tours offered – which is really disappointing. The basic tour now costs $15.00) There are additional in-depth tours and experiences available if you’re a true beer fanatic. For most guests, the basic free tour is a perfect way to learn about the brewery and its historic ties to St. Louis. The basic tour also includes a stop in the beautiful historic stables where you’ll have the chance to see the Budweiser Clydesdales up-close. The stable was built in 1885 and includes beautiful stained glass and perfectly polished carriages inside. You’ll also have the chance to have your photo taken and pet the beautiful horses.
What you don’t always get to see is how pampered the horses are and how they are incredibly cared for. Back behind the historic brewery stables is a separate facility where horses are bathed, brushed, and even vacuumed to make sure they are looking photogenic at all times. Even the hitches that transport the horses across the country are first rate accommodations compared to how most horses are moved from one site to another.
In addition to the brewery downtown, you can also see the horses at another St. Louis attraction: Grants Farm. This beloved St. Louis institution has been giving residents and visitors free admission for decades – and includes a petting zoo, tram tour, special events, and of course – beer. The Clydesdales can also be found in stables across the street and roaming through the open fields next door.
Two hours west of St. Louis is Warm Springs Ranch which is the breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Tours here are made in advance and give you the opportunity to learn about the horses and how they are raised. You’ll be stunned to see how big even the youngest Clydesdales can be. This is where some of the notable Super Bowl commercials featuring the Clydesdales have been filmed.
Budweiser Clydesdales Fun Facts
- The Budweiser Clydesdales began as a gift to August Busch to celebrate the end of Prohibition in 1933.
- All of the Budweiser Clydesdales are male, with specific requirements like a height of six feet and all white legs.
- They can eat about 55 pounds of hay and drink as much as 30 gallons of water – each day!
- They are often called “gentle giants” for their laid back, easy going personality – despite their massive size.
To check out a free tour of the historic Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis and see the Budweiser Clydesdales stable, you can visit: Budweiser Tours.
To arrange a tour of the breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales in Boonville, Missouri you can visit: Warm Springs Ranch.