From its frontier founding to the gleaming Gateway Arch of today, St. Louis showcases an eventful history and iconic landmarks. The city also brims with cultural institutions, vibrant neighborhoods, captivating green spaces and dynamic dining and entertainment. Visitors who take time to venture beyond the Arch discover depth and diversity across this Midwestern hub. The metro mixes major league amenities with small town charm for an accessibility that welcomes all.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Gateway Arch National Park | Iconic 630-foot stainless steel arch symbolizing westward expansion, with a museum below and tram rides to the top. |
| Forest Park | A 500-acre municipal park with jogging paths, cultural attractions, and lush green spaces. |
| Busch Stadium | Beloved baseball stadium where visitors can catch St. Louis Cardinals games and enjoy game-day amenities. |
| St. Louis Zoo | Renowned zoological park with over 16,000 exotic animals and engaging exhibits, offering free admission. |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | A 79-acre garden featuring themed spaces, rare plants, and pavilions, providing a tranquil botanical experience. |
| Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis | A stunning cathedral with intricate mosaic artistry, offering a glimpse into religious and architectural history. |
| City Museum | A unique museum known for its interactive exhibits, tunnels, slides, and hands-on artistic experiences. |
| The Hill Neighborhood | Charming Italian American neighborhood with red brick townhomes and a rich culinary scene. |
| Laumeier Sculpture Park | A park showcasing over 70 monumental sculptures and engaging outdoor exploration for art enthusiasts. |
| National Blues Museum | A museum celebrating the history of blues music, with interactive exhibits and insights into the genre’s impact. |
| SIX North Historic Soulard | St. Louis’ oldest neighborhood with Victorian-era architecture, restaurants, live music venues, and local charm. |
| Anheuser-Busch Brewery | A historic brewery offering tours, tastings, and a glimpse into the beer brewing legacy of St. Louis. |
The Missouri city unravels stories of westward expansion, immigration influxes, architectural achievements, mercantile legacies and more through its varied attractions. Music fans find a celebrated homegrown sound while sports enthusiasts thrill to baseball devotion. Outdoor escapes reconnect visitors with nature just beyond bustling urban corridors as well. And with free admission at several top sites, St. Louis invites tourist explorations without breaking budgets.
Gateway Arch National Park
Name and Location:
- Gateway Arch National Park, located in downtown St. Louis along the Mississippi River.
History and Significance:
- Known as the “Gateway to the West,” this iconic stainless steel arch symbolizes westward expansion and the spirit of exploration.
What to Expect:
- Visitors can take a tram ride to the top for stunning views of the city and river. The park also features a museum with exhibits on American history.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round. Tickets for tram rides should be purchased in advance.
An international symbol of St. Louis, the iconic Gateway Arch first reveals itself in striking fashion as visitors approach the downtown riverfront. Soaring 630 feet over the Mississippi, the slender stainless steel monument embodies weighty significance related to America’s westward growth. As the tallest man-made national monument in the U.S., the arch makes an unforgettable first impression.
But learning the backstory behind this American landmark proves equally as meaningful at the Museum of Westward Expansion underneath. Engaging exhibits chronicle pivotal 19th century events, like the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark Expedition that opened the west to U.S. expansion. For birdseye views from the arch itself, tram rides ferry visitors to the top viewing area.
Forest Park
Name and Location:
- Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the United States, located in the heart of St. Louis.
History and Significance:
- This historic park hosted the 1904 World’s Fair and is home to numerous cultural institutions and attractions.
What to Expect:
- A vast green space with walking trails, picnic areas, a zoo, art museums, and the beautiful Jewel Box greenhouse.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round. Various attractions within the park may have their own hours and admission fees.
At 500 acres, lush Forest Park lands on the short list of great American municipal parks, providing a refreshing oasis in the city. Visitors jog along paths under the canopy of towering oak and maple trees, traverse the park’s woodlands by bike, or simply spread a blanket on the great lawn. For more activity, the park boasts tennis courts, baseball fields, golf courses and even paddle boat rentals on scenic Post-Dispatch Lake.
But Forest Park also brims with cultural attractions, including the St. Louis Zoo, St Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum and St. Louis Science Center with signature architectures as impressive as collections inside. Two days easily disappear enjoying the park’s bounty.
Busch Stadium
Name and Location:
- Busch Stadium, the home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, located in downtown St. Louis.
History and Significance:
- A historic baseball venue with a rich tradition, known for its passionate fan base.
What to Expect:
- Baseball games, events, and a lively atmosphere. The stadium also offers tours for baseball enthusiasts.
Visitor Information:
- Game schedules and tickets can be found online. Tours are available on non-game days.
Few towns embrace athletic traditions like St. Louis. And catching a Cardinals baseball game at beloved Busch Stadium allows visitors to soak up fan excitement. Watching games in this civic crown jewel under the Gateway Arch’s glow holds time-honored significance for many.
The ballpark’s recent enhancements augment the spectacle too. Signature amenities like Cardinals Nation, the Budweiser Brewhouse rooftop seating and the Cardinals Hall of Fame & Museum enrich the experience. Of course the mighty Clydesdales parading the warning track and endless fan chants of “root, root, root for the home team” pump up energy too!
St. Louis Zoo
Name and Location:
- St. Louis Zoo, situated in Forest Park.
History and Significance:
- One of the nation’s leading zoos, with a history dating back over a century, dedicated to animal conservation and education.
What to Expect:
- A wide variety of animals from around the world, educational exhibits, and family-friendly attractions.
Visitor Information:
- Free admission, though some attractions may have fees. Open year-round with seasonal hours.
Featuring cutting edge exhibits and engagement initiatives, the Saint Louis Zoo ranks among America’s best zoological parks. And preserving the sense of discovery and wonder for guests comes free through their pioneering no cost admission. Visitors delight in observing over 16,000 exotic residents across a diversity mirroring global ecosystems.
From tiny hummingbirds in the flight cage to massive elephants roaming habitats replicating African plains, beholding the animal kingdom’s breadth impresses. And opportunities for hands-on interactions truly personalize the experience. Whether mingling with free-roaming penguins or touching exotic bats’ wings inside special programs, visitors forge unforgettable bonds with amazing creatures here.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Name and Location:
- Missouri Botanical Garden, located in the Shaw Neighborhood of St. Louis.
History and Significance:
- Founded in 1859, it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the United States, known for its research and conservation efforts.
What to Expect:
- A stunning garden featuring diverse plant collections, themed gardens, and beautiful landscapes.
Visitor Information:
- Admission fee applies. Open year-round with seasonal displays and events.
For over 160 years, the Missouri Botanical Garden has connected green thumbs from across the globe in botanical curiosity and research. The National Historic Landmark today attracts visitors to traverse tranquil vistas across 79 resplendent acres. Themed garden spaces from traditional Japanese gardens to Victorian home demonstrations transport observers aesthetically with lush horticulture harmony.
Pavilions shelter rare orchid varieties and carnivorous plants while traditional folk remedies flourish in the Chinese Garden’s medicinal herb beds. Playing spot-the-animal amidst Climatron’s exotic jungle trees enhances the escape for kids. And rotating exhibits mean botanical discoveries await locals and returning tourists too. Whether plotting new garden goals or simply Zenning out, Missouri Botanical Garden’s majesty enthralls the senses.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Name and Location:
- Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, located at 4431 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, Missouri.
History and Significance:
- Consecrated in 1914, renowned for its stunning mosaics, one of the largest collections in the world.
What to Expect:
- Visitors can admire the intricate mosaics, architecture, and peaceful ambiance of this active place of worship.
Visitor Information:
- Open to visitors except during services. Guided tours are available, and donations are appreciated.
Even those not practicing Catholicism gape in awe entering the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. A kaleidoscope of mosaic marvels shimmer down from soaring arches, contrasting spectacularly with the church’s white structural architecture. Over 41.5 million pieces of glass tile comprise these glittering mosaics depicting historic religious scenes along the walls and ceilings.
As the only church housing mosaics designed entirely by hand, the Cathedral Basilica represents irreplaceable artistry. Sunlight dancing through magnificent stained glass windows bathes the sanctuary in ethereal splendor too. During opportune times, visitors can even glimpse the mosaics blooming colorfully via an illuminating solar spectacle. More than a religious haven, the Cathedral Basilica exalts the human spirit through inspired art.
City Museum
Name and Location:
- City Museum, located at 750 N 16th St, St. Louis, Missouri.
History and Significance:
- A unique and eclectic museum created from reclaimed architectural and industrial objects.
What to Expect:
- An interactive and artistic space filled with tunnels, slides, sculptures, and exhibits, designed for all ages to explore and enjoy.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round. Admission required, with discounts for children.
Far exceeding expectations of a museum visit for families, the City Museum’s larger-than-life playground earns raves from kids and kids-at-heart alike. The always evolving space fills over 600,000 square feet of the former International Shoe Company building with opportunities for tactile adventures and sensory exploration. Serpentine tunnels snake through storeys while an open spiral slide corkscrews down 10 stories from the rooftop.
Kaleidoscopic halls of mirrors amaze while a rooftop Ferris wheel and school bus dangling precariously thrill. Daily performances on crazy contraptions designed from salvaged bridge cables and parking meters showcase the creative spark igniting the space too. City Museum electrifies minds, bodies and imaginations simultaneously through boundless interactive artistry and invention.
The Hill Neighborhood
Name and Location:
- The Hill Neighborhood, known for its rich Italian heritage, located in south St. Louis.
History and Significance:
- A historic neighborhood celebrated for its Italian restaurants, bakeries, and cultural influence.
What to Expect:
- A culinary journey with authentic Italian cuisine, including pasta, pizza, and pastries.
Visitor Information:
- Ideal for food enthusiasts. Check individual restaurant hours.
As St. Louis’ quintessential Italian American neighborhood, The Hill captivates visitors with an Old World village ambiance. Strolling down streets lined with red brick townhomes and small businesses evokes northern towns of Italy even with hints of Midwestern charm. And with 26 eateries crammed within a half square mile area alone, no one leaves hungry.
Three punishing blocks along Connors Street cue the main attractions however. Stalwart Italian bakeries like Missouri Baking Company pile counters high with cannoli and traditional Roman pizza. Amighetti’s crafts melt-in-your mouth sandwiches stuffed with specialty cured meats. And neighborhood classic Charlie Gitto’s dishes perfect plates of pasta crowned with bubbling bowls of from scratch garlic cheese bread.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Name and Location:
- Laumeier Sculpture Park, a unique outdoor art park located in Sunset Hills.
History and Significance:
- Established in 1976, it showcases contemporary sculptures and installations within a natural setting.
What to Expect:
- A peaceful walk among sculptures created by renowned artists, providing an artistic and natural experience.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round. Free admission. Ideal for art and nature enthusiasts.
St. Louis celebrates visual arts diversity through the Laumeier Sculpture Park showcasing over 70 works across sprawling parkland. Traversing the 105-acre space dotted with monumental sculptures carved from granite, cast bronze and more makes for engaging outdoor exploration. Interpretive plaques detailing meanings behind abstract figures, found object configurations and representations conjure curiosity.
The sculpture park also champions performing arts through rotating festivals, dance workshops and music performances onsite. A packed events calendar means returning guests behold fresh creative displays with regularity. And the Tony Tasset-designed Eye arches welcoming visitors at the park’s entrance never fails to set imaginative vibes for the art immersion ahead.
National Blues Museum
Name and Location:
- National Blues Museum, located at 615 Washington Ave, St. Louis, Missouri.
History and Significance:
- A museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of blues music in America.
What to Expect:
- Engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and live performances that delve into the blues genre’s roots and impact.
Visitor Information:
- Open year-round. Admission required, with discounts for students and seniors.
St. Louis stakes mighty claims in music history as the blues’ first home outside the Mississippi Delta thanks to noteworthy natives like Chuck Berry, Tina Turner and more. At the National Blues Museum, visitors get schooled in the genre’s progression through interactive exhibits highlighting formative artists. Listening stations with digital jukeboxes allow visitors to trace influence through the years album by album.
But beyond music alone, vibrant exhibits also unveil powerful narratives of pain, hardship, resilience and triumph within marginalized African American communities where blues originated. Light projections cast larger than life imagery of critical figures like Bessie Smith belting unfiltered truth against adversity. Understanding blues’ roots through stories of those living it amplifies influence enduring in every American musical style today.
SIX North Historic Soulard
Name and Location:
- Historic Soulard, a vibrant and historic neighborhood in St. Louis.
History and Significance:
- Known for its lively atmosphere, historic architecture, and a popular farmers’ market.
What to Expect:
- A bustling neighborhood with restaurants, bars, and the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
Visitor Information:
- Great for nightlife and dining. Check individual venue hours.
As St. Louis’ oldest established neighborhood, Soulard still celebrates the character preserved over generations. The historic district impresses visitors with over 2000 restored brick townhouses in an array of Victorian era architectural styles. Locally-owned shops and galleries now fill many street level facades along ever vibrant thoroughfares.
But Soulard also toasts its party pedigree through dozens of restaurants, live music venues and corner pubs happily spilling good times into cobblestoned streets. Popular community traditions like Mardi Gras celebrations and funky farmers markets keep things lively too. At SIX North, visitors sip exceptional spirits crafted onsite to feel Soulard’s spirited beat today. Award-winning whiskey, vodkas and brandy produced through their innovative distillery nod to the neighborhood’s hardscrabble immigrant founding as well.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
Name and Location:
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery, located at 1200 Lynch St, St. Louis, Missouri.
History and Significance:
- A historic brewery known for its iconic Budweiser beer and Clydesdale horses.
What to Expect:
- Brewery tours, beer tastings, and a glimpse into the beer-making process and brewery history.
Visitor Information:
- Tours available with different packages. Check for tour times and reservations.
The enduring beer brewing legacy cultivated by Anheuser-Busch over generations indelibly links to St. Louis’ history and pride. At their Downtown Brewery location, visitors discover a sprawling campus designated as a National Historic Landmark. Free tours trace original 1876 brew house structures through modern innovations guiding mass production today.
Seeing workhorse Clydesdale horses Hintz and Finn get hitched to the red beer wagon inspires smiles before brisk samplings in the hospitality room post tour. At night, the Biergarten buzzes under strung lights where sips and pretzels flow freely to live tunes. This beer capital touchstone acknowledges past accomplishments while displaying St. Louis’ powers moving forward too.
Conclusion
Beyond its iconic Gateway Arch, vibrant neighborhoods, verdant parks and revered institutions unveil St. Louis as a dynamic American metro. Music fans follow riffs emitting from corner blues clubs to ascend into rock and hip hop’s formative sparks. The ghostly crack of baseballs landing in Busch Stadium’s empty seats reverberate dreams of next season for the faithful. Hash house diners spoon up stories between locals as sticky as gooey butter cake. And the mighty Mississippi churns a reflected promise of progress ever flowing. Visitors depart St. Louis with a taste of its mighty spirit now flowing through their veins.