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St. Louis is hard to pin down. With streets that flow with barbecue and blues, you might think you’re in the South; with gooey butter cakes and a quick jump to Chicago, you might think you’re in the Midwest; with towering monuments to Jefferson and landmark court cases, you might think you’re in DC. Either way, when you’re here, you’re in for a world-class city that loves food, music, and culture—and that roots hard for its home teams.
Spring through fall is your wide-open window for when to visit St. Louis. Not only will you get great weather—blooming trees in the green spaces in spring, warm summer temperatures, and colorful foliage in fall—you’ll get one more important thing: baseball. That being said, come winter, you could find yourself chowing down on barbecue, hitting up speakeasies and museums, and climbing up to the top of Gateway Arch National Park.
While many visitors to St. Louis will arrive here with a car, it’s pretty easy to do a car-free stay. The city’s MetroLink light rail system runs 46 miles and connects to the airport, Gateway Arch National Park, Busch Stadium, and more. You could also utilize rideshares and the MetroBus. If you book a hotel in the downtown area, you’ll also be within walking distance of many great restaurants and shops.
St. Louis’ Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States—at more than 1,300 acres, it's some 500 acres larger than Central Park. Here you’ll find the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Art Deco Jewel Box greenhouse, miles and miles of forested trails, and more. The MetroLink can get you here, so don’t miss it.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone CDT (UTC -6) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 2 | Tours 46 | Reviews 560 |
St. Louis is arguably most known for the Gateway Arch, the massive riverside structure that marks the “Gateway to the West.” Designated a national park in 2018, it was formerly the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, marking Jefferson’s acquisition of the Louisiana Purchase and the jumping-off point for exploring the American frontier.
...MoreThe St. Louis food scene banks on all things decadent and delicious, merging Southern cuisine with Midwest comfort food. Try St. Louis-style barbecue at iconic hangouts like Pappy’s Smokehouse; gooey butter cake (a custard-rich coffee cake) at places like Gooey Louie; and toasted ravioli just about anywhere that might have the deep-fried, cheesy specialty.
...MoreHow you spend a weekend in St. Louis depends on what interests you. You could start by exploring the Gateway Arch, taking the elevator to the top for incredible views. Pair it with a walk downtown, where you’ll find excellent diners, restaurants, and speakeasies. After all that, maybe head to the City Museum, Forest Park, or Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game.
...MoreYes, it’s worth visiting St. Louis. Not only is this city steeped in American history—it’s where many pioneers set out to explore the “Wild West”—but human history, too. Just 10 minutes away lies the UNESCO site of Cahokia Mounds, the center of an ancient culture. Then there are today’s amenities, like shops, baseball, museums, and more.
...MoreYou’re probably thinking of the Delmar Loop. Coursing down Delmar Boulevard, it’s no longer a loop. However, it’s certainly worth traveling up and then down again—it’s here you’ll find an array of restaurants, the city’s favorite retro bowling alley, music venues, and more. An honorable mention goes to Market Street, home to many of the city’s festivals and parades.
...MoreSt. Louis is unique for many reasons, but one that stands out is its clash of cultures and eras. Walk its streets, and you’ll find echoes of the American South—like barbecue and blues—plus notes of the Midwest and Rust Belt. You’ll also cross time: The city was both the gateway to the American frontier and one of the largest Indigenous centers in the country.
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