Take Me to St. Louis

Stand beneath the Gateway Arch, and you can't help but feel proud to be an American. Not only does this architectural marvel connect East to West, but it's also a visual reminder of all that's great about the good ole U.S. of A. Planted on the banks of the mighty Mississippi, this silvery icon testifies to our unflagging pioneer spirit and good-natured optimism.

It reflects the personality of the city too. St. Louis serves as world headquarters for a number of homegrown powerhouses, including Anheuser-Busch, Purina Mills, and Monsanto. What's more, it's a fun place to visit, with enough recreational opportunities to keep you busy for days.

Arch Support

It's not enough to just stand at the base and gaze at the Gateway Arch. You have to embrace it.

The arch is actually part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, a 91-acre park that's located near the launching point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Inside the arch, you'll find the Museum of Westward Expansion, as well as several large-screen movies. Don't leave without taking the gimbaled tram to the top for a bird's-eye view of the city. You can buy tickets for a riverboat cruise or rent bikes at the park, but more adventuresome souls will want to take a helicopter tour of the city. The heliport sits on a river barge that's docked at the base of the park steps.

Beer and Baseball

Even if you're not a beer drinker, you'll enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. Stationed near downtown at 12th and Lynch Streets, the 100-acre facility occupies more than a dozen historic buildings, including the circa 1891 Brew House that's topped by a spectacular clock tower. The tour features a stop at the Clydesdale Stables, a beautiful redbrick barn with stained glass windows where the world-famous draft horses reside. At the end of the tour, visitors over 21 can sample their favorite beverages in the Hospitality Room.

Anheuser-Busch is synonymous with baseball in St. Louis too. The city's beloved Cardinals take the field at Busch Stadium. The open-air design offers fans a panoramic view of the downtown skyline and the Gateway Arch. Visit http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/, or call the ticket office at 314-345-9000.

If you're not lucky enough to be in town when the team is, you can still visit the Cardinal's Hall of Fame Museum, where the heroics of Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Ozzie Smith, and many others live on.