Things to do in St. Louis, MO

There are 79 distinct, government-designated, neighborhoods in St. Louis, more than in any other city in America. This results in a variance of experiences and cultural flavors throughout the city. Downtown is the business and financial hub of the city, but it also offers a number of noteworthy attractions, not least of which is the iconic St. Louis Gateway Arch. Laclede's Landing, once a thriving industrial district, has seen most of its warehouses and buildings converted into trendy restaurants and nightlife spots, though the cobblestone streets remain, and you can ride through them on horse-drawn carriages. Soulard is St. Louis's oldest neighborhood, and today it draws a younger crowd to its clubs, lounges, and upscale restaurants.

St. Louis is positively brimming with historic sites and landmarks. The Gateway Arch is far and away the most prominent, and with good reason; not only is it the tallest national monument in the world, it's responsible for St. Louis's most popular nickname, "Gateway to the West." The Arch is located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park, where you'll also find the Museum of Westward Expansion, the Old Courthouse (site of the Dred Scott slavery...  

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There are 79 distinct, government-designated, neighborhoods in St. Louis, more than in any other city in America. This results in a variance of experiences and cultural flavors throughout the city. Downtown is the business and financial hub of the city, but it also offers a number of noteworthy attractions, not least of which is the iconic St. Louis Gateway Arch. Laclede's Landing, once a thriving industrial district, has seen most of its warehouses and buildings converted into trendy restaurants and nightlife spots, though the cobblestone streets remain, and you can ride through them on horse-drawn carriages. Soulard is St. Louis's oldest neighborhood, and today it draws a younger crowd to its clubs, lounges, and upscale restaurants.

St. Louis is positively brimming with historic sites and landmarks. The Gateway Arch is far and away the most prominent, and with good reason; not only is it the tallest national monument in the world, it's responsible for St. Louis's most popular nickname, "Gateway to the West." The Arch is located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park, where you'll also find the Museum of Westward Expansion, the Old Courthouse (site of the Dred Scott slavery case), and the first cathedral to be erected west of the Mississippi. Elsewhere, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is worth visiting if for no other reason than because it houses more mosaic art than any single place in the world. 

The primary reason for St. Louis's association with beer is the presence of the Anheuser-Busch brewery, one of the world's largest and most recognized brewing facilities. Even if you're not a fan of beer, a tour of this site is worthwhile. You'll visit the historic Budweiser Clydesdale Stable, watch beer being made in the Brew House, and stroll through cellars where it's aged, all while sipping on samples (if you're 21 or up, of course.) There are also quite a few craft breweries that offer a more intimate glimpse into the making of higher gravity beers in the area, such as Square One, Six Row, and Urban Chestnut. 

Though it's not widely known by the general public, St. Louis was (and remains) a center for musical innovation and talent, particularly at the turn of the 20th century. Jazz, blues, and ragtime are all deeply entwined in the city's culture and history, and classical music is very prominent in the city. Legendary Chuck Berry has deep ties to St. Louis, and performs in clubs throughout the city to this day. Miles Davis also spent a great deal of time performing and composing here. St. Louis is also home to the second oldest symphony orchestra in the US, which, to date, has won six Grammy awards.

St. Louis is a town for sports fans in general, but most especially baseball fanatics. The St. Louis Cardinals lay claim to 10 World Series championship titles, putting them second to the Yankees. They are one of Major League Baseball's oldest franchises, and because of all this taken together, St. Louis locals are fanatically devoted to them, so much so that St. Louis is sometimes called "Baseball City." Football, and the St. Louis Rams, are also wildly popular in the city. St. Louis is also one of a very few US cities with a strong and sustained interest in professional soccer, as well as a long history with involvement in the sport.

American Indians inhabited the St. Louis area before French fur traders founded the city in 1764, naming it after King Louis IX. The US bought the land from Napoleon in 1803, and the city quickly became a thriving trade community. Prosperity continues today, as 20 Fortune 1000 companies reside in St. Louis, with industries ranging from food and beverage manufacturing to biotechnology. In the early 1900's, St. Louis gained international acclaim for hosting the World's Fair, the Olympics, and the first International Balloon Race. Recent years have seen slugger Mark McGwire rewrite baseball history, which, coupled with the city's athletic legacy, resulted in The Sporting News naming St. Louis as "North America's Best Sports City." St. Louis boasts many historic homes, entertainment venues, and architectural landmarks such as the towering Gateway Arch. In addition, various museums chronicle the city's contribution to civil rights, transportation, and Westward expansion.

American Indians inhabited the St. Louis area before French fur traders founded the city in 1764, naming it after King Louis IX. The US bought the land from Napoleon in 1803, and the city quickly became a thriving trade community. Prosperity continues today, as 20 Fortune 1000 companies reside in St. Louis, with industries ranging from food and beverage manufacturing to biotechnology. In the early 1900's, St. Louis gained international acclaim for hosting the World's Fair, the Olympics, and the first International Balloon Race. Recent years have seen slugger Mark McGwire rewrite baseball history, which, coupled with the city's athletic legacy, resulted in The Sporting News naming St. Louis as "North America's Best Sports City." St. Louis boasts many historic homes, entertainment venues, and architectural landmarks such as the towering Gateway Arch. In addition, various museums chronicle the city's contribution to civil rights, transportation, and Westward expansion.