From Wikitravel

St Louis[1] is a major midwestern city in Missouri filled with culture. The Gateway Arch, the world's tallest monument, forms a triumphant city skyline. St. Louis planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city with green space at the street level. An open mall leads up to the historic court houses facing the Gateway Arch surrounded by reflecting pools.

Contents 1 Understand 2 Get in 2.1 By car 2.2 By plane 2.3 By bus 2.4 By boat 3 Get around 4 See 4.1 Landmarks 4.2 Museums 4.3 Major venues and convention centers 4.4 Theater and Performing Arts 5 Do 6 Buy 7 Eat 7.1 Try St. Louis Originals 7.2 The Hill 7.3 Central West End 7.4 Delmar Loop 7.5 South City 7.6 Downtown 7.7 Clayton 7.8 Suburbs 8 Drink 9 Sleep 9.1 Splurge 10 Stay safe 11 Get out

Understand

The city is named after Louis IX of France.

St. Louis was acquired from France by the US during President Thomas Jefferson's term in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The transfer of power from Spain was made official in a ceremony called "Three Flags Day." On March 8, 1804, the Spanish flag was lowered and the French one raised. On March 10, the French flag was replaced by that of the USA.

St. Louis is called "the Gateway to the West". The city was the last major stop before journeying westward to the Pacfic coast.

St. Louis was also known for hosting the 1904 World's Fair and the Olympic games.

The city also played a large part during the steam boat era due to the location of the Mississippi River and Missouri River met.

Get in

By car

St. Louis can be accessed by Interstate 70 West from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and points eastward, I-64W from Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and points southeastward, I-55N from Arkansas, Tennessee, and points southward, I-55S from Illinois, I-44E from Tulsa, and I-70E from Kansas City. There is a loop around St. Louis which is I-270.

By plane

• Lambert St. Louis International Airport (STL), 10701 Lambert International Blvd, +1 314 426-8000 [2].

• Spirit of St. Louis Airport, 18270 Edison Avenue in Chesterfield, +1 636 532-2222 [3].

By bus

• Greyhound Bus Lines, 1450 N 13th St., +1 314 231-4485 [4].

• Megabus [5] - +1 877-GO2-MEGA. Discount bus company offering nonstop service between St. Louis and Chicago. Once in Chicago, it is possible to make connections to Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati.

By boat

The Mississippi River forms the eastern boundary of the city, separating it from Illinois. The Missouri River runs into the Mississippi through St. Louis.

Get around

• MetroLink, +1 314 231-2345 [6] - A light rail system with much room to grow. It runs from Lambert-St.Louis Int'l Airport (STL) in Missouri to Scott AFB in Illinois.
• Metro Buses [7] - Criss-cross the bi-state metropolitan area.
• Car is extremely useful here.

See

Landmarks

• Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd. (at Newstead Avenue in the Central West End neighborhood), +1 314 373-8200 [8] - Open 7AM-7PM. This Roman Catholic church contains the most mosaic art in one site in the world--83,000 square feet, installed by a family of artists who used more than 41 million tiles with more than 7,000 colors.

• Eads Bridge - This bridge was the first to cross the Mississippi and represents one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time. This overlooked landmark is worth checking out for the Eiffel Tower-like iron lattice that still holds up cars and the Metro-link to this day. In summer, there is an "Eats Bridge" food festival here.

• Old Courthouse, downtown [9] -It is the site of the Dred Scott case.

• Forest Park [10] - Is the nation's largest city park with 1,293 acres, open to the public for golf, tennis, baseball, bicycling, boating, fishing, handball, ice skating, roller blading, jogging, cricket, rugby and more. The park is also home to the St. Louis Science Center, the art museum, the zoo, and a history museum. Forest Park is really at the heart of St. Louis. It was also the site of the 1904 World's Fair.

• The Gateway Arch, Riverfront, +1 877-982-1410, [11] - Daily 9AM-6PM, (Summer 8AM-10PM). The world's tallest national monument, built to be a symbolic gateway to the west, the Arch is the centerpiece of the riverfront Jefferson National Expansion Memorial park. You can ride up to the top. There is also an innovative historical museum under the Arch. Don't miss the movie, "Monument to the Dream," about the building of the Arch--it is an exceptionally well-made and memorable tribute to how a vision was made tangible. The Arch was designed as a parabola scaled from 21 inches of string held 7 inches apart. Its foundation is anchored 60 feet underground.

• Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, +1 314 577-9400, +1 800-642-8842 [12] - A place of serenity, beauty, and fun amid the bustle of the city, the Missouri Botanical Garden is open every day except Christmas Day (Dec 25). Stroll the grounds, explore the home gardening resources, or enjoy one of the many events throughout the year. This is a "must see."

• The Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, +1 314 781-0900 [13] - Daily 8AM-7PM. Recognized as one of the top five zoos in the nation. The zoo has both indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a children petting zoo. There are several centers for in depth exploration and learning. The zoo is open daily and is free.

• The Wainwright Building, 705 Chestnut Street [14] - Designed by Louis Sullivan and built in 1890, it is one of the first skyscrapers.

Museums

• The City Museum, 701 North 15th Street [15] - For the young or young at heart. Don't let the name fool you--this place is a blast! The City Museum is a huge playground built in an old warehouse made largely out of architectural artifacts from around St. Louis collected by an eccentric millionaire. There are concessions inside the museum as well as bar service by local brewery Schlafy's.

• Saint Louis Art Museum [16] - One of the leading comprehensive art museums in the nation. They host visiting displays which in the past have included such exhibits as the Angles of the Vatican and the Royal Tombs of Ur. Admission is free and open to the public.

• The Saint Louis History Museum [17] - Also located in Forest Park and is free and open to the public as well.

• Saint Louis Science Center [18] - Is a fun hands on learning experince for the entire family. Equipped with a IMAX theater, a planetarium, floors of interactive activities, and several travling exhibits the Science Center has something for everyone. The museum is free and open to the public daily.

• Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Museum, Underneath the Gateway Arch.

Major venues and convention centers

• America's Convention Center [19].

• Millennium Hotel, 200 South 4th Street [20].

• Renaissance Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue [21].

• Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Road (314) 429-1100, [22].

• Westport Plaza Sheraton [23]. Two luxurious Sheraton hotels among the fine restaurants, bars, and fountains of the modern Westport Plaza. Centrally located in the suburbs.

Theater and Performing Arts

• Fabulous Fox Theater [24] - Built in 1929 and restored to its glory, this rare gem seats 4,500. A performance at the Fabulouis Fox Theater is a "must see." Only two of this design exist, the Detroit Fox Theater built in 1928 has also been restored and seats 5,000. Probably the two most ornate theaters ever built in the US, they were the first to have live sound. They were built for William Fox, the founder of Fox Film Corporation, the forerunner of Twentieth Century-Fox studios. These two original Fox Theaters are still among the largest in the US in terms of total seats and the size of the stage.

• The Muny [25] - America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater. A popular summer attraction show casing a varity of musicals throughout June, July and August.

• Powell Symphony Hall [26] - Is a magnificent performance center.

Do

• The Central West End [27]. Another lively neighborhood in St. Louis. The central west end features many local favorite restarunts, late night bars, and all night coffee shops with free wi-fi.

• Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. The entire day is a major event in St. Louis under the Arch with concerts and festivities.

• Lacledes Landing [28]. Just north of the Arch, and the second oldest neighborhood after Soulard, "the Landing" is what amounts to St. Louis' old town. You are likely to enjoy the cobblestone streets and the shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

• Soulard Market, [29]. Although strangely named ("un soulard " means "a drunk" in French.), the Soulard neighborhood, covering the waterfront for several miles south of the Arch, is the oldest in St. Louis. The Georgian (or should that be Louis XVI?) style houses surround a central farmer's market which supplies the city's supermarkets and restaurants with local produce. Individuals are welcome to stop in and shop as well. There are a number of bars and restaurants in the neighborhood as well.

• St. Louis Blues Hockey (NHL) [30].

• St. Louis Cardinals Baseball (MLB), Busch Stadium, 420 South 8th Street [31].

• St. Louis Rams Football (NFL) [32].

• St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market St., +1 314 421-6655 [33]. 110-year-old National Historic Landmark has been restored and redeveloped as a dynamic mixed-use project that includes great shopping, dining and entertainment.

• The University City Loop, Delmar Blvd., [34]. Straddles the city limits and University City. A good place to visit if you are in St. Louis. This is the area known as the Loop home to rapper Nelly and a frequented spot by St. Louisian Chuck Berry. You can shop, listen to live music, enjoy a good restaurant, or watch a movie at one of over 120 eclectic spots. Many restaurants feature outdoor dining to take in the bustling street scene.

• Veiled Prophet Parade, [35]. July 1.

• West Port Plaza, [36]. Over 18 restaurants, bars and entertainment spots.

Buy

• Alton Square Mall, [37]. Large suburban mall in Alton, IL.

• Chesterfield Mall, [38]. Large suburban mall in Chesterfield, MO.

• Saint Louis Galleria, [39]. The city's largest mall in Brentwood, MO.

• Hullabaloo, 1908 Washington St., +1 314 241-1969, [40]. One of the two or three biggest vendors of used clothing and costumes in the US, Hullaballoo does most of its business by mail order, or at shows in San Francisco, Seattle, and Las Vegas. They keep a store in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis, however, so if you are into vintage or goth clothing you should definitely stop in.

• Plaza Frontenac, 1701 S. Lindbergh, [41]. Exclusive shopping in an upscale mall.

• South County Mall, [42] Suburbs.

• West County Mall, [43] Suburbs.

Eat

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Try St. Louis Originals

• Barbequed Pork Steaks, St. Louis Style Boston Butt sliced into steaks, basted with Mull's Barbecue sauce, seasoned heavily with horse radish.

• Gooey butter Cake, [44]

• Maull's Barbecue Sauce

• Provel Cheese, [45]

• St. Louis Style Pizza, [46]

• Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, [47]

• Toasted Ravioli, [48]

• For original restaurants exclusive to St. Louis, see [49].

The Hill

If you are a fan of Italian, head over to a neighborhood known as "the Hill", [50]. Home of Yogi Berra, the Hill has more Italian restaurants than any other area in the city.

• Adriana's, +1 314 773-3833. Sicilian. Not open for dinner but can boast one of the best Italian veggie sandwiches out there. Lines are long but move quickly.

• Cunetto's House of Pasta, +1 314 781-1135 [51].

• Favazzas, +1 314 772-4454 [52].

• Zia's Restaurant, +1 314 776-0020 [53].

Central West End

• Bar Italia, +1 314 361-7010, [54]. Italian

• Coffee Cartel, [55]. 24 hour coffee shop with free wi-fi.

Delmar Loop

• Riddles, [56]. A place to eat, drink, and listen to music on the Loop.

• Blueberry Hill, [57]. Restaurant and bar (open till 3AM) - Chuck Berry frequently on the calander to play.

• Mirasol, [58]. Tapas bar- South American Cuisine

• Fitz's Rootbeer, [59]. American Bar and Grill, Family friendly, watch the bottle factory go to work as you dine.

• Dewey's Pizza, [60]. Gourmet Pizza just north of the loop on Delmar.

• The Melting Pot, [61]. Fondue.

South City

• Sidney Street Cafe, [62].

Downtown

• Belle Angeline. Riverboat restaurant docked beneath the Gateway Arch.

• Kitchen K, [63]. American Bar and Restarunt

• Broadway Oyster Bar, [64]. Cajun Creole Cuisine with Live Jazz and Blues

• BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups, [65]. Name says it all.

• Robert E. Lee Riverboat restaurant docked beneath the Gateway Arch.

• Top of the Riverfront, [66] 28 stories up on top of the Millennium Hotel the restaurant revolves 360 degrees around while you eat. A wonderful view of the city and riverfront.

Clayton

• J. Buck's, [67]. Jack, Joe and Julie Buck broadcasting family restaurant.

Suburbs

• Bellaluna Ristorante Fine Italian in Kirkwood, +1 314 909-0455.

• Kobe Steak House of Japan, +1 314 434-2600. Japanese Steak house.

• Woofie's, [68] Chicago-style Hotdogs.

• Olympia Kebob House & Taverna Greek food near University City, +1 314 781-1299.

Drink

• Cicero's, 6691 Delmar in University City, +1 314 862-0009, [69]. Cicero's probably derives the bulk of its income from the pizza joint upstairs, which is fair, because the pizza is good. That said the main interest for the traveler is the well equipped bar and the venue downstairs, which hosts touring indie and rock bands.

• Mississippi Nights, +1 314 421-3853, [70]. A venue in St. Louis for touring bands.

• Sub Zero Vodka Bar, located in the Central West End, [71].

• Blueberry Hill, [72] Restaurant, darts, bar open till 3AM. Located on the Delmar loop.

• Pinup Bowl, [73] bowling alley and bar open till 3AM. Located on the Delmar Loop,

• Halo Bar, located in the Music venue The Pagent[74] on the Delmar loop, [75].

• Venice Cafe, South City area, +1 314 772-5994. A mosaic-covered bar with outside sitting features nightly music.

• The Big Bang, Laclede's Landing, [76]. Two dueling piano players lead the crowd in a rock 'n' roll sing-along show.

Sleep

Splurge

• Adam's Mark Hotel, Fourth St. & Chestnut, +1 314 241-7400, [77]. Luxury hotel overlooking the Gateway Arch able to accomodate very large conferences.

• Chase Park Plaza, [78]. Luxury hotel in the central west end.

• Embassy Suites Hotel, 901 N. 1st St., [79]. Luxurious hotel in Laclede's Landing.

• Frontenac Hilton, [80]. Luxury hotel near the upscale Frontenac Plaza mall.

• Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, 1 S. Broadway [81].

• Millennium Hotel, 200 South 4th Street,[82]. Luxury hotel overlooking the Gateway Arch.

• Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, 9801 Natural Bridge Rd., +1 314 429-1100 [83]. Luxury hotel.

• Renaissance Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., [84]. Luxury hotel downtown.

• The Roberts Mayfair - A Wyndham Historic Hotel, 806 Saint Charles Street, +1 314 421-2500 (fax +1 314 421-0770), [85]. Luxury hotel. Join a guest list that includes Irving Berlin, Cary Grant and Harry Truman. Since 1925, American notables have made the Mayfair Hotel St Louis their St. Louis headquarters and home away from home. Once you experience the special blend of elegance and service, you'll know why.

• Hyatt in Union Station, [86]. A magnificent luxury hotel in the heart of downtown with 550 rooms inside the historic train station lined with trendy tourist shops. Access to the metro link makes this a convenient place to stay.

• Westport Plaza Sheraton, [87]. Two luxurious Sheraton hotels among the fine restaurants, bars, and fountains of the modern Westport Plaza. Centrally located in the suburbs.

Stay safe

Get out

• Nearby St. Charles makes a nice day trip.
• Troy is only a short ride away.

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