St. Louis is a place where history and imagination collide, and the result is a Midwestern destination like no other. Red brick buildings, cobblestone streets, terra cotta friezes and stained glass are part of the tapestry of St. Louis’ amazing architectural heritage. From the top of the Gateway Arch, visitors will see a panoramic view of St. Louis and the mighty Mississippi River below, where paddlewheel riverboats cruise the port.
Paddlewheel riverboat with Gateway Arch in the background – Photo courtesy Explore St. Louis
The Gateway to the West is a melting pot of cultures located at the crossroads of America. The region enjoys the ethnic influences of early immigrants from Germany, Italy, Ireland and Poland, coupled with newer arrivals from Bosnia, Ethiopia, Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond. The result is dozens of unique shops, boutiques, galleries and one-of-a-kind restaurants that offer visitors a taste of the world and contribute to the region’s unique and multicultural flair in friendly neighborhoods.
CityGarden, SLAM – photo by Dan Donovan – Photos courtesy Explore St. Louis
It’s always sports season in fantastic St. Louis with the St. Louis Cardinals and the lively Ballpark Village entertainment complex next door; the St. Louis Blues fast-paced, powerful play; St. Louis FC Football Club of the United States Soccer League; Gateway Motorsports Park, a five-minute drive east from the Gateway Arch, fast-paced, revved-up action of NHRA and NASCAR; and the Chess Club & Scholastic Center of Saint Louis.
Brewhouse and Stadium – Photo courtesy Explore St. Louis
The Mississippi River city offers exceptional music, arts and cultural options, as well as such renowned and free-of-charge attractions as the Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Science Center, and the Missouri History Museum all within beautiful Forest park. The park, site of the 1904 World’s Fair, is located on 1,300 acres in the center of the St. Louis metropolitan area and is considered one of the nation’s greatest urban public parks. Additional free attractions include Citygarden, Grant’s Farm, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Museum at The Arch, and the Anheuser-Busch brewery tours. You can go wild in St. Louis’ famous blues and jazz music clubs or come face-to-face with wildlife of another kind on nature trails.
Forest Park Fountain - McElroy Fine Art Photography – Photo courtesy Explore St. Louis
Plan your visit today at explorestlouis.com.