Just south of downtown St. Louis is Soulard, one of the city’s oldest and liveliest neighborhoods. Frenchman and early American settler Antoine Pierre Soulard surveyed the area for the King of Spain in the late 1700s. The area later attracted immigrants and entrepreneurs from German, Hungary, Syria and other European nations. Today, visit Soulard for its laid-back restaurants, live music venues and festivals.
Begin your day at the 18th-century Soulard Farmers Market, where numerous vendors sell baked goods, cheeses, flowers, fresh produce and meats. The market’s Soulard Summer Concert Series features free open-air performances by local blues and soul acts. Follow wafting hoppy aromas to Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the home of Budweiser. Guided tours provide glimpses into the brewery’s history. Stop in the biergarten for classic and seasonal brews.
Redbrick Victorian, Federal and Italianate-style townhouses characterize the neighborhood’s architectural landscape. Visit one of the oldest churches of St. Louis, Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, built in 1874. Its impressive German-Gothic design includes a 214-foot-high (65-meter) spire and an airy nave framed by huge arches. Listen to ghostly tales, brave an eerie escape room and play video games at The Darkness Haunted House.
Dozens of bars and restaurants line the streets of this historic district. Feast on everything from tender St. Louis ribs and wood-fired pizzas to Asian, Cajun and Mexican cuisine. Join locals at British-themed pubs, taprooms and sports bars. Music venues continue the legacy of legendary St. Louis blues musicians such as Bennie Smith and Johnnie Johnson.
Annual events and outdoor parties celebrate the diversity of the neighborhood. Attend float parades, blues gigs and cook-offs during St. Louis Mardi Gras. Enjoy the German-inspired, beer-swilling fun of Soulard Oktoberfest. In November, owners of the neighborhood’s historic homes welcome visitors for the Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour.
Public buses travel to Soulard from the St. Louis Civic Center Transit Center. Stop at neighboring Lafayette Square, a popular area known for its concerts, picnic and outdoor cinema at Lafayette Park.
