St. Louis, MO

Travel Guide

Gateway Arch which includes a monument, a sunset and a city
The Muny Theater showing a pond and a garden
Kiener Plaza showing a park
Gateway Arch which includes a city and landscape views
Gateway Arch featuring a monument, night scenes and a park

Stroll under the Gateway Arch, explore a plethora of museums and enjoy an outstanding music scene initiated by natives Chuck Berry and Miles Davis.

St. Louis lives up to its nickname, the Gateway to the West. Centrally located in Missouri along the Mississippi River, the city is a confluence of Southern cuisine, fascinating culture and Midwestern charm. Explore its historic cobblestone streets, pulsing Downtown and multitude of cultural institutions.

The Gateway Arch is impossible to miss. The city’s famous monument rises 630 feet (190 meters) high and is visible from across the city. Take an enclosed tram to the top to see miles in every direction. Try to spot the Busch Stadium to the west and the mighty Mississippi River to the east. Afterward, explore the surrounding Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Park, which includes the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse, where in 1847 Dred Scott and his wife famously sued for their freedom from slavery but ultimately lost.

As the hometown of rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry and jazz pioneer Miles Davis, it’s not surprising that St. Louis has a thriving music scene. Enjoy evenings in Laclede’s Landing or the Delmar Loop, which are home to popular bars and lively restaurants.

See the latest modern art in the unique Pulitzer Arts Foundation, which presents new exhibits every six months. Nearby, relax among the trees and dozens of eye-catching sculptures in Laumeier Sculpture Park. Spend more time outside in the scenic Missouri Botanical Gardens and Arboretum, which is among the oldest botanical gardens in the United States. Explore the award-winning Climatron dome conservatory, which houses a remarkable tropical rain forest.

St. Louis has a fascinating history as a hub of trade and host of the 1904 Summer Olympics and World’s Fair. Learn about its past at the Missouri History Museum. Discover fun for all ages at the quirky City Museum and kids-oriented Magic House. Check out old trains and vintage cars at the Museum of Transportation.

Visit St. Louis any time of year. From children to adults, art lovers to history buffs, music fans to sports aficionados, this city has something for everyone.

Where to stay in St. Louis

Meeting of the Waters Fountain showing a statue or sculpture and a fountain

Downtown St. Louis

4/5(4,004 area reviews)

Ample dining options, fascinating museums, and great live music are just a few top things to explore in Downtown St. Louis. A visit to Gateway Arch or Busch Stadium might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at 8th and Pine Station or Stadium Station to get around town.

Downtown St. Louis
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Clayton

Visitors often come to Clayton for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Chapel of St. Timothy And St. Titus, Concordia Seminary and Shaw Park Tennis Center. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Clayton Station.

Clayton
Central West End

Central West End

4.5/5(450 area reviews)

Bordering Forest Park with free cultural institutions, this St. Louis neighborhood boasts a bustling commercial district along Euclid Avenue and the world's largest mosaic collection at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

Central West End
"The first St. Charles Borromeo Church, like this one, was constructed of vertical, hewn logs placed directly in the ground: an architectural style unique to the French in the New World during the 17th and 18th centuries. The church has been rebuilt on its original location. Jesse Francis, a local preservationist with 20 years experience restoring 18th French log buildings, directed the reconstruction. The work was done completely by with period tools in the manner of the 18th century. The church is part of an on-going historical interpretive program based on a re-creation of daily activities in this old French village."

St. Charles Historic District

Discover a national historic district featuring over 100 buildings, including the First Missouri State Capitol and St. Charles Odd Fellows Hall, showcasing architectural styles like Greek Revival and Italianate.

St. Charles Historic District
The Arc
St. Louis, Missouri

Creve Coeur

Creve Coeur is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Creve Coeur Golf Club and Saint Louis Abbey while you're in town.

Creve Coeur
St. Louis which includes interior views

Downtown West

If you're spending some time in Downtown West, St. Louis Union Station and St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown West

Getting around St. Louis

The downtown area and historic neighborhoods of St. Louis are best explored on foot. Get around more quickly by rental car, which you can pick up at the airport or in the city. Or, take advantage of the taxis available throughout the city. Alternatively, use the public transportation system, consisting of the MetroLink light railway and the MetroBus bus network, as well as trolley services. Visit the Metro TransitOpens in a new window website.Browse St. Louis rental cars.

Best time to visit

Spring and fall are fairly fleeting seasons in St. Louis. However, if you can get the timing just right, visiting at one of these times of year will mean you will have a great trip. April and October are particularly good months to pick. Come then for daytime temperatures in the high 60s (18-20 C). The city is lively throughout the long summer too, but you will have to deal with sweltering heat and big crowds.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of St. Louis

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1851
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
2326
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
615
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
75
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
28
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I grew up on the Illinois side of St. Louis. I have always enjoyed going to St. Louis to see the Arch, Bush Gardens, Stadium and Brewery. I have been to the Science Museum multiple times and would go again. I love the Magic House.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

was nice was down there during the rioting that we had to avoid but was nice

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

St Louis is a great place to visit!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Words can't express how I feel about town because I don't know what to feel

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Didn't really get to do much due to Covid 19 so a lot of places were closed

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great town.

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