St. Louis, MO

Travel Guide

St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis
St. Louis

St. Louis Travel Guide Video

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

Downtown St. Louis

Downtown St. Louis

4/5(4,044 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
St. Louis Missouri

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(456 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
Creve Coeur Lake, Saint Louis, Missouri
Fall Season

Creve Coeur

Creve Coeur is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Creve Coeur Golf Club and Skip Viragh Center for the Arts while you're in town.

Creve Coeur
Downtown West

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
trestle on Katy Trail in Missouri over Auxvasse Creek near Mokane - 237 mile bike trail stretching across most of the state of Missouri converted from abandoned railroad

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
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch

Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch

4 out of 5
315 Chestnut St St. Louis MO
$127 nightly
The price is $149 total per night from May 25 to May 26
$149 total
May 25 - May 26
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in St. Louis. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,068 reviews)
I did not have breakfast

Reviewed on May 10, 2026

Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch
Heritage Inn & Suites St. Louis/Fenton, Trademark by Wyndham

Heritage Inn & Suites St. Louis/Fenton, Trademark by Wyndham

3 out of 5
1088 South Highway Drive Fenton MO
$89 nightly
The price is $103 total per night from May 17 to May 18
$103 total
May 17 - May 18
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Fenton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,265 reviews)
Had a great experience with this hotel for 3dys, the rooms were clean, the indoor pool was nice with the jaccuzzi and breakfast was good!

Reviewed on May 9, 2026

Heritage Inn & Suites St. Louis/Fenton, Trademark by Wyndham
Clayton Plaza Hotel & Extended Stay

Clayton Plaza Hotel & Extended Stay

3.5 out of 5
7750 Carondelet Avenue St. Louis MO
$99 nightly
The price is $116 total per night from May 31 to Jun 1
$116 total
May 31 - Jun 1
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in St. Louis. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,203 reviews)
It wasn’t a bad stay it is right next to the jail which is a little sketchy. The room was clean! The AC was super loud when it would turn on and off.

Reviewed on May 10, 2026

Clayton Plaza Hotel & Extended Stay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
 White House at Grand Central

White House at Grand Central

3.5 out of 5
3805 Lindell Blvd St. Louis MO
Stay at this apartment in St. Louis. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a garden. Popular attractions St. Louis Union Station and Busch Stadium are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (131 reviews)
Room smelled of cigarettes, had to leave and book another property, check in and location was awful and hard to find. Property is nothing like it is described in booking. Bed was comfortable for the one night I stayed

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2026

White House at Grand Central
The St. Charles Guest House, lovely historic home, fun for families and groups

The St. Charles Guest House, lovely historic home, fun for families and groups

St. Charles MO
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in St. Charles. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ameristar Casino ...
10/10 Exceptional! (140 reviews)
We loved the house and location. The house was very clean and spacious. I would absolutely recommend this house to anyone! It was great. The kitchen was fully stocked along with coffee and beds were comfortable! We will be back!

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2026

The St. Charles Guest House, lovely historic home, fun for families and groups
Landing Furnished Apartments - Central West End

Landing Furnished Apartments - Central West End

3.5 out of 5
4050 W Pine Blvd St. Louis MO
Book a stay at this business-friendly apartment in St. Louis. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions St. Louis Union ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
The apartment was clean and looked exactly like the photos. Check in was easy. I was unable to use the app I believe because I used a 3rd party to book. There were no instructions about the property and I did get locked in the courtyard at one point. Also check it was unclear because I could not ...

Reviewed on May 3, 2026

Landing Furnished Apartments - Central West End
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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.

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