Posted by I’ve always wanted to visit St. Louis, so when my son moved there I couldn’t wait to get on the road! My 500 hundred mile drive was worth the effort and I arrived on a beautiful September day. I chose to stay in O’Fallon, Illinois, a suburb and short 15-minute drive from the center of the city. This is what I found on my first visit there.
St Louis is full of hidden surprises. Plan your visit, but don’t be surprised if your itinerary is interrupted once you actually begin to explore this unique city! It has so much to offer that it’s hard to stick to an itinerary. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to get distracted by what you find on your way to where you are going!
St Louis has everything! It truly represents the heartland of America. The city encompasses America’s love of sports, entertainment, music, food, culture, history, art, stunning scenery and beer! It’s a historic town with a cultural feel.
Approaching St Louis over the bridge is awe-inspiring for a city junkie like me. The skyline interrupted by the Gateway Arch is stunning. It dominates the city from every angle and represents this historic place very nobly. The arch was built in the 1960s as the Gateway to the West, towering over the city at 630 feet high. It stands on the banks of the Mississipi, surrounded by Gateway Arch National park The foot of the arch houses a museum and for the more adventurous, the option of going up the arch. We were very content to admire from solid ground this time. Click on the link to learn more and how to buy tickets for the ride to the top! https://www.gatewayarch.com/
The Gateway Arch leads to the “downtown” area of the city, starting off with the Old Courthouse built in 1828. You will find the Busch Stadium ballpark, home to the Cardinals, and Ballpark Village with restaurants and sports bars. Nearby Washington Avenue is also lined with restaurants and bars, where Blues and Jazz music can often be heard.
More outdoor activity can be found at Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. The park is stunning with so much to explore, including the wonderful St Louis Zoo. The St Louis Art Museum sits on the edge of the park and is free to visit. The following links provide more information.
https://www.forestparkforever.org/park-attractions https://www.slam.org/
If you love a good zoo, don’t skip this one! It has a large variety of animals, including exotic ones like Orangutans and Gorillas, Elephants and Hippos, and the setting is beautiful. Allow a couple of hours to see everything and the kids ( big and small) will be pleasantly tired at the end of the day!
https://www.stlzoo.org/ Check this link before visiting as at the time of writing, reservations were required.
The Food
Always my favourite part of any trip, and St Louis has an overwhelming choice.
If you are in the market for a fantastic pizza and home-brewed beer, check out Peel Wood Fired Pizza in O’Fallon, just outside the city center. They offer traditional and unusual combinations and amazing beer for a decent price.
Crave something more exotic? A friend invited us to Vin De Set, a French restaurant with a gorgeous rooftop bar and bistro. Better still, Happy Hour offers half-price hors d’oeuvres Tuesday to Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. If baked scallops, sweet curry mussels, pate, and oh so much fromage appeals, stop in. Their wine and beer selection alone is reason to visit!
The Hill
If this sounds like an HBO mini-series, you are forgiven. It happens to be the Italian quarter of St. Louis, and if you love pasta, real pasta, it’s worth a visit. There is a community feel to this place, and a good selection of restaurants to choose from. We opted for Charlie Gitto’s and experienced a traditional-style restaurant with incredible homemade pasta, definitely the best I have ever eaten.
More Finds
Being English, I was totally thrilled to find a tea-room! The London Tea Room sells English products and offers pastries, cups of tea, and much more; my son thoroughly approved of his quality Cornish Pasty. I bought a tea-towel and vowed to return on my next visit.
More Sightseeing
Next time, the brewery and boat tours will be on my agenda. There is so much to see in this city, that I only just scratched the surface. There is an abundance of shopping and markets if you have the free time.
Anheuser Busch museum (check current opening times} www.anheuser-busch.com
River Boat tours at www.gatewayarch.com
Click on the links below for more inspiration
https://explorestlouis.com/25-things-to-do-in-st-louis/
Outside St Louis day trip
We drove an hour outside St Louis along the beautiful Mississippi to reach Grafton. Here you will find a cozy little town catering to tourists. Enjoy the gorgeous river view from the sprawling Loading Dock Bar and Grill, offering you outdoor food and drinks. Then, take the open chair lift ride up to Aeries Winery to enjoy more incredible views of the stunning countryside while sipping on a red or white ($10 per person for chair lift ride) It’s a fun thing to do and offers great views on the way down!
I hope I’ve done my job and convinced you to visit this unique city if you get the chance! I cannot wait to get back in the spring and enjoy more sites and experiences.
As always, let me know if you’ve got questions!
Cheers!
