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St. Louis
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St. Louis blends Gateway Arch views, blues and barbecue, grand museums, historic neighbourhoods and Mississippi River heritage for memorable Missouri city breaks.

River City and Western Gateway

St. Louis stands on the western bank of the Mississippi River, where the waterway, a layered immigrant history and the ambitions of nineteenth-century America have shaped the city’s identity. Its most recognisable symbol, the Gateway Arch, rises beside the riverfront to commemorate the westward expansion associated with the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, while the Old Courthouse and the historic streets of downtown preserve earlier chapters of the city’s civic life. Across the river, Illinois forms a close geographical backdrop, giving the waterfront a broad, open character.
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Neighbourhoods with Distinctive Character

Beyond downtown, St. Louis unfolds through neighbourhoods with strongly individual personalities. Soulard is known for nineteenth-century brick houses, lively bars and the long-running Mardi Gras tradition; Lafayette Square combines Victorian architecture with landscaped gardens; and The Hill reflects the influence of Italian-American families through its restaurants, bakeries and delicatessens. The Central West End brings grand homes, independent shops and cultural institutions, while Cherokee Street is associated with Mexican-American businesses, galleries and street art.

Museums, Parks and Local Culture

Forest Park is one of the country’s great urban parks, containing the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and Saint Louis Zoo, many of which offer free general admission. The city’s cultural life also reaches into music, with blues, jazz and ragtime traditions still represented in clubs and festivals. Baseball at Busch Stadium, botanical collections at the Missouri Botanical Garden and the inventive spaces of City Museum add further dimensions to a city whose attractions are widely distributed rather than confined to one central district.

When is the best time to visit St. Louis?

Best: May, September–October · 22–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January553
February758
March1685
April2097
May (best)26117
June31112
July34102
August33102
September (best)2891
October (best)2281
November1581
December758

Getting to and around St. Louis

How to get there

St. Louis Lambert International Airport is the principal air gateway, located west of the city in St. Louis County and connected with the centre by MetroLink and road. Amtrak trains use Gateway Station downtown, with services including the Missouri River Runner to Kansas City and the Lincoln Service towards Chicago, subject to timetable changes. Greyhound and other intercity coach services may operate through the wider downtown transport network, while Interstate highways connect St. Louis with Missouri, Illinois and the broader Midwest. Visitors driving from across the Mississippi should remember that the city and its neighbouring Illinois communities are separate jurisdictions, connected by several major bridges.

Transportation

Downtown, the riverfront and some historic neighbourhoods can be explored on foot, but St. Louis is geographically spread out and many attractions require another mode of transport. MetroLink light rail connects Lambert airport with downtown, Forest Park and selected west and south-western areas, while MetroBus serves a wider network. Taxis, rideshares and car hire are useful for districts not close to rail, including The Hill and parts of South City. Cycling is practical on selected trails and quieter streets, and the Mississippi Greenway supports riverfront riding. Check current transit information before travelling, as routes, fares and service patterns can change.

Best attractions in St. Louis

The Gateway Arch National Park anchors sightseeing beside the Mississippi, combining the stainless-steel monument with the Museum at the Gateway Arch, the Old Courthouse and broad riverfront views. Forest Park provides an exceptional concentration of attractions, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Science Center and Saint Louis Zoo, set among formal landscapes and open lawns. City Museum, housed in a former shoe factory, is an unusual interactive environment of tunnels, sculptures, slides and reclaimed architectural fragments, particularly distinctive among the city’s cultural venues. The Missouri Botanical Garden offers carefully designed horticultural landscapes and historic structures, while the Anheuser-Busch Brewery provides insight into St. Louis’s brewing history. Neighbourhood exploration adds another layer: Soulard’s red-brick streets, Cherokee Street’s murals and businesses, and The Hill’s Italian-American character reveal a city best understood through both headline attractions and local districts.

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Best landmarks in St. Louis

The Gateway Arch is St. Louis’s defining modern monument, a 630-foot stainless-steel structure designed by Eero Saarinen to represent the city’s role in westward American expansion. Beneath and around it, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial area connects the riverfront with the Old Courthouse, whose history includes the Dred Scott case and nineteenth-century civic development. Union Station, originally opened in 1894, preserves a grand Romanesque Revival railway façade and now forms part of a major entertainment complex. The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis is distinguished by its extensive Byzantine-inspired mosaic interior, while the Old Cathedral near the Arch is one of the city’s oldest surviving churches. Lafayette Square’s Victorian houses, Anheuser-Busch’s historic brewery buildings and the red-brick architecture of Soulard reveal the commercial, religious and residential growth of nineteenth-century St. Louis.

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Explore St. Louis on the map

Plan your St. Louis trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in St. Louis

Best restaurants in St. Louis

St. Louis dining reflects river-city history, immigrant communities and a strong tradition of casual, generous food. Toasted ravioli, usually breaded and fried, is a local speciality, while St. Louis-style pizza is known for its thin, cracker-like base and distinctive square-cut slices. Gooey butter cake is the city’s signature sweet, and barbecue appears in several regional styles rather than one fixed formula. The Hill remains associated with Italian-American restaurants, bakeries and delicatessens; Soulard combines historic surroundings with pubs and casual dining; and Cherokee Street brings Mexican-American food and newer independent venues. Barbecue restaurants, diners, food halls, breweries and farmers’ markets broaden the scene, while locally made beer has a long association with the city through Anheuser-Busch and its independent brewing culture. Menus increasingly reflect the region’s varied communities and contemporary culinary experimentation.

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Best bars in St. Louis

St. Louis evenings range from live blues and jazz to neighbourhood bars, brewery taprooms, sports venues and theatre. Washington Avenue downtown has restaurants and bars near the stadiums and riverfront, while Soulard is associated with historic brick buildings, pubs and a lively weekend scene. The Central West End, Grove and Cherokee Street offer more varied combinations of cocktail bars, music venues and late-night social spaces, although the character changes from block to block. The city’s musical heritage surfaces in blues, jazz and ragtime performances, and larger concerts take place at venues such as the Fabulous Fox Theatre, Enterprise Center and the Pageant in the wider University City area. Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey also shape the evening atmosphere during their seasons. As in other United States cities, alcohol-service rules and venue entry requirements vary, so carry accepted identification.

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Best nightclubs in St. Louis

St. Louis evenings range from live blues and jazz to neighbourhood bars, brewery taprooms, sports venues and theatre. Washington Avenue downtown has restaurants and bars near the stadiums and riverfront, while Soulard is associated with historic brick buildings, pubs and a lively weekend scene. The Central West End, Grove and Cherokee Street offer more varied combinations of cocktail bars, music venues and late-night social spaces, although the character changes from block to block. The city’s musical heritage surfaces in blues, jazz and ragtime performances, and larger concerts take place at venues such as the Fabulous Fox Theatre, Enterprise Center and the Pageant in the wider University City area. Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey also shape the evening atmosphere during their seasons. As in other United States cities, alcohol-service rules and venue entry requirements vary, so carry accepted identification.

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Best shops in St. Louis

Shopping in St. Louis is closely tied to neighbourhood identity rather than concentrated in one central retail district. The Delmar Loop, extending into University City west of the city boundary, has independent shops, music-related businesses, cafés and specialist retailers, while Cherokee Street is known for vintage goods, galleries, murals and Mexican-American businesses. The Central West End offers boutiques, design-led shops and bookshops among its historic streets, and Soulard has small retailers set within a nineteenth-century residential district. Local purchases may include Missouri foods, regional sauces, craft beer, art, vintage clothing and products made by area artists. The historic Soulard Farmers Market, one of the city’s longstanding public markets, is associated with produce, prepared food and seasonal shopping. Antique and independent retailers are widely dispersed, so checking current district listings is useful before planning a dedicated shopping day.

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St. Louis essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Credit and debit cards, including contactless payments, are commonly accepted at hotels, museums, restaurants, shops and transport-related businesses, although small cash purchases and some independent venues may still require notes or coins. ATMs are widely available, but international visitors should check their own bank’s foreign-exchange and withdrawal charges. Prices displayed in shops and restaurants generally exclude sales tax, which is added at the till. Restaurant bills normally require a tip for table service, and the suggested percentage may be calculated before or after tax depending on the venue.
Safety
Visitors should use ordinary urban precautions: keep phones and valuables secure, remain attentive in crowded areas, and avoid leaving possessions visible in parked cars. Downtown and the riverfront can feel quieter outside event periods, so use well-lit routes and established transport after dark. Neighbourhood conditions vary considerably across the metropolitan area; obtain current local advice when visiting unfamiliar districts, especially late at night. Large sports events and festivals bring crowds and traffic, while summer heat and thunderstorms can affect outdoor plans. The Mississippi riverfront may involve uneven surfaces and changing water conditions, so follow posted guidance.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance anywhere in St. Louis and the wider United States. Give the dispatcher the exact address or visible landmark, explain the nature of the emergency and stay on the line until told to disconnect. For non-urgent police matters, use the locally published non-emergency number rather than 911. Travellers should carry travel insurance details and information about any medication or medical conditions. Emergency departments operate through major hospitals in the city and region, but the nearest facility depends on location and circumstances; hotel staff or emergency responders can direct visitors appropriately.
Do's and Don'ts
Do allow extra time for distances between neighbourhoods, and check whether a place lies within the independent City of St. Louis or the surrounding county, as services and addresses are organised differently. Do tip for table service, taxis and other customary service situations, and respect museum, stadium and religious-site rules. Do not assume that the Gateway Arch, Forest Park and The Hill are close enough to combine casually on foot. Avoid photographing people in sensitive situations without permission, and follow posted restrictions in parks and historic buildings. St. Louis has no single dress code, but neat casual clothing is appropriate for most restaurants and cultural venues.
Local Tips
Forest Park rewards an unhurried visit because its museums, zoo, paths and landscapes are spread across a substantial area. The Central West End works well as a base for combining cultural institutions with cafés and restaurants, while Soulard, Lafayette Square, Cherokee Street and The Hill each offer a more neighbourhood-focused experience. St. Louis’s culinary vocabulary includes toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, St. Louis-style pizza and barbecue, but quality and interpretation vary between businesses. For river views and orientation, visit the Arch grounds, then explore beyond the monument to understand how the waterfront connects with the older city.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[haou-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see-yuh]
YesYeah[yeh]
NoNah[nah]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez/no prob-lem]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[par-dn me/my bad]
How are you?How you doin'?[haow yu doin]
Fine. And you?A-OK. You?[ay-ok yu]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[ya speak english]
I don't understandI don't get it[i don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseLet me see the menu, please[let me see the menu, please]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[i don't do meat]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'll pay, please[i'll pay, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Get lost![get lost]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops]
Call a doctor!Get a doc![get a doc]
I'm lostI'm turned around[i'm turned around]
I'm illI'm sick[i'm sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[i wanna buy]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[just brows-ing]
How much is it?How much?[how much]
That's too expensiveThat's steep[that's steep]
Can you lower the price?Can you cut the price?[can you cut the price]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[what's the time]
It's one o'clockIt's one[it's one]
Half past (10)Ten-thirty[ten-thur-tee]
MorningMorning[morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvening[evening]
YesterdayYesterday[yes-ter-day]
TodayToday[to-day]
TomorrowTomorrow[to-mor-row]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the]
What's the address?What's the address?[what's the address]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you point it out?[can you point it out]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[when's the next bus]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[a ticket]

History of St. Louis

Indigenous Mississippi Confluences

The St. Louis area has long been part of the cultural landscape of Indigenous peoples, including communities connected to the Mississippian tradition whose major centre at nearby Cahokia flourished across the river centuries before European settlement. Cahokia Mounds, in present-day Illinois, remains a significant archaeological site, although it is outside St. Louis itself. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers made the wider region an important corridor for movement, trade and cultural exchange. Later, Osage, Illiniwek and other Indigenous nations maintained connections with the territory, while European exploration and colonisation brought profound disruption, territorial competition and disease.

French Settlement and Colonial Trade

St. Louis was founded in 1764 by Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent and Pierre Laclède, who established a trading settlement named for Louis IX of France. The site’s position beside the Mississippi helped it develop as a centre for the fur trade and river commerce. Although founded under French influence, the settlement passed to Spanish control after France ceded Louisiana west of the Mississippi in 1762. Spanish administration shaped local government and trade before France briefly regained the territory in 1800. The city’s early history therefore reflects the changing imperial claims of the Mississippi Valley rather than a single national tradition.

The Louisiana Purchase and American Expansion

The United States acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803, and St. Louis became an important American base for exploring and governing the vast lands west of the Mississippi. The transfer was formalised at the city’s Three Flags Day ceremony in 1804, when authority changed from Spanish to American control. Lewis and Clark’s expedition departed near St. Louis that year, and the city increasingly served as a commercial gateway for fur traders, surveyors, migrants and military expeditions. The Old Courthouse, completed in stages during the nineteenth century, reflects the city’s rising civic importance.

River Commerce and Urban Growth

During the nineteenth century, St. Louis expanded through river trade, manufacturing, banking and immigration. Steamboats connected the city with the interior, while German, Irish, Czech, Italian and other communities influenced its churches, businesses, foodways and neighbourhoods. St. Louis hosted the 1849 Missouri Constitutional Convention and became a major regional centre before the Civil War. The city remained in the Union during the conflict, although Missouri itself was deeply divided. The 1876 separation of St. Louis from St. Louis County created the independent City of St. Louis, an unusual political arrangement that still shapes local government and metropolitan geography.

Industry, Exposition and the 1904 World’s Fair

Industrial expansion and civic ambition transformed St. Louis at the turn of the twentieth century. The 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, held in what is now Forest Park, promoted the city as an international centre of commerce, technology and culture. The same year, St. Louis hosted the Olympic Games, which were incorporated into the exposition and remain controversial because of their organisation and context. The fair left a lasting physical legacy in Forest Park and helped inspire institutions and public improvements. Its history also reflects the era’s imperial attitudes and the unequal treatment of Indigenous peoples and other communities displayed or represented at the event.

Migration, Music and Social Change

The twentieth century brought major demographic and cultural changes. African-American migration from the South contributed to St. Louis’s music, churches, businesses and political life, while neighbourhoods such as The Ville became important centres of Black culture and leadership. Jazz, blues and ragtime flourished in the city, associated with figures including Scott Joplin, Miles Davis and Clark Terry. Segregation, housing discrimination and unequal access to employment shaped urban development, and the landmark 1954 Shelley v. Kraemer case, arising from a St. Louis family’s challenge to a restrictive covenant, helped establish that courts could not enforce racial housing restrictions.

Twentieth-Century Renewal and the Contemporary City

After the Second World War, suburbanisation, highway construction, industrial decline and population loss altered St. Louis, while large-scale redevelopment reshaped parts of the riverfront and downtown. The Gateway Arch, completed in 1965 as the centrepiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, became the city’s defining modern landmark. Later investment in neighbourhood revitalisation, cultural institutions, parks and the riverfront has existed alongside persistent debates about segregation, policing, poverty and regional governance. Today, St. Louis combines surviving nineteenth-century districts and major civic institutions with a strong tradition of community activism, music, food and architectural preservation.

St. Louis in Photos

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