Dozen Distinctive Destinations
St. Louis, Missouri
Year Listed: 2010
Meet Me in St. Louis
Famous for its beer, legendary baseball teams, and the modernist Gateway Arch that has loomed over the city since the mid-1960s, St. Louis, Missouri is one of America's great cities. But visitors who look beyond St. Louis' hallmark offerings will find a vibrant, ethnically diverse city full of unexpected treasures and one-of-a-kind attractions.
Gateway to the West
Immigrants determined to pursue their version of the American dream made tracks to this city on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River in the early nineteenth century, resulting in what is now a regional patchwork of architectural styles and distinctive neighborhoods. Architecture buffs and curious visitors will not be disappointed with the collection of red brick buildings, cobblestone streets and terra cotta friezes designed by some of America's most notable architects: from Louis Sullivan's Wainwright Building, lauded as the nation's first skyscraper, to the area's only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building, Ebsworth House, St. Louis has preserved excellent examples of America's major architectural trends throughout history.
Activities
The size of the city and breadth of cultural influences have combined to provide sites and attractions for every visitor to enjoy. Art lovers will revel in evening gallery walks through revitalized historic districts, the world's largest collection of interior mosaics at the 1908 Byzantine and Romanesque Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, and the exquisite details of Theodore Link's stained glass windows at St. Louis Union Station. The station, which was once the largest and busiest passenger rail terminal in the world, now serves the public as a festival marketplace of shops and restaurants. In a Preserve America community located just south of downtown, the Anheuser Busch Brewery offers tours of the historic Brew House and Clydesdale stables and is in close proximity to the longstanding Soulard Farmer's Market.
St. Louis Going Green
According to the U.S. Green Building Council, St. Louis ranks ninth among U.S. metropolitan areas for the number of buildings certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The region features 11 LEED-certified construction projects that have been completed, with another 36 in the process of attaining LEED certification. Seasonal markets are interspersed throughout the city to promote a Buy Local campaign, and St. Louis lays claim to an abundance of sprawling parks and green spaces including the nation's oldest public garden, the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Preservation is green. Learn more.
Don't Miss:
To plan your trip and learn more about St. Louis, visit the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.
Now it's your turn! Share your experiences or impressions of this Distinctive Destination: Unique restaurants, sights, family-friendly activities, hang outs, art galleries... tell visitors what they shouldn't miss!
Submitted by rudkip at: February 28, 2010
it has one of the 10 best zoos in america that you can visit for FREE! It has a museum where you can see the classics and a museum where you can see the worlds largest pencil. You can get the best milkshake in the world, and the worlds greatest frozen custard, within 30 minutes. You can see Chuck Berry at Blueberry Hill and the best of the blues at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups. You can visit the Mecca of Baseball and The Hill--where you can have great Italian food in the neighborhood where Yogi Berra, Joe Garagiola, and players on the 1950 soccer team that beat Great Britain in the World Cup--grew up. You can see a big brewery, eat and enjoy a small brewery, see a REALLy big Amoco Sign, and talk about it in Soulard, Lafayette Square, or on Lacledes Landing; The Arch, Route 66 (which crosses 4 bridges and cuts through most of the City, including the Chain of Rocks Bridge, which you can now walk or bike across as part of Missouri Trailnet, a great burger at O'Connels and a great midnight snack at the Eat Rite Diner...you can write a book on why people should visit this great town...and for all of the above and everything I forgot, I hope you do.
Submitted by Kelzar at: February 24, 2010
St. Louis has a lot of great neighborhoods to visit in the city and each offer neat restaurants and shops...lots of stuff to do...you have urban and rural close together!
Submitted by Linda at: February 24, 2010
I was born and raised in St. Louis and my formative years were FULL of art, culture and history. The Muny Opera, outdoor ampitheater, showcased every famous actor or actress of our time. It was my favorite thing to do each summer! Forest Park and the Zoo were close seconds and the Botanical Gardens as well. School field trips included the St. Louis Symphony, the Science and History museums and Grant's Farm. It was a GREAT place to grow up and I'm visiting my parents there in a month. You have my vote...
Submitted by Natl Route 66 at: February 24, 2010
The gateway to the west and the quintessential midwest city chock full of sites, sounds and tastes.
Submitted by SusieQ at: February 21, 2010
Great city, and close by there is an AFB with yearly Air Show!
Submitted by Judy at: February 18, 2010
There's lots to do...really inexpensively in St. Louis compared to many towns and cities of its size. The Metro area has something for just about eveyone from skyscrapers to visiting wineries and farms.
Submitted by registrada at: February 18, 2010
As mentioned below, St. Louis has so many amenities available at no charge, testament to the egalitarian sensibilities of the citezenry. The zoo is the last remaining great one that is still free. Though a lifelong Texas resident, the city has had an allure for me for 50+ years, from the time I was a little boy with my ear glued to the radio trying to pick up the Cardinals' broadcasts. A week there in 2007 confirmed the magic, and I'm happy to be able to contribute to Forest Park Forever's wonderful work.
Submitted by Becca at: February 17, 2010
I highly recommend the City Museum (www.citymuseum.org). They have a wide variety of exhibits and lots of hands on activities. Wear clothes you can climb and slide in (even if you're an adult).
Submitted by Barb at: February 17, 2010
I live in St. Louis, and there are many more historic sites here than mentioned, and people who visit in St. Louis come away with comments about its friendly atmosphere!
Submitted by Kay at: February 17, 2010
Centrally located, very friendly and very clean
Submitted by Kay at: February 17, 2010
Family friendly because of the many free attractions, such as the Zoo, Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center, Grant's Farm, Cahokia Mounds, City Garden and many more.
Submitted by LaMon at: February 17, 2010
St.Louis is my vote and you should visit the whole city there is to much to explore so come to the Lou.
Submitted by Jules at: February 15, 2010
Sports, theatre, live music...St. Louis has a lot to offer!
Submitted by Snookie at: February 15, 2010
St. Louis is my vote and the Botanical Garden is my choice to visit
Submitted by ann at: February 15, 2010
St. Louis is a wonderful center of cultural - Art Museum, Zoo symphony, Theatres, Opera, Botanical Garden and more.
Submitted by sky at: February 13, 2010
beautiful
Submitted by JudyLeeD at: February 12, 2010
St. Louis has it all. Theatre, Synphony, Cardinals, Rams, Blues, and the one and only Muny in Fabulous Forest Park. My family has enjoyed the Muny since our 7 children, all grown and married now, were samll. Before kids my husband and I had season ticketet to the Muny, when the kids got old enought we sat in the free seats every summer and every preformance. After the kids got married we agin had season tickets and then we retired and now we are back to the free seats loving every prduction, some more then others but wouldn't miss one of them. The St. Louis Hawks is one of the greatest things that ever happened to my husband and my self, we met at a Hawks game in spring of '58, had season tickets in 59 the following year and were married in Oct of 1959.
Submitted by j84ustin at: February 12, 2010
I just left St. Louis, and I hope to return soon. The distinctive neighborhoods, the sheer amount of thigns to do, places to go... choices are abundant. This is a great mom-and-pop kind of city, as most chains stay far away from the city limits. The architecture is amazing and there are many passionate people who live in and care about this city. It is truly one of America's great cities.
Submitted by SuzanneM at: February 11, 2010
Incredibly diverse architecture in the different City neighborhoods. Also check out the City Museum downtown. I guarantee you've never seen a more unique place!
Submitted by STLgasm at: February 10, 2010
Saint Louis is one of America's great cities. There is something interesting to discover around every corner.