Your guide to St Louis
St Louis highlights
Sing the blues
The city that nurtured Chuck Berry and Miles Davis can teach you a thing or two about the blues. Get a musical history lesson at the National Blues Museum, where interactive exhibits take you through the genre’s evolution. Then dive into a blues bar. Check out Broadway Oyster Bar, a local institution where live bluegrass, soul and rock ’n’ roll go hand in hand with fresh seafood and craft brews.
Catch a game
Joining cheering baseball fans is a rite of passage on a trip to St Louis. Busch Stadium is the hallowed home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Tag along on the daily guided tours of the stadium, or book tickets for a night game. Want to save cash? Watch from one of the city’s legendary sports bars — you’ll find the liveliest in Ballpark Village near the stadium.
Where to stay
Central West End is ideally located between Downtown and the enormous Forest Park. Stays here range from artsy boutiques to budget-friendly apartments and luxe hotels overlooking the park. Make time for strolls through its leafy streets. Look out for an eclectic mix of turn-of-the-century architecture, trendy coffee houses and upscale eateries.
St Louis: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Things to do in St Louis
Free things to do
Snap a selfie at the Gateway Arch, built to commemorate America’s westward expansion in the early 1800s. One of the best photo spots is from the Old Courthouse steps. Then stroll around Forest Park, a sprawling green space nearly double the size of Central Park. It’s home to free attractions like the Saint Louis Science Center, the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Art Museum.
Take in the culture
Delve into St Louis’ legacy at the free Missouri History Museum. You’ll find exhibitions on topics as diverse as the Civil Rights Movement and the 1904 World’s Fair. For something more lighthearted, head to the City Museum. This derelict factory turned offbeat attraction is made from old junk, including construction cranes and school buses. Spend a few hours exploring its maze-like passageways, caves and chutes.
Places to eat
From Italian delis to cajun burger bars and barbecue joints, St Louis is packed with good eats. Head to The Hill for local specialities like toasted ravioli and St Louis–style pizza, which captures the city’s fusion of Italian and American flavours. Room for dessert? Grab a slice of gooey butter cake — a St Louis treat as decadent as the name suggests.
