Guide to St. Louis Vacations, From the Arch to Museums

St. Louis, affectionately nicknamed St. Louie, is Missouri's largest city and one of the oldest settlements in the state. Long dubbed the "Gateway to the West", St. Louis boasts a long and varied history as well as modern attractions that draw visitors from around the world. Whether it's a business trip, weekend getaway, family vacation, or extended stay, St. Louis is an exciting city with a rich past.

First time visitors to St. Louis may want to start along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. The father of rivers is the east boundary of Missouri and downtown St. Louis is adjacent. Here the Gateway Arch rises more than six hundred feet into the sky as part of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. This national historic site is located where city founder Pierre Laclede once operated his humble trading post. Ride to the top of the Arch for a fantastic view and tour the exhibits located in the Museum of Westward Expansion below. Films are shown on site that details the history of the Gateway Arch and the city of St. Louis. The Arch is taller than the Washington Memorial and offers an enclosed observation deck.

In the same area, turn back the pages of history at the Old Cathedral at Memorial and Walnut. This first church in the city was built in 1870 and remains a Catholic cathedral. A museum onsite offers additional insight into the history of this church and the city's large Roman Catholic population.

Nearby, the Old Courthouse can be found at 11 North Fourth Street. The famous Dred Scott slavery case was heard here. Dioramas and museum galleries offer a look into St. Louis from the early French and Spanish years to the present.
Laclede's Landing on the waterfront between the Eads Bridge and the newer Martin Luther King Bridge is an area of renovated turn-of-the-century buildings. Cobblestone streets in the nine-block area date back to St. Louis' earliest days of settlement. Trendy shops, upscale restaurants, clubs, and more line the narrow streets. Self-guided walking tours can be made and visitors can enjoy any one of the many spots along the way.

In a historic city filled with museums, some are absolute must-see stops for any visitor. The City Museum at 701 N. 15th street was created from recycled and salvaged materials. This maze of a museum leads visitors through castles, sky tunnels, planes, a tidal wave cave and more.

The Missouri History Museum is just one of several top attractions located in the city's Forest Park. Located at Lindell Boulevard and DeBalieviere Avenue, the Missouri History Museum features a replica of Charles Lindbergh's famous plane, "The Spirit of St. Louis".

Other museums worthy of note are the Black World History Museum at 2505 Locust Avenue. Life-size wax figures recreate African-American history here, the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in Queeny Park on South Mason Road, the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center at 12 Millstone Campus Drive, the St. Louis Art Museum on Art Hill, and the International Bowling Museum and Cardinals Hall of Fame across from Busch Stadium.

Family friendly places include the world renowned St. Louis Zoo in Forest Park, a zoo that features more than six thousand wild animals. This zoo is free to all but paid tickets are required to ride the zoo train, visit the children's zoo, or see the insectarium. Grant's Farm is the site where former President Ulysses S. Grant built a cabin in 1856. Grant's Farm today features the famous Clydesdale horses, a wildlife park, minature zoo, elephant and bird shows, Dalmatians and more. No trip to St. Louis for a family with children is complete without visiting the St. Louis Science Center at 5050 Oakland Avenue. The Science Center allows children to get hands on, personal experience with a variety of scientific areas. Just a few of the fun things to experience including working with robots, crawling through a recreated coal mine, and seeing the stars at the onsite planetarium.

The suburb of Eureka is home to the Six Flags Over Missouri amusement park, a place with countless rides, shows, and other attractions. Major league sports fans may find fun watching the Cardinals play baseball during the season and football enthusiasts may like to see the St. Louis Rams in action.

History buffs may want to visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis at Lindell Boulevard and Newstead Avenue. Work on the beautiful mosaic art began in 1923 and was completed in 1988 by the son of the original artist. This is still an active Catholic Church so faithful Catholics can also attend Mass here. One of the first Protestant churches built west of the Mississippi can be seen at Christ Church Cathedral, 13th and Locust and across the river in Illinois, a church dating back to 1699 can still be seen. The Church of the Holy Family, built of log and stone, has survived rule under the French, Spanish, and American governments.

Across the river in nearby Illinois, visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, a peaceful place with grottos, prayer gardens, and lodging on site. Dine in the Shrine's restaurant for old-fashioned favorites with a home cooked taste. Don't miss the Cahokia Mounds, once the largest ancient Native American city north of Mexico. Climb Monk's Mound, tallest of the mounds at the site, for an incredible view of the Gateway Arch and the city of St. Louis.

Tour the Annheuser-Busch brewery just off I-55 in St. Louis. Other area places to visit include historic St. Charles where Lewis and Clark departed on their great exploration journey, the Eugene Field House and Toy Museum, and the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum on Chestnut Street. It's easy to find - look for the black granite monument with the names of more than a thousand local soldiers who perished in World War I.

Gamblers can find several casinos in the greater St. Louis area since Missouri legalized riverboat gambling. Most casinos offer much more than gaming with incredible restaurants and mouth-watering buffets.

No visit to St. Louis is as sweet without a visit to Ted Drewes Frozen Custard at 67222 Chippewa on the old Route 66. This local classic has delighted generations of St. Louis residents and countless travelers from the original location along America's highway, Route 66. Visit the Crown Candy Kitchen downtown for sweet treats and light dining in a restaurant. Other St. Louis favorites include steaks, Italian cuisine on the Hill, and many other ethnic favorites. This is a city of diversity where many cultures met and blended in a true American melting pot.

The former Union Station, once a crossroads of the nation where 300 trains passed each day, is now an enclosed shopping venue that also offers dining and lodging under one roof. An entire day can be spent at Union Station and some visitors never leave the premises! Countless malls and shopping centers can also be found along with several major universities.

Many guidebooks are available that detail St. Louis for visitors. The local Visitor's Bureau has several locations including one in the downtown area. Prospective visitors can also gather information online at www.explorestlouis.com. or VisitMo.com.