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A historic and wonderful place to visit, St. Louis is the pride of the Midwest. The tall Gateway Arch greets you into the city and you know you have arrived. There is a lot to see and do in this growing and expanding city. Once thought of as a boring and grimy place, this city has been making strides to turn itself into one of the nicer and cleaner cities to visit. And it’s a good thing they have. St. Louis is home to some impressive sports teams like the Cardinals and Rams, the city is also home to the most famous brewing company in the country, Anheuser-Busch. With friendly people, tasty barbeque, and excellent nightlife, what more could you ask for. Check out St. Louis and enjoy a nice city without breaking the bank.

St. Louis Pictures

Things to do in St. Louis

The Gateway Arch is really the centerpiece of the city. This large monument is the tallest national monument in the world. Built as a bridge to the west, this arch welcomes locals and tourists alike to the city. Ride an elevator up to the top and check out the cool view of the city. Directly below the arch, next to one side is a historical museum, Museum of Westward Expansion. When walking around the city, see the Old Courhouse. It’s not the coolest thing to take a tour of, but definitely a beautiful architectural piece. The St. Louis Zoo is one of the largest in the country. During warmer months it’s a great day activity. The Botanical Gardens are nice to visit on a slower day. The serenity you feel upon entering this space is nice and the flowers are just beautiful. Take a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. College students love taking the tour and learning about one of the largest breweries around. Learn about the history of the company, the Clydesdales, and the brewhouse. And get this, the tour and beer tasting is free to visitors. If you are looking for something more unique and authentic, go to the St. Louis Renaissance Faire. Step back in time as you enjoy village shops, entertainers, feasts, jousting knights, characters in renaissance clothing, and some old-fashioned activities.

Nightlife in St. Louis

St. Louis has a really fun nightlife. Home to the world famous Anheuser-Busch brewery, many places proudly promote the delicious, refreshing beer at their establishments. There are also many places to pride themselves in St. Louis microbrews. Schlafly microbrews are very popular here and offer a wide variety for any pallet. Located in the Blues district, the Beale on Broadway, St. Louis’ #1 bar is a great place for the best nightlife. It works as an inexpensive pregaming bar for your busy night out. Or you can choose to spend a night here listening to live Blues bands with great people. Hair of the Dog is a cool bar with a great atmosphere. You will find some of the cheapest drinks and best grub food here along with a friendly waitstaff. Pretty much the perfect combination for a low key night out. For college students that perfer something a bit more upscale, try Bailey’s Chocolate Bar. Voted Best Martini, the Chocolate Martini will have your mouth watering in no time. Grab a signature drink and a small snack like crepes or cheese plate.

Dining in St. Louis

Eating is one of the best activities to do in St. Louis. If you love barbeque then you have come to the right place. You won’t easily find a bad meal in the city and there are a few things native to St. Louis you will definitely want to try. Barbeque pork steaks are done up “St. Louis style” in Maull’s barbeque sauce. This delicious cut of meat tastes amazing and the sauce is what makes it most authentic. Maull’s barbeque sauces is a spicy-sweet sauce that comes in a bunch of varieties and is sold all over the city. Most barbeque comes smothered in the sauce. This city has it’s own style of pizza. Move over Chicago, this pizza is made with provelone cheese, which is a combination of cheddar, swiss, and provolone. Frozen Custard finishes any barbeque meal off quite nicely. Ted Drewers is the best in town and offers a bunch of different flavors including Sunday Delight and Dutchman Delight. Another popular dessert treat is the Gooey Butter Cake. Gooey Butter Cake is a rich coffee cake with a topping made of eggs, sugar, butter, and cream cheese. Absolutely delicious and sold in most restaurants.

Shopping in St. Louis

St. Louis is home to the Midwest headquarters of Macy’s. There is a six story Macy’s located in downtown, along with many other fun and unique stores. This is where you can find your designer duds. The Hills, as it is called, is St. Louis’ Italian section. Here you find many Italian shops, bakeries, and eateries. It’s cute for tourists for an afternoon treat. The St. Louis Galleria is the largest mall in the city. So if you are in the mood to shop, definitely check this place out. If used and vintage items are more your style then check out Hullabaloo. One of the largest vendors of used clothing in America, it’s located in the city and you can peruse the aisles of funky, old, and unique used clothing.

St. Louis Travel Tips

• The Metrolink is st. Louis’ main form of public transportation.
• April through August are the wettest months.
• Definitely grab a beer in the home of American brewing.