St. Louis Travel Guide

USA #13 in Best Weekend Getaways in the Midwest

St. Louis Neighborhoods

Situated about halfway between Kansas City, Missouri, and Indianapolis, St. Louis overlooks the Mississippi River on the Missouri-Illinois border. Inside its 79 neighborhoods, visitors will find everything from historical buildings to top-notch restaurants to eclectic shops and galleries.

Accessible via Metro's Red and Blue MetroLink lines at Laclede's Landing, Convention Center, 8th & Pine, Stadium, Union Station and Civic Center station.

With the mighty Mississippi on one side, downtown features various boutiques, eateries, nightclubs, brewpubs and lots of restored architectural wonders, like the Campbell House Museum. It's also home to the city's most famous sight and national park – the Gateway Arch – as well as sports complexes like The Dome at America's Center and Busch Stadium.

At the Enterprise Center, you can cheer on the St. Louis Blues hockey team or watch performances by big-name acts like Post Malone and Pearl Jam. Just north of the arena lies the historic Stifel Theatre, which has hosted legends like Frank Sinatra and now welcomes Lyle Lovett, among others. And by Cole Street (the area's northern border), you'll find the City Museum, a quirky attraction dreamed up by American artist Bob Cassilly. Accommodation options are plentiful, too. Top-rated properties include the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis and The Westin St. Louis.

Accessible via Metro's Red and Blue MetroLink lines at Central West End station.

Less than 5 miles west of downtown sits Central West End, an area nestled between Forest Park and Saint Louis University. The area is known for its sidewalk cafes, galleries and boutiques. Taking design cues from Europe and New York City, the neighborhood is graced with elegant details like winged griffin lampposts and window boxes (it was the home of wealthy St. Louis families more than 100 years ago). One of the city's most ornate attractions – the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis – resides in the heart of the district. The region is also home to the World Chess Hall of Fame, where you can learn more about the sport and see the world's largest chess piece.

Accessible via Metro's Red and Blue MetroLink lines at Central West End and Forest Park-DeBaliviere stations and Metro's Blue MetroLink line at Skinker station.

St. Louis' sprawling Forest Park is a must for nature lovers, history buffs and families. Occupying 1,293 acres, this lush region – which hosted the 1904 World's Fair – is where many of the city's top attractions are located. Creative types will enjoy perusing the exhibits at the Saint Louis Art Museum, while history enthusiasts can learn more about the state's past at the Missouri History Museum. For families, there's the Saint Louis Zoo and the Saint Louis Science Center, plus little ones can run around the turtle-themed playground or try ice skating at Steinberg Skating Rink. Don’t forget, many of the museums are free to enter. Visitors who arrive during the warmer months can also take advantage of a bike and pedestrian path, catch a show at The Muny outdoor amphitheater or attend the free Shakespeare festival in June.

Accessible via Metro's Red MetroLink line at Delmar Loop station.

Head a few blocks north of Forest Park and you'll discover The Loop neighborhood, home to one of the city's most popular thoroughfares. This area of Delmar Boulevard stretches between Hodiamont and Trinity avenues and boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants, live music venues, coffee shops and boutiques. Be sure and check out neighborhood legends Blueberry Hill and Tivoli Theatre if you visit. Accommodations are limited in the district, but if you're keen on hanging your hat here, you can stay at The Loop's four-star Moonrise Hotel.

Accessible via Metro's No. 31, 59, 90 and 95 MetroBus routes.

If you're craving authentic Italian cuisine, venture a mile south of the Saint Louis Science Center to The Hill. You'll you're in the right place when you see the red, white and green fire hydrants. Filled with family-owned delis, bakeries, trattorias, grocery stores and Italian joints, this neighborhood is where you should go to try toasted ravioli, a local delicacy. Sports fanatics will also love The Hill's ties to baseball greats Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. Both men (and childhood friends) grew up on Elizabeth Avenue.

Accessible via Metro's No. 8, 30, 70, 90 and 95 MetroBus routes.

St. Louis' Tower Grove region can't be missed if you enjoy nature. Tower Grove Park, its main green space, offers 289 acres of trails for jogging, walking and biking, as well as several picnic pavilions, a seasonal farmers market (on Saturdays) and a playground and a fountain. What's more, Tower Grove is where you'll find the National Historic Landmark-listed Missouri Botanical Garden, which was established by philanthropist Henry Shaw in 1859.

Accessible via Metro's No. 10, 30 and 73 MetroBus routes.

This area approximately 2 miles south of downtown is a must-see for travelers seeking historical charm. Named after Antoine Soulard, who surveyed the region for the King of Spain, Soulard still embodies its old-world roots and is a National Historic District. Red brick townhomes line its streets, and 19th-century structures built by brewers now house nightclubs, shops and restaurants. The neighborhood also hosts St. Louis' annual Mardi Gras event, which is one of the largest outside of New Orleans. Soulard also offers a free summer concert series and a year-round farmers market. For more substantial fare, visitors can dine at one of the district's plethora of multicultural restaurants or award-winning barbecue joints.

Though the Grantwood Village and Kirkwood suburbs of St. Louis are roughly 15 miles southwest of the city center, both are worth visiting if you have little ones in tow. At Grantwood Village's Grant's Farm, kids can get an up-close look at Clydesdale horses, camels and deer, among other animals. You can learn more about Grant at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, which sits across the street from Grant's Farm.

Meanwhile, Kirkwood – which is 5 miles northwest of Grantwood Village – is home to The Magic House, a children's museum with interactive exhibits about art, math, music, construction and more. Multiple budget-friendly hotels are available in Kirkwood and neighboring Sunset Hills as well.

Safety

St. Louis is relatively safe to visit, but like other metropolitan areas, it's best to exercise caution while visiting, especially in areas north of Delmar Boulevard and across the Mississippi River in Illinois’ East St. Louis. Explore St. Louis recommends several tips for staying safe during your trip, including hiding your valuables in parked cars hidden and walking with others at night. For more safety suggestions, consult Explore St. Louis' website.