St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, has blossomed into a trendy metropolis from humble origins as an outpost for fur traders. Beneath the gleaming Eero Saarinen Arch, this riverside city is a living tribute to blues, baseball, and barbecue. If you like great food, fabulous music, and a boisterous sports culture, you’ll love St. Louis.
Here are four great reasons you’ll be saying “meet me in St. Louis” for your next weekend getaway.
Busch Stadium
Redbirds fans are passionate people, and game day at Busch Stadium is an exhilarating experience. Cardinals Nation is the only venue of its kind, featuring 30,000 square feet of unique dining, entertainment, and retail space devoted to Redbird culture. Open year-round, you can enjoy the experience no matter when you visit the city. Be sure to check out the Cardinal Museum and Hall of Fame, which houses one of the largest collections of team memorabilia and artifacts on the planet. Choose a downtown hotel like the Renaissance St. Louis Grand and walk to the park to avoid traffic hassles.
Laclede’s Landing
Laclede’s Landing is the center of St. Louis nightlife, especially for the under-30 crowd. This nine-block stretch of waterfront real estate is home to over 20 trendy restaurants, night clubs, and shops. In addition to the animated nightlife, Laclede’s Landing is also an historical and cultural St. Louis icon; you’ll enjoy cobblestone streets, nineteenth-century architecture, and delightful riverboat cruises. Don’t miss the seductive ambience of the local authentic blues clubs. If gaming is your passion, stay at the HoteLumiere and while away your free hours in the Lumiere Casino.
The Anhueser-Busch Brewery
Who doesn’t love those beautiful Budweiser Clydesdales in commercials that tenderly tug at one’s heartstrings? Who doesn’t love icy cold Budweiser beer? Who doesn’t love free samples? You’ll find all three at the free Anheuser-Busch Brewery tours. The brewery is open seven days a week; no need to make reservations. Of course, if you’d like a more in-depth beer-brewing adventure, sign up for Beermaster Tour and Beer School; you’ll get schooled on the details of brewing and a behind-the-scenes tour of the impressive facility. Use travel planning sites like Hipmunk to find St. Louis hotels near Soulard where the brewery is located.
Forest Park
If you think Central Park is huge, you’ll be blown away by the enormous dimensions of this sprawling urban park—it’s got an extra 500 acres over its New York counterpart. Paddle around one of the many lakes and waterways or take a stroll along the beautiful waterfront trails. Take in a free summer concert, explore a museum, and check out the exhibits at the St. Louis Art Museum. If you’re in the mood for sports, grab your tennis gear or soccer ball and play the afternoon away. You’ll find plenty of budget-friendly hotels close to Forest Park so you can explore to your heart’s content.
When you’re planning your next vacation, why not check out cheap flights to St. Louis? There’s something exciting happening all year round. Once you’ve experienced what this city has to offer, you’ll want to go back again and again.
Sheila Westin is a freelance travel writer and food blogger who writes about the charms, cuisine, and culture of the places she visits. A last-minute travel aficionado, Sheila spends her free time flying down the freeway or across the friendly skies for quick getaways. When she’s not on the road, Sheila enjoys exploring the excellent restaurants and jazz clubs of her native Washington, D.C.