Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in St. Louis

Things to do in St. Louis

Spend a day at Union Station

Union Station, once a railway hub, is now a lively entertainment district. My first stop was the St. Louis Aquarium, where I found myself captivated by stingrays gliding through the water. After the aquarium, I took a ride on the St. Louis Wheel to catch a glimpse of the city from above.

Other attractions at Union Station include a ropes course, a carousel, and a mirror maze inspired by the one at the St. Louis-hosted 1904 World’s Fair. Grab lunch or dinner at The Train Shed after a day of recreation (and keep an eye out for seasonal cocktail pop-ups like February’s Violet’s at the Shed or the Sleigh Shed, which was on during my December visit).

Union Station: 1820 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103

Take a breather at the Missouri Botanical Garden

I visited the Missouri Botanical Garden during the Garden Glow event, which sees the site decorated in two-million-plus lights between November and January. It’s a spectacle anyone would be lucky to see, but the garden shines no matter when you visit.

Inside, you’ll find peaceful trails connecting a variety of plant collections. Some, like the Lehmann Rose Garden and the Goodman Iris Garden, center on a specific type of flora. Others have geographic themes, including the Japanese Garden and the Pfautch Bavarian Garden. Take it all in on a self-guided stroll or book a docent-led tour by foot or tram.

Oh, and if you happen to visit during a special event like Garden Glow, which can see as many as a quarter million visitors in a week, plan to arrive early.

Missouri Botanical Garden: 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110

Snap a photo at the Gateway Arch

The Gateway Arch was erected in 1935 as a testament to the idea of westward expansion. Today’s visitors can ride a tram to the top to get a view of the St. Louis cityscape, including the Mississippi River whose west bank the city occupies. I found the tram to be a bit nerve-wracking at first, but once I reached the top, the panorama made it all worth it.

To build out your visit, the Gateway Arch belongs to the greater Gateway Arch National Park, which also includes an American history museum and the stately Old Courthouse.

Gateway Arch National Park: St. Louis, MO 63102

Get whimsical at the City Museum

The City Museum was hands down one of my favorite experiences in St. Louis. A place to embrace your inner child, the indoor-outdoor museum is a self-described “architectural playground” that’s filled with an eclectic collection of objects (everything from vintage machines to wacky sculptures and taxidermy) as well as interactive obstacles (think tunnels, slides, and caves). Every square inch holds something unexpected — including the rooftop school bus that peeks out over the side of the building.

For extra excitement, try to catch an acrobatic show when you’re there. Throughout the year, students from Circus Harmony showcase their circus arts skills at the museum.

City Museum: 750 N 16th St, St. Louis, MO 63103

Embrace your sporty side at Ballpark Village

Ballpark Village is a sports-themed entertainment district by Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Based on how busy it was when I visited, you’d never know that I was in town during the off-season. From live music to dinner, drinks, and events, there’s always something to do at Ballpark Village (which is also a convenient place to stop if you’re out exploring downtown St. Louis). Of course, if you’re lucky enough to visit during baseball season, catching a game at Busch Stadium is the ideal lead-in to your Village experience.

Ballpark Village: 601 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO 63102

Head to the Central West End

There are a couple of specific attractions in the Central West End (the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis and the World Chess Hall of Fame come to mind). But you really go there to experience the neighborhood as a whole, which quickly became one of my favorite St. Louis neighborhoods. Situated on one edge of Forest Park, the Central West End has a nice mix of historic architecture, boutique shops, and cafes and restaurants that make it easy to spend a whole day just walking around the area. For me, that meant finding a cozy bookstore tucked away on a side street and spending hours browsing through curated titles.

Central West End: St. Louis, MO 63108, 63110

Choose your adventure in Forest Park

Forest Park is the St. Louis equivalent of New York City’s Central Park — only bigger. At approximately 1,300 acres, the park is a beautiful green space that also hosts cultural attractions like the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum, the St. Louis Zoo, and The Muny, an outdoor theater. One of the highlights for me was stumbling upon the Jewel Box, a greenhouse filled with exotic plants that blew me away. In between attractions, you can enjoy trails, greenery, and recreational facilities like a golf course and tennis center.

Forest Park: St. Louis, MO 63112

Visit the Pulitzer Arts Foundation

The Pulitzer Arts Foundation — or simply “the Pulitzer” to locals — is a museum that houses both historic and contemporary art (although the minimalist architecture gives the physical space a distinctly modern bent). There are just three sculptures in the permanent collection, so it’s the rotating exhibitions that make the museum stand out. When I visited, I had the chance to see a modern art installation that made me see everyday objects in a completely new light.

Pulitzer Arts Foundation: 3716 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108

Admire The Walls Off Washington

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Along Washington Avenue in the Grand Center Arts District, a collection of more than 25 murals creates an open-air art gallery in the heart of Midtown St. Louis. Themes range from colorful surrealist and abstract works to pieces with powerful historical or political overtones. How long any one mural is displayed varies, with some becoming semi-permanent fixtures for at least five years while others might rotate out after one year — meaning that the experience can feel fresh every time you visit St. Louis.

For a self-guided tour of The Walls off Washington, head to the side entrance where Josephine Baker Boulevard meets 3333 Washington Avenue and enter between 1 PM and sunset when walk-ins are welcome.

Walls Off Washington: Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103

Where to eat and drink in St. Louis

If you’re near Ballpark Village, Katie’s Restaurant is a family-owned spot that serves regional Italian cuisine with a modern twist. Do yourself a favor and get the toasted ravioli, which is both a St. Louis specialty and a classic Katie’s order. For a meal that doubles as a cultural experience, head to Idol Wolf at the 21c Museum Hotel near the City Museum. Its Spanish-inspired tapas were a highlight of my trip — shoutout to the seafood paella — and the second-floor art gallery transforms dinner into a full sensory experience.

A block away from Forest Park, Yellowbelly is a classy spot that’s known for seafood dishes like the crab dip and cocktails like the rum punch. For a more down-home taste of St. Louis, Salt + Smoke delivers authentic barbecue at its best. The smoky brisket and toasted ravioli are local favorites, and the extensive whiskey selection makes this a great spot for an evening out.

Where to stay in St. Louis

The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark is a good choice for anyone visiting the city. The biggest perk is its location, which not only means guests get great views of Busch Stadium and the Gateway Arch but also that they’re within walking distance of all the downtown attractions. The hotel’s rooftop bar, 360 St. Louis, is another good excuse to stay there — especially if you’re visiting in the winter like I did. A great place to unwind year-round, the bar transformed into a cozy holiday pop-up when I was in town, which made for a pleasant stay.

Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark: 1 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102

Getting around St. Louis

St. Louis is a walkable city, with many attractions located within a short distance of each other. For longer trips, rideshares and public transit and readily available. In fact, the whole Metro Transit system has an excellent reputation for being a safe, convenient, and reliable way to get around St. Louis.