| Known as the “Gateway to the West,” St. Louis has been welcoming travelers since the area was the starting point for early explorations of Lewis and Clark. As the east headed west, St. Louis was a geographic hub; the last stop for pioneers, trappers and Gold Rush fortune seekers. Saloons and general supply stores flourished. After the Civil War, the city again thrived. In 1904 the Louisiana Purchase Exposition brought over 20 million to St. Louis. Backed by St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh flew from Chicago to St. Louis with the first air mail and crossed the Atlantic in “The Spirit of St. Louis.” Everyone seemed to be saying, “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Today, visitors still flock to St. Louis to explore the city’s rich heritage and diverse attractions. TravelSmart consumer travel newsletter named St. Louis one of its “10 Safest, Culturally Most Fascinating Cities in the U.S.”
Three general aviation airports - Spirit of St. Louis Airport, St. Louis Downtown Airport and St. Louis Regional Airport - serve the metropolitan area and fly to over 80 cities a day. Amtrak provides daily service and St. Louis transportation is provided by Metrolink light rail. Thirty-seven stations offer service from the airport to downtown and outlying areas, including Scott AFB in Illinois. Getting around St. Louis is easy with Metrolink and Metrobus routes.
Things to Do in St. Louis
The St. Louis Gateway Arch takes center stage in St. Louis. Most visitors start their stay with a trip to the top of the Arch via pod-like tram cars. The view from the observation is amazing. Back on the ground, an array of walking, bus, trolley, bike, Segway and riverboat tours share the city’s colorful history and present day accomplishments.
St. Louis boasts the most free major attractions in the country with the exception of Washington, DC. With your St. Louis travel guide in hand, step back in time for a living history lesson where Lewis and Clark began their journey at the National Great Rivers Museum and the Missouri History Museum. Fast forward into the future at the International Boeing Space Station at the St. Louis Science Center. View the masterpieces at the St. Louis Art Museum and Laumeier Sculpture Park. Talk to the 6,000 animals at the St. Louis Zoo. Tour Anheuser-Busch Brewery and sip free samples.
Cheer for the winners of nine World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals and the NFL St. Louis Rams. Feel the thrill of NASCAR and drag racing at Gateway International Raceway. Give Lady Luck a whirl onboard a St. Louis riverboat casino.
Menus at eclectic St. Louis restaurants tempt every palate. After-hours, there’s plenty of blues with a good mix of other popular music styles. Stroll the St. Louis Walk of Fame and find your favorites among the gold stars honoring famous St. Louis music. Take a stab at stardom on the open mic at local coffeehouses. St. Louis keeps you grooving and moving.
Places to Stay in St. Louis
Visitors typically choose St. Louis accommodations in the location where they will spend the most time. If you are passing through the area overnight or need a place to leave the car when you fly out of Detroit, look for Lambert-St. Louis Airport hotels offering park and fly programs. Head into the city for a night of fun. Downtown offers the most attractions and entertainment options. St. Louis hotels in the Clayton Business District are convenient for business travelers and most area business hotels offer comprehensive business centers and meeting facilities. The trendy Westport Plaza area offers an array of entertainment and shopping choices close, but not too close to the city.
Take advantage of preferred guest programs at major St. Louis hotel chains for discounts, perks and points for free stays. Ask about St. Louis promotional travel packages, AAA, AARP, corporate/military rates.
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