St Louis [1] is a major mid-western city in Missouri filled with culture. The Gateway Arch, the world's tallest monument, forms a triumphant city skyline. St. Louis planners have created an aesthetically beautiful city with green space at the street level. An open mall leads up to the historic court houses facing the Gateway Arch surrounded by reflecting pools.
Understand
The city is named after Louis IX of France. St. Louis is called the Gateway to the West. The city was the last major stop before pioneers journeyed westward to the Pacific coast. The city also played a large part during the steam boat era due its position at the meeting of the Mississippi River and Missouri River.
St. Louis hosted the 1904 World's Fair and the Olympic games.
St. Louis was acquired from France by the US during President Thomas Jefferson's term in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The transfer of power from Spain was made official in a ceremony called "Three Flags Day." On March 8, 1804, the Spanish flag was lowered and the French one raised. On March 10, the French flag was replaced by that of the USA.
St. Louis was the only place to manufacture Chevy Corvettes from 1953-1980.
1967 Corvette
Landmarks
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd. (at Newstead Avenue in the Central West End neighborhood), +1 314 373-8200 [9] - Open 7AM-7PM. This Roman Catholic church contains the most mosaic art in one site in the world--83,000 square feet, installed by a family of artists who used more than 41 million tiles with more than 7,000 colors.
Eads Bridge - This bridge was the first to cross the Mississippi and represents one of the greatest engineering achievements of its time. This overlooked landmark is worth checking out for the Eiffel Tower-like iron lattice that still holds up cars and the Metro-link to this day.
Old Courthouse, downtown [10] It is the site of the Dred Scott case.
Forest Park [11] - Is one of the nation's largest city parks with 1,293 acres, open to the public for golf, tennis, baseball, bicycling, boating, fishing, handball, ice skating, roller blading, jogging, cricket, rugby and more. The park is also home to the St. Louis Science Center, the art museum, the zoo, and a history museum. Forest Park is really at the heart of St. Louis. It was also the site of the 1904 Louisiana Purchase World's Fair, which lays fame to serving the first hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream cones.
The Gateway Arch, Riverfront, +1 877-982-1410, [12] - Daily 9AM-6PM, (Summer 8AM-10PM). Designed by Eero Saarinen, it's the world's tallest national monument, built to be a symbolic gateway to the west. The icon of the city, the Arch is located in the Jefferson Expansion National Memorial Park by the Riverfront. You can ride a unique elevator - essentially it's a cross between a cable railway and a ferris wheel - up to the top. There is also an innovative historical museum under the Arch. Don't miss the movie, "Monument to the Dream," about the building of the Arch--it is an exceptionally well-made and memorable tribute to how a vision was made tangible. The Arch was designed as a parabola scaled from 21 inches of string held 7 inches apart. Its foundation is anchored 60 feet underground.
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, +1 314 577-9400, +1 800-642-8842 [13] - A place of serenity, beauty, and fun amid the bustle of the city, the Missouri Botanical Garden is open every day except Christmas Day (Dec 25). Stroll the grounds, explore the home gardening resources, or enjoy one of the many events throughout the year. This is a "must see."
The Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, +1 314 781-0900 [14] - Daily 9AM-5PM. Recognized as one of the top five zoos in the nation. The zoo has both indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a children petting zoo. There are several centers for in depth exploration and learning. Free.
The Wainwright Building, 705 Chestnut Street [15] - Designed by Louis Sullivan and built in 1890, it is one of the first skyscrapers.
Cahokia Mounds, 30 Ramey Street, Collinsville, IL 62234 [16] - located just across the river in Illinois, this is the site of the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico and has been designated an official UNESCO World Heritage site.
Museums
The City Museum, 701 North 15th Street, [17]. For the young or young at heart. Don't let the name fool you--this place is a blast! The City Museum is a huge playground built in an old warehouse made largely out of architectural artifacts from around St. Louis collected by an eccentric millionaire. There are concessions inside the museum as well as bar service by local brewery Schlafy.
Saint Louis Art Museum, One Fine Arts Drive, Tel: 314-721-0072, [18]. Tu–Su, 10AM–5PM; F 10AM-9PM. One of the leading comprehensive art museums in the nation. They host visiting displays which in the past have included such exhibits as the Angles of the Vatican and the Royal Tombs of Ur. Free.
Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, [19]. experience modern art in a stunning avant garde structure
The Saint Louis History Museum, [20]. Also located in Forest Park and is free and open to the public as well.
Saint Louis Science Center, [21], in Forest Park, is a fun hands on learning experince for the entire family. Equipped with an IMAX Dome theater, a planetarium, floors of interactive activities, and several travling exhibits, the Science Center has something for everyone. The museum is free and open to the public daily. The museum consists of two buildings joined by a walkway.
Contemporary Art Museum, [22]. contemporary art museum located in the hip 'loft district' downtown
Jefferson Expansion National Memorial Museum, Underneath the Gateway Arch.
