YOUR GUIDE TO THE GATEWAY TO THE WEST
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The St. Louis Destination Guide is now LIVE!
You probably know St. Louis for its iconic Arch, but you might not realize just how much else there is to do here. The city has a centuries-old history and rich culture from food to music to sports and beyond that puts it in the same league as the top tourist spots in the US. It's where I was born and raised, so I know I'm biased, but I'm here to spread the word that St. Louis is so much more than a flyover city.
Let's start with the city's history. French fur traders, Pierre Laclede and August Chouteau, founded the city way back in 1764. The trade that sprung from the city began its reputation as the Gateway to the West, but it was Lewis & Clark that cemented that nickname. After Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803, the explorers, with help from guide Sacagawea, set off from STL along the Missouri River in search of a water passage to the Pacific. From that point forward, the River City became known for launching pioneers out west and supporting trade via steamboats up and down the Mississippi.
The city wasn't just a launching point for explorers, plenty happened here in town. The Old Courthouse hosted several key trials including Dred & Harriet Scott's fight for freedom that spurred the Civil War and Virginia Minor's fight for women's suffrage. 100 years after Lewis & Clark, St. Louis became the focus of the world, when the World's Fair aka the Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held in conjunction with the United States' first Olympics. Thanks to its extensive railroads, St. Louis became a business hub, and thanks to its extensive cave system, it became especially known for its brewers (like Anheuser-Busch). Additionally, a long list of icons all have ties to the city including Ulysses S Grant, Charles Lindbergh, Nelly, Yogi Berra, Tina Turner, TS Eliot, & Chuck Berry, and more.
Today, St. Louis is still known for beer, but it's also deeply connected to blues music, local foods (see my bucket list below), winning sports teams, Mardi Gras, and more. Just take a scroll through the guide and you'll see that there's so much to do here (and lots of it is free). I challenge you to give this underrated city a chance and let St. louis pleasantly surprise you!
IN THIS GUIDE:
A neighborhood and hotel guide to help you get your bearings, see what's nearby, and find a great place to stay
A dining & drinking guide so you can find the best spots from brunch to date night
Top things to do, including mansions, museums, and more, to build your St. Louis bucket list
Itineraries to help you daydream and kick-start your trip
Itinerary add-ons so you can find the best day trips and next stops as you build your journey
Matchmaker and date selector tools to help you decide if St. Louis should be at the top of your list and when you should book your trip
Logistics planner with all the info you need for getting there, getting around, and what you need to book
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Click the link to read the top-to-bottom guide to exploring St. Louis!
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