St. Louis in 7 days

The Gateway Arch, free world-class attractions, blues history and Midwestern charm. Best time to visit: April-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $110 to $220 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Downtown & the Gateway Arch, Home to the iconic Arch, the riverfront, Busch Stadium and the city's landmark sights.

Morning: Visit the Gateway Arch. Ride the tram to the top of the 630-foot national monument for sweeping views over the city and river.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & the Gateway Arch, Home to the iconic Arch, the riverfront, Busch Stadium and the city's landmark sights.

Evening: Explore Forest Park. Spend a day at the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum in this vast park.

Eat: Toasted ravioli (a local invention)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Forest Park, One of the largest urban parks in the US, with the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum.

Morning: Tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. See the historic Budweiser brewery and Clydesdale horses on a classic St. Louis visit.

Afternoon: Explore Forest Park, One of the largest urban parks in the US, with the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum.

Evening: Experience blues in Soulard. Catch live blues and grab a bite in this historic, lively neighbourhood.

Eat: St. Louis-style barbecue ribs

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: The Central West End, An elegant, walkable district of historic mansions, boutiques, cafés and the grand cathedral.

Morning: Eat St. Louis specialties. Try toasted ravioli on the Hill, gooey butter cake and St. Louis-style barbecue ribs.

Afternoon: Explore The Central West End, An elegant, walkable district of historic mansions, boutiques, cafés and the grand cathedral.

Evening: City Museum, a wildly creative playground built from salvaged materials, fun for all ages.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Gooey butter cake

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Soulard, A historic neighbourhood famous for its farmers market, blues bars and Mardi Gras celebrations.

Morning: The Cathedral Basilica's stunning mosaic interior in the Central West End.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Soulard, A historic neighbourhood famous for its farmers market, blues bars and Mardi Gras celebrations.

Evening: Soulard Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Provel-topped St. Louis-style pizza

Day 5, Day trip

Base: The Hill, St. Louis's Italian quarter, beloved for its authentic trattorias and toasted ravioli.

Morning: The Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in the nation.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore The Hill, St. Louis's Italian quarter, beloved for its authentic trattorias and toasted ravioli.

Evening: Dinner at Toasted ravioli (a local invention), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in The Hill.

Eat: Toasted ravioli (a local invention)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Downtown & the Gateway Arch, Home to the iconic Arch, the riverfront, Busch Stadium and the city's landmark sights.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown & the Gateway Arch, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown & the Gateway Arch, Home to the iconic Arch, the riverfront, Busch Stadium and the city's landmark sights.

Evening: Dinner at St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown & the Gateway Arch.

Eat: St. Louis-style barbecue ribs

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Forest Park, One of the largest urban parks in the US, with the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Forest Park, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Forest Park, One of the largest urban parks in the US, with the free zoo, art museum, science centre and history museum.

Evening: Dinner at Gooey butter cake, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Forest Park.

Eat: Gooey butter cake

Hidden gems

City Museum, a wildly creative playground built from salvaged materials, fun for all ages.
The Cathedral Basilica's stunning mosaic interior in the Central West End.
Soulard Farmers Market on a Saturday morning.
The Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the oldest in the nation.

Getting around

St. Louis is fairly spread out, so a car or rideshare is the most convenient way to get between downtown, Forest Park and the neighbourhoods. The MetroLink light rail connects the airport, downtown, the Arch and Forest Park, which is handy for those key stops, and downtown and individual neighbourhoods are walkable. For exploring areas like the Hill, Soulard and the botanical garden, a car or rideshare gives the most flexibility.

Safety

St. Louis is fine for visitors who stick to the main tourist areas, downtown near the Arch, Forest Park, the Central West End, the Hill and Soulard, with normal big-city caution advised. As crime is concentrated in certain residential areas away from the attractions, plan your routes, use rideshare at night, and apply standard urban awareness, keeping valuables out of sight in parked cars.

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