St. Louis, MO Travel Guide
Traveling to St Louis was, admittedly, not on my list but I was excited to visit for a wedding. I did almost no research about the city before visiting and was surprised at how much fun I had. The only stories told about St Louis involve crime statistics and warnings about ways to stay safe while traveling but I felt none of that. Every Uber driver, waiter, hotel staff, and bartender was so honest about the state of the city, where to go, and where NOT to go so trust your gut and be aware, like every other city, and you’ll be ready to see this laid-back city with a ton of history and unique charm.
Getting There
Flying: You will fly into STL airport. St Louis is not too big and not too small, also not too updated but it has everything you need. Calling your preferred rideshare is simple and fast so you’ll be at your accommodations in no time.
Getting Around
For someone like me, who usually doesn’t rent a car, a rideshare is a great option in this city. The drive from the airport to downtown took about 30 minutes and from there, you can walk around to many sites, restaurants, and bats but when you need to go further out there are a ton of drivers around.
Where to Stay
Hotels: If you’re seeking unique accommodation, consider the Angad Arts Hotel, located near midtown. This hotel is covered with unique art pieces and a boutique, luxurious feel but wait until you see the rooms! Which would you choose to choose between a fully blue, green, or red room?
I stayed in the green room and though it was a bit startling at first, I was surprised at how cozy it actually becomes after you spend time relaxing immersed in color. The hotel also hosts a rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. We actually used this vantage to spot our landmarks for the next day.
What to Do
Gateway Arch: The Arch is St Louis’ most iconic landmark that can be seen from many points within the city. It is a massive project that took almost 3 years to build and over $13M. Built in the early 1960s, this 630-foot tall, mid-century modern design is meant to commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s vision of western expansion across the United States.
Now, the Gateway Arch is a park and immersive experience allowing paid visitors to take a tram to the top for an incredible view of the city and river.
Forest Park: I was excited to learn there is a massive park in the middle of the city with walking trails, picnic spots, and serene foliage. Forest Park is over 1300 acres so there is plenty of space to wander around beautiful landscapes, waterways, fountains, and historic buildings. For a relaxed experience, you should set aside about 2 hours to stroll.
Where to Eat & Drink
When I asked for food recommendations in St Louis, I was told two items: toasted ravioli and St Louis-style pizza. So I did just.
Toasted Ravioli
For toasted ravioli, head over to City Foundry Food Hall and check out STL Toasted. This was my first time trying toasted ravioli and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. They hooked it up with a sampler of all of their options including: original beef, buffalo chicken, three cheese, and loaded potato. Finishing this off with a sweet option, you have to order their maple pecan gooey butter cake, it was soo good.
St Louis-style Pizza
St Louis-style pizza has been a topic of discussion for pizza purists for some time. This is because St Louis-style is made with a cracker-thin crust, Provel cheese, and cut into squares. Honestly, this did not sound good at first, but I set aside my biases and gave it a shot. I tried the iconic Imo’s Pizza. This is a St Louis staple with many locations across the city. This is a fast, easy option for us travelers looking to try this unique pizza style. I’ll put it on record that it was pretty good!
Overall, St Louis treated me very well and I’d recommend making a trip if you want to see a big city with a small city feel.