St Louis Travel Guide
For details of what to do and see in St Louis check out our St Louis guide to car hire in St Louis.
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The city of Saint Louis spreads along the west bank of the Mississippi River, and is seen as being the city where west meets east. Having become known as the Gateway city since the pioneers Lewis and Clark set off from there to conquer the West, St Louis' place in the nation's psyche and history is best evidenced by the enormous arch, known either as the Gateway Arch, or the Jefferson Expansion Memorial which dominates the skyline, and provides a focus and symbol for the city.
St Louis' days as the main player in industrial America may be long gone, indeed the majority of the vast companies who made their headquarters in the city have vanished (apart from Anheuser Busch) into obscurity or been taken over by their rivals, but the city retains a character of go getting affability, and offers plenty to see and do that was funded by the wealth of days passed.
St Louis, and the surrounding area are rarely considered as being a complete holiday destination in there own right, but there are enough attractions to justify its reputation as a popular city to visit as part of an extensive tour of the mid west, and these include two cathedrals, a variety of museums describing the city's sporting and political heritage, as well as the many attractions of Forest Park, and a Six Flags amusement park within a short drive of the city centre.
The Gateway Arch / Jefferson Expansion Memorial stands proudly over the St Louis skyline, and the arch is the symbol of the city. It stands in the middle of Riverfront Park, and you can take a tram for the 633-foot journey all the way to the top, where you can see impressive views over the city and the Mississippi River that flows through it, and the experience is one that no visitor to the city should allow themselves to miss out on.
There is plenty to see and do in historic Saint Louis, including plenty of museums and also the fascinating old town area of the Central West End. St Louis Zoo is an ever-popular attraction that attracts many visitors every year, while the two cathedrals provide a spiritual uplifting take on the city. One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Anheuser Busch Brewery where you can sample bottles of freshly made and most importantly free beer after taking the tour.
