Best Things to Do in St. Louis

You’ll find locals and out-of-towners alike lined up outside for “concretes” with a choice of 39 mixers. (Be ready: The lines are long.)

Berry played more shows here than anywhere else, over 200 of them. Today, this Delmar Loop bulwark is still dishing out burgers, live music and their kitschy pop-culture-themed decor. 

This stainless steel parabola is a defining feature of the St. Louis skyline. It was constructed as a monument to the United States’ westward expansion, but it treads uncharted territory of its own as the tallest man-made monument in the Western Hemisphere. Standing back to admire it is one thing, but taking a tram to the top is a totally different experience. Over 600 feet up, you can gaze out 30 miles in each direction. Lewis and Clark started their journey here over 200 years ago. If they could see it now, they’d probably need a breather.

Anheuser-Busch’s St. Louis footprint and influence have waned since its ’08 merger with Belgium’s InBev, but the brewery still produces 13 million barrels a year. That’s a staggering amount of Bud. You can tour this brewery to see what it takes to make it all happen, and there’s even two freebies for guests. 

Your Budweiser days ended long ago? Then try this favorite among St. Louis beer aficionados. They pour some spectacular barrel-aged beers. Grab a bomber to go, if you can.

It’s two solid miles of street art, a Guinness World Record for the longest mural, packed end to end with distinct creative expressions from hundreds of artists. It’s a doozy, and worth a long afternoon walk (or drive).

Soulard is a historic St. Louis neighborhood with diverse architecture and some great eats, like Bogart’s Smokehouse and Capitalist Pig BBQ. If you can rally after a night on the town, there’s the Soulard Farmers Market which is billed as the oldest public market west of the Mississippi. Soulard is also home to the U.S.’s second largest Mardi Gras celebration. Check it.

This place is so cool. But Venice Café’s appeal doesn’t come from an experimental cocktail menu or trendy location. It comes from, well, just look up pictures online. It’s vivacious and funky, with colored lights and tile mosaics covering every square inch. They serve traditional Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken and fried plantains to pair with classic drinks. You can catch live music on some nights, and in the Explorer’s Lounge (open on Friday and Saturday nights) you can admire taxidermied animals and meet Mr. Waylon Slithers, a kingsnake that sits behind the bar (don’t worry, he’s in a tank).

The lobby has midcentury-modern decor straight out of a ’60s game show. The display cases house rare space memorabilia. The roof has a terrace bar overlooking the city. And there’s a big moon on top. Moonrise combines chic style and cozy accommodations for a unique hotel experience. 

Okay, you’re thinking, “great, I’m going to travel to St. Louis and then go to an antique shop? That couldn’t suck more.” But it actually doesn’t suck at all. Sure, this isn’t going to be for everyone but this is like cleaning out your great aunt’s garage. Your cool great aunt, who went to Woodstock and toured with The Grateful Dead. Floral print couches, tulip chairs, “Star Trek” lunchboxes, plaid suits — this place is a throwback to ’60s and ’70s style. But they also have a rep for procuring some mid-century furniture (think Eames chairs). So if you want to furnish a living room straight out of the mid- to late-1900s, this is your place. 

Forest Park is big, more than 1,300 acres in total. It’s consistently praised as one of the nation’s most beautiful urban parks, and it’s got enough activities to fill a whole trip. Go walking or hiking on a winding network of trails, then stop in at the Missouri History Museum, The Muny outdoor theater or the Saint Louis Zoo. Or play a round of golf. Or kick a soccer ball around. Or have a picnic. The options are endless.