Lafayette Square and Park
A fashionable area with tree-lined streets, victorian and second empire townhomes, and shopping and cafes surrounds the city's oldest park - chartered in 1836. in the warmer months, the park features small concerts, picnic locations, art fairs, and a team that recreates old-style baseball - but it is walkable all year round. twice yearly are walking tours of the area that will take you inside some of the more remarkable victorian mansions.
The Central West End
The Central West End, (http://www.thecwe.com/). An eclectic, cosmopolitan neighborhood home to soaring turn-of-the-century mansions on St. Louis's famous private streets, chic dining, and upscale boutique shopping with a great mix of cafes, independent bookstores check out Left Bank Books on Euclid and McPherson, art galleries, salons, antique and modern furniture such as a Design Within Reach and Centro, coffee houses, and youthful energy. One of the more lively neighborhoods in St. Louis that borders Forest Park, the CWE is a great destination for a day of walking around or a weekend stay.
Laclede's Landing
(http://www.lacledeslandin...). just north of the arch and part of downtown st louis, and the second oldest neighborhood after soulard, "the landing" is what amounts to st. louis' old town. you are likely to enjoy the cobblestone streets and the shops, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and a bizarre wax museum. recently constructed right next to the landing is a new $400+ million dollar casino complex called lumiere place, featuring a four seasons hotel, nightclubs, 75,000 square feet of casino gaming, and an innovative multi-colored light feature spanning 24 vertical floors on the exterior of the building that lights up st. louis' skyline. not many original buildings on the landing remain, as the area is constantly undergoing new developments and rehabbing of older buildings. nightly horse-drawn carriage rides take you around the landing and much of downtown.
Anheuser-Busch Brewery
(http://www.budweisertours...) 12th st and lynch, +1 314 577-2626. a free tour with free beer samples for those of legal age of one of the world's largest breweries and bottling factories. the clydesdales and their historic truck and stables are one of the biggest attractions on the tour, as are the brew house and packaging facility.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
(http://www.laumeiersculpt...) accredited by the american association of museums, laumeier sculpture park is one of a handful of open-air museums around the world and a unique compliment to the cultural landscape of st. louis. free to all and well worth a visit.
The Moolah Theatre and Lounge
(http://www.stlouiscinemas...) 3701 lindell blvd, 314-446-4500. this refurbished former masonic temple now boasts a one-screen movie theatre. the single screen is essentially a giant living room that forgoes traditional theatre-seating; instead, it features leather couches, club chairs, and coffee tables. the moolah also has two bars, ample lounge seating, and a bowling alley in the basement. a very cool place for a night out! located in midtown/grand center.
The Museum of Transportation
(http://transportmuseumass...). planes, trains, and automobiles! take a step back into history and explore this unique collection of cars, locomotives, trolleys and airplanes. train rides, car shows and even boats are on offer here. good fun for adults and kids alike.
Riverboat Cruises
(http://www.gatewayarch.co...). take a cruise down the mississippi river on the tom sawyer and becky thatcher riverboats. they offer dinner and music cruises and also a day trip to historic kimmswick, missouri.
Soulard Market
Soulard Market, (http://stlouis.missouri.o...). Although strangely named "un soulard " means "a drunk" in French., the Soulard neighborhood, covering the waterfront for several miles south of the Arch, is the oldest in St. Louis. The Georgian or should that be Louis XVI? style houses surround a central farmer's market which supplies the city's residents, supermarkets, and restaurants with the freshest, and inexpensive, local produce. This is the oldest farmer's market west of the Mississippi, and is open year-round every weekend. There are a number of bars and restaurants in the neighborhood as well, and visitors can celebrate French heritage with the locals during Mardi Gras or on Bastille Day.
Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration
The entire day is a major event in st. louis under the arch with concerts and festivities. every year a major musical talent headlines the event; acts such as cyndi lauper, the goo goo dolls, the black eyed peas, and the beach boys have performed in the past. a dazzling fireworks spectacle caps off the night while tens of thousands of st. louisans watch under the arch lawn. this event kicks off a weekly concert series called "live on the levee", also taking place on the arch grounds, and features a big-name musical act, food vendors, and games. the veiled prophet parade (http://www.vpparade.org/) is a st. louis tradition for over 130 years, and is essentially the main parade with floats on the independence day holiday, starting at washington avenue and ending at union station.
The Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire
(http://www.stlrenfaire.com/) come, travel back in time as you step into the beautifully wooded, 16th century village, we call petit lyon! immerse yourself in the costumes and mannerisms of the era. thrill to the exploits of jousting knights on thundering steeds. roam the village shops for unique crafts and goods as our artisans demonstrate period skills. delight in comedy, music and feats of derring do. feast on delicious food and drink while strolling minstrels entertain. interact with the colorful villagers, nobles, peasants and personalities of ages past.
America's Convention Center
(http://www.americascenter.org/). over 500,000 square feet of exhibit space, also featuring formal reception rooms, presentation-style rooms, a theatre, and the edward jones dome next door.
South Grand and Tower Grove Park
By day, visitors enjoy the numerous boutiques and coffeehouses of south grand ave., and the shaded walking paths and recreational amenities of tower grove park, including bike paths, playgrounds, a wading pool, several restored victorian pavilions, and a farmer's market saturdays, may-oct.. the park is a frequent home to festivals, including the pan-ethnic festival of nations august and pridefest june. by night, they turn to the numerous bars and restaurants on south grand: a wide variety of food and drink options, along with one of the best people-watching scenes within the city limits.
Performing arts
Fabulous Fox Theater
(http://www.fabulousfox.com/). built in 1929 and restored to its glory, this rare gem seats 4,500. a performance at the fabulous fox theater is a "must see." only two of this design exist, the detroit fox theater built in 1928 has also been restored and seats 5,000. probably the two most ornate theaters ever built in the us, they were the first to have live sound. they were built for william fox, the founder of fox film corporation, the forerunner of twentieth century-fox studios. these two original fox theaters are still among the largest in the us in terms of total seats and the size of the stage.
Off Broadway
Off Broadway, (http://www.offbroadwaystl.com/). Boasting excellent acoustics, this comfy concert venue usually has blues, bluegrass, roots, and folk touring acts along with the occasional indie-rock and country performers.
Opera Theatre of St. Louis
Opera Theatre of St. Louis, (http://www.opera-stl.org/). Opera festival every May and June at the Loretto-Hilton Center in Webster Groves.
Powell Symphony Hall
Powell Symphony Hall, (http://www.slso.org/). A magnificent performance center, home to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Whitaker Music Festival
Whitaker Music Festival, (http://www.mobot.org/even...). Wednesday evenings in summer enjoy music in the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden. Admission is free after 5PM, and you can pack your own picnic basket and cooler. Genre ranges from jazz to folk-rock to world music. Bring folding chairs or a blanket to spread on the lawn.
Jazz At the Bistro
Jazz At the Bistro, (http://jazzbistro.admiton...). No visit to the Gateway City is complete without experiencing its rich jazz and blues heritage.
The Muny
The Muny, (http://www.muny.org/). America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater. A popular summer attraction show casing a variety of musicals throughout June, July and August. Tickets range from $6 to $50 or so, but the top several rows are always free. Come early and bring binoculars to the top entrance if you want to see a show for free.
The Pageant
The Pageant, (http://www.thepageant.com/). A venue for concerts and national touring acts, the Pageant usually has an extensive schedule of events ranging from rock, pop, soul and comedy.
The Shakespeare Festival
The Shakespeare Festival, (http://www.shakespearefes...) The mission of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis is to produce professional Shakespeare theater, outdoors in a city park, free and for a diverse audience, and to provide education through schools and community outreach. Free shows are usually put on in the late spring and early summer. An excellent way to spend a summer evening in St. Louis.
Sheldon Concert Hall
Sheldon Concert Hall, (http://www.thesheldon.org/). The Sheldon's perfect acoustics earn it the reputation as the "Carnegie Hall of St. Louis". It features the best in jazz, folk, and classical music, and joins with the Sheldon Art Galleries to promote both music and visual arts.