St. Louis, known as the Gateway to the West, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for visitors. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this vibrant city along the Mississippi River has something for everyone. Let's dive into the must-see attractions and a fantastic place to stay during your visit.

No visit to St. Louis is complete without checking out the Gateway Arch. Seeing it in pictures and having it in front of your eyes is a completely different experience.

This curving, architectural masterpiece twists upwards into the sky and baffles the mind on how it stays put like that!

It was completed in the 1960’s and was designed as a symbol of St. Louis’ role as the launching point for westward exploration, notably for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804. To this day, it’s the tallest man- made arch in the world.

Initially, we weren’t planning on taking the tram to the top, but once we saw how amazing the arch was - we had to take the tram up to the top! The tram itself is an engineering marvel because it has to follow the curve of the arch as it moves upwards. It takes about 4 minutes to get to the top and 3 minutes to get back down. I thought it would be a bit claustrophobic, but it was actually really nice because there’s a view of the inside of the arch during the entire ride.

Once on top, there is an amazing panoramic view that spans up to 30 miles on a clear day. You can even see the curves of the Arch from the little windows.

Park at the nearby Stadium East iParkit Garage for a discounted day rate.

This famous square is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian homes, including styles such as Italianate, Second Empire, Queen Anne, and Romanesque Revival.We found ourselves gawking and taking way too many photos of all the beautiful houses here!

Some notable homes:

The Benton Home : This historic mansion was once the residence of Missouri Senator

Thomas Hart Benton: It’s a fine example of Second Empire architecture and has been beautifully restored.

The Green Mansion : Known for its stunning Queen Anne style and impressive size, this home stands out with its vibrant colors and intricate details.

The H.W. Koch House : A classic Italianate home with elaborate cornices and a charming facade, this home is representative of the architectural style of the period.

I visit Europe quite a bit and am always amazed at the architecture of the cathedrals over there, so I’m not kidding when I say that the interior of this cathedral is equal or even better than most cathedrals in Europe!

The whole place is covered in stunning and colorful tile mosaics containing over 41 million pieces of tesserae (small pieces of colored glass, stone, and gold). Overall there are more than 83,000 square feet of mosaics, making it one of the largest mosaic collections in the world!

The cathedral itself is a blend of Romanesque (exterior) and Byzantine (interior) architecture.

It’s still a working cathedral with regular Masses and Sunday service, plus it holds all sorts of special events like weddings and concerts.

You can do a self-guided tour during non-Church activity hours or you can book a guided tour. More info here.

Spanning 1,300 acres, Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It's home to several of the city's most prestigious cultural institutions, many of which offer free admission.

Highlights include:

• Saint Louis Art Museum: Houses an encyclopedic collection traversing five millennia of human creativity.

• Saint Louis Zoo: Home to over 14,000 animals representing 500 species.

• Missouri History Museum: Offers engaging exhibits on local and national history.

• Saint Louis Science Center: Provides hands-on exhibits and a planetarium.

• The Muny: America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theater.

We only had time to see the Saint Louis Art Museum – which, if you didn’t tell us, we would have thought we were in some fancy museum in Paris! The architecture inside this museum was quite elegant. There were several famous artworks such as Monet’s Water Lilies and masterpieces by Rodin, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Paul Gauguin. We also enjoyed the artwork from America. Amazingly, admission to this world-class art museum is free!

Once the largest and busiest passenger rail terminal in the world, St. Louis Union Station has been beautifully restored and repurposed. It’s hard to find such beautiful architecture in the USA these days that is open to the public.Today, it houses a hotel, restaurants, and various entertainment options. It’s also a great place to grab a drink or to hang out with friends.

Don't miss the Grand Hall Light Show, a spectacular 3D light projection on the Grand Hall's 65-foot, barrel-vaulted ceiling. It usually happens on the hour starting at 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

This 79-acre botanical garden is one of the oldest and most famous in the United States. Additionally it has made major contributions to botanical research and conservation.

The garden's crown jewel is the Climatron, a geodesic dome conservatory that houses a tropical rainforest environment. Opened in 1960, it was the first geodesic dome greenhouse and is filled with tropical plants, waterfalls, and a diverse array of flora from warm climates around the world.

One of the most famous glass artists in the world, Dale Chihuly, has several pieces throughout the garden.

Don't miss the serene Japanese Garden, one of the largest in North America. Other highlights include the Victorian-style maze garden, the Ottoman Garden with its traditional Turkish design, and the Chinese Garden that features a moongate entrance and an authentic pavilion.

There’s a park tram that costs $5. We thought it would save time getting to all the spots inside the park, but we recommend just walking the park due to the long waits for each tram stop.

Bookstore lovers shouldn't miss a visit to Left Bank Books, St. Louis' oldest independently owned bookstore. Founded in 1969, this literary haven offers an expertly curated selection of new and used books.

The store hosts regular author events and book clubs, making it a hub for the local literary community. Even if you're not looking to buy, it's worth browsing their shelves and soaking in the atmosphere of this beloved local institution.

For a truly unique St. Louis experience, head to Venice Café. This eclectic bar and music venue is famous for its wildly decorated interior and exterior, covered in mosaics, sculptures, and found-object art. Live music is a regular feature, with local and touring acts performing most nights. The outdoor patio is particularly popular in warmer months. Note that Venice Café is cash-only, adding to its quirky charm.

Even if you're not a beer enthusiast, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Day Fresh Tour offers a fascinating glimpse into an important part of St. Louis' history and culture. The tour takes you through the brewing process, from hop selection to bottling, and includes samples for those of legal drinking age.

A highlight of the tour is meeting the famous Budweiser Clydesdales. These majestic horses have been a symbol of Anheuser-Busch since 1933, and seeing them up close is a memorable experience. We weren’t sure if we’d like this tour - but it was really fun, informative, and included plenty of great beer samples!

Great for adults and kids alike, this zany museum combines optical illusions, holograms, and perception- challenging exhibits that play with the grasp of reality!

It’s a great way to add something fun and interactive to your itinerary in St Louis!

Here are some fun photos we got at the Museum:

Make sure to try the Vortex Tunnel - see if you can walk through the first time without falling over!

21c Museum Hotel

Since we love art and comfortable hotels - the 21c Museum Hotel was the perfect choice!

There is a whole floor dedicated to modern art, and large pieces of artwork are scattered throughout the hotel.

It’s also perfectly situated in the heart of downtown so you can easily visit many of St. Louis's main attractions.

After a day of exploration, you can return to your stylish room, surrounded by thoughtful design and artistic touches. The rooms themselves are spacious and well-appointed, with high-quality linens, original artwork, and all the modern amenities you'd expect from a high-end hotel.

Don't forget to take advantage of the hotel's amenities, which include a fitness center, spa services, and a spectacular on-site restaurant, Idol Wolf.