St Louis

Visitors to the city of St Louis in Missouri may notice a slightly European feel as they explore its buildings and landmarks during their trips. This is because it has close ties with the continent, having originally been named after French king Louis IX.

Over the decades and centuries since, it went on to be taken over by countries including Britain and Spain before finally being handed over to the American people in the early 19^th century.

St Louis hosted the Olympic Games and the World's Fair in 1904, resulting in a population explosion and a time of prosperity for the city. It had a booming automobile industry and was also well-known in the world of fashion.

Population peaked in 1950, but the city was negatively affected by the worldwide decline in manufacturing. However, it has bounced back and is now thriving once more.

Thanks to carefully managed building projects and investment from businesses, St Louis is a hub for medicine and biotechnology, as well as being a great place to visit for tourists.

You will find much to do during your stay in St Louis hotels, whether you are visiting for business or pleasure.

St Louis Travel Tips

Getting there:

It is unlikely that you will be able to get direct flights to St Louis, but you will be able to take a connection from other US cities to Lambert-St Louis International Airport in the north-west of the county.

The hub is served by the MetroLink light rail service, so you should not have any trouble making your way to your St Louis hotel using public transport.

Alternatively, it may be a good idea to hire a car, as the city is easy to navigate by road and is well-suited to this method of transport.

Getting around:

The MetroLink provides the bulk of public transport in St Louis and runs from the airport into the central metropolitan area.

You will be able to get off at various attractions, including the west end and the Delmar Loop, in order to do some exploring.

There are also Metro Buses, which will be able to get you from A to B relatively inexpensively.

A good St Louis travel tip is that you will have to book a taxi in advance from your hotel if you need one, as it is not possible to hail them from the street like you might in New York.

Many visitors like to hire cars for their trips in order to get around quickly and easily.

What to pack:

St Louis has very varying weather depending on when you choose to visit. Summers are very hot but also humid, so you should pack plenty of light clothes if you intend to stay in the warmest months.

Spring can get very wet and thunderstorms are common, so you may find a raincoat or an umbrella a good addition to your suitcase, while fall is also usually wet.

During the winter, snow is common, so do not forget to bring lots of warm sweaters if you intend to stay in St Louis hotels at this time of year.

What to do and where to go?

One of the things you may notice about St Louis when you arrive is its beauty. The city was planned to incorporate lots of green space, so there are dozens of parks for you to walk around on sunny days.

The city is also a very cultural destination, so you should explore its various museums from your base at the Millennium Hotel St Louis if you have a passion for knowledge.

Finally, a trip to one of the sports stadia could be a fun way to spend an evening or afternoon, as this is a city that is proud of its various teams.

The St Louis travel guide below will help you get started with an itinerary.

Famous Landmarks:

Gateway Arch

The Wainwright Building

Delmar Loop

Arts and Culture:

The Saint Louis Art Museum

The City Museum

Contemporary Art Museum

History:

Missouri History Museum

The historic court house

Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site

Parks and Recreation:

Forest Park

The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Missouri Botanical Garden