Gifts

Major Attractions

Welcome to St. Louis! We’re thrilled to have you join us for our special day and hope you’ll take time to explore the city during your stay. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or outdoor enthusiast, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’ve gathered a list of top recommendations to help you make the most of your visit!

Forest Park

Did you know that Forest Park in St. Louis is approximately 500 acres larger than Central Park in New York City? Home to world-class attractions – most of which are also free! – it’s considered one of the best urban parks in the country. You can spend hours, even days, enjoying cultural institutions such as the Missouri History Museum, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo and The Muny, an outdoor theater that has filled Forest Park with the sounds of Broadway for more than 100 years. The Jewel Box, an elegant greenhouse filled with magnificent flora, hosts its fair share of weddings, and the World’s Fair Pavilion is a perfect site for casual company outings or lively private parties. https://www.forestparkforever.org/visit

Union Station

In its heyday, St. Louis Union Station was one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world. Today, it’s a source of endless entertainment for residents and visitors alike. The stunning complex houses more than 13,000 animals at the St. Louis Aquarium, the 200-foot St. Louis Wheel, a carousel, an 18-hole miniature golf course, a ropes course and more. The 3D light show in the Grand Hall plays on the hour, and restaurants such as The Soda Fountain and The Train Shed will keep you fueled. https://www.stlouisunionstation.com/

Missouri Botanical Garden

Stroll Through the Missouri Botanical Garden. The Missouri Botanical Garden has long been a place of beauty, serenity and discovery, as well as an institution of scientific research and education. Every visit represents a new opportunity to learn about plants and how they’re connected to our lives. Will you be able to choose your favorite flora among the 27,000 options? https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/

Saint Louis Art Museum

Appreciate Art, from Classic to Contemporary. In St. Louis, you’re sure to find art that will leave an impression. Boasting one of the country’s leading comprehensive collections, the Saint Louis Art Museum, a free fixture in Forest Park, inspires discovery and elevates the human spirit. Artworks by Max Beckmann, Georgia O’Keeffe, Norman Lewis, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Kehinde Wiley stand out, but the museum also offers thought-provoking temporary exhibitions ranging from native art to French landscapes and global textiles to ancient armor. https://www.slam.org/

Saint Louis Zoo

Home to more than 14,000 exotic animals, many of them rare and endangered. These 500 species represent the major continents and biomes of the world. Set in the rolling hills, lakes and glades of Forest Park, the Saint Louis Zoo is always a great place to be. The Zoo is open year-round, except on December 25 and January 1. Check website for hours. Admission is free. https://explorestlouis.com/partner/saint-louis-zoo/

Missouri History Museum

Originally built as the first national monument to Thomas Jefferson, the Missouri History Museum looks at the history of St. Louis from its founding in 1764 up to the present day. Discover the city’s baseball history from the Browns to the Cardinals, marvel at the magnitude of the 1904 World’s Fair and much more. Visit the History Clubhouse, a free family gallery filled with hands-on activities where kids can pilot a steamboat, learn about life in Cahokia and build a downtown skyscraper. https://explorestlouis.com/partner/missouri-history-museum/

Soulard Market

Soulard Market is the oldest farmers market west of the Mississippi established in 1779 and is open Wednesday-Saturday. They have local farmers, one organic farmer, a world class bakery, spice shop, and many produce vendors that handle local and shipped in produce. The market also carries a variety of other general merchandise like shirts, jewelry, incense, sports memorabilia, hand made soaps, carpet, photography and hand made crafts. The neighborhood is home to approx. 40 restaurants & bars, historic homes, and live music 7 days a week. https://soulardmarketstl.com/

City Museum

City Museum invites visitors to explore the unexpected. Housed in a 600,000-square-foot former shoe company warehouse, the all-ages architectural playground offers a truly immersive experience, where you can climb into a bow whale’s mouth, rocket down a 10-story slide and pilot a plane suspended in the air. With a partner, friends or family, navigate an underground tunnel system, marvel at pancake art and write with the world’s largest pencil. At Circus Harmony, you can also test your circus skills and snack on peanuts or popcorn. How serious is City Museum about exploring? The gift shop sells knee pads – which aren’t a bad idea! If you need a break, grab a bite or a beer on any floor, from the 19th-century Cabin Bar to the Rooftop Café. https://citymuseum.org/

Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Raise a Pint to St. Louis’ Brewing History. Did you know that Forest In St. Louis, great beer is a way of life. Ours is a city built on brewing, and today, people from all walks of life travel from near and far to make memories over a pint. Anheuser-Busch serves as a hub for brewing innovation, using the highest-quality ingredients, grown by American farmers, to produce more than 30 brands of beer. They also have some popular tours: https://www.budweisertours.com/stltours  St. Louis also boasts almost 65 craft breweries. As you explore the region’s beer scene, we hope that you’ll raise a glass at one of our favorite spots, including 4 Hands Brewing Co., Melvin Brewing Eureka, Narrow Gauge Brewing Co., Schlafly Beer and Urban Chestnut Brewing Co.

The Magic House

The Magic House is one of the top Children’s Museum’s in the country, inspiring children to discover the world through play as they explore hundreds of exciting interactive exhibits. An epic adventure for preschoolers and young children, The Magic House offers hands-on interactive exhibits, where they can explore a child-size village, investigate scientific wonders and take on the role of a doctor or veterinarian. An ever-evolving cultural immersion area also shows youngsters what life is like in other countries, from the foods people eat to the homes they create. For older kids, there are 3D printers, electrically charged balls and more. Lots of the above attractions are kid-friendly, and we definitely recommend a visit to The Magic House. https://www.magichouse.org/

Gateway Arch

Get a Bird’s Eye View from the Gateway Arch. The ultimate tourist stop. Take a tram ride to the top of this gleaming, 630-foot monument. After you squeeze into a futuristic, five-person pod, it takes four minutes to ascend. At the top, small windows reveal spectacular views of the Old Courthouse, downtown St. Louis and beyond to the west and the Mississippi River and Illinois to the east. Tickets often sell out, so reserve your spots ahead of time. Back on the ground, explore the on-site museum. Chase’s grandfather helped install the original windows at the top. https://www.gatewayarch.com/

The Muny

America’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater, The Muny has presented Broadway productions with top performers every summer for more than 105 seasons. From June through August, this is an essential stop in St. Louis’ Forest Park. The venue still offers a section of free seats on a first com first serve basis. https://explorestlouis.com/partner/muny-the/

The Science Center

The St. Louis Science Center is home to over 700 hands-on exhibits that allow visitors of all ages to explore the sciences. Ecology and the Environment, Aviation and Space Exploration, Engineering, Paleontology, if it has to do with science, it can be discovered at the Science Center! The OMNIMAX Theater features amazing movies filmed with awesome visual effects. The Science Center also includes the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. Located in Forest Park, the Planetarium is accessible via an enclosed walkway that crosses Interstate 64. https://explorestlouis.com/partner/saint-louis-science-center/

National Blues Museum

The National Blues Museum is the only institution of its kind dedicated exclusively to preserving and honoring the history and legacy of Blues music and its impact on American and world culture. The Museum’s mission is to be the premier entertainment and educational resource focused on the blues as the foundation of American music. https://www.nationalbluesmuseum.org/

ONly in St. Louis

St. Louis’ charm includes many creative dishes you won’t find anywhere It’s unique food traditions are influenced by its culture, history, and surroundings won’t disappoint. Try one or two if you can!

St. Louis Style Pizza
  • Characterized by cracker-thin crust, oregano-seasoned sauce, creamy Provel cheese and toppings from edge to edge cut into squares. It’s rarely found outside of the metro area
  • For locals, it stirs a particular sort of hometown pride. The square-cut pizza is iconic in St. Louis, and today seems almost as central to the city’s identity as beer or baseball.
Toasted Ravioli
  • Don’t be fooled T-Ravs, as they are known, are not toasted, they’re deep fried. It’s usually made by breading stuffed ravioli (the stuffing depends on your taste) and frying it. Once the squares are cooked, they are usually served with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.
  • Most accounts place the origin of this famed dish in The Hill, an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis. Three legacy restaurants compete for the right to say they served toasted ravioli before anyone else: Mama’s on the Hill, Charlie Gitto’s, and Lombardo’s.
St. Louis Style BBQ
Gooey Butter Cake
  • List Gooey butter cake originated in St. Louis in the 1930swhen a baker mixed up the proportion of butter in one of his coffee cakes. Rather than throw it out, he sold it by the square, and the sugary, sticky confection was a hit.
Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
  • Frozen Custard is a type of ice cream with a higher fat content and the addition of egg yolks. This results in a thicker consistency and is served at a lower temperature. Ted Drewes
  • The stand became famous not just for its rich, creamy custard, but also for the “Concrete,” a thick shake so dense it could be served upside down without spilling.
  • When Dairy Queen introduced its Blizzard in 1985, they acknowledged that the concept was inspired by the Concreate created by Ted Drewes.
Mayfair dressing
  • An original recipe from the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair Exhibition, Mayfair Salad continued as a staple of the original Mayfair Hotel in St. Louis for many years. Similar to a Caesar but substitute the parmesan cheese for celery, onion, garlic, and black pepper
Lion’s Choice roast beef sandwich
  • Like Arby’s but better and only in the region. The entire chain consists of 24 restaurants, with the furthest Kansas City, MO. And you can get it with provel cheese!
White Castle
  • The White Castle chain began in Kansas, where its ingenious small burgers kicked off a national craze and inspired imitators of all shapes and sizes.
  • Voted “Most Influential Burger of All Time”, the chain started two decades before McDonald’s opened its first store.
  • Try the double-cheeseburger with jalapeno cheese. Ask for extra mustard in the bag.
Gus’s Pretzels
  • Fresh pretzels are emblematic of the German American culture and community that have been prominent in St Louis.
  • In the 50’s – 80’s their customers were mainly peddlers who sold the pretzels on street corners. It was during this time the stick pretzel became popular in St. Louis. Peddlers were unable to show off twist pretzels hidden in the brown bag. Stick pretzels were made to be peek out of the top of the bag allowing customers to see the salty treat.
Vess Soda
  • 100+ year old local brand of soda. They have 16 flavors that range from the standards to old-school traditional like Black Cherry and Pineapple. Whistle Orange Soda is probably the most popular. As a discount soda with a range of flavors it’s a nostalgic brand for many locals.
St. Paul Sandwich
  • A fusion created in Chinese-American restaurants in the 1940’s to cater to American tastes. It’s an egg foo young patty in a sandwich consisting of white bread (NOT a bun), mayo, lettuce, pickles, onions and sometimes tomatoes.
  • Most of the good ones are served in really rough neighborhoods. Bing Lau in North City is fantastic. Mai Lee’s St. Paul was placed in the top 99 sandwiches in America by some food & wine type magazine.
Stag and a Pickle
  • The story goes that a man in Cape Girardeau dropped a pickle in his Stag as a garnish, à la Corona’s lime. The rest, apparently, is local history.
  • That man transferred from SEMO to Mizzou. A friend of his worked at Shakespeare’s Pizza, and when the friends would go for pizza they’d order Stag with a pickle. To this day it is still served there.
Sybergs Wings
  • Many St. Louisianas first hot wing came with Syberg wing sauce. A thick mustard style hot sauce with a unique tangy taste. . You can make it at home with Durkees Sandwich Spread, Franks Red Hot Sauce and Butter.
Bosnian Cuisine
  • St. Louis is home to the largest Bosnian population outside of Europe, but this significant statistic alone doesn’t fully illuminate the impact the Bosnian community has had on St. Louis as a whole. When the Bosnian War started in 1992, Bosnian refugees began migrating into St. Louis. Bevo Mill became the unofficial “Little Bosnia” in the city, complete with a small replica of the Sebilj – an Ottoman-style wooden fountain found in Bosnia’s capital of Sarajevo.
  • Places to try
Provel Cheese
  • Since Provel is a unique St. Louis food product, dishes that use Provel as a twist also count as St. Louis dishes (this should be a big category).
  • Provel is ideal for pizza, thanks to its buttery texture and low melting point, which makes it gooey even near room temperature. It’s creamy yet easy to bite through – perfect for topping small squares.
Fitz’s (original home of the famous root beer)
  • Local root beer brand produced in St. Louis using the same recipe since 1947. Fitz’s was originally a drive-in hamburger stand located on Brentwood Blvd and sold alongside hamburgers and fries.
  • https://fitzsrootbeer.com/

Where to Explore

This interactive map highlights some of our favorite places, and some we really want to try.

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