Known as “The Gateway to the Midwest,” St. Louis is a popular vacation spot for millions of visitors across the nation. Since it is near the middle of the country, St. Louis is generally a point on the way to other destinations. In pioneer days, the town served as the last stop before the Pacific Ocean for explorers traveling from the East Coast. The town has also received recent popularity for being the home of the 2006 World Series Champions – the St. Louis Cardinals. Since the mighty Mississippi River makes up the eastern border of the state, it is also an ideal place for trade and commerce. Take the lyrics of Judy Garland to heart and “Meet Me in St. Louis.” You will not be disappointed.

	Top rated hotels
	1. Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark One South Broadway @ Market Street 4. Hyatt Regency St Louis Riverfront 315 Chestnut 2. Hotelumiere 901 North First Street 5. Hilton St. Louis Downtown 400 Olive Street 3. St. Louis Union Station Marriott 1820 Market Street 6. Drury Inn & Suites Convention Center St. Louis 711 North Broadway View more St Louis hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In St Louis 1. Watch the animals at the St. Louis Zoo The St. Louis Zoo has been ranked as one of the top five zoos in the nation. With its indoor and outdoor facilities and variety of animals, visitors will be sure to enjoy their visit here. Children will have fun at the petting zoo area and they will also get an educational experience. This zoo also has different sections where animals are kept in environments that are most similar to their natural habitat. Come see the penguins in the River’s Edge area or the lions and tigers in the Red Rocks area. A gift shop and dining opportunity await in the Lakeside Crossing section.  « hide 2. Walk across the Mississippi with the Eads Bridge The Eads Bridge was the first structure built to cross the mighty Mississippi River. At the time it was built, it was an impressive engineering achievement with its structure and decorative iron lattice supports. The Eads Bridge connects St. Louis with East St. Louis and sets between the Gateway Arch and the popular Laclede’s Landing neighborhood.  « hide 3. Feast on authentic Italian cuisine at The Hill This area is rich in Italian tradition and heritage because of the people who live here. Brick bungalows and manicured lawns and trees surround the neighborhood. Come visit the bakeries and Italian-style restaurants that are characteristic of the culture. As soon as you drive into the neighborhood, you will smell the food cooking just like you were in Italy. Some people have even described it as an old-fashioned Italian village as the residents seem to be living in a time warp.  « hide 4. Look out over the region from the top of the Arch Completed in 1965, the St. Louis Gateway Arch is one of the most recognizable features in the Midwest. This structure has the moniker of being the world’s tallest national monument and it also carries a great deal of history and symbolism with it. It was part of the Jefferson National Expansion Plan when the nation was acquiring more and more land. You can take a tram to the top or enjoy the museums on the ground floor. There is also the Arch Café.  « hide 5. Admire in awe at the architecture of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis This Romaneque structure is one of the most impressive buildings in the greater St. Louis area. The architecture, towers and granite complement each other and the rose windows are an ideal accent to the building. Walk inside and enjoy the Byzantine architecture composed of mosaics and other features. The interior has 83,000 square feet of Mosaic art that was composed by 20 different artists over a period of 75 years. This is the largest mosaic collection in the world so you will want to visit it and take many pictures before you complete your St. Louis visit.  « hide 6. Gain a few extra pounds at The Fudgery Visit The Fudgery in St. Louis for some of the best fudge products you will ever eat. With twelve different flavors of fudge, you will be sure to find something to indulge your taste buds. At certain times of the day, the staff passes out free samples to lure more customers in to the tasty goodness. There is a catch, though. In order to get a free sample, the customers must participate in songs, chants or other activities that the employees decide. It turns out to be a fun and exciting experience for everybody.  « hide 7. Bike across town at the Moonlight Ramble The Moonlight Ramble is a St. Louis tradition that happens every year in late August. The event is billed as the world’s largest nighttime bike race. Starting at midnight, participants ride between 12-20 miles across St. Louis. At the end of the race, racers are provided a delicious breakfast as well as free gifts just for participating.  « hide 8. Have a great musical experience at The Muny The Muny is short for the St. Louis Municipal Opera. Located in Forest Park, The Muny is recognized as the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor music theater facility. Come to St. Louis during the summer and you can catch one of the musicals that the community produces. Past shows have included Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat as well as Les Miserables. The idea for The Muny was conceived at the 1904 World’s Fair and the first play was performed on its stage in 1916.  « hide View more St Louis attractions » « View less St Louis attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Thai Gai Yang Café Thai Gai Yang Café, St. Louis, gives patrons some spicy options with the hottest available peppers. You can choose from pork, fish, shrimp and chicken for your meal at this small restaurant. Have a tall glass of water sitting nearby, though. The spiciness will be sure to please  « hide 6. Southern Belle Supper Club Southern Belle Supper Club, St. Louis, has a southern flare without the backwoods appearance. The restaurant is decorated with paintings and it also has a bar that you can visit for drinks. Each table is complemented with fresh flowers and the outdoor patio adds another level to your dining experience.  « hide 2. Thai Café Thai Café, St. Louis, provides traditional Thai cuisine from authentic recipes. You can order cocktails on the patio or choose from a wide selection of menu items for lunch or dinner. For an even more luxurious dining experience, ask to be seated in the more traditionally decorated Front Room.  « hide 7. Amighetti’s Amighetti’s, St. Louis, is the ideal place if you crave authentic Italian cuisine with fresh ingredients. The unique taste and freshness will keep you coming back during your visit to St. Louis.  « hide 3. Thai Country Café Thai Country Café, St. Louis, gives college students and other diners large portions of their delicious menu items with affordable prices for lunch and dinner. The basic items have a great taste without having a lot of unknown ingredients that many restaurants experiment with.  « hide 8. Cunetto House of Pasta Cunetto House of Pasta, St. Louis, has been pleasing taste buds since 1972. The casual and friendly atmosphere provides spacious dining with quality ingredients. It has also won several awards and annually tops the list of best restaurants in the state.  « hide 4. Mama’s Coal Pot Bar-B-Que Mama’s Coal Pot Bar-B-Que, St. Louis, tastes as good as it sounds. The name of this popular restaurant says everything you need to know if you are looking for authentic southern-style cooking. The barbecue ribs are especially good, but you’ll want to go back to taste the other items.  « hide 9. Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas Guido’s Pizzaria and Topas, St. Louis, is the place to go for a family-oriented or a romantic meal. The restaurant offers a thick pizza with the freshest of ingredients couple with friendly service. Choose one of the restaurant’s wines or the sangria to top off your dining experience.  « hide 5. Hodak’s Hodak’s, St. Louis, is a small restaurant surrounded by industrial warehouses. This southern restaurant is normally crowded so you know it’s good. Order the fried chicken with a side of potato salad and baked beans for an authentic southern meal. Finish it off with a delicious slice of hot apple pie.  « hide

	St Louis Insider tips
	1. Beware of people trying to make a name for themselves Every year, there are many people who try to become famous for trying to do a stunt off of the Gateway Arch. There have been several incidents of adventurous people trying to climb the Arch using nothing more than suction cups or trying to skydive on to the top of it. If your plans include visiting the Gateway Arch, chances are that you will not see any of this happening as it is usually stopped before the stunts even start. It is also a rare occurrence. Just be aware that it does happen so you will not be afraid if you actually see it.  « hide 2. The epitome of the wrong side of town Many people make jokes about the dangers and lack of safety in East St. Louis. The jokes have more truth than you may think. East St. Louis is consistently rated in the top 10 most dangerous cities each year. Oftentimes, it is even within the top five. With the freeway system that runs through St. Louis, it is easy to make a wrong turn and end up in the wrong part of town. If you do, try to stay on the main streets as much as possible. Also, do not get out of your car unless you are in a well-populated and well-lit area.  « hide 3. Traffic issues often cause a problem in St. Louis As with any major metropolitan city, St. Louis also has its traffic issues. This is especially true during the rush hour times in the morning and the evening. Be weary of the traffic before and after area sports events, too. These can cause standstill traffic with the number of cars trying to exit and enter the roadways. Try to drive slowly and pay attention to everything that is happening around you to minimize your chance of getting into an accident.  « hide

	St Louis nightlife
	In St Louis 1. The Pepper Lounge With a strictly enforced dress code and upscale clientele, you will want to look your best if you decide to enjoy a night here. You will undoubtedly appreciate the good music and elegant atmosphere that surrounds you as well as the people who frequent this popular club.  « hide 2. Café Napoli This is one of the more popular electronica music bars in the Midwest. A faux cement bar, European vibe and velvet-covered benches add to the mystique and elegant feel of this nightclub. Bankers and lawyers frequent here to enjoy the variety of house specialties and appetizers.  « hide 3. Churchill’s With the variety of specialty martinis and pricey menu, this is the ideal spot for young professionals looking to make an impression. Visit the walk-in humidor or take a seat on one of the luxurious sofas or chairs.  « hide