St. Louis, Missouri, is known as the Gateway to the West, but it could also be known as the gateway to beer, blues, baseball and barbecue. But what you see today is far from what the city looked like in recent history.
In the 19th century, St. Louis was a hub for the railways heading West and for boats on the Mississippi, making it one of the most important cities in the Midwest in terms of wealth and power.
Since then, a wave of newcomers have revitalized the area and introduced great art, music, food and museums that make this city the energetic scene it is today. This weekend itinerary will showcase the best museums, dining, cocktails and music the city has to offer.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Check Out the Beer and Baseball
Even if you’ve not particularly familiar with St. Louis, there’s a good chance you’re familiar with the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. The company operates 12 breweries within the United States, as well as oodles more in other countries, though arguably its best known is Budweiser, which has been brewed in St. Louis since the 1850s.
Start your first day in St. Louis with a brewery tour there. The free tours dive in to the history of brewing, the brand and St. Louis while walking around the massive complex. And yes, you’ll get to see the famed Budweiser Clydesdales and get to sample some complimentary suds in the tasting room.
Next up, spend some time walking around Ballpark Village. It’s an entertainment plaza that’s seven city blocks long and includes the Cardinals Hall of Fame & Museum. Even if baseball isn’t your thing, it’s worth a visit to see the memorabilia for the city’s 11-time World Series champions. You can also take a facility tour — if it’s a game day, root for the home team at the stadium.
And just because one of the biggest brewing companies in the world is in St. Louis doesn’t mean that you can’t get something craft — there are more than 30 microbreweries in the area. Don’t miss 2nd Shift Brewing, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Side Project.
For dinner, some fun options include Blueberry Hill (they have collections of Pez dispensers, board games built into the table and a basement music venue called the Duck Room), Hi-Pointe Drive-in (where they make elevated versions of your typical drive-in fare) and Olio (a Mediterranean spot in a former filling station).
Saturday: Get Your Fill of Blues and Barbecue
When it comes to barbecue and blues, St. Louis can hold its own — today you’re going to find out what that means.
Start with the National Blues Museum just north of Gateway Arch National Park, a must-do for any music lover. Its exhibits explore how the blues have shaped American music and culture, and there’s a 100-seat theater where it’s frequently possible to catch a show.
For lunch, Roper’s Ribs is on the menu. The carryout restaurant has been open since 1976, hand-rubbing their meats with their signature spices and smoking it over hickory for 12 hours. They largely focus on ribs — beef, St. Louis-style spare ribs and baby back — but also have things like brisket and burnt ends.
Alternatively, another household name is Pappy’s Smokehouse. They do Memphis-style ribs, pulled pork, smoked chicken and beyond, always serving the sauce on the side.
From there, it’s time to walk it off at the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Local legends like Chuck Berry, Scott Joplin, Tina Turner and Miles Davis are immortalized with bronze stars on the sidewalk. You can also visit the Scott Joplin House, which is now a National Historic Landmark, even though he only lived there from 1900 to 1903.
If you’re not ‘cued out, Adam’s Smokehouse and Sugarfire Smokehouse are both good bets for places to visit before wrapping up the night at the Casa Loma Ballroom, a St. Louis dance hall where swing is still very much in style and live bands perform several nights a week.
Sunday: Do the Basics
There are some things you just have to do in St. Louis — the Gateway Arch is one of them. It’s not only the world’s tallest arch but also the tallest monument in the United States and St. Louis’ tallest accessible building. From the 630-foot-tall observation deck you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the city and about 30 miles of the Mississippi River.
Be sure to also visit the Museum at Gateway Arch, which shares the story of the Indigenous peoples, explorers and fortune seekers that have ties to the area.
You’re already on the bank of the Mighty Mississippi, so make the most of it with a riverboat cruise. There are loads of options, including sightseeing, dinner and specialty sailings, so choose the one that speaks to you. Some popular providers include Big Muddy Adventures and Riverboats at the Gateway Arch.
Keep the history tour going strong with a stop at the Old Courthouse. It was there that Virginia Minor fought for women’s right to vote, and you can take in four exhibits that show the trial in greater context. Another historical building is the Old Cathedral, which can be traced back to 1764, the same year St. Louis was founded. It’s actually the fourth church to stand on this site.
Even if you’re not usually a fan of museums, the City Museum is a must-do. Don’t be fooled by the name: It’s a giant playground, with more than 30 slides, a treehouse, a handful of plane wrecks, a circus ring, a pinball arcade, a bug room, art galleries and so much more.
For your last night in St. Louis, might we suggest dining at Nudo House (a Vietnamese institution whose pho has graced the cover of Food & Wine), Casa Don Alfonso (helmed by celebrated Italian restaurateur Mario Iaccarino), or the delightful Tiny Chef at the Silver Ballroom (a pinball bar with punk rock vibes that slings incredible Korean food).
Afterward, check out Planter’s House, Dressel’s Public House, the Pat Connolly Tavern or Pagan Wine Bar for your nightcap.
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