Attractions in St. Louis

     Nostalgic, history-infused attractions make up a large part of St. Louis's appeal. The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, with its three major sites, embodies just such attributes. The Gateway Arch symbolizes the role St. Louis played in the pioneers' journeys Westward. The arch was completed in 1965, and with installation of the tram system, visitors began riding to the top of architect Eero Saarinen's masterpiece for gorgeous panoramic views of the area. Exhibits relating to the construction of the arch and the history of St. Louis help pass the time as you wait to catch a tram. Beneath the arch lies the Museum of Westward Expansion. Here you'll discover a vast array of topics covering the history of the West. American Indians, explorers, Lewis and Clark's journey, buffalo hunters, miners and transportation are a selection of the stories told through artifacts and exhibits. Also on the grounds is the Old Courthouse, which holds a prominent place in American legal history as the site of the Dred Scott slavery trial and Virginia Minor's suffrage trial. Exhibits, dioramas and old courtrooms reflect a previous era in St. Louis.
     Although the Louisiana Purchase Exposition took place more than 100 years ago, it is still very much on the minds of locals and tourists. Better known as the 1904 World's Fair, the exposition was held inside Forest Park and welcomed 20 million people in its 7-month run. Today you can enjoy recreational activities as well as several attractions on the park grounds. One of these is the Jewel Box, a 50-foot tall conservatory in an Art Deco style, which radiates excitement with its magnificent floral displays. The exterior glass walls act as natural spotlights, showering the botanical arrangements with sunlight.
     If you're looking for great attractions, Forest Park offers four on its expansive grounds. Having served as the fine arts pavilion during the 1904 World's Fair, the St. Louis Art Museum remains a tribute to the exposition. The galleries include works by such artists as Edgar Degas, Hans Holbein, Claude Monet, Henry Moore, Jackson Pollock and Titian. The museum also preserves a large collection of pieces from ancient cultures. The St. Louis Zoo is home to more than 9,000 animals. The Flight Cage, a walk-through bird cage provided by the Smithsonian Institution as a 1904 fair exhibit, is a popular stop in the Historic Hill section. The Missouri History Museum houses an extraordinary amount of history items, including a permanent exhibit showcasing St. Louisans since the city's early days. You'll also find a replica of Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis." The St. Louis Science Center lets you explore exciting science topics, including architecture, airplanes and space travel. Interactive exhibits allow you to participate in practically a laboratory full of science experiments and demonstrations that teach the science concepts shaping our world.
     For a musical peek into the past, take a tour of the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site to learn about one of ragtime music's legends. Joplin moved into this house in 1900 and composed some of his pieces during his several years here. Exhibits tell his story and that of St. Louis when he was a resident. You may be thinking that you don't know any of Joplin's music, but if you remember the theme song to "The Sting," the 1973 classic starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, then you've heard Joplin's "The Entertainer." Listen to the player piano in the house to hear other ragtime tunes.
     A trip to Missouri Botanical Garden is sure to impress even non-botanists with its variety of exhibits and buildings. Garden founder Henry Shaw opened his garden, designed with both beauty and educational purposes in mind, in 1859. You can tour Shaw's Tower Grove House along with a variety of themed gardens. Climatron, a geodesic dome covering more than half an acre of land, introduces you to the plants, animals and landscape of tropical regions.
     St. Louis's Old Cathedral represents an even earlier part of the city's history. St. Louis founder Pierre Laclede designated the site of the present cathedral for a Catholic church, which was built in 1770. The original structures were mere log cabins; the current cathedral, built on a much grander scale, was completed in the early 1830s. You can visit the adjoining museum to view remnants from the church's early days.
     The following two tours reveal St. Louis history in very different ways, but both offer plenty of entertainment. A riverboat cruise on the Mississippi is a traditional part of visiting the city. Gateway Riverboat Cruises provide a relaxing trip on the river while offering insights into local history. Spectacular sights of the St. Louis skyline, with its glorious arch, are a memorable part of the journey. Anheuser-Busch Brewery tours also capture a traditional part of St. Louis and brewing history. As you discover the process required to produce Anheuser-Busch products, you'll learn about the founders and their legacy. A highlight is a tour of the Clydesdale stables and paddock.
     Holocaust Museum and Learning Center documents European Jewish traditions, Nazism, the horrors of the Holocaust and life for Jews after World War II. Oral histories preserve personal accounts of the survivors who eventually moved to St. Louis.
     Experience St. Louis military history by visiting two historical institutions. Jefferson Barracks Historic Park now covers many of the acres that once made up Jefferson Barracks. Established in 1826, the barracks have served as a supply post, a military training institution and a hospital. Thousands of veterans are buried in the national cemetery. Visit the 1857 powder magazine, now a museum with exhibits depicting the history of the area. To honor St. Louis veterans from past wars, visit the Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum, which is a tribute to fallen soldiers of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Courage, vision, loyalty and sacrifice--virtues attributed to soldiers--are depicted by statues at the entrance, and artifacts portray the city's military history from 1800 to the present.
     International Bowling Museum and Cardinals Hall of Fame chronicles the legends and histories of two popular pastimes. You'll see the beginnings of bowling as it existed in ancient Egypt, Europe and America. Dioramas and interactive exhibits help tell the sport's story. The Cardinals Hall of Fame remembers St. Louis's baseball teams--all three of them! Memorabilia from the American League St. Louis Browns, the National Negro League St. Louis Stars and the National League St. Louis Cardinals spotlight the city's love for the game since the 1880s.
     After you cross off some of St. Louis's attractions from your list, you may want to see two more attractions in the vicinity. Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka offers laughs and screams alike with such rides as Daffy Duck Airways; Batman The Ride; and Colossus, an 18-story Ferris Wheel. Another thrilling experience, but of a historical nature, is just across the Illinois border. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville consists of 2,200 acres of preserved American Indian tribal mounds built between roughly A.D. 900 and 1500. Though named for the Cahokia Indians who inhabited the area in the late 1600s, it is the Mississippian culture that was responsible for these massive constructions. Of the more than 120 original mounds, just over half remain.