Downtown
Downtown St. Louis has seen a surge of investment in recent years, as new and revitalized attractions have joined the iconic Gateway Arch and incomparable City Museum. Located beside Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village is an entertainment destination with restaurants, bars, and a 65-foot LED screen. Near The Dome at America’s Center, the National Blues Museum brings St. Louis’ rich musical heritage to life. In Downtown West, Union Station houses the St. Louis Aquarium, 200-foot-tall St. Louis Wheel, and The Pitch—a perfect preamble to a match at CITYPARK, the home of St. Louis’ Major League Soccer team, CITY SC. Amid all this development, downtown still offers green space, including the recently renovated Citygarden and in-progress Brickline Greenway.
South Grand
Situated beside Tower Grove Park— with its picturesque pavilions, bustling farmers market, and annual Festival of Nations—South Grand is a true melting pot. It’s possible to eat your way around the world without leaving the business district, which has such restaurants as The Vine Cafe and Market (Lebanese), Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant (Ethiopian), and Sheesh Restaurant (Turkish). Farther north are even more additions to the entertainment scene (City Foundry STL, Topgolf, the Neon Museum of St. Louis), residential and retail developments (The Edwin on Grand, complete with a brand-new Target), and the state-of-the-art SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.
Central West End
Among the metro area’s most cosmopolitan neighborhoods, the CWE offers something for everyone. Its roots date back to the late 1800s, but it still feels contemporary and buzzy. (Just look to the historic Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza St. Louis, situated across the street from the uber-modern One Hundred Above the Park.) Among the restaurants: the acclaimed Vicia, French-inspired Brasserie by Niche, and Yellowbelly. After dinner, enjoy drinks at Maryland House or Brennan’s. There’s also an abundance of retail, including longtime staple Left Bank Books, elegant home stores along McPherson, and new options at Maryland Plaza. That’s not to mention gathering places for some of St. Louis’ top minds: the Cortex Innovation Community, Washington University’s medical campus, and the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Cherokee Street
Artists and retailers converge on Cherokee. Cherokee Antique Row is a six-block string of shops specializing in used goods, clothing, and more. Cherokee is also teeming with more shopping options, as well as restaurants, bars, and breweries: La Vallesana, Bluewood Brewing, The Mud House, Fortune Teller Bar, and Yaqui’s, to name a few. The district also plays host to popular festivals throughout the year, including a Cinco de Mayo celebration unlike any other and the Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl.
Delmar Loop + Delmar Maker District
The Delmar Loop is a must for music fans. Catch a show at The Pageant, Delmar Hall, or The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill (the former stomping grounds of the late Chuck Berry, the father of rock ‘n’ roll, whose statue graces the St. Louis Walk of Fame). Prefer to be the star of the show? Belt out your favorite songs at W Karaoke Lounge. The Loop boasts an eclectic mix of restaurants and retail spaces, and farther east, a new hub for creativity and culinary offerings is taking shape at the Delmar Maker District, home to restaurants, artist and maker spaces, and more.
Clayton
The seat of St. Louis County, Clayton is a bustling business hub where some of the region’s largest companies are located, including Centene and Enterprise Holdings. For post-work dinner and drinks, there’s no shortage of upscale options: Tony’s, Casa Don Alfonso, and The Crossing among them. Just beyond downtown Clayton, Wydown is one of the metro area’s hottest culinary blocks, with Wright’s Tavern, Bar Moro, Akar, and more, while DeMun is likewise perpetually packed; check out Louie, Sasha’s Wine Bar, and more.
Maplewood
Centrally located Maplewood is a crowd-pleaser. Side Project Brewing has multiple options for beer lovers—at its cellar, brewery, and patio—as does Schlafly Bottleworks. Popular restaurants include Acero, Asador del Sur, and Living Room Coffee & Kitchen. Savor some sweets from Kakao Chocolate, then swing by Maven for candles, soaps, and home goods. Don’t miss such anticipated festivals as Let Them Eat Art, Taste of Maplewood, and Art Outside.
Webster Groves + Kirkwood
While these suburbs may have a fierce high school football rivalry, they also have a lot in common. Both are dotted with charming parks, historic residences, and bustling businesses. Webster Groves boasts many beloved restaurants (Olive + Oak, Balkan Treat Box, Half Pint at The Annex, to name a few), shops (Civil Alchemy, The Novel Neighbor), and The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts (home to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Likewise, Kirkwood has loads of excellent places to eat (Billy G’s, One 19 North, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Peacemaker), stores (Alpine Shop, Blush Boutique, Christopher’s), and the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center.
Florissant
Florissant is among Missouri’s oldest settlements; even its name comes from French settlers who called it fleurissant, or “blooming.” Today, the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine still stands in the heart of the city, and Old Town Florissant offers inviting shops and dining spots. The family-owned Hendel’s restaurant is housed in a former grocery store that dates to 1873. Enjoy sweets at Old Town Donuts or Made. by Lia craft bakery, as well as a beer at Narrow Gauge Brewing. Florissant also hosts a range of popular fairs and fests, including the Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival, the Valley of Flowers, and classic holiday gatherings.
St. Charles
The region’s rich history comes to life in St. Charles. Stop at the Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum, and then stroll Main Street’s historic sites, including the state’s first capitol. The street is also lined with charming shops and restaurants, such as the acclaimed Jalea, Schlafly Bankside, and The Main House. Farther south, visitors flock to Ameristar Casino and the mixed-use development Streets of St. Charles. And even more is in the works: The ambitious 325-acre Riverpointe project is now under construction along the Missouri River.
Belleville
Belleville’s Main Street stretches more than 9 miles, and it’s where you can find the heart of the business district, which hosts the annual Art on the Square, consistently ranked among the top art shows in the nation. Belleville’s downtown also hosts the Old Town Farmers’ Market and offers an assortment of inviting restaurants. Be sure to visit beloved institutions Eckert’s and the Skyview Drive-In.
