St Louis Downtown
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Downtown St Louis, bordered on the east by the Mississippi River and centered on its famous Arch, radiates for several blocks and is marked by a rich architectural tradition.
Related Attractions
Gateway Arch
The famous Gateway Arch has been the symbol of the St Louis since it opened in1965. At the top of this stainless steel arch is a viewing platform, which can be reached via elevators.
Laclede's Landing Historic District
Along the river to the north, between the Martin Luther King Memorial Bridge and the arched steel Eads Bridge (1869-74), is Laclede's Landing, an old port district with a number of old buildings that have been renovated and are now occupied by shops, offices and restaurants.
Market Street
Across the I 70, abreast the Gateway Arch, is the start of Market Street. The city's main street, it is lined by important buildings and, half way along, opens out into St Louis Memorial Plaza.
Busch Stadium
On the left-hand side is the gigantic rotunda of the Busch Stadium, which has seating for 50,000 spectators. The stadium is home to the St Louis Cardinals, the city's baseball team, whose history is documented in the St Louis Cardinal's Hall of Fame. The neighboring National Bowling Hall of Fame does the same for bowling. The city's second large sports arena, the Trans World Dome, home of the Rams football team, is situated further north.
City Hall
Farther along Market Street, on the left, is City Hall, which was modeled on the Hotel de Ville in Paris. There are some interesting buildings in the streets running north from Market Street. On 14th Street (corner of Chestnut St.) is the Soldiers Memorial Building, commemorating all fallen American soldiers. At the corner of 14th Street and Market Street is the Kiel Auditorium, which is used for congresses, trade fairs, exhibitions, opera performances and concerts.
Missouri Botanical Garden
2 mi. south-east of Forest Park is the large Tower Grove Park. On its north side, along Tower Grove Avenue, is the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden, also known as the Shaw Garden after the businessman and botanist Henry Shaw (1800-89) who laid it out in 1859. In the south-east part of the gardens are the richly appointed Tower Grove House, Henry Shaw's "garden house". The gardens themselves comprise a lovely rose garden, the rather unusual Climatron (erected 1960) for tropical plants, a Japanese Garden, an "aqua-tunnel" under a water-lily pool and a herbarium.
Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden
The Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden takes visitors through Missouri during the 1800s. Within the garden is a town with a general store, jail, village hall and surveyor's office. Special exhibits include the "Cave Experience" which is a man-made cave and a wetlands area that includes a steamboat.
City Museum
The City Museum is housed in a former shoe factory. Exhibits include an enchanted forest, giant aquarium, architectural museum, art activities, participatory circus, and museums of oddities.
Campbell House Museum
Built in 1851, this three-story townhouse has been accurately restored with its carriage house, rose garden, and gazebo, offers a showcase of Victorian furnishings and decorative arts. Campbell House Museum features original furnishings from the family who lived here from 1854 through 1938. The Campbell House Museum collection includes classic Rococo-Revival Victorian furniture, portraits, textiles, silver, gold-leaf frames and cornices, faux-grained woodwork, and other examples of decorative arts.
Union Station
Market Street ends at the fortress-like Union Station, once the largest railway station in the United States and now a shopping center. In Aloe Plaza, in front of the station, is a fountain by the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles (1875-1955), "Wedding of the Waters", with 14 bronze figures symbolizing the union of the Mississippi and the Missouri.
Scott Joplin House
Scott Joplin, the "father" of ragtime, lived at 2658 Delmar Street, St Louis (north-west of Union St.) from 1901 to 1903. The house is chock-a-block with memorabilia.
Eugene Field House & St Louis Toy Museum
This home was the birthplace and childhood home of children's poet Eugene Field. Antiques and collectible toys are displayed at the Eugene Field House and St Louis Toy Museum.
Science Center
The Science Center in the south-east corner of the park offers a hands-on exploration of science and technology, particularly absorbing for children. They will also enjoy the zoo.
Soldiers Memorial Military Museum
Soldiers' Memorial Military Museum is dedicated as a memorial to veterans, preserving a collection of military artifacts. Displays include firearms, photographs, uniforms, souvenirs, and other exhibits from St Louis military history.
Cardinals Hall of Fame
Over 100 years of the National League St. Louis Cardinals is presented at the Hall of Fame.
Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral was founded in 1823. It is the oldest Episcopal church west of the Mississippi River.
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