Historic Neighborhoods
St. Louis is really a patchwork of small, distinct neighborhoods, most of them well over a century old. Here's where to start.
Central West End
A historic district since 1974, the CWE is known for grand Queen Anne and Romanesque Revival mansions along streets like Westminster Place. It's anchored by the mosaic-covered Cathedral Basilica and the Washington University Medical Campus — and it's walkable, leafy, and full of cafes.
Full neighborhood guide coming soon
Soulard
St. Louis' oldest neighborhood, settled in the 1790s and named for French surveyor Antoine Soulard. It's home to the Soulard Farmers Market — open since 1779 — and the country's second-largest Mardi Gras celebration outside New Orleans.
Full neighborhood guide coming soon
Forest Park
Bigger than New York's Central Park, Forest Park hosted the 1904 World's Fair. Today it's home to the St. Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and History Museum — all free — surrounding the Grand Basin.
Full neighborhood guide coming soon
Downtown & the Gateway Arch District
The 630-foot Gateway Arch, completed in 1965, anchors the riverfront. A few blocks in, the Old Courthouse hosted the 1846 Dred Scott case, and the towers of Union Station have welcomed travelers since 1894.
Full neighborhood guide coming soonEat, Drink & Explore Like a Local
St. Louis has its own food identity — most of it invented right here.
Soulard Farmers Market
One of the oldest public markets in the country, open since 1779. Fresh produce, meat counters, and local vendors under one historic roof in the Soulard neighborhood.
Toasted Ravioli
A St. Louis original — breaded, deep-fried ravioli said to have been invented on The Hill, the city's historic Italian neighborhood.
Gooey Butter Cake
Another St. Louis invention: a dense, sweet, butter-and-cream-cheese cake that shows up on menus and bakery counters across the city.
St. Louis–Style Pizza
Thin, cracker-style crust, cut into squares, topped with Provel cheese — a local style you won't find quite the same way anywhere else.
Frozen Custard
A St. Louis institution since the 1930s, with Ted Drewes on Route 66 among the most iconic stops for a "concrete."
Forest Park, Free
The Zoo, the Art Museum, and the History Museum inside Forest Park are all free to walk into — a rarity for a city this size.
A College Town, Too
Two major universities shape a lot of St. Louis travel — move-in weekends, White Coat ceremonies, graduations, and campus visits.
Washington University in St. Louis
WashU's main Danforth campus sits just west of Forest Park in Clayton, while its Medical Campus — alongside Barnes-Jewish Hospital — is right in the Central West End.
Saint Louis University
A Jesuit university in Midtown St. Louis and the oldest university west of the Mississippi River, built around its landmark Clock Tower and College Church.
What's Happening
Festivals, concerts, markets, and seasonal events across the city — maintained by St. Louis's official visitors bureau.
Explore St. Louis Events Calendar
The official, always-current calendar for festivals, live music, sports, and family events happening around St. Louis.
A few recurring favorites worth knowing by name: Soulard Mardi Gras (the nation's second-largest, every winter), and Fair Saint Louis, the city's Fourth of July celebration on the riverfront.
Where to Stay
If you need a place to stay while you're exploring — a few St. Louis rentals we manage directly, all bookable through Airbnb.