St. Louis
St. Louis City Overview
Nestled along the Mississippi River, St. Louis is an old rivertown that has transformed itself into high tech and high class. The downtown area has turned around for the better in the last 15 years with new restaurants and enterainment options. Helping to drive the revitalization is new Busch Stadium and the immediate surrounding area.
St. Louis likes to party and there is no shortage of neighborhoods to kick back and enjoy a great meal and a few adult beverages. There’s Soulard, the city’s oldest neighborhood about a mile directly south of downtown. About 5 minutes west of the city center on Interstate 40 is The Hill, an Italian enclave with some of the best restaurants in the country. Laclede’s Landing just north of downtown is filled with late night bars, while the Central West End district appeals to a slightly older and more mellow crowd.
No matter what you like to do, there’s something for you in St. Louis. Whether you’re single or traveling with a family, attractions are plentiful. Further, the city is crazy for their sports teams, particularly the Cardinals who play to regular sell outs.
The Neighborhood – Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is essentially an extension of downtown St. Louis, situated just a few blocks north and west. The area is being developed as Ballpark Village, with all sorts of retail and entertainment options nearby.
Downtown St. Louis has blossomed as an entertainment destination in recent years, with buildings rehabbed and residents and small businesses moving in. Just north along the Mississippi River is the Laclede’s Landing entertainment area, and our favorite St. Louis neighborhood, Soulard, is less than a mile south of the stadium. Many of the restaurants and bars in Soulard run shuttles to the game and it is our preferred way of getting to and from the stadium.
The Ballpark
New Busch Stadium opened in 2006 and has played to rave reviews ever since. Host of one World Series championship and the 2009 All Star Game in its short existence, this retro style ballpark affords a birds eye view of the St. Louis skyline a few blocks away.
Baseball fans have quickly come to love this park. Seating is comfortable and there are ample areas for shade from the inevitable St. Louis heat and humidity. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house and amenities are plentiful.
Ballpark Tours
Tours of Busch Stadium are offered daily during the baseball season at 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, and 2:00. In the offseason, tours are offered daily at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Cost is $10.
Historic Baseball Sites
The new version of Busch Stadium replaced the version which sat immediately adjacent from 1966 through 2005.
Through mid 1966 and prior, the Cardinals played their home games at Sportsmans Park, on St. Louis’ north side at the intersection of Grand and Dodier. Sportsmans Park was also home to the St. Louis Browns franchise before they transferred to Baltimore in 1954.
Currently, the Herbert Hoover Boys Club occupies the site of the old ballpark. A baseball diamond is on the same spot as the old playing field, and a plaque commemorating Sportsmans Park is available for viewing in the administration building on site.
Cardinals Tickets
The Cardinals are one of the more popular teams in baseball, and although you’ll often find tickets on the day of the game, it is wise to secure your seats in advance.
Public Transportation
St. Louis has a light rail system, MetroLink, which connects the airport to downtown and the St. Louis Zoo near the Central West End. MetroRail is particularly useful if you’re visiting the casino across the river in East St. Louis or are staying on the western edge of downtown near Union Station.
Otherwise, cabbing it is fine if you’re limiting yourself to the ballpark area, downtown, Laclede’s Landing, and Soulard. We always have a car since we enjoy exploring outlying areas and city neighborhoods like The Hill and Delmar.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
There’s no shortage of places to get your beer on in St. Louis. This is a brewery town, not just because of the Anheuser-Busch presence but due to strong German heritage roots and an appreciation for small specialty breweries and brewpubs. Here are a few spots we recommend …
Anheuser-Busch Brewery: Even if you don’t care for mass marketed beer, the St. Louis beer experience begins and ends here at the historic Anheuser-Busch Brewery. This is the original plant and the free tour should be on any visitor’s list. Tours are run continuously and you’ll get samples in the hospitality lounge afterwards. Interstate 55 and Arsenal St., St. Louis. Phone: 314-577-2626.
St. Louis Brewery and Taproom: Founded in 1991, this is St. Louis’ oldest brewpub. Actually it’s a working brewery and tasting room with food thrown in for good measure. A great spot to hit after the office crowds let out at 5 p.m. It’s on the western edge of downtown. 2100 Locust St., St. Louis. Phone: 314-241-2337.
Square One Brewery: This new brewpub in the historic LaFayette Square neighborhood is carving out its niche in the St. Louis beer scene. We like it because it’s close to downtown and the beers are bold and adventurous. 1727 Park Ave., St. Louis. Phone: 314-231-ALES.
Morgan Street Brewery: If you’re spending time in Laclede’s Landing, you’ll no doubt see the crowds descending upon Morgan Street Brewery. It’s popular not only for the house brewed beer and top notch pub food, but also as a late night gathering spot. 721 N. 2nd St., St. Louis. Phone: 314-231-9970.
Tin Can Tavern: Our newest favorite in St. Louis on the western edge of downtown near Union Station and a MetroRail stop. Whatever your beer pleasure, find it here, from $2 cans of Stroh’s or Stag to an extensive selection of domestic and imported craft beers on tap. A real beer lovers paradise. 1909 Locust St., St. Louis. Phone: 314-241-9330.
John D. McGurk’s: Minutes south of the ballpark is St. Louis’ oldest neighborhood, Soulard. There’s a great array of bars, restaurants, and taverns … everything you’d want for a night out. The neighborhood is jumping and McGurk’s is front and center. Mostly imports on tap and a fun crowd to share them with. 1200 Russell Blvd., St. Louis. Phone: 314-776-8309.
Cicero’s: West of downtown on Delmar Boulevard is a neighborhood called, appropriately enough, Delmar. It’s a three or four block stretch of shops, restaurants, and bars. One of the best is Cicero’s, which has probably the largest selection of draft and bottled beer in the area. This places takes their beer seriously … there are Beer School classes held weekly. 6691 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis. Phone: 314-862-0009.
Brandt’s Cafe: Another option along Delmar Boulevard is Brandt’s, a Belgian beer cafe that also offers great food and many other international beer selections. Spend an evening in these parts and stop in all the great places along Delmar. 6525 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis. Phone: 314-727-3663.
