Here's Everything You Need To Know About Visiting St. Louis, Missouri, For The First Time

Because where else will you get to try St. Louis-style pizza?!

The Midwest often gets overlooked when booking travel in the USA, but it's full of underrated gems. Like St. Louis, Missouri — the next stop on your bucket list! (Trust us, you'll agree by the end of this article.)

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St. Louis is full of history, from its stunning churches to streets lined with brownstones all just waiting to be explored. That's why we've compiled the best places to stay, things to do, and foods to eat while you're there!

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If you're looking for a dose of that STL history but with some modern amenities, look no further than the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. An old train station turned hotel, you'll find sweeping archways and rooms touched with elegant decor.

Hilton / Jennifer Hughes

The huge beds here will have you sleeping like a baby after a day of exploring the city, especially since it's located right in the middle of all the action. In addition to this hotel's old world charm, you'll find the following perks:

Grand Hall: The elaborate lounge/lobby is the perfect entrance to this train station turned hotel. Don't miss out on the nightly light show projected onto the 65-foot ceiling — the perfect start to your evening in St. Louis.

Station Grille: What used to be a restaurant for train passengers coming through (or home to) St. Louis is now your next dining spot. Grab some local favorites, like toasted ravioli or pretzels, or fuel up at the breakfast buffet before you head out to explore the city.

Union Station Soda Fountain: Why not go super old-school and indulge your sweet tooth at the hotel's nostalgic dessert shop? Sip on milkshakes or root beer floats, or share a banana split with the all the works while taking in the retro vibes.

Address: 1820 Market St, St Louis, Missouri

Rooms starting at: $150+

Feeling blue? Or maybe seeing red? Whatever your mood, Angad Arts Hotel has got the room for you. They have rooms dedicated to specific colors and emotions that you can choose while booking — like a blue room meant to evoke tranquility.

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This boutique hotel sits smack in the middle of the arts district, which means not only are you getting art inside your hotel, but theaters and museums within walking distance. Some extra perks:

Angad Rainbow Terrace (ART): Nestled on the hotel's roof overlooking the city, this indoor/outdoor lounge offers views for days plus a menu of handcrafted cocktails. They also offer cocktails based on the room color you're in!

Angad Playroom: Time to play! Grab a guitar or tambourine and jam out, or sit down to your favorite board game. This activity room looks sophisticated, but is actually one of the most fun rooms in the hotel (which is saying a lot!).

Address: 3550 Samuel Shepard Dr, St. Louis, Missouri

Rooms starting at: $143+

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City Museum is definitely not your average museum; it's the kind of place where adults and kids alike can have the time of their lives. Built in a 100-year-old warehouse and filled with miles of tunnels and secret passages, this kooky museum showcases St. Louis' eclectic art vibe.

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Pro tip: Wear comfy clothes. You'll be climbing, sliding, and playing your way through these exhibits. Check out the 10-story spiral slide in the enchanted cave, the daily circus shows, and of course don't forget to take a ride on the rooftop Ferris wheel for some of the best views in town.

Promising Yelp review: "A paradise for children and adult children alike! This is one of the coolest places I have ever been. Secret tunnels everywhere you turn, a cave, too many slides to count, aquariums, and modern art. You could spend hours exploring every twist and turn of this place! Don't miss this if you are in St. Louis...this is a MUST SEE!" —Haley K.

Address: 750 N 16th St, St. Louis, Missouri

Tickets starting at $16 (free for kids under 2).

Sip on cocktails while admiring the funky decor at Venice Café. At first glance, the amount of knick knacks covering the walls (and ceiling) seems overwhelming, but upon closer look you'll find quirky art in every nook and cranny.

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Colorful lamps light the way through two floors of fun and live music. Each level has its own bar where you can find fairly standard drink choices — beer, wine, and liquor — but it's all super cheap. Plus, they often have local beer on tap!

Pro tip: Bring cash (or stop by the ATM in the front) because they don't take card.

Promising Yelp review: "Entering this place feels like you fell down the rabbit hole in Alice and Wonderland and landed in some crazy hippie's fever dream. And I mean that in the best way. There's something to look at in every nook and cranny. The live music is great and the prices are cheap. If you're in town, you have to go." —Leah S.

Address: 1903 Pestalozzi St, St. Louis, Missouri

If you've got hours to kill, Soulard Market is where to go. Established in 1779, you'll find stalls selling everything from homemade pastries to fresh flowers to St. Louis souvenirs.

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Open year-round, Wednesday through Sunday, this is the perfect place to get a sense of STL's local culture. Wednesdays will be less crowded, but Saturday is when the full market is open, turning it into a bustling weekend party.

Pro tip: Grab a famous Bloody Mary in the southwest wing to sip on as you browse.

Promising Yelp review: "This is a really fun, huge farmers market. It is indoor and outdoor, make sure you check out both! The outdoor areas are covered so you can still hang out in the rain. There are a ton of options — produce, meats, cheeses, spices, sauces, bakeries, you name it. Even mini donuts." —Audrey B.

Address: 730 Carroll St, St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis is the home of Budweiser, so if you're a beer lover (or just love cool experiences), you have to take a tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery.

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You'll get a behind-the-scenes look into the beer-making process, walk through the historic property, and even catch a glimpse of the famous Clydesdale stables. Oh, and of course there is plenty of beer tasting along the way.

Pro tip: Check out the Biergarten after your tour for even more tastings and food to soak it all up.

Promising Yelp review: "It takes you through each step of the beer making process (and gives you multiple samples of beer along the way). The last sample you take is from a tank of beer made that day. Literally the best Bud I have ever tasted. Definitely a great activity for friends or couples to do. Because it's a group you could also totally go alone and make some friends along the way." —Mia N.

Address: 1200 Lynch St, St. Louis, Missouri

The general tour is free, but tickets for the beer-making tour are $10+ for people over 21, $4 for those aged 3–20, and free for kids under 2.

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When you think of great food cities, St. Louis might not be top of the list, but it should be! Your first stop has to be to try a St. Louis-style pizza — you'll either love it or hate it.

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Stop by an Imo's Pizza where they've been making the city's signature pie since the '60s. It's certainly different than what you'll find in NYC or Chicago, but it has a unique flavor of its own.

Promising Yelp review: "Their pizzas have cracker-thin crust and they cut it into squares. Like someone mentioned before — it's almost got the texture of nachos but the flavor of heavenly pizza. The real magic, though, is in that provel cheese. It's insane how creamy and delicious that provel cheese is, so do yourself a favor — give them a call, grab the largest pie imaginable, add extra provel, and thank me later." —Matt H.

Address: Multiple in St. Louis

Want to know where the locals and tourists are eating? Look no further than Pappy's Smokehouse, a legendary BBQ joint that sells out faster than you can say "ribs, please!"

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With lines out the door that usually start well before opening, this is the spot for great barbecue in STL. Try their melt-in-your-mouth ribs fresh from the smoker and of course their variety of homemade sauces.

Promising Yelp review: "Pappy's has the best ribs I have ever had! In fact, I would say their ribs are perfect, which I rarely say about anyone's food. First off, the meat is unbelievably juicy inside and falls off the bone. The outside is crispy and caramelized to bring out more flavor without affecting the meat. To really understand how it is, you just have to try it." —Jeremy H.

Address: 3106 Olive St, St. Louis, Missouri

Take a stroll to The Hill, St. Louis' bustling Italian neighborhood and dine at Anthonino's Taverna, a Greek/Italian restaurant that fuses old-world Italy with modern cuisine.

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Order plate upon plate of carbonara, puttanesca, and tortellini, but also don't forget to indulge in some of their t-ravs (or toasted ravioli, to us non-locals) with a side of fresh marinara sauce.

Promising Yelp review: "It's weird I've lived in the Lou for so long and had never been here! It definitely lived up to the hype. This place is just straightforward scrumptiousness. The pasta was beautifully cooked and comfort food perfection. The service was excellent, the ambience is unpretentious and cozy, and I'm now a serious fan. I'll be back ASAP!" —Johanna B.

Address: 2225 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, Missouri

Craving something sweet? Head down iconic Route 66 to find Ted Drewes Frozen Custard where you can grab one of their famous concretes. It's basically ice cream, but dare we say...better?

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This little stand usually has huge crowds outside, but don't worry — they go by fast! Their concretes are made up of thick frozen custard mixed with whatever your heart desires (think fresh fruits, candy, baked goods, and more).

Promising Yelp review: "It's a good thing I don't live around here, otherwise I would be here every day after a meal. The frozen custard here is just simply delicious. The service is quick and the prices are reasonable. They have lots of combinations that you can choose from. I'm just disappointed that I can't taste all the flavors." —Charlie T.

Address: 6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109

If drunchies or a hangover cure are what you need after a night painting STL red, head over to Courtesy Diner for a truly Midwestern meal: the slinger.

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It's made up of a bed of eggs and hash browns topped with a hamburger patty and chili, plus a generous serving of onions and cheese. Of course, they also have other classic diner food, but can you think of anything more comforting than this?

Promising Yelp review: "I've been here like 12 times since I wrote this review because Courtesy fills a niche and it fills it exceptionally well. The patty melt fills a hole in my soul. Give me your drunk, your hungover, your huddled masses yearning for a snack after a Wednesday night at T's. Everyone is welcome at Courtesy." —Ethan J.

Address: Multiple in St. Louis

And with that, I leave you to start planning your trip to St. Louis — using this as a guide, of course. Happy traveling!

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Note: The reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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