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There is so much to see and do in St Louis; you might find a tour a good idea to help get your bearings. Among the attractions are a well stocked zoo boasting more than 11,000 animals, a vast amusement park, and Missouri History Museum. There are many specialist museums exhibiting such diverse exhibitions ranging from protestant reformation through the holocaust to toys. There is also a science center and Botanical Gardens if your interest tends more toward science than humanities. The award winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is another must-see.
St Louis is not short on festivals. These events occur throughout the year; you could enjoy the Tree Festival, International Film Festival, or an orchid show in January held in the Botanic Gardens. If you are around for New Year, go no further than First Night Saint Louis & Riverfront Fireworks festival.
About St. Louis
As the "Gateway to the West", Saint Louis (frequently spelled St. Louis) became a manufacturing centre for everything a pioneer would need on his journey, such as saddles and guns, and it was here that Lewis and Clark stocked up with provisions for their famous expedition. Today, St. Louis is a modern, commercial, industrial and cultural centre. It is the biggest city in Missouri, one of the largest inland ports in the country, and the 19th largest city in the United States. St. Louis is named after Louis IX of France and is adjacent to, but not part of, Saint Louis County, Missouri.
Although a cosmopolitan river metropolis, reminders of its frontier history are in evidence throughout the city, most visibly by the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, better known as the Gateway Arch. Designed by Eero Saarinen, it represents the arched gateway to the historical America West. The Arch is the most recognizable structure of St. Louis, and as a 630 foot high graceful sweeping curve of stainless steel, it is the tallest manmade monument in the United States.
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