St. Louis: What part of the city should we stay in?

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It looks like we’re going to end up in St. Louis over spring break and this is a new city for us that I know nothing about.

I’m trying to zero in on what part of the city we want to stay in and wondered if anyone would recommend one area over another. I know we will definitely visit the arch and likely City Museum, so I’ve considered staying downtown. We will also head to the WashU campus one day for a visit with a former student of my husband’s and are interested in the art museum and the zoo in Forest Park, so I’ve also wondered if we should stay around this area.

We will have a car but we tend to prefer leaving the car and walking as much as possible when we travel (though just looking at a map, I’m guessing we’ll be doing a bit more driving than we normally do). What part of the city would you recommend to focus on when finding a hotel? Are there any particular safety issues I should be aware of (i.e. if we stay downtown, what’s it like walking around at night, etc.)

Any must dos that we should add to our list? We are a pretty nerdy family that loves museums, history, animals, bookstores, and good restaurants.

Thanks in advance!

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I would look for a hotel in Clayton, or Brentwood . These are near WashU & Forest Park which along with the 2 amazing museums and zoo, has a planetarium/IMAX, and golf course.

There are many great restaurants in these areas as well as in the Central West End/in the loop. The aquarium downtown is also cool as is the botanical garden (maybe too early for this). I would choose this area over staying downtown as I have not experienced downtown at night and not sure on safety at night issue.

My daughter goes to WashU and we love the campus. It is nice just to walk the campus/south 40, although they are starting a major construction project in the middle of campus which is a bit of a eyesore currently.
On campus at the library you can see one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independance, visit the Kempler Art gallery, and the athletic field was the site of the 1904 Olympics (first in western hemisphere).

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I would stay downtown - any of the major chains - and check out the baseball park if you like baseball - the monument park is awesome. It’s there even out of season.

I highly recommend Rooster for breakfast. We each had a meal and shared a crepe which was FANTASTIC.

Enjoy.

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I would personally stay in the Central West End. There are several nice hotels there. And many good restaurants. You can take a short train downtown from there.

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I would stay in Central West End as well. Great restaurants there but my favorite place to eat is on the hill for amazing Italian food. Antonino’s is my favorite! As others have said, the zoo and botanical gardens are worth a visit. The City Museum is awesome too. Don’t think you’ll be there for baseball season but going to a game there is fun too.

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You may want to make time for a visit to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site while you’re in the area. Update: just checked and evidently a lot of exhibits will be closed in 2025 so maybe not!

Do not recommend staying on the east side of St. Louis (Illinois).

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H and I lived in University City (a long time ago) and still have friends (they were in our wedding) who live there; we visit them at least once every other year. I’d stay in the Central West End. It’s close to Wash U. and more interesting IMO than Clayton.

My favorite places to visit: Missouri Botanical Garden, Forest Park and the St. Louis Art Museum. Also, The Hill is an area with Italian restaurants and also Volpi (an Italian grocery store). Also, The Loop in University City has interesting shops.

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I 2nd the recs for Botanical Garden and the Art Museum. Forest Park itself is a little less “walk-y” than some parks, but you can walk down the big hill that sits directly in front of the Art Museum (called, surprisingly enough, “Art Hill”), and then meander around the big pond/lake there. The Zoo is fantastic and directly next to the Art Museum. Science Center is more young kid-oriented (I’d say 11 and under). History Museum (also in Forest Park) is decent, if you’re into that sort of thing (but falls below Zoo, Art Museum, Botanical Garden in my rankings).

Arch is ok, and sure, take the funky elevator to the top, especially if it’s a clear day. The old courthouse sits basically 2 blocks from the Arch and has a good display on the Dredd Scott decision. The “Old Cathedral” is maybe 1 block from the Arch and is interesting. The “New Cathedral” is much more grand, and is in the Central West End and also interesting.

It won’t be baseball season, so IMO, Busch Stadium (home of the Cardinals), would be “meh”. Anheuser-Busch brewery tour is fun. Also, Grant’s Farm (with a big connection to the Busch family/brewery) is interesting and not TOO far from the core areas you’ll be in (driving, not walking). If you’re an outdoorsy-art type, Laumeier Sculpture garden is kinda interesting.

If you’re visiting Wash U, walk/drive a bit north to “The Loop” - shopping/restaurant corridor along Delmar a few blocks north of Wash U. I recommend “Salt And Smoke” (barbeque restaurant).

If you’re into theater and there’s something interesting playing, the Fabulous Fox Theater is a neat (professional) venue. More in the summertime (likely after your visit), the Muny in Forest Park is also good. And there may be student productions at Wash U. The Reportory is a smaller theater but I saw one nice (professional) show there a while back.

If you want high-end shopping, Plaza Frontenac is an interesting, small-ish mall.

Outside of your target area, but not too far, is the Italian neighborhood - “The Hill”, with some good restaurants.

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As far as walking goes, you can probably walk from a hotel in the Central West End to anything in Forest Park or to Wash U or the Loop (though it might be a fair distance - 1.5+ miles). The Loop has at least one hotel, and Clayton, basically on the far side of Wash U from CWE, also has hotels (though Clayton itself is less interesting, IMO).

From downtown, you’d have to drive most places outside of downtown, but then again, you’ll likely be driving some anyways.

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Busch Stadium is ALWAYS great if you’re a fan - the monuments. And the Arch is interesting and awesome :slight_smile:

All this depends on OP’s interests of course.

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Also if you go to the Botanical Garden and its a nice day and you’re in a walking mood:

The Botanical Garden abuts Tower Grove Park (albeit the entrance and parking area of the former is on the North Side of the Garden, whereas TG Park is south of the Garden, but it’s not far).

Tower Grove Park is a pretty nice walking park - nicer than Forest Park, IMO.

Coming from where the two intersect (North side of TG Park, a little Wast of the E/W center), walk East-ish, past the neat lagoon area, and meander generally Southeast to the Southeast corner of the park, where Arsenal meets Grand. Then walk south on Grand avenue up to about 4 blocks - it’s a neat funk urban environment with lots of interesting international restaurants and some light shopping. My favorite international restaurant there closed, sadly (Natasha’s), but there’s a neat hot dog restaurant about 2 blocks south of Tower Grove Park, plus some other stuff that might appeal.

Also, not sure if this is open during spring break timeframe, but there’s a nice Farmer’s Market on Saturdays in Tower Grove Park during the warm months.

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We loved Balkan Treat Box, and Ted Drewes frozen custard is a must. I was underwhelmed by IMO’s Pizza and the Provel cheese that is a key component - maybe you have to be born in St. Louis to appreciate it.

Nathaniel Reid bakery is worth the short drive to Kirkwood, and Songbird was delicious for a more substantial breakfast. If you’re at the art museum around lunchtime, Panorama (inside the museum) makes for a great break with wonderful views.

My husband had a blast at the City Museum (I was getting my needlepoint fix at The Needlepoint Clubhouse).

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Many good suggestions here for things to do. We also enjoy going to Soulard for some enjoyable restaurants and bars. Particularly enjoy McGurks!
I would NEVER stay downtown!

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I second Balkan Treat Box- it’s an order at the counter place, but it was great! We also love Cate Zone Chinese… sizzling eggplant is delicious! 21C hotel in downtown was very nice.

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Thank you everyone!! These suggestions and the feedback are all fantastic and super helpful!!

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I suggest either at this place, or somewhere close to it – the location is superb. It is close to:

  • WashU
  • The zoo
  • The Hill (very good Italian food)

Inside the Cheshire itself is a fun little dimly lit English-style pub called Fox & Hounds – great for a bite, a beer, or a book. There is hunting artwork, chessboards for tables, and really comfortable seating.

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I would say Central West End or Clayton. I feel like downtown is kind of dead. Definitely visit the zoo. The STL City Soccer games are fun if they are in town. I live here and I’ve never been up in the Arch. lol Let me know if you need restaurant recommendations.

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The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta Hotel is a nice place to stay in the Central West End. You can walk from there to many restaurants, & a cute small grocery store with an amazing deli/bakery. There are some less expensive but still very nice options in Clayton/Brentwood/University City, but this area not quite as walkable.

If you enjoy hockey, the St Louis Blues games are super fun. If you enjoy high end shopping, just to the west of the city is Creve Coeur, a beautiful suburb with some great stores. Also in Brentwood is my favorite luxury resale store The Vault. Have a wonderful trip!

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That pub looks super cute! We used to live in England so that is right up our alley!

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Thanks for the soccer tip! We may be there when they’re at home and will try to check out a game, if so!

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