Sometimes we can find ourselves in an amazing place with only a limited amount of time. That means we have to be organized and decide on what we want to do, see, and eat beforehand, so we can fit it all in. With this in mind check out my 24-hour guide below to River City, so called because of its location on the Mississippi River.
Arrival
The best thing to do when arriving in any city when you first arrive is to get your bearings and drop your luggage off at the place you will be staying. This allows you to travel light for the rest of the day, and it helps you to work out how far you are, and how easy it is to get from your accommodation to the rest of things you want to do.
The choice of accommodation in St Louis is incredibly varied, and you can choose from city hotels and Airbnb apartments to more rustic locals like log cabins on the outskirts of the city. Although, for a US city break it’s best to pick something central, so you are close to all of the action.
Food
Once you have dropped off your baggage, it is to go and sample some of the food you’ve been reading about, right away. For those seeking breakfast, a trip to Rooster if you are near Locust street is always a good idea. There they serve crepes with German sausage, spiced apple, and cheddar, or you can treat yourself to a hearty Rooster Slinger Biscuit with sausage, eggs, potatoes, and gravy. As that is bound to set you up for a good day’s worth of exploring.
If it’s lunch you’re after, you should try Crown Candy Kitchen, serving up retro American Treats on St Louis Ave. An alternative to which is a stop at Blues City Deli if you are looking for a quick bite, before resuming your tour of the city.
The selection of evening meals in St Louis is pretty diverse, as you would expect from a city this size. Although, if you only have time to try one place, go for Capitalist Pig at Mad Art Gallery. An old renovated prison serving authentic St Louis BBQ.
Fun
As you are in River City, one of the first things on your itinerary should be head on over to the Mississippi and take a ride on a paddle steamer. You can get some great views of the Gateway Arch this way, as well as the surrounding landscape.
After which, you may choose to tour the cultural sites of the city. Including the many museums and historical sites like the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Another option is to head just outside of the city and check out The Hermann Wine Trail, located in beautiful countryside. There you can learn about the winemaking process, and experience some fabulous hospitality and sample the wine (21s and over). It also provides a contrast to the hustle and busy of the city for a few hours.
Then once the fun is over, it’s back to your accommodation to get a good night’s rest. So you can be on your way the next day.
