I Visited St. Louis For The First Time—Here's What I Didn't Expect

The Gateway Arch

Did you know you can go inside the Gateway Arch? The Gateway Arch is an iconic structure in St. Louis and it stands at 630 ft tall. Due to its thin appearance, one may think that going inside isn’t a possibility. However, they would be wrong.

I was surprised to learn that we were not only going inside, but we were going to the top. The process of going up was quite interesting. We all lined up at these doors that looked like they led to a tunnel. However, it was a tram ride. Because it was so small inside, the max number of people in each tram ride was five. Once we reached the top, we got to take in incredible views of the city.

Music At The Intersection Festival & Conference

St. Louis has always played a major role in Black music history. While Nelly has been credited for bringing the St. Louis music scene, particularly hip-hop, to the forefront, the city has also contributed to jazz, blues and rock and roll. Other renowned artists that called “The Gateway City” home are Tina Turner, Josephine Baker, Chuck Berry, and Miles Davis.

So it's no surprise that there’s a music festival that celebrates all the sounds of the city and the artists that were influenced by it. Over the weekend, Music at the Intersection (MATI) held its fifth annual festival in the Grand Center Arts District. This year’s lineup featured legendary artists Patti LaBelle and Common & Pete Rock as the headliners.

Other performers were Lucky Daye, Leon Thomas, De La Soul, Leela James, Branford Marsalis, and The S.O.S. Band.

“T-Rav” is A St. Louis Delicacy

St. Louis has an eclectic food scene. During my time there, I enjoyed fine dining establishments like Esca, a Balkan brunch spot, Telva at the Ridge, and a Black-owned southern eatery, Little Lucy. At Little Lucy, I tried the city’s signature dish, T-rav, which is shortened for toasted ravioli. It made for a delicious appetizer and I would recommend anyone visiting for the first time to try it.

Something else I learned was that St. Louis is known to have some of the best Chinese food and they have their own St. Louis-style pizza.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to a Chinese or pizza joint during my trip, but I plan to make that my first couple of stops next time I visit.

Most Museums & Art Galleries Are Free

One thing that I really liked learning about the city is that they offer free entry to most museums and art galleries. The Gateway Arch’s museum is free to enter as well as the Saint Louis Art Museum and even the Saint Louis Zoo. It makes you think, why can’t other cities follow suit?

I got to take in some incredible art at the Saint Louis Art Museum, which also has the lovely restaurant, Panorama, where I had a tasty brunch. While not free, City Museum is a great family-friendly attraction that features caves, mazes, and a mini aquarium.

If you’re looking for an artsy hotel, then look no further than Angad Arts Hotel. During my stay, I enjoyed the art that was displayed throughout the hotel. Each floor had a signature color. My floor was green and so was my room, including matching green furniture. I thought it was very innovative and chic. But one of my favorite areas of the hotel was the rooftop bar, which overlooked the city.

Forest Park Rivals NYC’s Central Park

The city’s major park, Forest Park, is actually larger than New York City’s Central Park, approximately 500 acres larger to be exact. It’s home to museums, the zoo, and lots of trails for walking and biking. There’s tennis courts, golf courses, and a beautiful boathouse where you can rent paddle boats and canoes.

I spent a little time near the boathouse, just to take pictures mostly, but it was an amazing view of the Saint Louis Museum at the top of the hill with the water below. There were also stately homes surrounding the property that only added to the scenic park’s ambiance.

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