Seating up to 4500, this venue is a historical landmark as well as an events hall. Originally one of the most extravagant of William Fox's theaters, this facility was privately restored in 1981. Past productions have included Les Misérables, Parsons Dance Company, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. View the wall of famous signatures, the 5,000-pound chandelier in the auditorium and the gilded throne chairs in the lobby. Tours are also available of this magnificent cultural space on select days.
The Saint Louis Art Museum is the perfect place for discerning travelers looking to witness superlative artistic creations. Peruse the largest collection of artwork that the city has to offer and flit from exhibit to exhibit viewing exemplary sculptures and skillful paintings. From Impressionistic to Modern art, this museum boasts styles of artwork from all around the world. Art connoisseurs are sure to be delighted with the exhaustive range here, spanning several centuries and more. When in the city, the Saint Louis Art Museum is a must-visit spot for art aficionados.
Completed in October 1965 the Gateway Arch was designed to last 1,000 years. The Arch was built to represent Thomas Jefferson's dream of a United States that stretched from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coast. At a spectacular 630 feet (192 meters), the monumental structure features a stainless steel facade that represents the city's legacy as the Gateway to the West. A tram zips to the top of the monument and one can see 360-degree views for 30 miles (48 kilometers) around the city. The Arch stands within the larger Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and is a testament to American engineering at its finest.
Opened in 1918, hundreds of big-name have graced this stage, adding to the Muny's rich and prestigious history Of the 11000 seats, more than 1,600 are free for every performance. Guests can also take advantage of group discounts and complimentary backstage tours. The theatre offers signed performances for the hearing impaired on Monday evenings and provides listening devices for every show.
The exhibits at the Old Courthouse, most of which are actual models or historic items rather than mere text or photographs, date back to 1764, at which time the St. Louis region was a French fur trading port. Other exhibits come from eras ranging from colonial times on up to the 20th century. The Old Courthouse served as an actual courthouse from the mid-19th century up until 1930.
Located in a former shoe-manufacturing warehouse, this eccentric museum and adventure park has something for both the young and the young-at-heart. With multiple floors of fascinating, educational and fun-filled rooms, it is one of the best downtown attractions. The museum is run by a group of artists and professionals who have done a splendid job of curating an awe-inspiring array of exhibits. Using repurposed pieces of old cities, the makers have built exhilarating slides and grand castles. Feel the authenticity of the multilevel enchanted caves, the architectural museum, a giant aquarium and so much more at the unique City Museum.
The Union Avenue Christian Church is a beautiful church which is remarkable both for its beautiful architecture and for its cultural programs. The beautiful rose window, arched entryway, mullioned, stained-glass windows and tall bell tower make this church a sight worth seeing in itself. That's not all, however, as the church is also home to the Union Avenue Opera, an organization which is led by the music director of the church and which organizes regular opera performances at this church.
This three-story, 42-room estate cost half a million dollars when it was built by successful St. Louis businessman Samuel Cupples in 1889. The purple sandstone mansion features elaborate Romanesque architecture and boasts 22 fireplaces, five centuries of fine art, finely curved woodwork and some of the home's original furniture. Tours of the historic Samuel Cupples House, which was donated to St. Louis University in 1942, are conducted Tuesday through Saturday. Special tours in foreign languages and for the hearing or sight impaired can be prearranged by telephone. The mansion is closed during the month of January.
Aviation fans of all ages will enjoy a tour of this history-of-flight museum located at Boeing's headquarters in St. Louis. Several decades of aviation history finds representation here with an assortment of exhibits, including cloth models, bi-planes, spaceships and everything in between. Scale models of the F-15 Eagle, Apache helicopters, military transports and the president's Air Force One also lure discerning tourists here. Additionally, there are life-size replicas of the Gemini and Mercury spacecraft that launched the U.S. space exploration program. An unending marvel of aviation history awaits you at the James S. McDonnell Prologue Room.
Seating up to 4500, this venue is a historical landmark as well as an events hall. Originally one of the most extravagant of William Fox's theaters, this facility was privately restored in 1981. Past productions have included Les Misérables, Parsons Dance Company, and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. View the wall of famous signatures, the 5,000-pound chandelier in the auditorium and the gilded throne chairs in the lobby. Tours are also available of this magnificent cultural space on select days.
This trail provides a scenic way for people to exercise or get around downtown. Whether you're on foot, bike, or skates, you'll enjoy the tree lined paths and pedestrian bridges this trail provides. The trail is built over the site of abandoned train tracks that used to serve the city. The tracks were rediscovered in 1983, spurring the creation of the trail.
As one of the few remaining free zoos in the United States and the third largest, the St. Louis Zoo is a day full of discovery and exploration. Open year-round, this spacious zoo offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with many of the animals. Some areas of the zoo do require an entrance fee such as the Sea Lion Show, Children's Petting Zoo area, Safari Tours, and Stingray Encounter at Caribbean Cove.