Sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River, Saint Louis is famous as the birthplace of piano blues. The Great Plains city is brimming with history, culture and music. Whether you want to explore its quirky museums, eat your way through authentic barbecue joints or ride a paddle wheeler down Big Muddy, Saint Louis lives up to its reputation as the “Show Me State”.

Things to do

Rising almost 200 metres above the city, Gateway Arch is an iconic Saint Louis landmark. It was raised in 1965 and serves as the centrepiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. Ferris wheel-style pods whisk visitors to the top for sweeping city and Mississippi River views.

From Miles Davis to Chuck Berry, Saint Louis is a bucket-list destination for music lovers. The city is dotted with live music venues, as well as museums that pay tribute to local legends. The National Blues Museum is packed with music memorabilia, including original Chuck Berry outfits, a wall of gleaming harmonicas and guitars strummed by the legendary BB King.

For a taste of the deep South, don’t miss a meal at Pappy's Smokehouse. It’s celebrated as one of America’s best barbecue joints, serving up sticky ribs, tender pulled pork, crispy brisket, smoked turkey and famous sweet-potato fries.

Housed in an old shoe factory, the City Museum is one of Missouri’s top cultural attractions. The cavernous museum markets itself as a giant playground, with a host of interactive exhibits to explore. From a human-sized hamster wheel to a seven-storey slide, it pushes the boundaries of conventional museums.

Getting around

Saint Louis is serviced by an efficient network of local buses, as well as a light rail system that runs throughout the city centre. St Louis Lambert International Airport is around 20 kilometres north-west of the downtown area, with both the drive and the light rail trip taking around 30 minutes.