Original Article By: Forbes
Because our country is so big today, people forget the wild history of westward expansion that spurred out of St. Louis in the 19th century.
Lewis & Clark set off on their epic voyage of discovery from “The Lou” in 1804, and not long after, its waterfront became a hub of riverboat commerce on the Mississippi River. A few decades later, wagon trains and railroads arrived in St. Louis. Together, these eras shaped the country, connecting the north and south and pushing the American border west.
But they also shaped the city. A visit to St. Louis today offers the chance to revisit these eras in American history, and to see how its food, art, and music scenes have been shaped by influences from the south, arriving slowly but surely on the riverboats.
St. Louis is a forgotten place in a way. In fact, it has long been on lists of the most underrated cities in America. Back in 2016, Thrillist called St. Louis the “most overlooked city in America.”
Perhaps the low-profile is due to the humility of its mid-west residents, who are easily approachable and nice, even when you’re wearing the wrong jersey at Busch Stadium. Or maybe it’s because of the city’s location, far from the coasts.
No matter, the secrets of St. Louis, like they always have, await those who pass through.
The ‘Gateway to the West’
The Arch represents the historical significance of St. Louis as the “Gateway to the West.” Its official name is Gateway Arch National Park, erected in the 1960s to celebrate “the diverse people who shaped the region and the country.”
Indeed, many types passed through St. Louis during the 19th century, a mix of characters traveling by river boat, wagon, and railroad. The Arch symbolizes these journeys and the role each played in making St. Louis a booming and interesting place to be, a launching point for voyages west.
Spend time downstairs in the large museum to learn about what life was like on this American frontier, and I definitely recommend taking the tram to the top for a wonderful view of the city and a look at the inner workings of the Arch.
Don’t miss out on some time underneath it outside—it truly is a work of art, the light of day always changing its complexion. Walk north into the adjacent park for a different vantage point.
At dusk, sit in one of the lawns surrounding the Arch and watch the evening lights come on. It may not be the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but it’s pretty dang close. The Arch is the tallest monument in America at 630 feet.
The Steamboat Era Sparked the City’s Growth
By the time the wagon trains and railroads were launching west from St. Louis in the mid-1800s, the steamboat era had already shaped the city in major ways.
Starting in 1817, St. Louis served as the northernmost hub for riverboats, and the city grew fast. By 1850, it was the second largest port in America, a remarkable fact considering it’s nowhere near the ocean.
You can catch an informative and scenic river boat cruise from the docks on the river adjacent to the Arch, which will pass on some of the history and provide views of the Arch from the water. Check the timetable and plan to go immediately following your visit to the Arch for efficiency’s sake.
For a closer and more adventurous look at the Mighty Mississippi, head out on a guided canoe trip.
St. Louis Has a Creole Influence in its Food and Music
Commercial traffic on the Mississippi River connected St. Louis to the south, most notably New Orleans, which was and still is one of America’s largest ports. Flatboats would cruise the Mississippi River between the two cities, sparking an exchange of goods and ideas that traveled up and down the river.
“We definitely have strong French and southern influence from our past river city connections,” said Chris Hansen, Executive Director of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation. “Our music and cuisines were heavily influenced by the Delta.”
The Kranzberg Arts Foundation is an organization that facilitates “artistic venues, studios and work spaces, short and long-term residencies, and community-based programming” throughout the St. Louis arts community. Check out its event calendar when you’re in town, or at the very least, visit some of its greatest hits in the Grand Center Arts District.
There you will find one of the city’s largest art installations, Walls Off Washington, a string of about 30 murals that make a loop through the alley behind The Big Top, an urban festival grounds, and Sophie’s Artist Lounge, a cocktail bar that specializes in street-art installments and groovy DJ sets.
Much more art and music can be observed at a variety of other nearby venues. The neighborhood is considered to be the groundswell of where the arts begin in St. Louis and is home to the Fox Theater (check out the Grateful Dead show from 12/10/71 on Spotify), the St. Louis Symphony, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Pulitzer Museum, and more than 60 other art organizations. Plus, festivals like the Laz Jazz Fest rolling through the Big Top.
You’ll need to change neighborhoods, but don’t miss Broadway Oyster Bar, a locally-beloved venue pairing nightly live music with fresh oysters and New Orleans’ inspired fare. Or, in the Central West End, head to Evangeline’s, a Cajun bistro and music venue.
To further sample how the south has made an impact on St. Louis cuisine, head to one of the many Cajun-influenced restaurants found throughout the city. Additional music venues to check out are the Old Rock House, Blueberry Hill, and the Stifel Theater, among others.
Its city park is bigger than Central Park.
I was pretty surprised to hear that Forest Park in St. Louis was one of the largest city parks in the States. It sprawls 1,300 acres in size—by comparison, Central Park in New York is 843 acres—and offers more than just open space.
Located inside the park is the St. Louis Art Museum, which is free to enter, as well as the Missouri History Museum. Walk or drive around the park to see its many ecosystems, including forests, nature reserves, lakes, and streams.
Other Notable Neighborhoods
St. Louis has several historic neighborhoods to explore.
Be sure to swing through Soulard, a national historic district that has become a modern entertainment district. Houses in the neighborhood are 150+ years old, and tucked in and around them are bars, restaurants, and neighborhood coffee shops.
The Soulard Farmers’ Market was founded in the 18th century and is worth checking out for both the vendors and the people watching. It’s an especially fun area to check out on a game night, as several bars in this area, such as 1860s, provide free shuttles to Busch Stadium with the purchase of a drink.
Another night, hit a neighborhood known as The Grove for drinks and dinner. An up-and-coming area, you can find youthful gatherings and live music at the Gramophone (sandwich pub), Platypus (edgy neighborhood bar), and Urban Chestnut (local brewery). Plus, myriad cocktail bars and restaurants, like Grace Meat + Three, which feature—you guessed it—southern cuisine.