St. Louis is a place filled with eclectic neighborhoods, each with their own personalities and quirks. Experience distinct architecture, live entertainment, incredible restaurants, and hidden gems you can tell all your friends about. St. Louis is an arts town, and you can find creativity in every neighborhood. Whether you want to catch an up-and-coming band at a local music venue or watch a Broadway play against the backdrop of a grand stage, you can always find something to do in St. Louis.
Benton Park
Located just west of Soulard, the historic Benton Park houses a mixture of shops, galleries and causal bars and eateries, often housed in classic 19th-century architecture.
What To Try: The Venice Café
Carondelet
This St. Louis area has a rich history of being a melting pot for French, German, Irish, African, Spanish, British, Italian, and Polish settlers and is home to many significant historical sites. Among its extraordinary architecture, Carondelet is also host to summer park concerts, Murals on Broadway and an array of museums and galleries.
What To Try: Carondelet Historical Society Museum
Central West End
Located in the heart of the city, the Central West End features a rich history with stunning architecture and an exciting mix of restaurants, bistros, bars, shopping, galleries and entertainment. The charming ‘urban eclectic’ neighborhood evokes a sense of community and will never leave you without something to do, featuring more than 75 businesses and attractions, from art galleries to buzzing bars with live music.
What To Try: Third Degree Glass Factory
Cherokee Street
Step into the bright and lively Cherokee Street, a center of commerce, culture and creativity. From galleries and exploring Antique Row to live music and vibrant festivals, Cherokee Street is an urban oasis to enjoy it all. One of Cherokee streets largest celebrations is Cinco de Mayo celebrating the rich, multicultural and spirited community and offering a wide range of food, drinks, music and entertainment.
What To Try: MONACO
City Commons
Located in downtown St. Louis, City Commons is an energetic area of the city featuring popular St. Louis attractions such as the City Museum, Union Station, Aquarium and Stifel Theatre along with a wide selection of walkable shops, restaurants and bars.
What To Try: 21c Museum Hotel St Louis
Chesterfield
A short drive west of St. Louis is the residential neighborhood of Chesterfield, which features a mix of things to do from vibrant live entertainment venues, monumental sculptures, and a large assortment of shopping, restaurants and bars.
What To Try: The Factory
Clayton
Clayton is a chic, suburban area with a gorgeous city backdrop. This bustling business district features walkable sidewalks where you can explore a mix of galleries, shops and restaurants. Each year, Clayton is home to the St. Louis Arts Fair, one of the biggest arts fairs in St. Louis where more than 150,000 art enthusiasts gather to enjoy quality food, art, and live music.
What To Try: St Louis Artists’ Guild
Delmar Loop
The Delmar Loop is immersed in musical history, and the walkable streets are always full of a range of folks from all walks of life. The Loop, as it is commonly referred to by locals, is home to the St. Louis Walk of Fame, a vast variety of music venues, theaters, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and even a rooftop bar to soak up the city.
What To Try: Blueberry Hill
Dutchtown
Located on the south side of St. Louis, Dutchtown originally got its name from the St. Louis-style mispronunciation of “Deutsch” and was the center for German settlers in the 19th century. This diverse, gritty and forward-thinking neighborhood is home to up-and-coming local businesses, bars and restaurants.
What To Try: WILDFRUIT Projects
Downtown St. Louis
Downtown St. Louis is the city’s hub for dining and entertainment. Here you cheer on the Cardinals at Busch Stadium, visit the Gateway Arch National Park, and attend arts and culture events throughout the year such as Blues at the Arch.
What To Try: City Museum
Forest Park
Located in the heart of the city (and deemed THE heart of the city), the Forest Park neighborhood is widely known for the 1,300 acres of awe-inspiring landscapes encompassing woodlands, waterways, recreational areas, paths and prairies. It’s more than just a walk around the park, it is also home to some major St. Louis cultural institutions, such as the History Museum, the Muny, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Saint Louis Science Center and the Saint Louis Zoo. You can also catch some incredible events, especially in the summertime, like the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival.
What To Try: The Chapel
Grand Center Arts District
Noted as one of America’s most exciting emerging arts districts, the Grand Center Arts District is the creative hub of St. Louis. This landmark destination for the arts features culturally rich, historic venues like The Fabulous Fox Theatre and hip up-and-coming hotspots like The Dark Room. In the Grand Arts District, you can lose yourself in live performances in eclectic venues and walk to multiple galleries, discovering and admiring works across disciplines and practices.
What To Try: Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
North Hampton
The North Hampton neighborhood boundaries the nine-mile-long boulevard Kingshighway. Two smaller neighborhoods, Tilles Park and Kingshighway Hills, make up the whole of the North Hampton area. Though this is a quieter St. Louis area, you can find an assortment of fun across local businesses, restaurants and bars.
What To Try: 31art gallery
Kirkwood
This charming suburb of St. Louis is sprinkled with charm. This area is home to quaint parks, boutiques and restaurants and lively performances. Make sure to stop by the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center (KPAC), which is home to notable stage productions by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Saint Louis Ballet and STAGES.
What To Try: Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park
Lafayette Square
This historical and vibrant 184-year-old neighborhood perfectly connects the past and the present with tree-lined streets, picturesque parks, and numerous local eateries and businesses. One of Lafayette Squares’ main focal points is the 30-acre park, one of the oldest city parks and the first park west of the Mississippi River. Throughout the year, many events and happenings occur in the Victorian neighborhood. Stop by for seasonal events in Lafayette Park, like their free summer concert series featuring local talent.
What To Try: A Call to Conscience
Maplewood
Known to locals as “Mapleweird” this walkable community features a mixture of local businesses and an array of events, so you can always find something exciting to do. Downtown Maplewood, once home to a portion of the iconic Route 66, is now widely known for its small businesses and makers, from artists and leathermakers to brewmasters, this St. Louis neighborhood is home a little bit of everything.
What To Try: The Focal Point
Midtown
Home to historical locations such as Powell Hall to community areas to eat, drink and play such as the City Foundry, Midtown is an energetic, bustling pocket of St. Louis.
What To Try: Museum of Contemporary Religious Art
Old North
Just west of Downtown, Old North is home to historic 19th-century brick architecture. Stop by the historic Crown Candy Kitchen to satisfy a sweet tooth, enjoy a poetry reading or storytelling session at UrbArts and take a meaningful stroll through history at The Griot Museum of Black History.
What To Try: Urb Arts
Soulard
Rhythm and blues are what make up this buzzing St. Louis neighborhood. Even though Soulard is one of the oldest areas in St. Louis, on almost every street corner you can find live music and a patio with a bustling crowd and stiff drinks. They also host one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in St. Louis, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise to locals since Soulard, translated from French to English, means “drunkard.”
What To Try: Soulard Art Gallery
South Grand
South Grand is home to a diverse collection of exotic restaurants, bars and eclectic local shops. This trendy, walkable area is home to tons of events, such as pop-up markets from local makers throughout the year and the annual Fall and Music Fest. From lively nightlife to a lovely stroll at the Botanical Gardens, South Grand always has something for all tastes.
What To Try: Open Mic Night at Steve’s Hot Dogs
The Grove
One of St. Louis’ hottest spots for nightlife and beautiful street art, The Grove neighborhood features over 50 businesses hosting interesting places to eat, drink and dance. Centrally located, this thriving arts district has something for everyone. From live performances and nightclub dancing to annual festivals such as GroveFest, this walkable, diverse neighborhood will always show you a good time.
What To Try: Rehab Bar And Grill
The Hill
St. Louis’ own little Italy, The Hill, is a unique neighborhood with a rich (and delicious) history. Founded by Italian immigrants in the early 1800s, the area now features authentic Italian cuisine and is notorious for always having something going on. Whether you attend a parade or festival, a wine tasting at a local market, or visit Piazza Imo to toss a coin in the fountain, The Hill has a little something for everyone.
What To Try: Pop’s Blue Moon
The Ville
The Ville is a historic African American neighborhood with a rich history of African American education, business, entertainment and culture. Throughout the years, the Ville has nurtured a rich heritage for the Black population of the City of St. Louis. Sumner High School was one of the neighborhood’s first major institutions and the first school west of the Mississippi River to provide secondary education for Black students and some of the best-known alumni include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chuck Berry, opera diva Grace Bumbry and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll Tina Turner.
Tower Grove Park
The Tower Grove area is made up of two neighborhoods: Tower Grove South and Tower Grove East. Each neighborhood surrounds gorgeous and historic Tower Grove Park. One of seven National Historic Landmark Parks, it is home to a wide range of cultural events and free concerts from the St. Louis Symphony, Compton Heights Community Band and the Summer Children’s Concert Series.
What To Try: Whitaker Festival
Creve Coeur
Starting out as a farming community, Creve Coeur has developed into a thriving metropolitan area in central St. Louis County featuring acres of parkland and hundreds of businesses.
What To Try: Ballet 314
Webster Groves
Webster Groves is known for its long-standing foundation in the arts, with cultural anchors such as The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Opera Theatre of St. Louis and The Community Music School. In this creative community, you can also find an assortment of local eateries, independent shops and live music destinations.
What To Try: Green Door Art Gallery
Olivette
The city of Olivette is a suburban community nestled in the center of St. Louis County. Full of charm and local pride, the area hosts a vibrant mix of things to do. Featuring five parks hosting intimate arts and music events throughout the year, you can always find something to do in this quaint area.
What To Try: Dances of India
University City
University City is a beautiful urban community known for having vibrant and diversified neighborhoods and business districts. Home to the bustling Delmar Loop, the U City suburb is full of galleries and museums, local shops and live performances.
What To Try: Catherine B. Berges Theatre (at COCA)
Bevo Mill
Located in the heart of South St. Louis you can spot Bevo Mill by the historic city landmark windmill that connects the area to its German heritage. Featuring tons of lively bars and local businesses, the Bevo Mill area is a diverse, emerging neighborhood.
What To Try: The Heavy Anchor
Gravois Park
Gravois Park is a historic neighborhood constructed in the early to mid-1900s. This area features a variety of local events, a well-loved community garden and various restaurants and bars.
What To Try: Intersect Art Center
Maryland Heights
Maryland Heights is the place for concerts and entertainment in beautiful West St. Louis County. From walking around Westport Plaza to cheering on a band at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre or Saint Louis Music Park, you can always find something to do.
What To Try: Funny Bone (Westport Plaza)